- - Prince Harry Unlikely to See King Charles When He Returns to U.K. This Month for Court Hearing

Becca Longmire, Simon PerryJanuary 7, 2026 at 7:19 AM

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King Charles and Prince Harry are pictured in 2019 -

Prince Harry is set to return to the U.K. later this month for a court date in his legal claim against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday, for alleged illegal information gathering

However, it is unlikely that Harry, 41, will see his father, King Charles, during the visit, PEOPLE understands, as the King tries to avoid involving himself in active legal cases

Last September, Harry and the monarch had their first in-person meeting in 18 months

It's unlikely that Prince Harry will see his father, King Charles, when he heads back to the U.K. later this month for a court case over his legal claim against Associated Newspapers.

PEOPLE understands that Harry, 41, will return to London for a few days for the opening of the High Court trial, which marks the final legal action in a series of lawsuits the prince has filed against British newspapers.

Several high-profile figures, including pop star Elton John, actress Elizabeth Hurley and Jude Law's ex-wife Sadie Frost, are suing Associated Newspapers (ANL) — the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday — for alleged illegal information gathering.

Associated Newspapers has "vigorously" denied the allegations, the BBC previously reported.

Harry and King Charles had their first in-person meeting in 18 months during Harry's last visit to the U.K. in September. However, the King tries to avoid active legal cases, so it's unlikely they will see each other this month, PEOPLE understands.

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King Charles and Prince Harry are pictured in 2014

The King is also likely be in Scotland during his youngest son's visit, according to U.K. paper The Telegraph, who were the first to report the news.

Harry's upcoming trial opening has been provisionally scheduled for Jan. 19. He is expected to be the first witness to give evidence, the paper noted; however, the exact timetable is yet to be confirmed.

A rep for Harry declined to comment when approached by PEOPLE, and Buckingham Palace also had no comment.

The latest news comes after PEOPLE reported earlier this week that the Duke of Sussex's fight to have his official, armed full-time security reinstated when he visits the U.K. looks to have taken a step forward.

Insiders told PEOPLE there had been “positive” signs from the government regarding a reversal of the decision not to grant Harry security, and that they were cautiously hopeful that the decision to upgrade his cover would go ahead.

The update followed a report that an official review had found that Harry had met the criteria for inclusion in the taxpayer-funded security cover, following several years of the Duke of Sussex's campaigning — including a high-profile court battle, which he lost.

PEOPLE reported in December that Harry had secured a major win in his ongoing bid to restore his official U.K. security, revealing that a full-scale review by the official body that assesses how royals and VIPs are guarded was underway within the U.K. government.

Harry has repeatedly said that without such security cover, he is unable to bring his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, and their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to the country of his birth — insisting he doesn't feel safe doing so.

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Prince Harry

Harry last returned to the U.K. for several days in September to support some of his key charities and causes. During the trip, he reunited with King Charles at Clarence House on Sept. 10.

As previously reported by PEOPLE, Harry was inside the royal residence for around 55 minutes before departing.

Following the meeting, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King had a private tea at Clarence House with the Duke of Sussex and said no further details would be shared with a spokesperson for Prince Harry echoing the same sentiment.

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The reunion was a landmark moment for the father and son, following reports of a rift in recent years. Those close to Prince Harry previously told PEOPLE that King Charles had not been taking his son's calls, and messages had been left unanswered.

Last May, Harry expressed his desire to begin steps towards a reunion, telling BBC News at the time that he would love a "reconciliation." He also recognized that some of his actions in recent years, including writing his memoir Spare, had made it difficult for members of his family to talk to him, telling the outlet that, "some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book."

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