Royal news 7 July: Prince William steps out just 11 miles away from estranged brother Harry after court case ruling, more

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Good morning, and welcome to HELLO!'s royal blog, which will be taking you through all of the major royal events of the week. Today, Prince Harry will start to carry out the first engagements for the Invictus Games after arriving back in the country on Monday.

The engagements come following confusion about where the Duke of Sussex would be staying during his trip. He will not stay at Buckingham Palace during his return, with his spokesman saying on Monday that it was "disappointing" the offer from the King had been "withdrawn at the last moment".

However, Invictus isn't the only thing that Harry will be keeping an eye on, as the judgement in his case against Associated Newspapers Limited is also expected to be delivered during the day.

© Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage

The Duke of Sussex has made his first appearance of his UK visit, with the royal spotted at the premiere of Shoot the People at Picturehouse Central, London.

Harry was there to support his close friend, photographer and filmmaker Misan Harriman, who features in the new documentary directed by Andy Mundy-Castle. At the premiere, Harry posed for photos alongside Misan, Andy, and journalist Afua Hirsch.

Misan has been close to Harry and Meghan for many years, famously photographing their announcement that they were expecting Lilibet back in 2021. He also captured Harry and Meghan's daughter on her first birthday in the gardens of Frogmore Cottage. 

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It's been a confusing start to Prince Harry's return to the UK. At the start, it was reported that he would be joined by his family, with later reports confirming that they would be staying at a mixture of royal and private residences. However, later it was revealed that Harry's family wouldn't join him for the whole of his trip.

On top of that, although Harry was intending to stay at Buckingham Palace, his request apparently came too late, adding further confusion to his accomodation for the trip.

HELLO! VIP readers are able to read our royal editor, Emily Nash's thoughts on what this confusing saga has ended up revealing about the relationship between the Duke of Sussex and his father, King Charles.

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The Princess of Wales was out on official business on Monday, when she visited the Evelina Children's Hospital. As ever, Kate looked so glam in a white dress, but as the wind blew, royal fans spotted that she had picked up a mysterious graze.

It's not known how the Princess obtained the cut, but she's been very active in recent weeks and has spent a lot of time outdoors for her Three Peaks mountain-climbing challenge. 

The Waleses are known to be an outdoorsy family, and they also have a young puppy called Otto, a cocker spaniel who celebrated his first birthday in May.

Kate was visiting the hospital to learn about its new plans to transform it into London's most comprehensive and integrated children's hospital.

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Princess Diana was endlessly devoted to her children, Prince William and Prince Harry, although like all parents, her children didn't always see things the same way as her.

Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, royal author Ingrid Seward, who knew the late Princess of Wales, told us: "She would say to me, 'William is William. Sometimes we don't get on at all because he is so like me. But Harry is fine, he'll never be a problem.'

"She would say that William was the sensitive one and Harry would just skim through life."

Ingrid shared her insight and other anecdotes during a special recording of A Right Royal Podcast, which took place to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Princess, who would have turned 65 on 1 July.

The recording took place in front of an audience of 70 HELLO! readers, in the newly refurbished ballroom of Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, London, the five-star luxury hotel that was visited by Diana herself, as well as the then-Prince Charles, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the late Prince Philip.

During the wide-ranging interview, our podcast hosts Emily Nash and Andrea Caamano interviewed Ingrid alongside fashion designer Jacques Azagury, the mastermind behind Diana's post-royal style evolution, and investigative journalist Andy Webb, author of Dianarama, to uncover the real Diana.

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While Princess Charlotte has been compared to her mother on numerous occasions, in her latest appearance, royal fans actually thought she was more like her father!

Charlotte ended up opting for a pair of denim jeans over the pretty dresses she usually wears, and it was a fashion staple for a young Prince William, who enjoyed wearing a baggy pair during his younger days.

Charlotte was seen alongside her two siblings supporting their mother, Princess Kate, after the royal mum-of-three had completed the Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise awareness for people living their lives following a cancer diagnosis.

