Prince Harry’s UK travel plans revealed as he misses first day of trial

Prince Harry’s latest legal battle is set to go to trial today – but he will not be returning to the UK for the first day, it has been claimed.

The Duke of Sussex is due to give evidence at the High Court trial against News Group Newspapers, which is expected to last around seven weeks. Harry and former Labour deputy leader Lord Tom Watson are suing NGN, publisher of The Sun, over alleged unlawful information-gathering and invasion of privacy.

But despite the trial starting today, it has been reported that Harry has not travelled from his home in California for the opening day.

According to the Hello!, he is instead expected to be in London to attend the High Court trial early next month when he will give evidence in the proceedings. It comes after it was reported that Harry will be given “limited police protection” when he comes to the UK after losing his legal battle for taxpayer-funded security.

The Duke lost a legal challenge last year over his protection when in the UK. He contested a decision to downgrade his security status when he stopped being a working royal. Harry is no longer automatically provided with the same level of police protection given to the Royal Family when he stepped back from the role and moved to the US.

The opening of the trial also comes as Harry and wife Meghan Markle have reportedly dismissed a string of bombshell claims made against them in a blistering magazine article.

Vanity Fair, a glossy US magazine which traditionally favours the Sussexes, has published a cover article about the couple for its latest issue, cryptically headlined ‘American Hustle’. It delves into Harry and Meghan’s lives five years since they decided to quit as working royals, and the allegations have sent shockwaves across the internet.