Royals come out swinging! Business as usual for Charles, William and Kate amid Diana book row
The public events in Scotland came hours after Buckingham Palace issued hit back at claims the then-Prince Charles said “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough” during an explosive row over Diana’s funeral.
Charles, William and Kate carried out royal engagements as normal today after the became embroiled in a war of words with Diana's brother over bombshell claims in his new memoir.
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The public events in Scotland came hours after Buckingham Palace issued an extraordinary statement in response to claims the then-Prince Charles said “rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough” during an explosive row over Diana’s funeral.
However, a spokesman for the King hit back at the comments in the Earl's forthcoming book 'Swan Song: Diana, My Sister saying: “The pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory.”
The stinging comments were seen as a echo of the late Queen Elizabeth II's famous 'recollections may vary' retort to Prince Harry and Meghan..
Read More: Why I'm on team Charles Spencer, not Charles Rex, writes Shelagh Fogarty
Charles, 77, appeared in good spirits at a meeting with AI leaders. Addressing the bosses of Nvidia, Anthropic, Google DeepMind and OpenAI, the King said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I suppose we might readily agree that the development of AI – its substance and its pace – are both intriguing and deeply concerning in equal measure.
“AI is already showing its immense capacity to improve and save life – for example, in the field of life sciences and medicine.
He added: "Yet those who have created these technologies are now increasingly warning that AI risks developing darker capacities – perhaps even to take life.
"In this regard, if I may say so, there seems urgency in adequately considering the existential dangers of such technologies falling into the wrong hands, and being used in potentially catastrophic ways. Surely, we need sufficient means of control before it is all too late?“Those in our world who value deeply our humanity and its vital moral component are anxiously seeking your reassurance that we will not lose control of our destiny, or our souls…”
At the same time William and Kate travelled to the west of Scotland to highlight those bringing residents together, and their first stop was Bute Shinty Club to learn how the sporting centre has become a vital social hub.
The couple visited Bute Shinty Club and watched an under-17s match from the side-lines alongside locals, and they seemed impressed with the skills on display.
When it was the couple’s turn to try the sport – which like hockey is played with a curved stick and small, hard ball – they quickly learned hand-eye co-ordination is key as they practised taking penalties.
William fluffed his first shot, with the ball moving just a few inches, before making solid contact to cheers from the spectators.
Kate fared little better at the start, swinging and missing – but her next shot was cheered by the crowds as it flew at the goalie.
She then peppered the goal with more shots, almost hitting members of the press who were closest to the netting and saying “sorry” in apology.
The couple chatted to the crowds after their shinty display and Kate told content creator Andy McAlindon, known as Andy the Highlander, who was stood beside the goal: “I was a bit worried I was going to take your teeth out.”
Former Bute shinty player Tom McMillan said: “I think they did very well, Kate hit the ball better then William and she really got into it and was lining the balls up.”