Prince Harry has resolved to press ahead with his UK charity commitments despite suffering a crushing defeat in his High Court privacy battle against Associated Newspapers Limited, it has been reported.
The Duke of Sussex is understood to have instructed his team to “keep the show on the road” and concentrate on promoting the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.
According to The Telegraph, he has not spoken with his barrister David Sherborne about a potential appeal and does not anticipate any contact with him this week.
A source told the outlet the duke was “determined not to let the ruling further overshadow his charity engagements.”
Harry’s visit is part of the One Year to Go celebrations for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 | INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION
With 21 days to seek permission to appeal, any decision will wait until he returns home.
The judgment arrived at a particularly awkward moment for the duke’s team.
The High Court delivered its long-awaited ruling in the privacy claim at 2pm on Tuesday, precisely as Prince Harry was appearing on stage at a Chatham House event for the Invictus Games.
He had received news of the defeat shortly before his arrival but acknowledged onlookers with a wave and proceeded with his scheduled appearance.
Dressed in a dark jacket and an open-necked white shirt, Harry appeared relaxed and smiling as he arrived at Wednesday’s venue | INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION
Afterwards, he withdrew for a comprehensive briefing with Mr Sherborne.
Plans for a victory statement, which had been under preparation until the ruling became public, were immediately abandoned.
Media arrangements for Wednesday’s engagement at the Royal Hospital Chelsea were scaled back significantly.
The original plan had included both print and broadcast journalists covering the duke’s meetings with Chelsea pensioners.
The Duke of Sussex conducted private meetings at the Royal Hospital Chelsea just a day after a major High Court defeat | INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION
However, at midday on Tuesday, this changed. A source attributed the decision to extreme heat forecasts and insufficient shade in the hospital grounds, necessitating the cancellation of the public-facing element.
The Duchess of Sussex was initially expected to accompany her husband for private meetings and a reception with veterans.
Prince Harry ultimately decided it was unsafe for her and their children to travel to London without police protection.
The duke’s schedule continues on Thursday with a visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he will mark two decades since the establishment of the first WellChild Nurse, a role he personally funds.
Friday brings the centrepiece of his trip: a public event celebrating the one-year countdown to the Birmingham Invictus Games, where photographers will be present in force.
Whether the duchess will join him in the Midlands remains uncertain.
As of Wednesday evening, the duke had yet to decide whether to bring his family to the UK.
His indecision follows earlier hesitation over a Buckingham Palace invitation, which was ultimately withdrawn.