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Queen Camilla is a keen reader, and on Tuesday she marked the 100th anniversary of a literary icon: Winnie the Pooh. The outing marked Camilla's first since she became the patron of the Royal Literary Fund, and she headed down to Ashdown Forest, East Sussex, which served as the inspiration for Winnie's home, The Hundred Acre Wood.

During her time there, the Queen unveiled an all-weather walking trail named Queen’s Walk. She also headed to 'Poohsticks Bridge', where she played a game of Pooh Sticks, which sees players throw a stick over the side of a bridge and racing to see which emerges from the other side first. She played alongside the three winners of a Winnie-the-Pooh themed poetry competition.

The royal also met the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Dame Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and an author of the official Winnie the Pooh sequels, Jane Riordan.

Good afternoon everyone,

I'm taking over the live blog now as Prince Harry begins his first set of engagements in London. 

Our royal editor, Emily Nash, is also on the ground to provide you with live updates. 

It's set to be a busy one - so get ready!

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Prince Harry has arrived at Chatham House 30 minutes early, taking the media by surprise. 

He's wearing a dark suit and tie and chatted to his hosts briefly in the lobby before moving inside for meetings, saying hello to a few journalists waiting inside. 

He's 30 minutes away from finding out whether his legal action against Associated Newspapers Ltd has been successful.

He's at Chatham House for the Invictus Games Foundation's Conversation From Policy to Practice, where Uganda will be formally announced as the newest member of the international community. 

The conference will also explore how nations can learn from each other to strengthen recovery pathways and improve rehabilitation outcomes from injured, wounded or sick service personnel and veterans.

Harry will tell the audience: "I hope you leave this conference with a deeper understanding of what the Invictus Movement really is. 

"Not simply a week of sport every few years, but a community united by one belief: that the unconquered human spirit exists in every nation and that our shared responsibility is to create the conditions in which it can flourish."  

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Scores of photographers and media gathered outside and shouted "sir, sir" at Harry, but the Duke gave a brief wave before heading straight into the international affairs think tank’s building in central London. 

Harry looked business-like as he stepped from his vehicle ahead of the highly-anticipated judgment in his High Court case against the Daily Mail’s publisher expected later on Tuesday afternoon.

There will be intense media scrutiny of the former working royal during his long-planned trip to the UK, with mounting speculation about whether he will see his father the King or briefly bring his family to the UK.

The Duke was reportedly staying at his holiday home in Portugal with the Duchess of Sussex and their children ahead of his UK visit.

Harry remains estranged from his brother, the Prince of Wales, and it is highly unlikely the pair will meet.

The Duke’s first public event of his return to the UK sees him attend an Invictus Games Foundation conference at London’s Chatham House, as part of the "One Year to Go" celebrations for the Invictus Games being staged in Birmingham in 2027.

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Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto made a characteristically elegant arrival at the All England Club on Tuesday. 

King Charles' cousin wore a crisp, long-sleeved white shirt dress cinched at the waist with a matching tie belt.

She was later seen taking to the Royal Box alongside Deborah Jevans, chair of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Sarah perfectly nailed Wimbledon in the classic bright tennis white shade often seen at the tournament. 

Lady Sarah is the daughter of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones and is the cousin of Charles. Although she doesn't carry out any royal duties, she can occasionally be seen joining the royal family at wider events.

She recently reunited with King Charles at Royal Ascot for the carriage procession. 

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As Prince Harry carries out an Invictus Games engagement at Chatham House, his brother, Prince William, is just 11 miles away. 

The Prince of Wales made a surprise appearance to join children at the London Welsh School in Hanwell. 

The visit is so that he can wish Team Wales good luck ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. 

The Prince was seen playing a game of bowls using a score wedge and passing a netball inside a classroom. 

Let's hope no teachers saw that!

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The Duke of Sussex claimed 14 articles published by Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) were based on unlawful information gathering.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Harry said the stories were written between 2001 and 2013 – and "focus primarily and in a highly intrusive and damaging way, on the relationships which he formed, or rather tried to form, during those years prior to meeting his now wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex". 

