The Duke of Sussex is set for a significant return to the United Kingdom this week, but his visit will not include a reunion with his father, King Charles III. Prince Harry is travelling to London to attend the opening of a landmark legal case against a major newspaper publisher.
A Week of Legal Battles and Separate Royal Duties
Prince Harry will jet into London this weekend ahead of the start of his High Court action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail. The trial, which begins on Monday, is expected to last nine weeks.
Meanwhile, the King will commence the week approximately 500 miles away in Scotland, fulfilling royal engagements. He is scheduled to host a reception for the Scotland Investment Forum at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on Monday. Charles will then return to London on Tuesday to resume his ongoing cancer treatment, but royal sources have confirmed that no meeting between father and son has been requested or arranged.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who have had no contact with Harry for over two years, will also be in Scotland next week. They have no plans to see the Duke during his stay.
The Details of the High Court Claim
Harry is one of seven high-profile claimants bringing the case against ANL. The group, which includes Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and actress Liz Hurley, alleges the media group carried out or commissioned unlawful activities. These accusations include hiring private investigators to place listening devices in cars, unlawfully accessing private phone conversations, and "blagging" flight information.
ANL has denied all allegations. The High Court has already seen pre-trial arguments, with lawyers for the claimants objecting to what they called "exceptionally serious" allegations of dishonesty made by ANL's legal team against some representatives on their side.
Prince Harry is expected to attend most days of the trial and is due to give evidence for a full day on Thursday. Other claimants, including Lady Lawrence and Sir Elton, are also scheduled to testify.
Background of Strained Relations and Security Concerns
The last in-person meeting between the King and his younger son occurred in May last year, following Harry's unsuccessful appeal for taxpayer-funded security when visiting the UK. The Duke has previously stated he does not feel it is safe to bring his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to Britain due to security concerns.
Harry has since written to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, requesting a full review of his security arrangements. A decision from the Home Office is anticipated in the coming weeks.
Following the court case, the Duke is expected to return to his home in California. He is scheduled to travel back to the UK in July to launch the countdown to the Birmingham 2027 Invictus Games, the sporting event he founded for wounded service personnel.
