Royal news live: Prince Harry suffers Invictus blow as it emerges Trump gunman researched royal family member

The Duke of Sussex controversially accepted the Pat Tillman Award last week

Prince Harry has suffered a fresh Invictus Games blow in the wake of the Pat Tillman Award controversy after the foundation’s chief executive announced his departure.

Dominic Reid, who has been credited with helping the foundation’s growth globally, stepped down from Invictus after 10 years and six games across three continents.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, subsequently paid tribute to Reid, who has occupied the role since the games began in 2014.

Harry said in a statement: “His tireless efforts over the past decade have supported thousands of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans through sports rehabilitation.”

Meanwhile, the gunman who tried to kill Donald Trump searched online for a member of the Royal family days before his attempt on the former president’s life, FBI investigators have said.

His electronic devices were subsequently seized and revealed that he had Google searched several public figures leading up to the incident, including Christopher Wray, the FBI director.

20 hours ago
Prince Harry’s charity boss steps down from role
The chief executive of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games has stepped down from his role a week after the Duke of Sussex controversially accepted an award for veterans.

Harry, 39, received the Pat Tillman Award for his work with the games, which celebrates the sporting achievements of wounded, sick and injured service people.

At the time of his acceptance at a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles, Harry said it belonged to everyone involved with the games.

Ahead of the Duke’s receipt of the award, tens of thousands of people signed a petition against it, with the late Mr Tillman’s mother, Mary, adding that she could not understand ESPN’s decision to give it to such a “controversial and divisive individual”.

Now, Dominic Reid has stepped down after occupying the role since 2014.

Paying tribute to his former chief executive, Harry thanked him for “[transforming] the Invictus Games from an ambitious idea to an internationally recognised movement.”

Dominic Reid is pictured here with Prince Harry celebrating the 10th anniversary of the games.
Dominic Reid is pictured here with Prince Harry celebrating the 10th anniversary of the games. (Getty Images for The Invictus Ga)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 08:39
20 hours ago
Kate and William ‘begin summer holiday’
The Prince and Princess of Wales have begun their summer holiday after a difficult first half of the year, an insider has revealed.

Royal author Robert Jobson explained that Kate’s cancer diagnosis hit her husband “out of the blue” and that as a couple, they understand the importance of family time and privacy before he ascends to the throne.

“I think they will be looking forward to a nice holiday together as a family, and I’m sure they’ll spend some time in Norfolk, at the beach,” Jobson told HELLO! magazine.

“They knew they would only get limited time in this role, where they can enjoy their children. As soon as they become King and Queen, they really are public property.”

Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Kate’s first public appearance of the year last month (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Prince George, the Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Kate’s first public appearance of the year last month (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Wire)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 08:25
21 hours ago
Meghan Markle’s former friend claims Prince Harry ‘fit plan’ for UK fame
A former friend of Meghan Markle has claimed that she pursued Prince Harry in a bid to become famous in the UK.

The friend, who said they were “ghosted” by the former Suits star, said the actress focused her sights on the UK because she was not happy about how her career in the US was going.

Lizzie Cundy told the Daily Mail that Meghan asked her: “Do you know any famous guys?” before adding “I’m single and I really love English men.”

After the now Duchess of Sussex met Prince Harry, Cundy reached out to congratulate her and was allegedly ghosted.

Meghan Markle reportedly wanted to meet ‘famous’ Englishmen.
Meghan Markle reportedly wanted to meet ‘famous’ Englishmen. (AP)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 08:00
23 hours ago
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle branded ‘tone deaf’ by expert
A royal expert has branded the Duke and Duchess of Sussex “tone deaf” following reports that they could not understand the intense backlash that followed Prince Harry’s receipt of an award for veterans.

The revelation was made by Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl on Kinsey Schofield’s Heirs and Spares programme.

“I think they probably are so immersed in their own narrative that they find it quite hard to understand why people take a pop at them,” she said.

“They probably find it so hard to understand why they are so divisive. I do think that sometimes they have the tendency to come over as being slightly tone deaf”.

The criticism aimed at Harry over the award was also given by the late Pat Tillman’s mum, Mary, who said she could not understand why the award named after her son was being given to such a “controversial and divisive” individual.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been branded ‘tone deaf’.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been branded ‘tone deaf’. (ABC/ESPN)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 06:00
1 day ago
Prince William’s reason for wanting Princess Anne back ‘so soon’
A royal insider has speculated that Prince William may want Princess Anne to return to full duty as soon as possible to share the load of investitures.

Royal expert Ephraim Hardcastle explained that Windsor Castle has a backlog following the royal family’s ongoing health concerns.

“William might have had another reason to see Anne back ‘so soon’,” Mr Hardcastle told the Daily Mail.

