Prince Harry reportedly “has no plans” to see his father, King Charles, during his next trip to the UK in just a few days’ time, it has been claimed. The Duke of Sussex will be back in London this month to appear at his trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).
According to The Telegraph, the trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 19. Harry is one of seven claimants, including Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley and Baroness Lawrence.
The Duke is expected to be the first witness to testify in the trial, which is expected to last for up to nine weeks.
The Telegraph reported that Harry is “unable to commit to any specific dates or times” and that he has still not booked his flights.
The newspaper suggested his visit to his home country will be a short one.
Harry last saw his father in September, in what was their first meeting in 19 months.
Father and son met at Clarence House for a little less than an hour when Harry was back in Britain to attend various engagements linked to his patronages.
Their last meeting before that was in February 2024, when Harry rushed back home following the King’s shock cancer diagnosis.
The newspaper added that a new meeting between the two is unlikely, also due to the King’s schedule.
Charles will “almost certainly be in Scotland” during Harry’s trip.
It reported: “More pertinently, royal sources acknowledge that he [King Charles] has no wish to be linked to any court proceedings, meaning that on this occasion, he would prefer to give his younger son a wide berth.”
The claimants’ barrister, David Sherborn, told them to all attend the opening of the trial in a “show of strength”.
Prince Harry, Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Baroness Lawrence, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes allege that ANL have carried out or commissioned unlawful activities, including hiring private investigators to place listening devices in cars.
They also claim that they “blagged” private records and accessed private phone conversations.
The publisher, which firmly denies the allegations, previously told the court that the accusations are “lurid” and “simply preposterous.