Prince William, the Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, will be journeying to Scotland for official visits, coinciding with Prince Harry’s return to London for his court case against Associated Newspapers.
Harry returned to the U.K. for his trial against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, on Sunday, January 18. The Duke of Sussex, along with several high-profile figures such as Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost, alleges the media corporation engaged in illegal data collection activities, including phone tapping and impersonating others to acquire medical data. This is the concluding legal action in Harry’s series of lawsuits against British media companies. Associated Newspapers vehemently rejects these accusations, labeling them as “absurd smears.”
During their Scottish visit, William and Kate, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will stop by the National Curling Academy in Stirling. They aim to meet with Great Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic curling teams ahead of their participation in the upcoming Winter Games.
After their time at the curling center, the couple will proceed to Radical Weavers. This charity organization in Stirling operates a handweaving studio, offering support to individuals affected by trauma and isolation by teaching them how to weave traditional Scottish tartans.
This visit follows the couple’s first joint public outing this year, where they visited Charing Cross Hospital in West London. During this visit, Kate introduced William to the hospital staff and patients by his first name, omitting any royal titles.
Harry is anticipated to testify for an entire day on Thursday, January 22, as per the draft trial timetables. In similar cases against other U.K. publishers, the duke has previously secured sizable wins, obtaining £140,600 (about $187,000) in damages from Mirror Group Newspapers.
King Charles was also in Scotland during Harry’s U.K. visit, with an event planned at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on January 19. As the monarch usually keeps a distance from ongoing court cases, a meeting between the father and son is unlikely during this period.
Harry last interacted with King Charles during a U.K. trip in September 2025. This meeting marked the end of a long period of no direct communication between the father and son.
The relationship between Harry and his brother William remains tense. The brothers last publicly appeared together at King Charles’s coronation in May 2023. They both attended their maternal uncle’s funeral in August 2024, but did not interact or sit close to each other during the event.
Harry currently lives in Montecito, California, with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet.
Harry’s security circumstances dramatically changed after he lost his taxpayer-funded protection following his departure from senior royal duties. He has previously expressed concerns about the safety of his family in the U.K. without adequate security arrangements.
After her cancer diagnosis in early 2024, Kate Middleton completed chemotherapy in September of the same year. She has gradually resumed public duties, focusing on events that emphasize connection and human relationships.
According to Kensington Palace, the couple’s visit to Stirling is designed to “shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations.”
The alignment of the royal schedules places family members in different parts of the U.K. during Harry’s court appearance. Royal engagements are typically arranged months in advance, and the timing of these events rules out the possibility of a reunion between the estranged relatives.
Harry’s quest for accountability against the British media for alleged privacy infringements continues. The upcoming trial will determine if Associated Newspapers participated in the unlawful practices as alleged by Harry and the other plaintiffs.