“She can share the burden of investitures.

“So far this year there have been 25, with Anne presiding at 17.”

Princess Anne has already attended over 200 engagements so far this year.
Princess Anne has already attended over 200 engagements so far this year. (PA)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 04:00
1 day ago
Kate Middleton to spend rest of summer ‘below the radar’
A royal insider said the public are unlikely to see Kate Middleton again anytime soon as she and Prince William plan to spend the remainder of the summer “below the radar”.

The revelation was made in Vanity Fair, where it was explained that the couple will spend the majority of the summer at their Norfolk home as the Princess of Wales continues her cancer treatment.

While there are no plans for the Wales family to travel abroad, they will travel to Scotland next month to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral.

The Princess of Wales has made just two public appearances this year due to her ongoing health concerns.
The Princess of Wales has made just two public appearances this year due to her ongoing health concerns. (AFP via Getty Images)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 02:00
1 day ago
Harry and Meghan’s American ‘fairytale over’
Following the news that just four in ten Americans agreed with the decision to give Prince Harry an American award for veterans, a royal expert has said Harry and Meghan’s “fairytale” in the US is “over”.

Lee Cohen said that people in the US’s fondness for the couple has “significantly cooled” because of their alleged “whining”.

“Harry and Meghan just love to complain. And in America’s largely optimistic society, that is a bad look,” he told the US Sun.

“While some view the couple’s openness as a brave stance against institutional rigidity, many others perceive it as ungrateful and divisive.

“A segment of Americans, particularly those of us who respect and admire the monarchy, find these repeated criticisms disrespectful and unbecoming. So the Sussexes’ endless narrative of grievance has alienated many who once admired their candour.”

Prince Harry controversially accpeted an award for veterans in Los Angeles last week despite calls for him to decline.
Prince Harry controversially accpeted an award for veterans in Los Angeles last week despite calls for him to decline. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Emma Guinness19 July 2024 00:00
1 day ago
Princess Anne told to ‘rest up’ following hospitalisation
Doctors have reportedly told Princess Anne to “rest up” over the summer after she was recently hospitalised after being kicked by a horse.

The Princess Royal, 73, suffered a concussion and minor injuries as a result of the incident on her Gloucestershire estate last month.

While she made a surprise return to work last week, medics are reportedly encouraging Anne, who is widely believed to be one of the hardest-working royals, to “rest up” over the summer.

Royal insider Ephraim Hardcastle told the Daily Mail: “A mole reports that medical advice was for the Princess Royal to rest up over the summer, the results of head injuries not always being immediately obvious – but Anne isn’t noted for doing what she’s told.”

The Princess Royal visited the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire last week (Cameron Smith/PA)
The Princess Royal visited the Riding for the Disabled Association National Championships at Hartpury University and Hartpury College in Gloucestershire last week (Cameron Smith/PA) (PA Wire)
Emma Guinness18 July 2024 22:00
1 day ago
Prince Harry’s eight-word response when asked to leave UK residence
Prince Harry had an eight-word response after being asked by King Charles to vacate Frogmore Cottage following his decision to step down as a working royal.

The Duke of Sussex, 39, officially vacated the property last year, with a spokesperson for the Sussexes stating at the time: “We can confirm the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been requested to vacate their residence at Frogmore Cottage.”

In response to the monarch’s request to leave, the Express reports, Harry said: “Don’t you want to see your grandkids anymore?”

Prince Harry said the loss of Frogmore Cottage would affect King Charles’s ability to see his grandchildren.
Prince Harry said the loss of Frogmore Cottage would affect King Charles’s ability to see his grandchildren. (Getty Images)
Emma Guinness18 July 2024 20:00
1 day ago
Meghan Markle ‘hissed’ at staff while pregnant
The Duchess of Sussex “turned and hissed” at a member of royal staff while pregnant with Prince Archie, it has been claimed.

The incident took place in Fiji as part of a tour of the island, Tonga, New Zealand and Australia in 2018.

Rebecca English told the Daily Mail: “I was there at the time and witnessed Meghan turn and ‘hiss’ at a member of her entourage, clearly incandescent with rage about something, and demand to leave.

“I later saw that same – female – highly distressed member of staff sitting in an official car, with tears running down her face. Our eyes met and she lowered hers, humiliation etched on her features.”

The Sun reports that the Duchess, now 42, was upset on a trip to a market after she noticed that a group called UN Women was in attendance when she had specifically asked them not to be.

The incident took place in the autumn of 2018 after the couple tied the knot in May.
The incident took place in the autumn of 2018 after the couple tied the knot in May. (Getty Images)
Emma Guinness18 July 2024 18:00