King Charles and Prince Harry are both in the United Kingdom on Jan. 19, 2026, yet remain separated by roughly 400 miles and have no plans to meet, according to News Of Los Angeles.
At a Glance
- King Charles greeted entrepreneurs in Edinburgh while Prince Harry entered London’s High Court
- The father and son last saw each other in September 2025
- Harry is preparing for a nine-week trial against Associated Newspapers
- Why it matters: The ongoing distance highlights the continuing rift within the royal family
King Charles spent Monday in Scotland, hosting a reception for the Scotland Investment Forum at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The 77-year-old monarch sampled whisky from the Falkirk distillery Rosebank and raised a glass with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
Managing director Leonard Russell warned, “Be careful, Sir, it’s high strength,” Hello! magazine reported. The King laughed that the “terrible thing” about whisky tastings is the unflattering photographs that follow.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry, 41, flew from California to London for the first day of an anticipated nine-week courtroom battle. He and co-claimants Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley allege that Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail titles, engaged in illegal information gathering. The publisher has “vigorously denied” the accusations, the BBC noted.
A spokesperson for the Duke told News Of Los Angeles he is “feeling confident and ready.” A source close to Harry added, “This is the culmination of what has been years of litigation. He sees this as an injustice that needs to be righted.”
| Key Figures | Role |
|---|---|
| King Charles | Hosted Edinburgh reception, 400 miles north of Harry |
| Prince Harry | Claimant in lawsuit against Associated Newspapers |
| John Swinney | Scotland’s First Minister, toasted with the King |
| Kate Forbes | Deputy First Minister, attended reception |
Harry is expected to be the first witness when he takes the stand on Thursday, Jan. 22.
Although the Duke met with his father during his September 2025 visit, no reunion is scheduled this time. Sources previously told News Of Los Angeles that the King had not been accepting his son’s calls and that messages went unanswered.
Last May, Prince Harry told BBC News he wanted “reconciliation” with his family. He acknowledged that writing his memoir Spare had complicated communication with relatives.
Security concerns remain another source of tension. Harry has campaigned to have his police protection restored when he is in Britain. Insiders recently told News Of Los Angeles there have been “positive” signs from the government, potentially clearing the way for more frequent U.K. visits with his wife Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Key Takeaways
- Father and son are on British soil but in different countries within the U.K.
- Harry’s legal fight focuses on media practices, not royal duties
- The security dispute could determine future family visits
