Prince Harry was invited to join a game of wheelchair rugby in Birmingham.

According to Mirror reporter Patrick Hill, who is in Birmingham for the Invictus event, Harry appeared to be enjoying himself crashing into opposition players, while shouting encouragement to his team mates and celebrating whenever they scored a try.

Former defence minister Al Carns was also playing in the wheelchair rugby match, as was TV presenter Ade Adepitan.

Prince Harry in Birmingham(Image: Getty Images)

Harry played a game of wheelchair rugby(Image: Getty Images)

Harry looked stressed as he tried to protect the ball(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Harry celebrates his efforts(Image: Getty Images)

Today's event comes five days after Harry's return to the UK was thrown into chaos just hours before he was due to arrive in the UK after his spokesman announced on Monday morning that he had finally accepted an offer to stay at a royal residence for his visit this week.However, just minutes later, Palace sources confirmed his request had been denied because they said he sent it too late.

Harry was stripped of his taxpayer-funded security told he would only qualify on a case-by-case basis. He took the British government to court over the issue, but lost a High Court battle last year and then a subsequent appeal.

In January he wrote to the Home Secretary requesting a review of the situation and believed he would be granted security for this week’s trip.

This led him to announce on June 26 that Meghan and their children would join him and they would stay at a royal residence – despite not officially accepting the offer of Palace accommodation.

Just 24 hours later he received a letter from the Home Office stating its position had not changed, forcing him to arrange his own security and declare his family would not travel to London with him over safety fears.

The duke was waiting for a review by the Risk Management Board in a process involving the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures, but found out last Friday that it had yet to take place.

Prince Harry in Birmingham(Image: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)

At Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, Prince Harry is taking part in "sporting showcases" of events that will feature in next year's Invictus Games, including pickleball, laser run and hybrid athletics, which are all being introduced into the games for the first time.

Al Carns, who resigned as defence minister over a row about the level of military spending last month but remains MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, is also among those at today's event, alongside former Invictus competitor turned TV presenter JJ Chalmers, and Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation.

Next year's Invictus, the first held in Britain since the inaugural games in London in 2014, are expected to be the largest yet, with 550 competitors from 25 nations taking part in 12 adaptive events in Birmingham.

The city's Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at Queen Elizabeth Hospital was where many competitors were treated after suffering life-changing injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say that as well as being a competition, Invictus provides "a recovery pathway beyond clinical treatment, helping wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans rebuild confidence, identity, purpose and connection through sport".

Esports, laser run, pickleball, are being introduced into the games for the first time.

While it was up in the air if the Duchess of Sussex and her children Archie and Lilibet would come to the UK amid the chaos surrounding their bid for police protection, it is believed they are indeed now in Britain.

But it is believed the Duchess of Sussex, 44, and the children will not participate in public engagements here despite the Duke of Sussex's busy week promoting the Invictus Games.

While Harry will be at a public event in Birmingham today, it is reported tonight that Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will only join him for private family events, away from the cameras. This does pave the way for King Charles to have an emotional reunion with his grandchildren whom he hasn't seen since 2022.

The Mirror exclusively reported the monarch has instructed senior aides to engage in ongoing talks with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to secure time in his busy diary around his public duties, and this looks set now to be Friday or Saturday. The Sussexes are understood to be returning to California on Sunday.

A royal source told us: "The King would not pass up the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and if there is a way of making it possible, he will do it." We reported several one-to-one conversations between father and son have taken place in recent weeks, with one source describing the tone as “hopeful”.

The family will stay with Harry's uncle Earl Spencer at Althorp House, Princess Diana's childhood home and where she is buried, it is believed. This is in West Northamptonshire, within easy reach to both Birmingham and London for any family engagements.

Prince Harry has arrived at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre to mark the official one year countdown to the 2027 Invictus Games.

While Meghan Markle will not be attending, the Mirror's news reporter Patrick Hill - who is at the event in Birmingham - has confirmed that Harry has arrived with the event commencing shortly.

While the Duchess of Sussex will not be joining Prince Harry for today's Invictus event, she has attended several engagements for her husband's organisation in previous years.

Meghan attended a few events for the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, and also was by Harry's side for the One Year to Go event in 2024.

Meghan also attended events during the 2023 Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, and the 2020 Games in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Duchess also joined Harry in Australia in 2018 for the Games, just one year after they were seen holding hands for the first time at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto(Image: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

Battle tanks, Wimbledon, mini golf and a trip to London Zoo….it’s a royal knockout!

We have seen so much of our royal family this week that you’d be forgiven for wondering why.

Naturally, they are taking full advantage of our latest heatwave with the added element of boosting their engagement figures.

Yet despite their diligent endeavours and good humour (see pics of Charles and Camilla with a giant tortoise for more), there really is just one story, or perhaps circus, in town.

Prince Harry’s return to the UK has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

First there was the grand announcement.

READ MORE: Prince Harry's bruising week back home still could pave the way to a new future

Prince Harry has suffered a bruising week(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

The Mirror exclusively reported the monarch has instructed senior aides to engage in ongoing talks with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to secure time in his busy diary around his public duties, and this looks set now to be Friday or Saturday. The Sussexes are understood to be returning to California on Sunday.

Prince William has paid tribute to the late singer Bonnie Tyler, who has died at the age of 75.

The Prince of Wales, who honored Bonnie with her MBE in 2023, wrote: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bonnie Tyler. A proud Welsh icon, her extraordinary voice and unforgettable music touched millions around the world and will continue to inspire generations to come.

"Our thoughts are with her husband, family, friends and all who loved her. Diolch am y gerddoriaeth. W."

The English translation reads: "Thank you for the music."

