What Prince Harry's surprise appearance means for King Charles's …

Prince Harry surprised royal watchers when he made the decision to fly back to the UK to attend a court hearing last week.

The 38-year-old travelled without wife Meghan Markle and their children to be at the Royal Courts of Justice in person. Watch his arrival at court on day two of the hearing below... 

It's thought that he stayed at Frogmore Cottage - the family's former UK base which they will soon have to evict.

Prince Harry arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for day 2 of the hearing

Harry's appearance was unexpected. Having made his permanent home in Montecito with Meghan, Harry very rarely makes the trip back across the Atlantic to the UK.

Prior to last week, his most recent visit was in September when he returned with his wife to attend the funeral of Her Majesty the Queen.

The couple were already in Europe when the monarch became gravely ill and subsequently stayed in the UK until after the funeral service took place.  

Harry and Meghan's extended stay saw them reunite with several members of the royal family, including the new Prince and Princess of Wales.

(C) Photo: Getty ImagesThe Sussexes made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William and Kate

The royal couples surprised mourners when they both arrived at Windsor Castle on 10 September in order to view tributes that had been left by members of the public. William personally extended an invite to the Sussexes last-minute for the families to do the event together.

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Since then, of course, relations between the Sussexes and the rest of the family have become more fraught. Harry and Meghan released their own tell-all Netflix series at the end of last year, followed by his explosive memoir, Spare, in January.

(C) Photo: Getty ImagesHarry and William did not reunite last week

Notably, during his stay in London last week, Harry did not reconcile with King Charles nor Prince William.

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But has his brief return paved the way for a return of the Sussexes for the King's coronation?

(C) Photo: Getty ImagesHarry and Meghan have not confirmed their attendance at the coronation

Harry and Meghan have not confirmed whether or not they will attend the historic event.

They have stated they received an invitation but have so far nor revealed their plans for the coronation weekend.

In the past, Harry has spoken fears for his family back in Britain. He has stated that he wants to bring his children Archie and Lilibet to visit from their home in the US, but a legal representative has said they are "unable to return to his home" because it is too dangerous.

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Perhaps, his latest visit will help to change his mind. Harry managed to maintain a low-profile during his visit to London last week and was only pictured upon his arrival and departure at court.

(C) GettyPrince Harry at the High Court

Harry is part of a group of high-profile individuals suing the newspaper publisher -- which owns the Daily Mail, Mail Online and Mail on Sunday -- over alleged unlawful information-gathering tactics.

Separately, the Prince is also suing Associated Newspapers Limited for libel over an article alleging he tried to hush up his separate legal challenge over the British government's refusal to let him pay for police security when he and his family visit the UK.

Harry and Meghan lost their publicly-funded UK police protection when they stepped down as senior working royals and moved to the US in 2020.

(C) Photo: Getty ImagesHarry and Meghan now live permanently in Montecito

His lawyers previously told the court the Duke of Sussex is reluctant to bring his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to Britain as it is not safe.

Harry said he wanted to pay personally for police security, but the government said it was not possible.

Last year, a judge gave Harry permission to sue the government but the case has yet to come to trial.

Meghan Markle holding Archie and Lilbet

For now, it remains to be seen whether the Sussexes are included in the Coronation celebrations.

Royal watchers are speculating that either Harry will return on his own in May, or with wife Meghan by his side.

But given his previous comments, an appearance from Archie and Lilibet seems increasingly unlikely.

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