> At a Glance
> – Prince Harry, 41, will fly to London for a Jan. 19 court hearing against Associated Newspapers.
> – King Charles is expected to be in Scotland and will avoid meeting his son while legal action is active.
> – Elton John, Liz Hurley, Sadie Frost are co-plaintiffs in the phone-hacking lawsuit.
> – Why it matters: The snub underscores the ongoing frost between father and son amid multiple courtroom battles.
Prince Harry’s brief return to Britain later this month will be all business and no family time, News Of Los Angeles has learned, as the Duke of Sussex prepares to testify while his father keeps distance.
The Court Date
Harry’s case against Associated Newspapers-publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday-opens Jan. 19 at the High Court. He is listed as the first witness, though the exact schedule remains fluid.
- Claim: illegal information gathering
- Defendant response: ANL “vigorously” denies wrongdoing
- Co-claimants: Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost
Buckingham Palace and a spokesperson for Harry both declined to comment on the upcoming proceedings.
Security Progress
Away from the courtroom, Harry’s five-year push to restore taxpayer-funded police protection has shown “positive” signs, insiders told News Of Los Angeles. A recent government review reportedly found he now meets the criteria for armed security.
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Royal protection withdrawn after exit |
| 2022 | Lost judicial review |
| Dec 2024 | Full-scale security review launched |
| Jan 2025 | Decision pending |
Harry has said he will not bring Meghan Markle or children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4, to the U.K. until safety concerns are resolved.
A Brief History of Reunions
The pair’s last face-to-face came in September when Harry spent 55 minutes at Clarence House with the King after an 18-month gap. At that time, Buckingham Palace confirmed only a “private tea” had taken place.
Harry has publicly voiced hope for reconciliation, telling BBC News last May that he recognizes his memoir Spare made conversations “difficult” for some relatives.
Key Takeaways
- Court hearing, not kinship, drives Harry’s January U.K. stop.
- King Charles’s schedule keeps him in Scotland, avoiding involvement in active litigation.
- Security ruling could determine future family visits.
- Co-plaintiffs include high-profile celebrities united against tabloid tactics.
With the trial poised to start and security decisions nearing, Harry’s homeland trip remains strictly transactional-for now.
