King Charles reportedly 'unlikely' to meet Prince Harry when he visits UK

King Charles is unlikely to meet with his youngest son Prince Harry when he returns to the UK later this month for yet another court case.

The Duke of Sussex is set to be the first witness called when he joins a number of high-profile figures, including Sir Elton John, who are taking legal action against Associated Newspapers (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

But it is being reported King Charles is unlikely to carve out time in his diary to meet his son, with sources citing a desire to stay away from any court proceedings.

Prince Harry has been a vocal opponent of some media outlets in the UK and previously received a settlement after launching legal action against News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun and defunct News of the World.

The latest action has seen ANL accused of unlawful information gathering, including using private investigators to place listening devices inside vehicles, and accessing private records and phone conversations.

ANL has denied the allegations.

Prince Harry will be the first witness called in the High Court trial, which is due to start on January 19, however, a full schedule has yet to be made public.

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With King Charles likely to be at his private estate in Balmoral, Scotland, by then for his annual visit, it will give him an excuse not to meet with his son.

But there is another reason they are unlikely to meet. The Telegraph has quoted royal sources who reportedly acknowledged the King does not wish to be linked to any court proceedings, so is likely to give his son a wide berth on this occasion.

In fact, Harry said as much himself during an interview with the BBC in May, after he lost his Court of Appeal hearing with the Home Office to have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated whenever he is in Britain.

At the time, he said the King would not "speak to me because of this security stuff" – an apparent reference to his legal fight.

The interview came after Prince Harry lost his appeal to a previous High Court ruling based on a decision made by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) to downgrade the level of security he received whilst visiting the UK.

Since then, Prince Harry has privately appealed that decision away from the courts, and is reportedly close to having the decision reversed after a new threat assessment was carried out.

If it is, it could pave the way for Harry to make more regular trips back to Britain, and bring his family, after previously declaring it was currently unsafe for his wife Meghan and their two children to travel to the UK.

The Duke was last in the UK in September 2025 for a series of private engagements.

It was during this trip that he made a surprise visit to King Charles' London home Clarence House for a private tea with his father.

It was the first time the pair had come face to face in 20 months, with the visit lasting less than an hour.

It has since been reported that King Charles felt 'railroaded' into agreeing to the meeting.

Daily Mail royal editor Rebecca English said while "much has been made of their meeting", King Charles had no choice.

"In truth, [King Charles] knew that if he refused to meet Harry, then this would inevitably have been 'weaponised' against him at some point in the future," she wrote.

"Better to meet and then retreat instead.

"And while [royals circles] are reluctant to comment on the circumstances – knowing how hysterical the Sussexes can be about perceived palace briefings and leaks – the impression I get is that the King felt slightly railroaded into it."

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