The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, was seen smiling and waving as he entered the Royal Courts of Justice in London this morning, marking the start of a highly anticipated and potentially explosive legal trial. He is leading a group of prominent figures in a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail over serious allegations of unlawful information gathering.
A High-Profile Legal Battle Commences
Prince Harry arrived at the High Court just after 10am on Monday, 19th January 2026, offering a brief "thank you" to a well-wisher in the crowd. He is expected to give evidence in person later this week, likely on Thursday. The case centres on claims of illicit newsgathering practices by Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher behind the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday.
He is not alone in this legal action. The Duke is joined by a notable group of co-claimants including Sir Elton John, his husband David Furnish, campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence, former MP Sir Simon Hughes, and actresses Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley. Their collective lawsuit alleges a pattern of unlawful behaviour, setting the stage for a landmark privacy case.
Royal Schedules Diverge Amidst Family Tensions
While Prince Harry is in London for the court proceedings, his father, King Charles III, is over 500 miles away in Scotland undertaking official royal duties. The King is scheduled to return to London on Tuesday to resume his cancer treatment, followed by further engagements in the capital.
However, royal sources have confirmed that no meeting has been requested or arranged between the father and son during the Duke's stay in the UK. Prince Harry is believed to have flown into the country yesterday and will remain until the end of the week.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales will also be in Scotland, carrying out visits in Stirling and Falkirk on Tuesday to highlight Scottish heritage traditions.
Broader Implications and International Ramifications
The trial's commencement coincides with reports of potential diplomatic complications for the monarchy. King Charles's planned state visit to the United States in April is reportedly under review by MPs following former President Donald Trump's renewed threats to impose tariffs on the UK and other NATO allies over the issue of Greenland.
This legal battle represents one of the most significant steps in Prince Harry's ongoing campaign against certain sections of the British media. The outcome of the trial, which will scrutinise the methods used by a major newspaper publisher, could have far-reaching consequences for press regulation and privacy law in the United Kingdom.
The case continues at the High Court, with all eyes on the testimony expected from the Duke of Sussex and his fellow claimants later this week.
