Prince Harry arrived at the High Court in London on Monday for a trial hearing, marking his first UK appearance since Queen Elizabeth's funeral last September. During his four-day stay in the UK, the Duke of Sussex is not expected to reunite with his father, King Charles, or his brother, Prince William.
While Prince William and his family, including Princess Kate and their children, are away for the Easter holidays, a reunion between the brothers seems unlikely. In his memoir, "Spare," Harry described William as his "beloved brother and arch nemesis." Kensington Palace has not commented on the book's claims.
A reconciliation with King Charles also appears unlikely. Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort, were scheduled to visit Paris and other regions in France between March 26 and 29 for their first state visit. However, their trip was canceled due to ongoing protests in Paris. The royal couple is still planning to travel to Germany on Wednesday.
It is understood that Prince Harry was informed that King Charles would be occupied until his departure to Germany. Charles and Camilla are thought to be either in Scotland or Highgrove in Tetbury, rather than in London.
During his UK visit, Prince Harry is believed to be staying at Frogmore Cottage, which he and Meghan have been told to vacate by King Charles, as they are no longer working royals and reside permanently in the US. It remains uncertain whether the Sussexes will attend King Charles' coronation on May 6.
Privacy Lawsuit Hearing
Prince Harry made an unexpected appearance at a London High Court on Monday to attend a hearing for a privacy lawsuit against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). The Duke of Sussex joins a group of prominent individuals, including Elton John, David Furnish, Sadie Frost, Elizabeth Hurley, and Doreen Lawrence, who are accusing the publisher of employing illegal information-gathering methods.
The claimants, who are not expected to speak during the four-day hearing, allege they have "compelling and highly distressing evidence" of "abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy" by ANL. The publisher is accused of placing listening devices in homes and vehicles, paying police officials for sensitive information, impersonating individuals to access medical records, and unlawfully accessing financial records.
ANL has "categorically" denied the allegations and is seeking to have the case dismissed based on the statute of limitations and the claimants' alleged unlawful acquisition of evidence against the publisher. ANL also intends to reveal the names of specific journalists mentioned in the claims if the case proceeds.
This marks Prince Harry's first visit to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022. ANL previously lost a similar privacy lawsuit filed by Meghan Markle in 2021, and the Duke of Sussex is currently suing the publisher separately for defamation regarding a 2022 article about his security arrangements.
