The Duke of Sussex is set return to the UK next Thursday to give evidence in legal action against the Daily Mail’s publisher.Sophia Papamavroudi and Eilidh Farquhar Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
21:08, 16 Jan 2026
Prince William and Harry are unlikely to meet up when the Duke of Sussex travels to the UK next week.(Image: Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)
A recent palace announcement has squashed any hope of Prince Harry and Prince William reuniting in the near future after years of reportedly not speaking to each other. While Harry is set to make a trip back to the UK next week, his older brother has been reported to be hundreds of miles away.
The Duke of Sussex will be returning to London next week as he provides evidence in his legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL). Along with other plaintiffs, Harry is suing the publisher for using illegal information gathering practices.
The trial is set to begin on Monday, January 19, with the Duke taking the witness stand on Thursday, January 22. With both brothers being in the same country for the first time in a while, many people have speculated on where they will reunite to clear the air, reports the Express.
Earlier this week it was reported that William and Kate will be spending a day in Scotland on Tuesday, January 20, to meet the Team GB and Paralympics GB curling squads in Stirling ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games next month.
According to Kensington Palace, the visit to Stirling is hoped to “shine a spotlight on unique Scottish heritage traditions and how they are continuing to connect communities and inspire new generations”.
The brothers have reportedly not been in speaking terms as the rift continues.(Image: Max Mumby/Getty Images)
However, while William’s diary for Thursday looks unclear, the palace has announced today that the Prince of Wales will be in Bristol on Harry’s court date for a day of engagements linked to causes close to his heart.
The announcement states that William’s visit to Bristol will aim to showcase the city’s “trailblazing achievements in sustainability and its role as a driving force for innovation in the UK”.
The prince is set to visit Earthshot 2025 finalist Matter to learn about its innovative filtration technology system that is designed to prevent microplastics from entering our waterways and oceans.
During the visit he will meet the start-up’s team and is expected to take part in a hands-on demonstration of the company’s domestic filtration system, which can be fitted to household washing machines to capture harmful microfibres.
The heir founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020 to celebrate, identify, and back ambitious solutions to repair our planet.
It is also reported that King Charles will also likely be in Scotland next week, making the chances of a royal reunion looking very slim. However, The Telegraph has also said that The Duke of Sussex has “no plans” to see his father.
Prince Harry is also currently hoping that his police protection in the UK will be reinstated following a review of his and Meghan Markle’s threat level since 2020.
He has previously claimed that it was “impossible” to bring his wife and two children – Archie, six, and Lilibet, four – to his home if they didn’t have adequate protection.
A ruling in the couple’s favour may also allow them to become “half in, half out” royals since stepping back from their role as working royals in 2020.
If the family are able to come back to the UK, it would be the first time since 2022 that King Charles and Queen Camilia have seen their grandchildren.