Royal Family live: Prince Harry says it's 'good to be back' on first public outing since UK return

Royal Family live: Prince Harry says it's 'good to be back' on first public outing since UK return Prince Harry has been seen for the first time on a public engagement since his bombshell return to the UK by attending an Invictus Games event in London Prince Harry has made his first public appearance in the UK since his bombshell return to his home country - and said "it's good to be back on British soil". The Duke of Sussex, dressed in black tie and wearing his military medals, posed for photographs in front of the press and then for selfies, when he arrived at the Invictus Spirit Awards in London. When asked how things were going before he went into the venue, he said: "Good! It’s good to be back on British soil.” It came hours after the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Isle of Bute for a day of engagements and after the King Charles was forced to defend himself against statements made by Earl Spencer. In new excerpts tonight from Diana's brother's new book, he makes astonishing claims that King Charles was “giddily elated” and sounded like a “lottery winner” when he called him after Diana’s death. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the new claims. But yesterday, the King hit back at a first glimpse of the book, in which Earl Spencer alleged that Charles said the royal family would "forget her soon enough" following Diana’s tragic death in 1997. A spokesman for the King said: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." Key Events IN PICTURES: Harry's first public outing since UK return King Charles' country home forced to close to public King Charles' country home was forced to close to the public yesterday due to a burst water main. A spokesperson for Sandringham Estate said: "Due to a burst water main locally, we currently have no water. Therefore Sandringham House & Gardens, Restaurant, Terrace, Shop & toilets will be closed today. Any visitors with tickets for today will automatically receive a refund. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause." King set for third day of controversy as ‘war of words’ rumbles on The King looks set to endure a third day of controversy as the war of words between Buckingham Palace and Earl Spencer, the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, continues. In the latest extract from Earl Spencer’s book serialised in the Daily Mail, Diana’s brother claimed that the late Queen Elizabeth II considered restoring his sister’s Her Royal Highness title, which she lost when she divorced Charles. It comes after a dispute blew up between the King and Earl Spencer, who claimed the then-prince told him, “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough”, days after Diana’s death in 1997. WATCH: Harry's response when a journalist asked how he felt about his uncle’s new memoir Mirror readers debate if King Charles should have stayed quiet over Earl Spencer's claims Buckingham Palace has broken with its usual approach of remaining silent after explosive allegations emerged in a forthcoming memoir about Princess Diana and the aftermath of her death. In a rare intervention, a statement released by the Palace said: “While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss.” Should King Charles have stayed quiet over Earl Spencer claims? Vote in our poll 'Earl Spencer's memoir will plunge dagger into William and Harry's hearts' The Mirror's Royal Editor Russell Myers writes: The devastating manner in which Diana, Princess of Wales was tragically killed, opened wounds for her loved ones that will never heal. For her two sons, just 15 and 12 at the time their mother was cruelly and catastrophically taken from them, it has shaped almost every facet of their life since then. William and Harry have frequently spoken of their lifelong desire to honour her legacy, in their charity work, their roles in public life and indeed after having families of their own, to keep her spirit alive. Read more with Mirror+: 'Earl Spencer's memoir strikes at the King but will also plunge dagger into Diana's sons' hearts' Video: William and Kate join in clean up efforts Prince William and Princess Kate, whose official titles in Scotland are the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, joined volunteers from Beachwatch Bute for a beach clean-up at Ettrick Bay. Prince William shows 'man he truly is' in rare moment caught on camera Prince William recently offered a glimpse of the man who seems to lie behind the title in a rare moment that was caught on camera. This week, Prince William was out and about, but something appeared to distract him, and it quickly caught a lot of different people's attention. Royal fans were drawn to the snap after it was shared on Instagram by writer Tony Lee, and it's since left people in disbelief. Many were taken aback by William's actions, as they couldn't believe such an unexpected moment was captured in a photograph, and it's since got many people talking. Read more: Prince William shows 'man he truly is' in rare moment caught on camera Prince Harry says it's 'good to be back' Prince Harry said "it's good to be back on British soil" as he made his first public appearance since moving back to the UK. The Duke of Sussex appeared in an exuberant mood as he arrived for the inaugural Spirit of Invictus awards at the Old Naval College in London. Asked how things were going before be went into the venue, he said: "Good! It’s good to be back on British soil.” In a speech tonight Harry told the audience of armed forces veterans "your service matters". The duke spoke about his journey setting up the global Invictus Games and how competitors have gone on to achieve the impossible and join "the best community in the world". He said: "Tonight you will hear extraordinary stories, but I hope we don’t simply applaud them. I hope we recognise what they ask of us. "Because Invictus was never created so that the rest of us could sit back and admire resilience. It was created so that people who have served know that when their lives change, we don’t disappear. "They served us. We must continue to show up for them, and I guarantee you, we all benefit when we do. "And to the veterans here tonight, and those wherever you are around the world, I want to say this as one soldier to another: your service matters. What you gave in uniform matters. And people far beyond the military community who see in your example what courage, resilience and leadership actually look like. "People are watching. The