Prince Harry’s team have made their feelings clear after the Duke of Sussex received an unequivocal apology from News Group Newspapers (NGN).

The Duke of Sussex and Lord Tom Watson settlement with the media group was announced on Wednesday morning.

A source from Prince Harry’s team has said regarding NGN’s statement: “The apology provides all the insight you need”.

A separate source has told BBC News that NGN were “surprised by the serious approach by Prince Harry for settlement in recent days”.

Prince Harry’s team have made their feelings clear after the Duke of Sussex received an unequivocal apology from News Group Newspapers (NGN).

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The apology in full says: “NGN offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the serious intrusion by The Sun between 1996 and 2011 into his private life, including incidents of unlawful activities carried out by private investigators working for The Sun.

“NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to the Duke of Sussex for the phone hacking, surveillance and misuse of private information by journalists and private investigators instructed by them at the News of the World.

“NGN further apologises to the Duke for the impact on him of the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, his late mother, in particular during his younger years.

“We acknowledge and apologise for the distress caused to the Duke, and the damage inflicted on relationships, friendships and family, and have agreed to pay him substantial damages.

A source from Prince Harry’s team has said regarding NGN’s statement: “The apology provides all the insight you need”.

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“It is also acknowledged, without any admission of illegality, that NGN’s response to the 2006 arrests and subsequent actions were regrettable.

“NGN also offers a full and unequivocal apology to Lord Watson for the unwarranted intrusion carried out into his private life during his time in Government by the News of the World during the period 2009- 2011.

“This includes him being placed under surveillance in 2009 by journalists at the News of the World and those instructed by them.

“NGN also acknowledges and apologises for the adverse impact this had on Lord Watson’s family and has agreed to pay him substantial damages.

Prince Harry has previously publicly indicated that he was against settling the case with NGN.

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“In addition, in 2011 News International received information that information was being passed covertly to Lord Watson from within News International.

“We now understand that this information was false, and Lord Watson was not in receipt of any such confidential information. NGN apologises fully and unequivocally for this.”

Prince Harry has previously publicly indicated that he was against settling the case with NGN.

The trial was originally scheduled to start at 10am on Tuesday but just over 24 hours later the settlement has been announced.

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