Charles Spencer: It’s ‘wonderful’ that Prince Harry got ‘an apology to his mother’

Yesterday, News Group Newspapers settled with Prince Harry. Harry sued NGN nearly six years ago, and he stood tough as the Murdoch empire threw everything they could at him. The Murdochs were helped along the way by the royalist media class in the UK and the Windsors themselves. Because Harry was fully prepared to go through this lengthy process and put his money and reputation on the line, NGN really had no choice but to settle and admit culpability, giving Harry a full apology AND an admission of their wrong-doing. That was more than any other litigant had gotten through NGN’s settlements. Not only that, Harry secured an acknowledgement and admission about what the Murdochs had done to his late mother.

The settlement was huge transatlantic news yesterday, with “Prince Harry” and “Murdoch” trending on social media the entire day. Harry was praised across the board for his bravery in taking on the Murdochs and winning. Two groups of people were noticeably quiet and subdued: royal reporters and the Windsors. Some royal reporters did bare-bones updates on the case, but the Windsors issued zero statements of support, praise or acknowledgement of Harry’s victory. Given that Harry’s lawsuits with NGN were a major reason why the Windsors behaved the way they did in 2020, it feels like the Windsors are more concerned about their dear friend NGN than Prince Harry. Someone in Harry’s British family did make a public statement though – his uncle Charles Spencer, the Earl Spencer.

“It’s just wonderful that Harry fought for – and gained – an apology to his mother. She would be incredibly touched at that, & rightly proud.” I was touched and proud that Harry apparently insisted on an acknowledgement for his mother too. As many pointed out yesterday, this is not the first time NGN gave a settlement to a prince – the last time, they gave Prince William £1 million secretly, didn’t publicly apologize, admitted nothing and they probably rejoiced when William publicly called his mother paranoid.

Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Avalon Red.

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104 Responses to “Charles Spencer: It’s ‘wonderful’ that Prince Harry got ‘an apology to his mother’”

  1. Harla says:

    I imagine that Harry could forgive a lot of what William did to him but I doubt he’ll ever forgive him for what he said about their mother. Like so many, I’m extremely proud of Harry! #GoodKingHarry

    • SIde Eye says:

      I join you in that sentiment! Growing up, his mom used to make me so proud. And now I look at him the same way. So happy for him.

      On a separate note, Harry is the standard for standing up to toxic family, the media, and old friends who won’t grow up. He really put his foot down and showed the world this is how you honor the woman you love. When you love someone you don’t let even your closest family members disrespect them.

      #GoodKingHarry

    • Dunne says:

      Yes, Haria, YES!

  2. Brit says:

    That man fought for his country, Diana and Meghan and the children. People really underestimate Harry. He’s a soldier and the press and that family need to leave him alone. It’s been 5 years of foolishness from those tabloids. They need to move from obsessing to the 1000th degree over this couple.

    • Snaggletooth says:

      I’m going to teach my sons about Prince Harry. He’s such an awesome example of strong, positive masculinity. Love love love him

      • Tara says:

        ❤️ its true.

      • Josie says:

        Harry is indeed a great role model for young men everywhere. A loyal and honest father and husband. He overcame sorrow from losing his mother, faced up to his mental health issues and married the woman of his dreams. He’s a fierce warrior for good and generous with his time to give to others. Achieving an apology for his mother is a huge event and was the central aspect of his case. Forcing News Corp to admit their malicious campaigns has been a major step in the fight for a fair and just media. Well done Harry.

  3. Snaggletooth says:

    It’s amazing to watch the derangers try to spin this as a loss. News flash: when the settlement is absolutely everything you could ask for out of trial, there is absolutely zero reason to go to trial. The support Harry is getting for this is driving them insane.

    • Tessa says:

      Derangers are very frustrated despite their spin attempts

    • Ginger says:

      They are really trying to cope lol. This is a massive victory for Harry. If it went to trial he would be responsible for legal fees for both sides and with this settlement he doesn’t have to pay. Plus, if it went to trial it would be the judge that finds NGN responsible not NGN themselves (and offering an apology) This was a huge victory and they hate seeing Harry being praised by everyone and slamming William for saying his mom was paranoid.

    • Tessa says:

      Some derangers trash the settlement and blame Meghan for making harry do this. Desperation shows.

