Prince Harry to return to UK within days for major court case amid security battle
The Duke of Sussex will travel back to his home country next week to give evidence in a landmark court case, as he awaits the decision about his taxpayer-funded security in the UK
Prince Harry at the High Court last year(Image: PA)
Prince Harry has been confirmed to return to the UK within a matter of days, as he prepares to give evidence in a landmark court case.
The Duke of Sussex, along with a group of six others, are bringing the claim at the London court, alleging that Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) carried out or commissioned unlawful activities in order to gather and publish private information.
Among those joining Harry for the case are Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, politician Sir Simon Hughes, and actresses Sadie Frost and Liz Hurley. According to a draft of the timetable for the case, Harry is expected to give evidence lasting a full day next Thursday.
The trial is due to begin on Monday at London’s Royal Court of Justice, although it is not yet known when Harry will touch down in the UK.
Barrister David Sherborne, for the claimants, said of the case in written submissions: “The allegations made by the defendants are exceptionally serious, of fraud, dishonesty and professional misconduct.” ANL, which publishes the Daily Mail amongst other publications, has strongly denied the “preposterous allegations”.
Despite the rare visit to his home country, Harry is not expected to meet with his father King Charles while in the UK, as Charles remains in Scotland for the last of his winter break before returning to his royal duties.
The Telegraph reported that royal sources acknowledged the King did not wish to be linked to any court proceedings, so will give his son a wide berth on this occasion.
Harry was reunited with Charles for the first time in 19 months on his last visit in September, and the pair had afternoon tea at Clarence House, with the duke describing his father as “great”.
The Duke of Sussex’s trip to the UK comes as he is awaiting a response from Ravec on the review of his police protection while in his home country. After losing his legal case to have his automatic police protection while in the UK reinstated, in a major U-turn, the Home Office is said to have now ordered a full threat assessment for the first time since 2020.
The outcome of the review by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), is expected this month, with sources close to Harry said to be ‘confident’ it could be restored – paving the way for him to bring wife Meghan and children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK to visit.
Insiders previously claimed that having his automatic police protection was “nailed on” and that if a decision did not go Harry’s way, it would suggest an “intervention from the Palace”.
However, a former royal aide has hit back at such a suggestion saying it is “both unjust and inaccurate”. They told The Times : “The palace has no such powers within Ravec. While they sit on the committee it is not their role to advise on threat analysis or appropriate mitigations.