teammate who is struggling. The young soldier wondering what life after uniform might look like. The family trying to find its way forward. "At a time when societies around the world are being tested, the Invictus spirit has something to teach all of us. This community doesn’t just demonstrate resilience. It helps build it. Never underestimate what your example gives to the world." Harry with the Irish Guards Harry's inaugural awards The Spirit of Invictus Awards will recognise those who have beaten the odds, supported others in their recovery, advanced sport and rehabilitation, or made an outstanding contribution to the wider Invictus Community. Nominees are not required to have competed at a previous Games, but must be wounded, injured or sick service personnel or veterans who have used sport or adventure activities as part of their recovery. Honours will be handed out across five categories: the Invictus Resilience Award, for remarkable personal achievement in the face of adversity; a Community Award, recognising collaborative spirit within the Invictus network; the Community of Nations Award, for those advancing sports-based recovery and inclusion across borders; and the Champion Award, honouring outstanding philanthropic support for the movement - alongside one further overall honour to be revealed during the evening. The duke's personal connection connection to wounded, injured and sick service personnel stretches back over a decade. Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014, a Paralympic-style international sporting event created to support the rehabilitation of wounded or sick service personnel and veterans. Determined that the inaugural London Games shouldn't be a one-off, he established the Invictus Games Foundation to build a lasting legacy, select future host cities and oversee delivery of the Games. The event has since travelled the world, from Orlando to Toronto, Sydney to Düsseldorf, and most recently Whistler, British Columbia. Cheery Harry greets fans The Duke of Sussex cheerily waved at fans as he walked up the steps to the Old Naval College in Greenwich, South London, before posing for photographs. The inaugural Spirit of Invictus Awards, represent an expansion beyond the sporting arena of the Duke of Sussex's mission with the Games. At a champagne reception in an adjoining courtyard, Harry told guests he was “incredibly excited” to meet the winners and nominees after being part of the judging panel, alongside the Duchess of Sussex, for the awards. Tonight’s ceremony draws inspiration from the former Endeavour Awards and aims to honour the remarkable feats of extraordinary people and organisations at the heart of the global Invictus community. A host of famous faces including comedian James Corden, chart topping singer Jess Glynn, actor Ross Kemp, noughties singing sensation Sonique are also in attendance. After welcoming Harry with a hug, Sonique, who is DJing at the bash, said: “It’s nice to have him home. He used to come to my gigs, I have missed him.” On spotting former England rugby star James Haskell, Harry walked over and gave him a bear hug telling him “great to see you again”. The pair posed for pictures at a specially erected photo booth before the duke was taken into the awards. Prince Harry ignores questions about Earl Spencer's book Harry’s first public engagement since moving back to the UK from the US tonight came after a war of words broke out between his father the King and Earl Charles Spencer, the brother of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Tonight's event supports wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans by raising funds for the Invictus Games Foundation, of which Harry is the founding patron. The ceremony is to be opened by James Corden, with a headline performance from singer Jess Glynne. As Harry entered the of the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, south-east London, a reporter shouted out and asked him: "How are you feeling about your uncle's book?" But he did not reply. Prince Harry makes first UK appearance since return Prince Harry has been seen for the first time in public since returning to the UK by arriving at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards in London. Dressed in a smart suit and medals, the Duke of Sussex was seen entering the gala dinner - just an hour after astonishing claims by his uncle were made against his father the King in his new book about Harry's late mother, Princess Diana. Earl Spencer claims Diana 'wouldn't have approved' of Harry and William walking behind coffin In the new book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, due to be published next Tuesday, Spencer also claims he told Charles how his sister would have been horrified at the thought of her sons, Princes William and Harry, having to endure the spectacle of walking in public behind her coffin. The Earl alleged the Prince of Wales questioned the Spencer family’s “sense of duty”, adding that his ex-wife would soon be forgotten. Diana's brother claims she 'went to Beachy Head' The Earl also claims in the first part of the serialisation in the Daily Mail that he is convinced that his late sister had ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and that Diana also went to Beachy Head, a notorious suicide spot, multiple times but stopped herself from “ending it all” due to the love for her sons Princes William and Harry. Buckingham Palace has not commented on the new claims. But yesterday, the King hit back at a first glimpse of the book, in which Earl Spencer alleged that Charles said the royal family would "forget her soon enough" following Diana’s tragic death in 1997. A spokesman for the King said: "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss." *If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can visit their site samaritans.org to find your local branch. Diana's brother's astonishing claim King was 'giddily elated' after her death Princess Diana’s brother has made astonishing claims that King Charles was “giddily elated” and sounded like a “lottery winner” when he called him after Diana’s death. Earl Spencer makes the incredulous allegations in his devastating new memoir, called Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which he says has been written to correct 'untruths' told about his older sister, who died in a Paris car crash in August 1997. A first extract of the book has now been published, with the Earl alleging he spoke to the then Prince of Wales in the hours after his sister’s death - and controversially