      • pottymouth pup says:

        8 figure settlement and payment of legal expenses incurred, public admission of guilt, public admission of criminal activity, public apology to Harry and Diana AND no NDA but, sure, it’s a loss that should be criticized as a loss

        I just can’t with these people

    • Becks1 says:

      Exactly. the only thing Harry stood to gain at trial was….pretty much nothing. Maybe everything being out in the open, and I think he wanted that, and that was probably part of the calculation here – how much was everything coming to light worth compared to settling at this point, with the apology, acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and monetary offer on the table?

      One could even say that by taking the settlement Harry was protecting the royal family. I don’t think that was part of his calculation – if I were him I wouldn’t care at all about protecting them at this point – but it certainly did save them some embarrassing revelations.

      • Barb Mill says:

        That’s exactly what I was saying on another group. Perhaps after seeing all the correspondence between the royals and NGN he decided he didn’t want to expose it all and it factored into his decision. Partially because he would be crucified if it came into the public not them. And I also thought what was more important was that admission of guilt and apology to his mother. I also wonder if he somehow got some sort of agreement that the smear campaign would end.

      • bisynaptic says:

        Good point.

    • SuOutdoors says:

      There is zero reason to go to trial – and zero opportunity! As soon as you reach in a civil case your declared aim (accountability) by the plaintiff pleading guilty, every judge will close the case. Very well explained by James O’Brian and a legal expert on LBC.

      • Sasha says:

        An apology, an admittance to breaking the law, likely 50 Mil in damages, legals
        First time ever scum Murdoch admitted to wrongdoing.. He got it all. No one ever achieved that. Breathtakingly fab

      • Hypocrisy says:

        James O’Brien is a voice of reason in a sea of hysterics.. a civil court can only accomplish so much this should be investigated by the police and government and it should have happened decades ago with Levenson2. Prince Harry won big.

      • Lawrenceville says:

        Thats exactly what I said @Suoutdoors. NGM PLED GUILTY, lets please shout this so those in the back can hear. Its incorrect to frame this as a “settlement” when the defendant pled guilty and the case at that point was done. Even if Harry had refused their money and apology, he still couldn’t go any further with a trial as the other party had already plead guilty.

  4. Tessa says:

    The Bashir interview was censored by William too. Diana had wanted that interview it should never have been censored

  5. Nanea says:

    Seeing Charles Spencer acknowledge Harry made me quite teary-eyed, and I’m not usually the sentimental type, unless close family or longtime friends are involved.

    It was so good to see his special message among so many other good, encouraging messages out there.

    “It feels like the Windsors are more concerned about their dear friend NGN than Prince Harry.”

    I saw some pics yesterday up and down my socials of CIII, Queen Side Piece and the Willionaire Slumlord together with Murdoch, Brooks, Rothermere. It was a joy to behold to be reminded that *some* people indeed can be bought.

  6. Over it says:

    Harry is a real man , Not the spare . His wife Meghan was so correct about what she said about her husband and Diana true son . William on the other hand is a punk -A – B. I am go glad Harry has a real family in his mom’s side . Now that’s family.

  7. Of course the Windsors were not going to congratulate him on his win and the apology for his mother because the head Windsor and his equine wife wanted her dead. Peg threw her under the bus first chance he got. Plus Harry is not supposed to win at anything. I’m so happy he has some family who actually care for him. He did what he set out to do!! Good King Harry.

    • Vs says:

      H doesn’t need that family to acknowledge him … W & H is really the tale of brothers: a wimp as heir and a warrior as spare/true king

    • Cassie says:

      I absolutely agree Susan Collins .
      Harry knows how his paternal family operate , he has learned to live without their support .

  8. Thatgirltothere says:

    Harry had the truth, the tools and integrity on his side. Holding out for the apology for his late mother shows what a leader he is as well. And knowing that his brother sold his mother out for a few dollars further defines who those two men are.

    Well done Good King Harry!

  9. aquarius64 says:

    Derangers and royalists and rota were having meltdowns over Harry’s win, claiming William took on the tabloids first and the settlement he got was donated to charity (his own). Being photographed at a soccer match while this was going on was not a good look for William.

  10. Vs says:

    Harry is the true King and showed yesterday how weak Wilikeaks really is. What a disappointment W turned out to be.
    What a man H is! Go Harry

  11. sevenblue says:

    I honestly never expected Murdoch’s papers would apologize to Diana. I am sure that took a lot of back and forth between Harry’s legal team and Murdoch’s lawyers. Remember all the QE2’s team’s emails where they were looking for an apology and never got one. That was the Queen of the UK, who couldn’t make Murdoch apologize to her family. Harry with limited resources and even limited allies made it happen not just for himself, but also for his mother.

