I've seen the error of my ways.

Which of the following phrases or idioms expresses the closest meaning to this?

I knew it was a mistake all along

"I knew it was a mistake all along" expresses that even as Harold was hunting bears, he knew in his heart or in his head that it was a mistake. Another way to express this would be to say that "At the same time that Harold was hunting bears, he realized that it was wrong". When Harold says that he has "seen the error of his ways" he is expressing that now, or in retrospect, Harold sees that he made a mistake.

I recognize the mistakes I have made

When Harold says that he has "seen the error of his ways", he is expressing that he "recognizes" or "acknowledges" the mistakes that he has made. When he talks about his "ways", he is referring to his "habits" or his "behavior". This is a common idiom in English, often used in the context of public apologies, as it is in Harold's speech. "To see the error of one's ways" is to acknowledge that someone has made mistakes in the past.

I regret what happened before

Harold is not exactly expressing his regret when he makes this statement, but rather that he has recognized that his actions were inappropriate.

I know a mistake when I see one

Harold is not saying that he "knows a mistake" when he sees one. This would mean that Harold knows how to recognize a mistake as soon as he sees one. This is not exactly what is expressed by the idiom "I see the error of my ways".

I understand how the public views this type of thing

This is not the best answer here. Harold is declaring that he recognizes his own errors, he is not expressing that he understands the public perspective on the incident.

A mistake all along meaning in English

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