NGN also admitted it had intruded into the private life of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.

“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,” he said.

Prince Harry’s lawyer, David Sherborne, delivers a statement outside the High Court in London. Source: EPA / Andy Rain

NGN also admitted targeting Watson, including when he was a junior minister under then prime minister Gordon Brown, who had been due to give evidence if the trial had gone ahead.

However, NGN’s apology made no direct reference to any wrongdoing by its senior figures, nor to the allegation that there had been any cover-ups by current or former executives.

There was no comment from Buckingham Palace nor the office of Prince William, Harry’s elder brother who himself quietly settled a case against NGN in 2020 for a “very large sum”, according to Harry’s legal team.