Prince Harry had other reasons to visit the UK aside from court hearing, royal expert believes

Since Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle moved to the United States, the Prince has only been back in the UK a handful of times. Last week, he appeared at London's High Court in a preliminary hearing against the Daily Mail publisher, Associated Newspaper.

A trial under the public eye

The Prince, along with stars such as Elton John and his husband David Furnish, and actress Sadie Frost, has brought a lawsuit against the Daily Mail publisher for allegedly bugging their phones and breaching their privacy.

The seven claimants launched the action against the Associated Newspaper last year, but details of the allegations have not been made public yet. The only piece of information is that the Daily Mail publisher is accused of potential breaches of privacy, including bugging the stars' phones and homes, and possibly bribing the police for personal information.

The Associated Newspaper has denied these allegations and apparently expected the four-day preliminary hearing to throw out the case.

Prince Harry is already suing the Daily Mail and won damages against the newspaper in 2022. The Prince and Meghan allegedly left the UK because they felt that the press was against them. They have also attacked the British newspapers in their six-part Netflix documentary last year, and in Harry's memoir Spare.

Read more:Prince Harry could soon be returning to the UK but not for King Charles' coronation

Where did Prince Harry stay?

This is the first time the Duke of Sussex has returned to the UK since his family was evicted from Frogmore Cottage, leaving everyone with the same question: where did Prince Harry stay?

The Telegraph reported Prince Harry stayed at Frogmore Cottage during his visit, and that he probably flew back home to California on Thursday, 30 March.

While Harry and Meghan have been asked to vacate Frogmore Cottage, their lease doesn’t end until May 2023. The couple have reportedly been given until after King Charles’ coronation on 6 May to vacate the property.

In addition, a source has told OK! that Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have been living in the cottage ever since they were handed the keys in late February.

Eugenie and her cousin Harry are reportedly close friends, with Eugenie allegedly even helping the Sussexes by packing up their things for them. The source said:

The Sussexes are disappointed by the move but couldn’t be happier that Eugenie and Jack will take it over. They have been staying there on and off for the past few years anyway

They went to see Harry and Meghan last month in California. They took over some small personal belongings left in the property. They were also helping to box up items at Frogmore to be shipped over to California.

Indeed, it was reported in February 2023 that Princess Eugenie may have stayed in the guesthouse of Harry and Meghan’s Montecito mansion while visiting the US.

So, it could be likely that she’s returning the favour by letting Harry stay with her at his former residence. However, this has not been confirmed by any of the Royals including Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie.

A source told Fox News Digital that Prince Harry has been 'staying with friends' during his visit to the UK, and not with members of the Royal Family.

Read more:Prince Harry and Meghan will soon be joined in the US by this unexpected Royal couple

A warm Royal welcome

Christopher Andersen, author of The King, told Fox News Digital:

Harry's trip to London has one goal and one goal only – he is entirely focused on the legal cases he and Meghan Markle are pursuing against the U.K. press. He apparently has no plans to try and smooth things over with his brother, William, or his father, the king.

The same author has said it is very unlikely the Prince would have received a warm welcome from his family, if he had chosen to visit them.

William appears to have thrown up his hands in disgust. Charles III is still furious over Harry’s devastating portrayal of his wife, Camilla, as a villainous schemer in his bombshell memoir.

The Royal Family was nowhere to be seen during the Prince's visit. It is supposed that the Prince and Princess of Wales are on holiday in their country home. The King and Queen Consort were on an official visit to Germany at the end of Prince Harry's visit too.

Royal expert Shannon Felton Spence believe that this was not a coincidence. She told Fox News Digital:

[But] is it a coincidence that his family is all out of town at the same time? No. Nothing is a coincidence. William and Catherine are away on vacation with the kids and the king is on a tour to Europe.

Prince Harry taking care of other business

Furthermore, she claims that Prince Harry probably had other business to take care of, aside from the court hearing. She added:

[And] it is interesting he traveled to the U.K. to make an appearance, especially given his ongoing battle with the home office over security. One has to assume there were other tasks to attend to – including Frogmore Cottage and any meetings regarding the coronation in just a few weeks.

The Telegraph reported that Prince Harry did indeed use his visit to also sort out the family's belongings in Frogmore Cottage.

Although it is not yet known whether the Sussexes will attend the King's coronation, Prince Harry might return to the UK on May 9 for another hearing in a trial he launched against the Mirror Group. Some royal experts argue he may try to kill two birds with one stone and return to the UK for both. However, he could also wait and come to the trial later, as it is expected to last at least six weeks.

Read more:Prince Harry and Meghan: Rumours they want to move yet again sparked by 'insider'

Sources used:

Reuters: Prince Harry arrives for UK court hearing against Daily Mail publisher

Express.co.uk: Prince Harry bumps into cameraman as he arrives at High Court for privacy case hearing

Mirror: 'Prince Harry 'told he can use Frogmore Cottage if he attends King's Coronation''

OK!: 'Eugenie gets Frogmore! Princess 'boxed up Harry and Meghan's things' and moved in 2 weeks ago'

Fox News Digital: Prince Harry in London: Prince William, King Charles have zero plans to give royal 'warm reception': experts

Telegraph: Prince Harry stays at Frogmore Cottage for what may be the last time