    It made me really emotional hearing from MP Watson too, he said he wished they didn’t at least go after his family. The amount of pain and trauma these so called journalists caused to so many people is unimaginable. I am happy, no one has to say “allegedly” anymore while mentioning the crimes of Murdoch’s papers.

  12. Tessa says:

    William plays the Diana card when it suits him
    He looks even more hypocritical now.

  13. Brassy Rebel says:

    It’s wonderful that Diana has one son she can be proud of.

  14. Amy Bee says:

    As I said yesterday Harry getting an apology for his mother was very touching.

  15. sunnyside up says:

    So when is William going to apologise to his mum’s family for calling her paranoid?

  16. SussexWatcher says:

    I’m completely off social media since the election but not surprised at all this was trending all day yesterday. I hope it continues for a week. Harry is a king among men (and women) in his family. The only one with any honor. I hope the incandescent raging from KP and BP continues to be heard all up and down the countryside.

    I was so pleased to hear others report yesterday that the Sun online had removed the royals tab and very little info on Meghan was available through search. I don’t care what they put back up about the Leftover Royals but I hope it was also part of the settlement, to leave Meghan’s name (and Harry’s and the children’s) out of their mouths/reporting.

    I’m also hoping that more details come out about who inside the royal machine was selling out Harry. They need to be names and shamed.

  17. somebody says:

    Noticeably silent PW who should be happy that his mother got an apology.

  18. Eurydice says:

    Well, that tracks. The RF is notorious for it’s slow reaction time. Didn’t it take 5 days for Elizabeth to make a public statement about Diana’s death?

  19. Sasha says:

    Being of the ‘Charles and di’ gen, I literally cried. It’s so massive, probably more than many realise. What Harry achieved is a mountain no one has ever, in the world, climbed, though thousands have tried. That’s insanely impressive. I hope everyone remembers that.

  20. JEsi says:

    Harry getting that apology for his mother is the money shot. He won with that alone. They hounded Princess Diana to death. Her ex-husband did nothing to protect her and her older son did absolutely fuck all as the heir with all his money and power. Prince Harry, the glorious spare fought the biggest news org in the country and got an apology for his mother with so much and so many people against him. Besides putting his wife and children first to leave the toxic country and family, this is his crowing glory.

  21. ABritGuest says:

    When I heard there were settlement talks I was expecting a mealy mouth acknowledgment of liability & apology. Wasn’t expecting such a big admission of guilt AND apology extended to Diana. Amazing & can imagine how touching it was for the Spencer’s. Well done Harry & his team

  22. Noor says:

    The silence from the King Charles and William is deafening. especially after Charles dubbed Harry’s crusade against the press for accountability and justice, a suicide mission

    • Chrissy says:

      It just shows how much Charles underestimated his younger son. Harry is the epitome of a brave soldier fighting for what is right and good. Unlike his loser father and brother, Harry slayed the dragon! He fought, against the odds, for his mother’s honour and won! The Spencers must be so proud!

    • Tessa says:

      Charles “concern” for his late ex wife (his “mourning” at the funeral) showed how phony he is when he cooperated with Penny Junor (who said that he and Camilla cooperated with her) on books that included trashing Diana. Also Ingrid is a friend of Charles and started writing books disparaging Diana about a year after she died.

      • HeatherC says:

        He was absolutely mourning. He was mourning the loss of one of his scapegoats. The press treated Diana horribly before, during and after her divorce. And coverage of her was a slight of hand away from whatever he and his mare were doing. Diana pulled more press coverage than his other scapegoats, including Andrew at the time. While he was jealous about the positive coverage, he learned to control the narrative and keep the press focused on anything “objectionable” (like dating men who weren’t white).

    • sparrow1 says:

      Did he really use those words? For one, he was wrong. And two, hate when people use the word “suicide” like that. Prick. Our family has come too close to the reality of that word recently.

    • Steph says:

      And Harry still had the grace to make sure that his statement said they owed The King an apology too. Not Pegs. But still….

  23. T says:

    I love that Harry was ten toes deep and resolute about the apology for his mother. It makes you love him even more. Who cares about the Windsors? As long as the Spencers are by his side, he is content. I wish Princess Diana were still alive to see how Harry has thrived and built a life with family and friends that he loves.

    May I add that Harry and Meghan look like they’re aging backwards while the leftovers look like they’re ready to join the walking dead. I love this for them.