speculates the King’s reaction to it was how “this event might free him to marry the woman he loved”. Read more: Princess Diana's brother makes astonishing claim King Charles was 'giddily elated' after her death Princess Kate and William visit 'a tremendous honour' Kate and William watched an under-17s shinty game - a traditional Gaelic game played with a curved wooden stick, known as a caman, and a small leather ball - before marching onto the pitch to take part in a penalty shootout. William stepped up first, fluffed his first shot and the ball bobbled away - but he connected with the second attempt. Kate was cheered onto the pitch by the crowd and raised her fist in the air in mock acknowledgement of their support. William l called out ‘long run up’ as Kate stepped up to take her first attempt. King Charles tells AI bosses to put humanity first The King told an audience that included bosses from Nvidia, Anthropic, Google DeepMind and OpenAI that decisions taken today on the technology will “shape the world inherited by future generations”, and he called on them to ensure that as they develop the technology, “our humanity remains sacred”. Giving his opening address, Charles told the audience the development of AI is “both intriguing and deeply concerning in equal measure.” He said: “AI is already showing its immense capacity to improve and save life – for example, in the field of life sciences and medicine. “Yet, those who have created these technologies are now increasingly warning that AI risks developing darker capacities – perhaps even to take life. In this regard, if I may say so, there seems urgency in adequately considering the existential dangers of such technologies falling into the wrong hands, and being used in potentially catastrophic ways. Surely, we need sufficient means of control before it is all too late.” Where are the royals today? Amid the flurry of controversy over Earl Spencer's book, Prince William and Princess Kate spent the day carrying out engagements on the Isle of Bute in Scotland. They visited the Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay, went to Ettrick Bay to meet coastal preservation teams, and finished at the community-owned Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub in Port Bannatyne. King Charles meanwhile carried out an engagement at Dumfries House, where he hosted a summit for government and tech sector leaders to discuss the development, risks, and corporate responsibilities surrounding AI - a hot topic at the moment. Prince Harry is set to make his first public appearance since his return in late August to attend the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards tonight. Prince Harry visits West London hospital ahead of Invictus event The Duke of Sussex renewed his commitment to supporting children injured in conflict today at a special event with long-standing partners Save the Children and Imperial College London. Hosted at Imperial College London’s I-HUB innovation centre in West London, the initiative welcomed humanitarians, innovators and philanthropists around a shared mission to improve the care of children with amputation injuries. The partnership aims to provide children with a holistic package of support – from the latest prosthetic technology to physical rehabilitation and long-term mental health provision. Speaking at the event, Prince Harry said: “Children should not be exposed to conflict. They should not be losing limbs to blast. But whilst children continue to suffer, I will keep working to ensure they can live life to the full. That’s what this enduring partnership between Archewell Philanthropies, Save the Children and Imperial College London is all about.” After a panel discussion, the Duke participated in technology demonstrations with companies at the forefront of developing prosthetic solutions designed specifically for children – including a specialised knee joint that can grow with the child, developed at Imperial with funding from Save the Children. The Prince and Princess of Wales pose with 95-year-old Jenny Salli on the Isle of Bute William and Kate ride a tractor along the Isle of Bute coast Inside Prince Harry's relationship with Diana's family from 'second father' to secret support network Despite his rocky relationship with his family, Prince Harry has never been completely isolated in the UK. During every royal crisis, legal battle, and transatlantic move, one side of the family has kept its doors open, the Spencers - Diana, Princess of Wales's family. The bond between Harry and his late mother's family runs deep. Following Diana's death in Paris in 1997, her younger brother Charles, Earl Spencer, took on the mantle of protective uncle to young William and Harry. At her funeral, he delivered his famous eulogy, pledging that Diana's "blood family" would ensure her son's "souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition but can sing openly as you planned." That pledge has endured. While the Windsors and Spencers have been intertwined for centuries - Diana's father served as an equerry to George VI, her grandfather was a close friend of the King, and her brother was Queen Elizabeth II's godson - the Spencers have never shied away from challenging the Palace. That willingness to clash with the monarchy has flared up once again with Earl Spencer's new bombshell book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister. The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay join in clean up efforts in Scotland William and Kate head to Ettrick Bay to meet the Beachwatch Bute team The Princess of Wales chats with shinty professionals Princess Kate, who is known as the Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, meet representatives from the club's senior and youth teams, while visiting Bute Shinty Club. Shinty is one of Scotland's oldest traditional sports and has been played for generations. Founded in 1946 and run entirely by volunteers, many of whom are former players, the Bute club is a vital part of island life, providing sporting opportunities, community support and a welcoming social hub for local residents. Played with a curved wooden stick, known as a caman, and a small leather ball, shinty has long been part of Bute's heritage, with the Buteman Cup contested on the island since 1900. William takes a shot on the shinty pitch Kate animatedly tries her hand at shinty Where's Harry? The Duke of Sussex is expected to make his first public appearance today after he, along with his wife the Duchess of Sussex, returned to the UK from the US last month.