Prince Harry ‘not planning’ to meet King on next trip to Britain

The Duke of Sussex has no plans to meet the King when he returns to the UK for his court case against Associated Newspapers later this month.

Prince Harry will attend his trial against the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday in London while the King is likely to remain in Scotland.

Royal sources have indicated that the King has no intention of being linked to the court case as, typically, a monarch would be expected to stay clear of any active legal proceedings.

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The King last met his son in London in September when he was visiting the UK. They had tea at Clarence House in a 50-minute meeting. It was the first time father and son had been reunited in 19 months.

Harry, who lives with his wife Meghan and their two children in Montecito, California, is expected to return later this month to give evidence in the High Court.

His trip is only expected to last a few days as he stands alongside other celebrity claimants in his case against Associated Newspapers.

William, Harry, Meghan and the King in 2019

THE TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE

David Sherborne, the claimant’s barrister, has told all seven claimants to attend the opening of the trail later as a “show of strength”.

If that happens, Harry will join Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, Liz Hurley, Baroness Lawrence, Sadie Frost and Sir Simon Hughes at court.

The trial is due to begin on January 14, with the opening arguments from the claimants and defence. The first witnesses are not expected to start giving evidence until January 19.

Associated Newspapers denies allegations of wrongdoing and has previously described the claims as “lurid” and “simply preposterous”.

The nine-week trial is expected to cost £38 million.

Harry has meanwhile asked the home secretary for a review of his security risk.

Last year, a long-running legal case against the Home Office, in which the Duke sought to have his police security reinstated in the UK, ended in defeat on appeal.

Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Harry described it as “a good old-fashioned establishment stitch up”.