William Staying Away During Harry’s Court Battle Isn't ‘Just a Coincidence,’ Says Expert

Prince Harry and Prince William, during the unveiling of a statue they commissioned of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Dominic Lipinski)

Jan. 30 2026, Published 04:17 AM. ET

Prince William is known for his duty-first approach, but his latest string of engagements suggests he’d added a new skill to his royal repertoire: the art of strategic disappearance. As Prince Harry returned to London this week for a high-stakes court battle, the Prince of Wales was nowhere to be found—and according to royal experts, that was exactly the point.

Prince William, Prince of Wales listens to scientists during a visit to Isambard-AI, the UK’s most powerful supercomputer at the University of Bristol on January 22, 2026 in Bristol, England. The Prince of Wales is visiting Bristol to view the city's achievements in sustainability. (Image Source: Getty Images | Chris Jackson)

While Harry was delivering an emotional, 23-page witness statement at the High Court, William and Kate Middleton were nearly 400 miles away in Scotland, trying their hand at curling in Stirling. The away day was followed by a solo trip to Bristol for the future King, where he focused on sustainability and future tech. Former royal editor Duncan Larcombe suggests these trips were far more than a scheduling coincidence.

Prince William and Catherine react as they meet with the Team GB and Paralympics GB Curling teams ahead of the Winter Olympic Games at the National Curling Academy on January 20, 2026 in Stirling, Scotland. Russell Cheyne - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“Court cases notoriously never start when they say they’re going to, so it wasn’t a set-in-stone date for this trial,” he explained to The Mirror. “But it seems to be more than just a coincidence that William had taken himself out of the country, ensuring he was nowhere near Windsor, or where Harry might be.” By filling his diary with high-profile visits to places like the Bristol Robotics Laboratory and Scottish heritage sites, William effectively created a royal shield. It allowed him to maintain a dignified silence on his brother's legal drama without having to dodge cameras or questions in the capital.

The royal siblings were last seen in the same room in August 2024 for their maternal uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes’s funeral. However, sources suggest they haven’t shared a meaningful word in months. The fallout from Harry’s Spare and the couple’s various media projects has reportedly left Will’s trust in his little brother “completely broken.”

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk behind Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as it is transported on a gun carriage from Buckingham Palace to The Palace of Westminster ahead of her Lying-in-State on September 14, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

“William is still incredibly angry at his brother,” Larcombe noted, adding that the damage to the family dynamic feels almost “irreparable.” For the heir apparent, the strategy seems to be work over worry. While Harry spent his week reliving past grievances against the press, William spent his riding a lightweight mobility scooter in Bristol and discussing microplastic filtration. It’s a clear signal from the Prince of Wales: while Harry is focused on the past, William is looking firmly toward the future—even if that means making sure their paths never cross.