PEOPLE understands that News Group Newspapers (NGN) has agreed to pay the Duke of Sussex an eight-figure sum in his case against the publisher

Prince Harry's "mission" against the British press has resulted in a victory against Rupert Murdoch's the Sun, which has admitted to wrongdoing.

The Duke of Sussex unexpectedly settled his case against News Group Newspapers over allegations of illegal information gathering on Wednesday, Jan. 222

The owner of the Sun newspaper, News Group Newspapers (NGN), has given a "full and unequivocal apology" to the Duke of Sussex for "serious intrusion" into his private life and agreed to pay substantial damages. It has settled the long-running legal battle between the publisher and Prince Harry, just before it was due to reach the High Court.

Prince Harry claimed victory in his long-running legal battle against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper group, after reaching a deal to settle his lawsuit which included an apology for unlawful actions relating to the Sun for the first time.

Prince Harry’s yearslong legal battle against Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group took an unexpected turn on Wednesday, after the duke settled his case before the trial was due to get underway.

Prince Harry’s lawsuit against the publisher of The Sun took another twist Tuesday when the trial was delayed by last-minute settlement negotiations. It follows two decades of legal drama over the cutthroat practices of the British press in the days when newspapers sold millions of copies and shaped the popular conversation.

Prince Harry's barrister said there was potentially a "good prospect" of an agreement that would save the court time.