Prince Harry’s Real Settlement from the Rupert Murdoch Settlement Revealed

Prince Harry isn’t quite the cash king the media hyped him up to be. Despite reports that he secured a massive eight-figure settlement from Rupert Murdoch’s News Group Newspapers (NGN), the truth is far less flattering.

A source familiar with the deal confirmed that after legal costs and payments to his co-claimant, former politician Tom Watson, Harry walked away with as little as £2 million ($2.5 million). That’s barely more than what his brother, Prince William, reportedly received in a secret 2020 settlement.

The Real Motive: Publicity Over Payout

Harry’s legal team insists the real prize wasn’t the money—it was forcing NGN to admit wrongdoing at The Sun. “This was never about the cash,” a source close to Harry told us. “It was about accountability.” But let’s not kid ourselves—Harry has spent years building a brand off of grievances, and this case was just another chapter in that playbook.

NGN’s settlement was described as a “desperate last-minute move” by Prospect magazine, aimed at avoiding a public trial that could have been far more damaging. And yet, despite all the noise, NGN carefully avoided admitting to any cover-up, particularly regarding former executive Will Lewis, now leading Jeff Bezos’ Washington Post.

The ‘Secret’ Deal No One Talks About

Prince William’s 2020 settlement only came to light because Harry brought it up in court filings. “My brother appeared to know an awful lot more than I did on the subject of phone hacking,” Harry complained, suggesting William had cut a quiet deal with NGN in exchange for staying silent. Reports estimate William’s payout was around £1 million ($1.25 million), far less than the exaggerated figures attached to Harry’s deal.

What’s Next? A Dead-End for Harry’s Crusade

While Harry and his team claim they are pursuing criminal accountability for NGN’s past actions, legal experts aren’t buying it. “Harry’s side has put together a file for the police about a supposed cover-up,” one legal insider explained. “But a prosecution is never going to happen. The police have real problems to deal with—like the growing radicalization of young men online—not historical tabloid drama.”

So while Harry may spin this as a win, the reality is far less impressive. After years of legal battles, he secured an apology, a small payout, and yet another excuse to play the victim. Meanwhile, the world moves on, leaving Harry exactly where he always is—complaining about the past.