King Charles III is expected to avoid London during Prince Harry's mid-January return to the U.K., choosing instead to remain in Scotland as the Duke of Sussex prepares to testify in a closely watched High Court case. Palace officials and royal commentators say the decision reflects a deepening breakdown of trust between father and son rather than a scheduling conflict, with concerns centered on the handling of private conversations amid the King's cancer treatment.
The 77-year-old monarch will stay at Balmoral Castle while Prince Harry, 41, arrives to give evidence beginning Jan. 19 in his case against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. The lawsuit alleges unlawful information-gathering practices and includes several high-profile claimants, among them Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley.
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield said the palace views contact with Harry as a risk. "The royal family views him as untrustworthy and a liability, largely due to concerns that private conversations will quickly find their way into the press. This is especially sensitive given that the king's cancer treatment is considered a deeply private matter," Ms. Schofield told Fox News Digital.
The timing underscores the strain. Harry's court appearance follows a brief reconciliation attempt in September 2025, when the two met for tea at Clarence House after 19 months of silence. The meeting lasted about 50 minutes and required months of coordination between aides, according to people familiar with the matter.
Any optimism faded soon after. Following the meeting, Harry spoke to The Guardian about his father's condition, saying the "focus" needed to remain on Charles's health "over the coming year." Palace aides viewed the comments as a breach of an implicit understanding to keep health matters tightly controlled, people close to the family said.
Ms. Schofield said communication has since dwindled. "It's important to note that King Charles does not regularly communicate with Harry," she said, adding that the prospect of an unplanned encounter during the London visit was unwelcome.
British broadcaster Helena Chard described the dynamic as combustible. "Prince Harry is accustomed to a life built on conflict. He has sued the Mail on Sunday and much more, to the embarrassment of his father," she said. Speculation that the King might meet Harry during a possible U.S. trip has also been dismissed. "It would be wildly unrealistic for Harry to expect his father to travel to Montecito to see him," Ms. Chard said.
The King's health remains a defining factor. In December 2025, Charles released a recorded message indicating his treatment would be "reduced" in the new year, with aides describing the next stage as a "precautionary phase." The palace has not disclosed the type of cancer and has emphasized strict limits on further details.