These included articles on: 

Harry being godfather to Tiggy Legge-Bourke's child

Harry’s relationship with Natalie Pinkham 

Harry’s relationship with Laura Gerard-Leigh 

Harry’s relationship with Chelsy Davy 

Harry keeping in touch with Chelsy on the phone

Harry talking about future career and relationship with Chelsy

Harry talking about a present he had given Chelsy  

William and Harry discussing photos of mother Diana, Princess of Wales

The state of Harry and Chelsy's relationship  

Harry and William’s plans for Diana memorial 

Harry and Ms Davy’s holiday in Africa 

Harry staying with Chelsy at weekends 

Chelsy's reservations about Harry reunion 

Harry’s girlfriend (Cressida Bonas) flies to Necker Island without him

© Emily Nash

Prince Harry has lost his High Court privacy battle against Associated Newspapers. 

The ruling came just minutes after the Duke stepped out in London for the first of his engagements during his visit to the UK this week, starting with an Invictus event at Chatham House.

HELLO!'s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, who was present in the moments after it was announced, said: "Harry has delivered a six-minute speech at Chatham House, moments after learning he had lost his case against Associated Newspapers Ltd. 

"The event started around 10-minutes later than expected and Harry looked shocked and his voice was not as steady as usual when he stepped up to the podium to address delegates."

You can watch Harry's speech below: 

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© James Middleton

In a world of royal rifts, the Princess of Wales and her brother James Middleton are proving to be a masterclass in sibling loyalty. 

Alexandra Hurtado, HELLO!'s US Royal Correspondent, has given her take on their relationship, speaking as someone with a younger brother herself. 

Although the Middletons do not often speak publicly about one another, their actions through the years have spoken louder than words. 

One of the clearest examples of that support can be seen in the relationship between Catherine and her younger brother. 

James, who has previously battled depression and suicidal thoughts, has revealed in the past that his sisters, Catherine and Pippa, joined him at therapy sessions.

"They've seen me at my best and at my lowest, and they've always been there when I've needed them," James said in 2025.

© The Veterans’ Foundation / Steph Friend Weddings & Film

The Princess Royal was the belle of the ball last week in a lace look and opera gloves. 

Anne, 75, attended the Veterans' Foundation's 10th anniversary celebrations in London.  

She looked elegant in a lace column dress with wrap detail and corsage at the waist as well as puff sleeves and a demure Queen Anne neckline. 

The design was made in a pared-back pale yellow hue, which gave it a modern feel. 

Chair of Trustees for the Veterans’ Foundation, Andrew Anderson, said: “The event was about recognising the extraordinary people who make this work possible - our supporters, our partners, the charities we fund and, above all, the veterans and families at the heart of everything we do. 

"It was a tremendous honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as we marked this milestone together."

Hi everyone,

Thank you for joining me this afternoon. It's been a very busy day - but we'll be back tomorrow for another day of action!

In the meantime, Beatriz in the US will be keeping you updated. We'll have more from Harry and William's trips in the city!

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Prince Harry has broken his silence after his legal case against Associated Newspapers has been dismissed from the High Court. Prince Harry has released a lengthy joint statement with Baroness Doreen Lawrence to say that he believes it to be an "obvious whitewash" as well as being "shocking" and "unwarranted."

The Duke of Sussex, Sir Elton John and others’ claims over alleged unlawful information gathering by Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers. This includes claims that information for articles was obtained by carrying out or commissioning unlawful activities such as phone tapping and "blagging" private records. ANL has strongly denied wrongdoing and now the case has been dismissed. 

Prince Harry's statement in full 

"We came to Court seeking justice and accountability. But we have received neither. This judgment represents a complete reversal of the position which previous Judges have taken in relation to the hacking claims successfully brought against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers (who were represented by, at the time, the Judge who made this decision). 

Continued...