  24. Becks1 says:

    I agree with others that I think the apology to Diana was one of the big sticking points for Harry. He probably wasn’t going to accept any settlement language that did not cover his mother. It breaks my heart after reading Spare – like he’s trying to protect her in death in a way that he wasn’t able to in life.

    • Aj says:

      This! It’s heartbreaking really, that a little boy with no real power in that situation grew up to fiercely protect everyone around him, including the late mother he couldn’t protect as a child. 💔 Good for Harry. The blueprint for what a real man looks like.

  25. ML says:

    I realize this isn’t the point, since Harry wanted them to apologize and admit that they were wrong, but it has to smart that Harry got much of what he wanted and was reputedly paid an 8-figure amount when someone else settled in secret for at most a tenth of that money, no?

    • sevenblue says:

      The thing is we don’t know what else Will got from Murdoch. It was a secret settlement. Maybe he was also promised that Murdoch papers won’t be writing anything negative about him and his family. Considering the speed of any article a little critical about royals getting removed, Will had to be promised that his dirty business won’t be aired in any Murdoch papers. One thing is certain, Will was only after protecting his own ass.

    • Tarte au Citron says:

      They bought Billy Idle off at a bargain. He must be raging again! (not that he needs the money, but I am sure he is fuming that Harry won such a massive settlement, and came out of this *very* well)

      • Lala11_7 says:

        Billy Idle?!? 😀😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂😬

        BRAVO TARTE❣️

      • Debbie says:

        Well, you know what that means. William is going to have to hop on a random stationary motorcycle and make “vroom-vroom” sounds to show people what a big boy he still is. I’m sure that’ll take away the sting of yet another win for Harry.

  26. Charlie says:

    The little boy couldn’t protect his mother back then but the man today did. Congratulations Harry.

  27. Jill says:

    I appreciate (because I’m petty as hell) that the Spencer statement made no mention of William. The Earl said how wonderful it was that Harry gained an apology for HIS mother, not his and William’s mother.

    • Jaded says:

      I think there is “space” between the Spencers and Slumlords Billy and Chuck. After Charles Spencer’s angry eulogy at Diana’s funeral took ALL THE PISS out of the two of them, any friendship between them vanished to this very day.

      • Steph says:

        You think there is space between C&W and all the Spencer’s or just with Charges Spencer? Cuz William went to their Uncle’s (Their Aunt Jane’s husband) funeral. I didn’t think W is super close but I don’t think there is any beef.

      • Tessa says:

        Diana’s sisters were in the portrait photo at Archie’s Christening. William did not feature them in family portrait photos for any of his children’s christenings

      • CherryBerry says:

        I think at the time of the funeral C. Spencer made Charles look bad (not William) but as an adult I don’t think William cares to keep a relationship with the Spencer’s like Harry does. So it feels like their relationship was neutral, that is until Charles Spencer and the rest of the Spencer’s recent public backing of Harry. I feel it gnaws and irritates William, and he attempted to show the public that he is also close to them too by stating he was at the funeral. Although there was no photographic evidence he was there.

  28. Lady Digby says:

    Charles Spencer is proud of Harry and his achievements. His congratulations show how Harry has some family members justifiably proud of him. They value him. KC , Camz, W and K are in bed with the press. They want to preserve their contract by putting obstacles in the way of Harry getting justice against the press hence green lighting Jason Knauf “volunteering” to give evidence on behalf of the Fail!!! They won’t be congratulating Harry because they wanted him to fail.

  29. sparrow1 says:

    Diana truly was a beautiful woman. She had that young yet mature beauty of the 90s models and actresses etc. “Beautiful” is far too easily thrown around these days. Harry’s done a marvellous thing, getting that apology for her.

  30. tamsin says:

    The Windsors should be grateful that there was a settlement because I’m sure a trial would have brought out unflattering things about the Windsors’ use of the media, so Harry protected them as well with the final outcome of his law suit. Lord Watson’s praise of Harry’s courage and tenacity says it all. Meghan also paid a price because the tabs continued attack of her was a way to get at Harry.

    • Unblinkered says:

      Also the words used yesterday, I think by Harry’s KC Mr Sherborne, that Murdoch’s reporting about H&M had been relentlessly ‘aggressive and vengeful’.

      How true has that been.

  31. QuiteContrary says:

    Props mostly to Harry for insisting on the apology to Diana. But props, too, to Sherborne for understanding that was a nonnegotiable for Harry.

