Royal Family LIVE: King Charles entertains thousands of guests at garden party after ‘snubbing’ Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex read out a bible reading from Corinthians 12 ahead of a sermon.

He said: ‘To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues to another the interpretation of tongues.’

Yesterday, Prince Harry confirmed his father did not have time to see him due to his royal duties.

Standing out St Paul’s watching the Duke of Sussex enter the cathedral one royal watcher said Charles was ‘quite right’ in the decision not to visit his younger son.

‘I think they’re quite right to say, ‘no meeting’. Can’t have it both ways,’ they said.

Prince Harry smiled and waved to huge crowds this afternoon as he arrvied at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Prince William shared a clip of him handing out awards at Windsor Castle as Prince Harry’s service at St Paul’s began.

Prince Harry wore a medal that he was awarded by the late Queen for his ‘services to the monarchy’ today as he arrived for the Invictus Games service at St Paul’s.

The Duke of Sussex beamed and waved to veterans as he arrived at the cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of sports competition held annually for injured servicemen and women.

Appearing in a sharp black suit, the King’s youngest son wore the Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) medal around his neck with a further four pinned onto his blazer.

Senior members of the Royal Family arrived at Buckingham Palace alongside the King today just a few miles away from where Prince Harry was holding his Invictus Games anniversary service.

The duke was warmly greeted by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, before being escorted to his seat under the cathedral’s great dome.

The service began with the hymn Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven as a few miles away the King hosted the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year.

Harry had taken a seat next to his mentor Mark Dyer and exchanged a few words with his uncle Earl Spencer.

The Dean of St Paul’s told the congregation: ‘We gather this evening to offer grateful thanksgiving to Almighty God for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation, and in this their 10th anniversary year, we celebrate the tremendous achievements of the numerous competitors across 23 nations.

‘We give thanks for the inspiring vision and compassion that formed the foundation and, chiefly, for the resultant decade of profound and transformational work.

‘We lament the pain, cost and indignity of war and terror, and pray for a world where justice shall reign and where the nations will find their longed for unity.

‘We recall, with admiration, the skill and determination of those who seek to repair, rehabilitate, and reclaim the lives of those living with serious illness or injury: changing and saving lives.’

Prince Harry arrived with four medals clipped onto his blazer – with another around his neck.

The Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal were on his blazer.

Around his neck he wore a star indicating he is Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO).

The Duke of Sussex cut a lonely figure as he entered St Paul’s this afternoon – with no other members of the royal family in site.

While Harry was at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral for the Invictus Games service, the king was hosting the first annual garden party at Buckingham Palace, accompanied by other senior royals.

It meant Harry was the only royal figure at St Paul’s for the gathering to celebrate the international sporting event that he founded in 2014 for military personnel wounded in action.

Harry, who arrived alone, smiling and waving to a crowd outside, was to provide a reading, with actor Damian Lewis reciting a poem to the congregation which included veterans and wounded service personnel.

Waving to the crowd with a shy grin, Prince Harry walked up the steps to St Paul’s after arriving at the venue in a black Range Rover.

Since 2014, with Prince Harry’s backing the Invictus Games have become a popular global sports competition which 22 countries and more than 500 athletes have been involved with.

The idea came to Harry after watching the coffin of a Danish soldier being loaded onto a flight back from Afghanistan alongside three injured British soldiers.

And after the US Warrior Games in 2013 he decided to create an international celebration, shining a light on ex-service men and women.

The charity aims to inspire the world with ‘the unconquerable human spirit’ – aiding recovery and supporting the rehabilitation of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

Outside the games themselves, the charity tries to improve lives by improving access to sports, e-sports and adventurous challenges.

They also influence research and knowledge around trauma recovery, rehabilitation and the impact sport can have in helping people achieve this.

The only working royals missing were the Prince and Princess of Wales – William had conducted an investiture in Windsor earlier in the day, while Kate is not undertaking public duties due to her health – along with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, who are both carrying out fewer engagements due to their increasing frailty.

While the garden party runs from 4pm until 5.30pm, just two miles away Prince Harry is due to arrive at St Paul’s Cathedral at 5pm to attend a service to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex, who remains estranged from many family members after a string of attacks on the Royal Family in recent years, said yesterday that he had been told his father did not have time to see him this week while he is staying in the UK.

The Royal Family put on a show of unity for the King today as he attended the first Buckingham Palace garden party of the summer season. 

HM was accompanied by his wife the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Charles, wearing a grey suit and light blue waistcoat, could be seen smiling to the crowds as he entered the garden with the Queen.

The Queen is wearing a dress by Fiona Clare, a hat by Philip Treacy and a heart shaped diamond brooch belonging to Queen Elizabeth II, writes the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English.

It’s the perfect weather for a garden party as thousands of guests arrive at Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles.

The party is the first of the season with more gatherings to take place on Tuesday, May 21 while another will take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburg on Tuesday, July 2

King Charles will host the first garden party of the season at Buckingham Palace today after his return to royal engagements following his cancer diagnosis.

The celebrations, like one pictured above in May last year, have been held at the palace since the 1860s when Queen Victoria began what were known as ‘breakfasts’, which actually took place in the afternoon.

