Prince Harry Probably Won’t Meet King Charles During His U.K. Visit for Court Hearing This Month

King Charles and Prince Harry are pictured in 2019.
Credit :

Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Prince Harry Set for U.K. Return Amid Legal Proceedings

Prince Harry is scheduled to return to the U.K. later this month for a court appearance related to his legal claim against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, over alleged illegal information gathering. Sources indicate that it is unlikely Harry, 41, will meet with his father, King Charles, during this visit as the King typically refrains from engagements connected to ongoing legal matters.

Harry’s return coincides with the opening of a High Court trial, representing the culmination of several lawsuits the Duke has initiated against British newspapers. High-profile figures, including Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost, are also involved in lawsuits against Associated Newspapers for similar allegations.

The publisher has strongly denied the accusations, as reported by the BBC. During Harry’s previous visit to the U.K. last September, he and King Charles met for the first time in 18 months, but given the current legal context, a reunion seems improbable this month.

King Charles and Prince Harry are pictured in 2014.

Chris Jackson/Getty

Reportedly, King Charles is expected to be in Scotland during his son’s visit, according to The Telegraph, who first broke the story. The preliminary schedule for Harry’s trial opening is January 19, where he is anticipated to be the first witness. However, the precise timeline remains to be confirmed.

Neither Buckingham Palace nor Harry’s representatives have commented on these developments.

Separately, earlier reports suggest that the Duke of Sussex is making progress in his efforts to reinstate official armed security during his visits to the U.K. Sources indicate that there are positive signs from the government regarding a potential reversal of the decision to deny him security.

An official review reportedly found that Harry meets the criteria for taxpayer-funded security, following years of advocacy, which included a notable court battle that he lost. Harry has expressed concerns that without adequate security, he cannot safely bring his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to the U.K.

Prince Harry.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Harry’s last visit to the U.K. occurred in September, during which he supported various charities and spent time with King Charles at Clarence House. Their meeting lasted around 55 minutes, after which both parties declined to disclose further details. This reunion marked a significant step in their relationship, amid previous reports of a rift, which had left communication between them strained.

In May, Harry expressed a desire for family reconciliation, acknowledging that his past decisions, including the publication of his memoir Spare, may have complicated family dynamics.