As Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, returns to London for his High Court trial against Associated Newspapers, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be engaged in official duties hundreds of miles away in Scotland.
Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, scheduled their Scottish visit for January 20. Meanwhile, Prince Harry is due to testify in court on January 22, ensuring the rest of the royal family will be far from the capital during his legal proceedings.
Harry returned to the U.K. on January 18 for the start of his trial against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. The Duke of Sussex, along with several other high-profile figures such as Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost, allege that the media company engaged in unlawful information gathering.
Associated Newspapers has flatly denied these allegations, dismissing them as “absurd smears.”
During their time in Scotland, Prince William and Kate met with the Olympic and Paralympic curling teams of Great Britain at the National Curling Academy in Stirling. The royal couple, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and the Lord and Lady of the Isles in Scotland, visited the academy on Tuesday.
After their visit to the curling facility, the royal couple proceeded to Radical Weavers, an operational handweaving studio and independent charity in Stirling. This organization aims to combat social isolation and provide support to people affected by trauma and loss through teaching them Scottish tartan-weaving skills.
The couple’s visit to Stirling is another public engagement following their first joint appearance of the year at Charing Cross Hospital in West London earlier this month. In a break from tradition, Kate introduced her husband as William to staff and patients, without using any royal titles.
Prince Harry’s trial against Associated Newspapers is the latest in his series of legal battles against British media outlets. The Duke and his co-claimants accuse the publisher of hiring private investigators and other alleged misconduct, including phone tapping and impersonation to access medical information.
According to draft trial timetables, Harry is expected to testify for an entire day on Thursday, January 22. Harry has previously won similar lawsuits against other British publications, securing damages of around £140,600 from Mirror Group Newspapers.
King Charles also had an engagement scheduled at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland on January 19, coinciding with Harry’s visit. However, as the monarch typically avoids involvement with ongoing court cases, a meeting between father and son during this trip is unlikely.
Harry last spoke with King Charles during a visit to the U.K. in September, ending a prolonged period without any direct contact between them. The relationship between Harry and his brother William remains tense, with their most recent public appearance together being at King Charles’s coronation in May 2023.
Harry currently lives in Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. The family has stayed in California since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Harry’s security situation changed significantly after he lost his taxpayer-funded protection upon stepping back as a senior royal. Harry has previously stated that he does not feel comfortable bringing his family to the U.K. without sufficient security provisions.
Princess Kate completed her chemotherapy treatment in September 2024 following her cancer diagnosis earlier that year. She has gradually resumed her public duties, with a focus on engagements that foster connection and human relationships.
A statement from Kensington Palace indicates that William and Kate’s visit to Stirling aims to “shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations.” This trip takes the royal couple hundreds of miles away from their home during the week when the Duke of Sussex is expected to be in London for his High Court trial.
As Harry’s court appearance coincides with royal engagements in different parts of Britain, a reunion between the estranged family members is unlikely, given that palace officials usually plan royal duties months in advance.
Prince Harry’s legal battles against the British media persist as he seeks accountability for alleged breaches of privacy. The upcoming trial will determine whether Associated Newspapers engaged in the illegal practices as claimed by Harry and the other claimants.