Guests are estimated to consume about 27,000 cups of tea, 20,000 sandwiches and 20,000 slices of cake at the gatherings in which they are free to stroll around the vast expanse of the gardens.

Traditionally, members of the Royal Family enter from the West Terrace and stand for the National Anthem, before circulating down lanes of people on the lawn.

Prince Harry is expected to arrive ‘shortly’ at St Paul’s Cathedral where he will give a speech celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, ITV News’ royal editor Chris Ship has reported.

The Duke of Sussex founded the Games – an international sporting event for wounded servicemen and women – in 2014 and must feel it is among his greatest achievements to date.

Speaking yesterday at a panel discussion in London, Harry said the Games will continue for as long as it serves a purpose.

King Charles was pictured waving as he left Clarence House today with the monarch set for a series of engagements that doesn’t include meeting Prince Harry.

The King, who was photographed leaving the London residence this morning, was scheduled to have meetings at Buckingham Palace this morning before hosting a garden party in the afternoon.

He will then hold his weekly audiences with Rishi Sunak and the Privy Council.

His diary was said to be the reason he will not meet Prince Harry during his son’s visit to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex arrived in the country on Tuesday and will later give a speech at the Invictus Games celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

Among the great and the good gathered at Windsor Castle for this morning’s investiture, was Claire van Straubenzee who was awarded an MBE by Prince William in recognition of services to children’s education in Uganda.

Her son Henry, Prince Harry’s childhood best friend, died in a car crash at the age of 18.

Read more here about the Princes’ close bond with the van Straubenzee family:

We’ve yet to see Prince Harry or King Charles this morning after the Duke admitted his father was too busy to meet with him during his brief visit to the UK.

Prince William has carried out an investiture in Windsor Castle where Sir Ridley Scott, Sir Bill Beaumont, Peter Shilton and Mary Earps were among those to be honoured.

We have a busy afternoon ahead of us so let’s take a look at what’s coming up:

• King Charles will welcome guests to Buckingham Palace for the first garden party of the season
• Prince Harry will attend a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games
• King Charles is to meet Rishi Sunak and members of the Privy Council for his weekly audiences

We will bring you the latest news, reaction and analysis throughout the afternoon.

This is the moment Prince Harry appeared to chuckle when asked whether he was happy to be back in the UK following his arrival yesterday.

England women’s goalkeeper Mary Earps has also been awarded an MBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle at this morning’s investiture.

The 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award winner helped the nation win Euro 2022.

With most of the senior royals in the UK today, let’s not forget the Princess Royal who arrived in Canada last week for a series of engagements with the country’s navy.

As Commodore-in-Chief of the Canadian Fleet Pacific, Princess Anne attended the Commissioning Ceremony for the HMCS Max Bernays – the Canadian Pacific Fleet’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel in British Columbia.

The moment has been posted by The Royal Family’s X account.

Retired sportsmen Peter Shilton, England’s former goalkeeper, and Sir Bill Beaumont, England’s ex-rugby captain, have also received honours from Windsor Castle at an investiture hosted by Prince William.

Mr Shilton, 74, holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, and will be made a CBE for his services to association football and the prevention of gambling harm.

While Sir Bill Beaumont will see his knighthood upgraded to a Knight Grand Cross for services to rugby and charity.

These photographs show Prince William honouring Gladiator director Sir Ridley Scott by making him a Knight Grand Cross at Windsor Castle this morning.

The 86-year-old, whose filmography includes Blade Runner and Alien, was recognised for services to the UK film industry.

As Prince Harry focuses all his attention on the Invictus Games ahead of his speech at St Paul’s Cathedral in London this afternoon, The Daily Mail has revealed how problems have surfaced at Sentebale, another one of his ventures.

Richard Eden, The Daily Mail’s diary editor, has disclosed the charity, which was founded in 2006 to benefit African orphans, has fallen into trademark difficulties in the US – thwarting plans to expand operations in America.

Looking ahead to today’s agenda, Prince William is holding an investiture at Windsor Castle where film director Sir Ridley Scott is to be made a Knight Grand Cross.

The 86-year-old, whose filmography includes Gladiator, Blade Runner and Alien, will be recognised for services to the UK film industry.

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton will also be recognised during Wednesday’s investiture ceremony.

The 74-year-old holds the England men’s team caps record with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, and will be made a CBE for his services to association football and the prevention of gambling harm.

Uefa Women’s Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps will also be honoured. The 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award winner will be made an MBE

Prince Harry has said the Invictus Games will continue in its form ‘as long as it’s serving a purpose’ while speaking on a panel discussion in London.

Our reporter Eirian Prosser has written how Buckingham Palace raised a few eyebrows on Tuesday after it was announced Prince William will be made the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps – the regiment Harry toured Afghanistan with.

MailOnline readers are giving their verdicts on Prince Harry after it emerged he will not be meeting his father King Charles during his whistle-stop visit to the UK.

