William and Harry were both out on duty on Thursday for the first time since the Sussexes’ controversial return to the UK and the furore caused by Earl Spencer‘s book.
On official royal business, the Prince and Princess of Wales had a go at the Gaelic sport of shinty with a smile, despite heavy rain, as they joined locals on the Isle of Bute.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry attended an awards ceremony in London for his Invictus Games, smiling and laughing with wounded veterans.
He ignored a reporter who asked whether he wanted to comment on his uncle’s incendiary memoir – Swan Song: Diana, My Sister – which has triggered a war of words between Earl Spencer and the King.
Harry was wearing the military and jubilee medals given to him by his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, with his black tie, along with his insignia as Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).
Ironically, given events of recent years, he was given the award by the late Queen for personal service to the monarchy in 2015.
Harry appeared to be in an exuberant mood, stopping for selfies as he arrived for the inaugural Spirit Of Invictus awards at the Old Naval College in Greenwich, south–east London.
Asked how things were going as he went into the venue to honour injured servicemen and women, he said: ‘Good! It’s good to be back on British soil.’
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. William and Kate – the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as they are known in Scotland – started a day of engagements at Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay, their first official visit to the town from which their titles are taken.
The Prince and Princess of Wales clean up a beach during a royal visit to the Isle of Bute
Prince Harry poses for a selfie ahead of the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich
Kate Middleton tries her hand at the gaelic sport shinty during her visit to the Isle of Bute
They tried their hand at the traditional Gaelic game, played with a curved wooden stick and a small leather ball.
William fluffed his first shot and the ball bobbled away. But he connected with the second attempt. For once, Catherine’s sporting prowess failed her as she, too, missed the ball on her first attempt.
After William suggested she take a step up to the ball, the princess struck her second attempt cleanly. Clearly enjoying herself, a third strike whistled past the goal post and was inches away from striking kilt–wearing bystander Andy McAlindon, an influencer known as Andy The Highlander.
The couple also did their bit for the environment, picking up beach litter at Ettrick Bay.