    Harry is the change he wants to see in the world.

  32. Inge says:

    Yesterday I was keeping an eye on the news and was happy that Harry got an apology and settlement.

    Then I read the apology and got all teary eyed at the mention of Diana. Her loving son did that.

    No wonder uncle Charles is proud of him.

  33. Mslove says:

    Lol. I wonder how Peg is feeling now? Diana loved Peg unconditionally and he sold her out. I wonder how that makes him feel, becoming the face of an organization that destroyed his mother. I had hoped Peg & Harry would burn it all down. But alas.

  34. Beverley says:

    Harry fights for – and gets – a public apology for his mother. What did The Other Brother do? He denounced Diana as paranoid and bamboozled. It’s easy to see which brother is the superior man. My condolences to Slumlord Willy’s future subjects.

    #GoodKingHarry

  35. Tuni says:

    I am so happy for Diana. She was trying to thrive and they kept adding weight to head while she was swimming. She thought leaving would get the weight off her head, but they increased it becaue she was now considered uncontrollable.

    For harry to take that weight off Diana and restore her entire reputation, which is what she was trying to do, is breathtaking, in the truest form.

    Diana wont get the two- side treatment anymore in print or in social circles when she is referenced. Like “she is beautiful, a traiblazer and can be generous but oh she was also a fraud, troubled, a liar about her complaints and pretending paranoia ”

    For all harry and meghan endured, diana had that plus the only one to really care about her children. Harry and meghan have each other to lean into and help each other, They are in lockstep and agree with each other’s prioirties. She was the warrior first. Harry followed in her footsteps . He finished it.

    all the verbal and every type of harrassmanet Diana has endured is seen for what it is and the manipulators apologized. Schemers and tricksters can be terrified Harry has now shone his mothers crown back to gleaming. they get seen as the compromised ones they have always been and Diana spoke out about.

    • HeatherC says:

      “Diana wont get the two- side treatment anymore in print or in social circles when she is referenced. Like “she is beautiful, a traiblazer and can be generous but oh she was also a fraud, troubled, a liar about her complaints and pretending paranoia ”

      What was once called the Diana treatment is now the Meghan treatment. They’ll just concentrate their attacks on Meghan to get even with Harry.

      • Tessa says:

        Harry needs to put a stop to that. He and Meghan should fight this.

      • Tuni says:

        I wonder- haven’t “the horribles” already been giving meghan that treatment from the beginning- it looked like they followed the exact female taget directed playbook but added in traumatic racism. Media , legacy and tabloids [ seem to] see themselves as gamers, thus they may have to pull back on smearing Meghan and harry.. and switch their strategy, Instead of straight degrading to writing degrading yet back handed compliments.. maybe even starting to piggy back more and more on M and H successes.bragging the success is “due to them” . instead of putting M and H down to appear better than.

        The bigger question to media etc, is, why are you the way you are.

        Is the ” RF” – mostly “king” Charles- actually more powerful than murdoch, hence the guilty admission. I think it looked up to now that murdoch had the pull. But this guilt admission makes it look like actually Harry and Meghan bested charles. Or whomever is hiding behind charles/ has more power than ” king” Charles.

      • wolfmamma says:

        They already are attacking Meghan .. again saw and didn’t open an article just now. Didn’t check to see if there were more.

      • Nikki says:

        It’s already started. Within moments of the settlement announcement, Page Six was back to the Meghan attacks and name calling.

  36. Loretta says:

    Charles Spencer is right, Diana would be so proud of Harry. I’m so happy for his win!

  37. Jean says:

    Well done to Harry👍 Charles Spencer is good to acknowledge it because his original nuclear family won’t.

  38. Nlopez says:

    I’m so glad Diana was vindicated along with Harry and Meghan. Harry is her true son. I believe she’s proud of him too. As for William, I have no words…

  39. s808 says:

    Harry won’t forgive W for a lot but calling their mother paranoid has to be at the top of the list. Just completely disrespectful. H knew she was never paranoid and he fought to prove it. I hope he’s at peace knowing he secured acknowledgment from some of the people who made Diana’s life and an apology. Well done Harry.

  40. JFerber says:

    Simply judge how two brothers treated their mother: one disparages her and one retroactively seeks justice for her. How one treats one’s mother is a very good indicator of a man’s character. Too bad the crap son gets to be king. But Harry is the true king and what a loss to England, though they don’t even know it.

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