Prince Harry (Image | COURTESY)
Prince Harry is not expected to reunite with his father, King Charles III, when he returns to the United Kingdom later this month for a major legal battle against a British newspaper group, according to sources.
The Duke of Sussex, 41, will travel to London for several days to attend the opening of a High Court trial linked to his long-running lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). The case is the final action in a series of claims Harry has brought against sections of the British press.
Harry is among a group of high-profile claimants — including Sir Elton John, actress Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, the former wife of actor Jude Law — who allege that ANL, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, engaged in unlawful information-gathering practices. The publisher has strongly denied all allegations.
Despite being in the U.K. at the same time, Harry and King Charles are unlikely to see each other. Sources say the monarch avoids involvement in active legal cases, while reports also indicate the King is expected to be in Scotland during his son’s visit.
The trial is provisionally scheduled to begin on January 19, with Harry expected to be the first witness to give evidence, although the final timetable has yet to be confirmed. Representatives for both the Duke of Sussex and Buckingham Palace declined to comment.
Harry last met his father in September during a brief visit to the U.K., marking their first face-to-face encounter in 18 months. The meeting at Clarence House reportedly lasted less than an hour.
The upcoming court appearance comes as Harry’s long-running fight to regain full-time, taxpayer-funded security in the U.K. appears to have gained momentum. Recent reports suggest there have been positive signals from the government following an official review of his security status.
The Duke has repeatedly said he does not feel safe bringing his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children — Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — to Britain without official protection.
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