Reacting to our live coverage today, readers have had this to say:

Harry has hardly been “snubbed”. He has had plenty of time to arrange to meet his father and given he has no real commitments Harry could have come a few days earlier or stayed a few days longer. The King is not only undergoing treatment he is now playing catch up to meet the commitments others have looked after for him. All of which will have been booked and arranged some time ago. Once again, it is all about poor Harry, the son who rubbished his father, his fathers new wife his brother his brothers wife and any other members of the family he felt slighted by. Harry needs to grow up and accept responsibility for his actions.

Unfortunately, Harry will never grow up and especially having his wife calling the shots all the time, no hope for him. Anyway, hasn’t he chosen USA as his home now and has left the UK. Why oh Why, is he still on the front of our papers, is beyond me.

Well he hasn’t come to do any work, he’s only here to show his face. I wonder what the people who thought of the Invictus Games and the organisers think of this Grifter turning up?

After the Duke’s event in London this afternoon he will visit Nigeria with Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex after the couple were invited by the African nation’s chief of defence staff, who met Harry during the Invictus Games held last year in Germany.

Nigerians are said to be excited to welcome Meghan for a visit after she revealed in 2022 that she found out she was ’43 per cent Nigerian’ following genealogy research.

Harry made reference to his wife’s new connection during the Invictus Games last year.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Dusseldorf Invictus Games in September, he said:

We’re really excited to have new nations join us. Let’s hear it for Colombia, Israel and Nigeria.

Now, I’m not saying we play favourites in our home, but since my wife discovered she is of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year!

Let’s just remind ourselves of the last time Prince Harry saw King Charles which was under very different circumstances.

The Duke of Sussex was granted a 45-minute audience with his father on February 6 after it was announced Charles had been diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer.

He would have surely hoped for another reunion this week on his return to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games but admitted the King was too busy.

His spokesman released the following statement:

In response to the many inquiries and continued speculation on whether or not the duke will meet with his father while in the UK this week, it unfortunately will not be possible due to His Majesty’s full programme.

The duke of course is understanding of his father’s diary of commitments and various other priorities and hopes to see him soon.

Richard Kay, The Daily Mail’s Editor-at-Large, has written about how the palace gates remain firmly closed for Prince Harry after he was denied an audience with his father on his UK return.

He writes the ‘hand-wringing excuses of ‘full diaries’ offers a different and, for Harry, a more ominous message’.

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While Prince Harry visits London to give a speech celebrating the Invictus Games, it will be business as usual for other members of the Royal Family with engagements and an investiture taking place today.

Prince William is hosting an investiture at Windsor Castle later this morning where former England rugby captain Bill Beaumont and English goalkeeper Peter Shilton will be among those to receive honours.

Meanwhile, King Charles will have meetings at Buckingham Palace this morning before guests arrive for the first garden party of the season in the afternoon.

Charles will also hold weekly meetings with Rishi Sunak and the Privy Council later today.

Our reporters Chris Matthews and Rebecca English reported on how Buckingham Palace announced the King and Prince William will carry out a joint engagement next week just hours after it was revealed the monarch would not be meeting Prince Harry.

MailOnline reporter Mark Duell spoke to royal experts who claimed Prince Harry had been ‘snubbed’ by his father following a statement confirming the two men will not meet during the Duke’s UK visit.

Speaking after a spokesman for the Duke admitted it would not be possible for a meeting ‘due to His Majesty’s full programme’, Richard Fitzwilliams said it will be ‘widely perceived as a snub.

This is one of the most public rifts in the world. If it was handled in private without so much press speculation, it would have a better chance of being resolved.

While Michael Cole added.

It is quite a snub. For the King to not see his younger son, Prince Harry, although the two men will be only two miles apart tomorrow afternoon, gives an indication of the depth of the divide.

The Prodigal Son is not welcome – not for the present, anyway. In royal terms, this is big medicine. Prince Harry is bound to see it for what it is, the clearest possible indication of the hurt that has been caused.

Here’s what we know so far about Prince Harry’s visit to the UK:

• Duke of Sussex flew into the UK on Tuesday and was spotted attending a private panel discussion with TV presenter Louise Minchin at the Honourable Artillery Company – just three miles from where the King was meeting Fiji’s Prime Minister at Clarence House
• Harry put out a statement confirming he will not be meeting the King on his visit to the UK because of ‘His Majesty’s full programme’.
• The King has meetings at Buckingham Palace this morning before attending the first garden party of the season in the afternoon. He will also hold his weekly private audience with Rishi Sunak.
• Harry spent the evening dining with Guy Monson, an Old Etonian and chief investment officer of the £18 billion investment fund Sarasin and Partners and trustee of the Invictus Games Foundation.
• The Duke will today give a speech this afternoon at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

Rebecca English, The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor, has the full story as Harry’s reunion hopes with his father were dashed.

Prince Harry will likely spend the day preparing for a speech at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

The Duke of Sussex may have hoped to see his father following a positive update on his cancer treatment but admitted the King was too busy to see him because of his full programme.

The fact the two men won’t meet on Harry’s whistle-stop visit was described by royal experts as ‘quite a snub’ from the King.

MailOnline will bring you the latest updates, news and analysis from throughout the day.