28 March 2023 , 09:43
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Prince Harry’s shock High Court appearance was “not planned” with King Charles, one royal commentator has claimed.
The Duke of Sussex travelled to the High Court, in London, yesterday, as a part of ongoing legal proceedings.
It is believed to be the first time Harry has been back in the UK since the late Queen's funeral in September.
He is one of a group of claimants going after the Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail Online, and its sister titles.
Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence, model Elizabeth Hurley and actress Sadie Frost are amongst the group joining the royal in making the allegations.
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But as the 38-year-old was snapped in London, after he flew commercial from California to London, one royal expert said his visit “was not planned” with the King.
The prince flew commercial from sunny California to London for the trial (PA)Richard Fitzwilliams said he thought Harry’s appearance wasn’t organised with Charles and told the Express: "The problem with this appearance is that it is a surprise appearance and the Sussexes do like to surprise.
"They're always unpredictable and nobody expected this.
"There is little doubt Harry is attaching his name to a list which is very distinguished but equally it was an opportunity for him to appear on the privacy area where the Sussexes feel very strongly."
King Charles is said to be at his Gloucestershire home Highgrove.
He added: "Clearly this was not planned because Charles would have been in France and he's going to Germany on Wednesday.
Harry reportedly isn't due to visit any royals, nor them him, during his time in the UK (PA)"It's very hard to see what he and the King would have to say to each other because can you trust saying anything sensitive when it might very well appear in a book or article?
"The Prince and Princess of Wales are also on holiday apparently with their children."
The Waleses are busy as Palace sources reportedly said they are neither in London or Windsor.
Fitzwilliams also claimed: "This case, where his name is joined up with other big names, is obviously one he thought it would be beneficial to appear at."
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King Charles III waves as he arrives for a visit to the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London (Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/REX/Shutterstock)It is not known whether Harry will visit his father during his trip from California after the King’s visit to France was cancelled amid huge civil unrest in the country.
Sir Elton John also made an appearance at the High Court, and was joined by his husband, also a claimant, David Furnish.
The four-day preliminary hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London began yesterday and is set to include ANL’s bid for the claims to be dismissed without a trial.
Lawyers for the group previously said they had "become aware of compelling and highly distressing evidence that they have been the victims of abhorrent criminal activity and gross breaches of privacy".
In a statement announcing the launch of the legal action, released by Hamlins law firm, it was alleged the unlawful acts included hiring private investigators to secretly place listening devices inside cars and homes and the recording of private phone conversations.
The publisher hit back at the allegations, describing them at the time as "preposterous smears" and a "pre-planned and orchestrated attempt to drag the Mail titles into the phone-hacking scandal".
A spokesperson for ANL also said the allegations were “unsubstantiated and highly defamatory claims, based on no credible evidence”.
This all comes amid ongoing questions over whether Harry and wife Meghan Markle will attend the upcoming King’s coronation in just six weeks time.
It has been confirmed that the Sussexes have been invited but they have not yet said whether they will actually attend.