The Princess of Wales blew a kiss to a little boy with a rare vein condition during a hospital visit after the youngster made the affectionate gesture.

Kate and three-year-old Arjun traded tokens of affection when she visited Evelina London Children’s Hospital to meet children being treated at a new cardiac unit – part of a project to turn Evelina into the capital’s most comprehensive medical centre for youngsters.

She was wearing a bracelet which appeared to be made from string, made for her by her daughter Princess Charlotte when she undertook her recent Three Peaks Challenge.

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A spokesman for Prince Harry said: “I am aware of multiple briefings from Buckingham Palace last week suggesting that the duke had not accepted the offer of accommodation at a royal residence.

“Following (the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures) Ravec’s decision not to provide security for his family, the duke spent last week making alternative security arrangements.

“Once those arrangements were in place, he was able to formally accept the offer of accommodation for himself over the weekend.”

The spokesman added: “It is therefore disappointing that the offer has now been withdrawn, with Tuesday’s judgment in the Associated Newspapers Limited case cited as the reason.

“Buckingham Palace has, however, been aware of that judgment since last Thursday. It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment.”

Buckingham Palace is advertising for a videographer to help the Royal family produce on-trend content for social media.

The full-time role pays £52,000 and entails the staff member working on everything from major state events to behind-the-scene moments.

It marks the first time that a videographer has been hired by a British monarch.

According to reports in The Times, King Charles is said to be “very enthusiastic” about the position.

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For a royal couple best known for maintaining an iron grip on their sunny public profile, do I detect a little disquiet in Sussexland?

Prince Harry is making his way from America’s west coast to the UK for a five-day visit on his own. He had initially wanted his wife, Meghan, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to accompany him on what is first and foremost a promotional trip for next year’s Invictus Games – but also so they could be reunited with their grandfather, whom they last saw four years ago, before King Charles underwent gruelling treatment for cancer.

For reasons that are not yet fully clear, but which seem to involve an impasse about the British taxpayer providing police protection for the Californians, the Duke has decided at the eleventh hour to travel alone. The full family reunion will simply have to wait – if it ever happens at all. I now fear that the King will never see his grandchildren again.

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As far as family portraits go, the latest one from the Middletons is a blinder. Wholesome nature backdrop? Check. Cute pet? Check. And – here’s the crucial bit – smiles that actually reach their eyes? A prevailing vibe that they might actually, whisper it, like each other? Check.

The group snap in question was released as part of a fresh drop of images (cooler people than me might call it a photo “dump”, but that doesn’t feel very regal) celebrating the Princess of Wales completing the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Kate, who announced last year that she is in remission from cancer after undergoing chemotherapy, hiked up Scafell Pike in the Lake District, Ben Nevis in Scotland, and Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, in Wales over the course of a weekend, and was joined by her family after climbing the latter. The pictures released at the weekend, days ahead of Harry and his family rumoured return to the UK, show her embracing and chatting with her husband, children George, Charlotte and Louis, parents Michael and Carole and younger brother James.

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The briefings for Prince Harry’s trip to the UK have changed significantly over the past two weeks due to the ongoing row over security for his family.

27 June - Harry and Meghan accepted an offer to stay in a royal residence during their visit, signifying an improving relationship with his father.

28 June - It is revealed that the Duke of Sussex was rethinking his decision to bring Meghan and his children to the UK after his request for police protection was denied.

1 July - It is announced that the judgment in Harry’s case against the publisher of the Daily Mail is due this Tuesday.

4 July - Meghan and the children revealed to not be accompanying the Duke of Sussex in London. It is not known if they join him for the rest of their trip.

6 July - Prince Harry’s spokesperson reveals that Buckingham Palace revoked its accommodation offer after the duke accepted it.

The spokesperson said Tuesday’s judgment was cited as the reason behind Buckingham Palace’s decision to withdraw the offer.

Prince Harry had only planned to stay at Buckingham Palace for one night during to his visit to the UK.

He is said to have spent most of last week making alternative arrangements before formally accepting the offer for himself – for a single night.

According to the Press Association, the duke initially turned down the offer for himself and his family, who are no longer accompanying him to London, on Saturday, before making a U-turn later in the day and asking to stay himself.

Questions have been raised on the Sussex side as to whether the offer of a bed at a royal residence was ever intended to be available once Harry had accepted it.

The Royal Household requires a minimum level of notice to ensure he could be hosted appropriately at a royal residence.

It has been reported that he accepted the offer too late and the appropriate hospitality and staffing provision was no longer available.

The Buckingham Palace is also said to believe that the longstanding legal case against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL complicated the matter, and could compromise the King’s constitutional position.

The Princess of Wales visited the Evelina London Children’s Hospital on Wednesday to learn about its cancer care expansion plans.

The future queen is the hospital’s patron and has visited a number of times over the years to get updates about its progress and last made a trip in 2023 to open its children’s day centre.

Evelina London is expanding its services to meet increasing demand and plans are under way for a new hospital building next to the existing site, expected to open in the early 2030s.