William and Kate join Scottish islanders for game of Shinty amid Diana book row

The royal family were out in force as a series of allegations were made against the King in a tribute book to Diana, Princess of Wales by her brother.

William and Kate spent time with dozens of locals on Scotland’s Isle of Bute on Thursday, posing for selfies and playing shinty to mark the island’s volunteering ethos and community spirit.

The couple's trip to Bute comes after visiting the Inner Hebrides islands of Mull and Iona last year, as they fully embraced the island community's deep passion for shinty.

Visiting the Bute Shinty Club, which functions as both a sports facility and a social hub, they spoke with past and present players. After picking up a small leather ball and the curved shinty stick, called a caman, Kate declared: "I want to give it a go."

After watching an under-17s match from the sidelines with many locals the couple tried playing the sport and quickly learned hand-eye co-ordination was key as they practiced 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 as it flew at the goalkeeper and she peppered the goal with more shots, almost hitting press closest to the netting and apologised saying “sorry”.

The couple later joined a beach litter pick and William got inside the cab of a tractor used to help the clear-up with Kate by his side.

They ended their day at the community-owned Anchor Tavern Pub and Hub in Port Bannatyne and William praised their model, where a large number of volunteers help keep the project financially viable, and Kate described it as something “special”.

The Princess Royal attended the opening of a new history centre at the German military cemetery in Staffordshire, while the Duchess of Edinburgh continued her visit to Zambia.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Sussex, who the King has emphasised is no longer a working member of the royal family, was seen for the first time in public since returning to the UK at the inaugural Invictus Spirit Awards in London.

On Friday, Harry will join Invictus Games alumni and pupils for a school visit and the launch of the Inspire education programme for Invictus Games Birmingham 2027.