While Prince William and Kate Middleton embarked on their official visit to Scotland, Prince Harry was in London for his High Court trial against Associated Newspapers. The Duke of Sussex’s UK return marked the opening of his legal case against the media company.
The same week as Harry’s testimony, the Prince and Princess of Wales, also known as William and Kate, were in Scotland, hundreds of miles away from the unfolding court proceedings in London.
Upon his return to Britain on January 19, Harry joined several well-known personalities, including Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost, in the lawsuit against Associated Newspapers. The plaintiffs accuse the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail of illegal data collection methods.
Denying the accusations, Associated Newspapers labelled them as “preposterous smears.”
Meanwhile, in Scotland, William and Kate, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, visited the National Curling Academy in Stirling on January 20. They met with Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic curling teams in preparation for the upcoming Winter Games.
The royal couple’s itinerary also included a visit to Radical Weavers, a Stirling-based handweaving studio and charity. The organization helps combat social isolation and supports individuals dealing with trauma and loss by teaching them traditional Scottish tartan-weaving skills.
Earlier this month, William and Kate made their first joint appearance of the year by visiting Charing Cross Hospital in West London. During the visit, Kate introduced William to the hospital staff and patients without using royal titles.
In his trial against Associated Newspapers, Harry alleged the company hired private investigators and engaged in unlawful activities, like phone tapping and impersonation, to gather medical data. The lawsuit represented his final legal action against UK media outlets.
Harry testified on January 21, according to draft trial schedules. The Duke has previously won similar lawsuits against other UK publications, securing damages of around £140,600 ($191,000) from Mirror Group Newspapers.
King Charles also had an engagement at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland on January 19, coinciding with Harry’s UK visit.
Harry last met with his father, King Charles, during a visit to the UK in September. The meeting ended after a long period without any in-person contact between the two.
Relations between Harry and his brother William remain tense. The royal brothers last made a public appearance together at King Charles’s coronation in May 2023. Although they attended their maternal uncle’s funeral in August 2024, they reportedly did not interact or sit together.
Harry now lives in Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet. The family has been in California since Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties in 2020.
After stepping back as a senior royal, Harry’s security situation changed drastically. He lost taxpayer-funded protection and has expressed concerns about bringing his family to the UK without adequate security.
Princess Kate successfully completed chemotherapy treatment in September 2024 following her cancer diagnosis earlier that year. Gradually returning to public duties, she has focused on engagements emphasizing connection and human relationships.
William and Kate’s visit to Stirling aimed to “shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations,” according to Kensington Palace.
The alignment of the royals’ schedules ensured that family members were in different parts of Britain during Harry’s court appearance. Typically, royal engagements are planned months in advance, ruling out any chance of a reunion between the estranged family members during the trial.
