Royal news live: Prince Harry veteran award backlash continues as William heads to Euro 2024 quarter final
Harry has been defended for his ‘incredible’ work with the Invictus Games
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Prince William is heading to Germany to watch England play in the Euro 2024 quarter final as his brother, Prince Harry, has been defended for the decision to give him an award for veterans.
A petition calling for a “rethink” on the decision to give the Duke of Sussex, 39, the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games, has surpassed 63,000 signatures.
The late Tillman’s mother, Mary, was amongst the people who believe there are more deserving recipients, but the sporting network behind the award, ESPN, has defended its decision, hailing the “incredible” work of the games.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating,” a spokesperson told Sky News.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales will attend England’s match against Switzerland on Saturday, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Prince, who is the president of the Football Association, will be present to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s team in Dusseldorf as they seek to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Prince Harry sent ‘symbolic message’ to royal family
Prince Harry is reported to have sent a symbolic message to the royal family after vacating his UK residence Frogmore Cottage last June.
This came in the form of the date he officially registered the US as his main residence, 29 June, which was also the day he officially vacated the cottage last year.
While the Duke of Sussex has primarily lived in the US since 2020, royal commentator Esther Krakue said Harry was trying “to send a message” with this decision.
She told Sky News: “It’s very interesting that Prince Harry chose to date his official US residency on the day he was kicked out of Frogmore Cottage.”
“I think he was trying to send a message and it was very symbolic and I think the biggest message here is that it represents everything that could have been and is not and has been lost. Potentially it represents what actually should never have been.”
More recent reports have suggested that Harry is now looking for a new UK residence after he stayed in a London hotel on his most recent trip to the country.
Petition against Prince Harry reaches 60,000 signatures
A petition calling on American sports network ESPN to “rethink” its decision to give Prince Harry the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the Invictus Games has reached over 60,000 signatures.
It argues that the Duke of Sussex is an unsuitable recipient of the award, which was created in memory of the former footballer who gave up his sporting career to serve in the wake of 9/11.
The Change.org petition reads: “Prince Harry, while a former military officer, has been involved in controversies that call into question his suitability to receive an honour of this magnitude.
“He has faced accusations of endangering his squadron by publicly revealing military kills.
“The Prince also allegedly targeted his own father, Prince Charles, during a flyover.
“More recently, his role in the Invictus games, a platform meant to celebrate the resilience and dedication of veterans, has been criticized as self-centered.”
ESPN has defended its decision following the controversy, describing the work of the games as “incredible”.
Harry and Meghan’s celebrity friends ‘few and far between'
Despite having a star-studded wedding back in 2018, it has been claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s circle of celebrity friends is growing increasingly smaller.
This comes following explosive new revelations from Tom Bower’s book House of Beckham, which claims that Meghan “deluded” herself into thinking she had more social status than Victoria Beckham.
The two couple’s friendship eventually fell apart when Meghan allegedly accused the pair of leaking information about her to the press.
“Their A-list friends that are supportive are few and far between,” a source told Closer magazine.
“Any chance they had of mending fences with the Beckhams has been squashed by the royals, Tom Cruise has clearly chosen to side with the royals, George and Amal Clooney have all but dumped them too, and even Elton John has been too busy to give them a whole lot of attention.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrate impactful Scots
King Charles and Queen Camilla have acknowledged the contributions of impactful Scottish people at a garden party.
This came as part of this year’s Holyrood Week celebrations, which also mark the 900th anniversary of the city of Edinburgh.
According to reports, while the royals typically spend a week in Scotland for the celebrations, this will be cut short because of the General Election.
🫖☀️ The King and Queen, along with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, have welcomed around 8,000 Scots to the gardens of Holyroodhouse.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 2, 2024
Guests at the Garden Party represent all walks of life and have all made a positive impact in their community. pic.twitter.com/RNAMKsJpk0
Harry and Meghan celebrate Independence Day as the UK goes to the polls
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reported to be celebrating Independence Day in the US as the UK goes to the polls for the General Election.
The holiday is of particular importance to the couple – who last year celebrated by watching a parade with their children – because it is when they had one of their first dates.
Harry wrote in Spare: “[Meghan] walked in, wearing a pretty blue sundress with white pinstripes. She was aglow. I stood and said: ‘I bear gifts.’ A pink box. I held it forward. She shook it. ‘What’s this? ‘ ‘No, no, don’t shake it! ‘ We both laughed.
“She opened the box. Cupcakes. Red, white and blue cupcakes, to be exact. In honour of Independence Day. I said something about the Brits having a very different view of Independence Day from the Yanks, but, oh, well. She said they looked amazing.”
King Charles shares message to those affected by Hurricane Beryl
King Charles has extended his sympathies and support to those affected by the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl.
The storm made history by becoming the fastest to reach category five on record, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The Monarch said in a statement: “My family and I have been profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean. Above all, we send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who have so cruelly lost their lives.
“I have seen the extraordinary spirit of resilience and solidarity that people across the Caribbean have shown in response to such destruction – a spirit which has been called upon too often – and so I also send my particular gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers who are supporting the rescue and recovery efforts.
“At this most difficult of times, please know that our most special thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives, livelihoods and property have been so utterly devastated.”
Royal Navy ship sent to aid Hurricane Beryl relief efforts
Following the news that the Prince and Princess of Wales have made a private donation to the Hurricane Beryl relief fund, it has been announced that the Royal Navy shop has been sent to assist as well.
HMS Trent is currently making its way to the Cayman Islands with 50 sailors and is equipped with bottled water, basic emergency supplies and other equipment.
The MoD said the team includes members of the who will be able to 700X Naval Air Squadron who can conduct airborne assessments of the damage caused by the category five storm.
A specialist Rapid Deployment Team has already arrived in the area to help affected British nationals, it was added.
Kate Middleton’s parents arrive at Wimbledon
Kate Middleton’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton have arrived at Wimbledon to enjoy the Royal Box this afternoon.
While it is not known if the Princess of Wales herself will make an appearance, officials have said they are hopeful she could attend to present the trophies.
“We’re hopeful that the Princess of Wales will be able to present the trophies as the Club’s patron, but her health and recovery is the priority,” Chair of the All England Club Debbie Jevans recently told The Telegraph.
“We don’t know what we don’t know. All we’ve said is that we’ll work with her and give her as much flexibility as possible.”
Prince Harry’s ‘deep regret’ over drug taking revelations
Prince Harry is said to be experiencing “deep regret” over his disclosure of past drug use in his 2023 memoir Spare.
The royal is currently being investigated over speculation that he could have lied about his drug use on his visa application and this could see him deported from the country he has called home since 2020.
Royal expert Tom Quinn told the Mirror: “The couple have taken legal advice because they’re seriously worried that if Donald Trump wins the next election Harry’s visa may be revoked. Trump has insisted that if Harry is found to have lied on his visa application about his admitted drug taking, he could be asked to leave the country.
“Harry initially thought this couldn’t possibly happen to him as the normal rules don’t apply to a Royal Prince, but he is increasingly realising that in the United States being a Prince doesn’t actually count for very much. But one thing is for sure Harry deeply regrets ever making his drug-taking public. It never occurred to him that this might end up threatening his whole life plan.”
The Middletons appear at Wimbledon
Kate Middleton’s parents Michael and Carole are set to appear in the Royal Box at Wimbledon.
This will mark the couple’s second public outing since their daughter’s cancer diagnosis was announced earlier this year, the first being an appearance at Royal Ascot with Prince William.
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