The Duke of Sussex has returned to the United Kingdom, arriving at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday, 19th January 2026, for the start of a significant legal proceeding. However, his visit will not include a reunion with his father, King Charles III, despite both being in the country.
A High Court Appearance Without a Palace Visit
Prince Harry travelled from his home in California to attend the first day of a trial expected to last for nine weeks. Dressed formally in a dark suit and tie, the Duke was present in court to hear the initial proceedings of his latest legal battle. This high-profile case has been long-anticipated within both media and royal circles.
While in London, the opportunity for a father-son meeting appears to have been bypassed. Royal sources have confirmed that neither side requested a meeting and no arrangements are in place for the two to see each other during Harry's stay. The King's schedule sees him commencing the week approximately 500 miles away in Scotland, where he is undertaking official engagements.
Separate Schedules and a History of Strained Relations
King Charles is due to return to London on Tuesday to resume his ongoing cancer treatment. Following this, he will carry out further engagements in the capital next week. Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales will also be in Scotland, visiting Stirling and Falkirk on Tuesday to highlight Scottish heritage.
The last in-person meeting between Harry and his father occurred in May of last year. That encounter took place at Clarence House in London, shortly after the Duke lost an appeal regarding taxpayer-funded security for his UK visits. Harry described his father as 'great' following that afternoon tea meeting, which was their first face-to-face interaction since February 2024.
However, tensions have been publicly aired. In a BBC interview last May, Harry suggested the King was not speaking to him due to his legal fight with the Home Office over security arrangements. He expressed uncertainty about "how much longer my father has" and spoke of his hopes for a "reconciliation". The Duke has repeatedly stated that he does not feel it is safe to bring his wife, Meghan, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, to the UK due to security concerns.
Security: A Central Issue in the Royal Rift
The matter of security has been a pivotal point of contention. Harry previously argued in court that the security situation made it "impossible" to bring his family to Britain safely. Following his loss at the Court of Appeal, there appears to have been a significant development. The Home Office is now said to have ordered a full threat assessment for the first time since 2020, with reports indicating Harry's taxpayer-funded armed security could be reinstated for future visits.
This legal visit underscores the ongoing complexities in the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of the Royal Family. With the King managing his health treatment and a busy diary of state duties, and Harry embroiled in a lengthy court case, their paths are set to remain separate for now. The public is left to ponder whether this was a missed opportunity for a private conversation or a reflection of a deeper, enduring divide.