During the one-year-to-go event on Friday being staged at the NEC, the main venue for the 2027 Invictus Games, Harry will watch and take part in a series of exhibition events alongside past competitors.

Birmingham will welcome more than 550 wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans, and their families, from 26 nations, and the athletes will take part in 12 adaptive sports to support their recovery and inspire others.

The King hopes to meet Harry and Meghan this week, paving the way for an emotional reunion with his grandchildren.

Charles has instructed senior aides to engage in ongoing talks with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to secure time in his busy diary around his public duties.

Royal sources have revealed that the King is hopeful of arranging the summit, and would not want to pass up the opportunity of seeing Harry’s children Archie and Lilibet.

Harry jetted into the UK alone on Monday, leaving Meghan and their children behind after enjoying a family holiday last week in Europe.

As rumours continue to swirl about what his wife and children will do next week, Harry has a busy schedule on his hands, with the biggest event of his trip coming tomorrow.

On Friday, he will gather at the Natinal Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham alongside key figures involved in the Invictus Games, the sporting event for injured and disabled serving and former military personnel. The NEC is hosting the tournament in July 2027.

The event sets off a year-long countdown for the games.

Prince Harry is a big backer of the Invictus Games(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Representatives for Meghan Markle are yet to confirm whether the Duchess of Sussex will be visiting the UK next week, the BBC reports.

They have also not confirmed whether she is already in the country.

The prince has not confirmed whether he will be joined by his wife Meghan and kids(Image: Getty Images)

Harry has faced a protracted legal battle with the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family when in the UK after his level of protection changed when he stepped down as a working royal in 2020.

When the duke lost a Court of Appeal challenge against the Home Office last year, he gave a BBC interview in which he expressed hopes of a reconciliation with his family, revealing Charles would not speak to him because of his security court case.

Harry added: “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK at this point and the things that they’re going to miss is, well, everything you know.”

(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Plans for Harry's wife Meghan and their children, Archie and Lilibet, to come to the UK were made public some time ago.

But the plans, which would have seen the trio accompany Harry this week, were ditched at the last second after the Sussexes failed to secure taxpayer-funded private security. When they were backtracked, there was still a possibility that Meghan and the children would join Harry while he promotes the Invictus Games - which are set to take place next year - from Birmingham.

While they are now coming to the UK, the family will not be supporting Harry during the Midlands leg of his trip, and will instead confine themselves purely to private family events.

Prince Harry is set to take his two children, Archie and Lilibet, to meet King Charles when the Sussexes are in the UK

Prince Harry is back in the UK, and his return to his homeland has been dramatic to say the least.

King Charles's youngest son was ostensibly jetting in from California to promote the next edition of the Invictus Games, which takes place in Birmingham in July 2027.

But his visit has been overshadowed by a row over royal accommodation and where Harry would stay on the trip.

Harry's camp says he was offered a room at Buckingham Palace but had to delay his acceptance while trying to sort out private security since he was denied police protection. The Duke of Sussex says the Palace withdrew the offer at the last minute.

Chris Ship, who is an experienced royal correspondent, has tweeted his understanding - which aligns with our expertise.

His tweet, liked by hundreds on X, reads: "So it’s been confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex will NOT attend any public facing engagements in the UK, contrary to the initial plan publicised by the Sussex team. It’s thought Meghan, might still come to the UK with the couple’s children, Archie and Lilibet, but only for private family events, away from the cameras."

Meghan Markle is bringing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the UK to join Prince Harry this week, it is understood.

But it is believed the Duchess of Sussex, 44, and the children will not participate in public engagements here despite the Duke of Sussex's busy week promoting the Invictus Games. While Harry will be at a public event in Birmingham on Friday, it is reported tonight that Meghan, Archie and Lilibet will only join him for private family events, away from the cameras.

It does, though, pave the way for King Charles to have an emotional reunion with his grandchildren whom he hasn't seen since 2022. The King, 77, has only met Archie, seven, on a handful of occasions when Harry and Meghan lived in the UK and only met five-year-old Lilibet once when the family returned for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

Meghan Markle to bring Archie and Lilibet to UK this week to join Prince Harry for 'family events'

The Duke of Sussex has issued a statement on his visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital today, in which he celebrated the 20th anniversary of the very first WellChild Nurse.

Reflecting on the emotional visit - which saw him speak with patients, careers and dedicated staff - he said: “It is always a privilege to spend time with the children, families and professionals at the heart of WellChild’s work.

“Today’s visit to Birmingham Children’s Hospital is particularly special as we celebrate 20 years of the remarkable WellChild Nurse programme which has delivered two decades of helping children with complex medical needs transition home from hospital and supporting the families who care for them every day.

“Over the past 18 years as Patron of WellChild, I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the extraordinary impact these nurses have had on thousands of children and families across the UK. I have seen the difference specialist nursing support can make, from empowering families with the confidence to care for their children at home, to helping children have the opportunity to live their best lives, surrounded by those who love them most.

“I am especially proud to have supported WellChild’s work here at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, helping to strengthen the specialist support available to local families through a dedicated WellChild Nurse post. Seeing the WellChild Nurses, families and NHS teams working together today is a powerful reminder of why this programme matters.

“It’s so important that WellChild, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and NHS teams continue to work together to give children with complex needs the care, support and opportunities they deserve.”

Harry chats with nursing staff during a visit to the Birmingham Children's Hospital(Image: Getty Images)

Prince Harry spent the day at Birmingham Children's Hospital today, where he spoke freely about the 'financial difficulties' facing the NHS.

Speaking to an audience of charity leaders, nursing staff and families, the Duke of Sussex acknowledged the mounting challenges facing healthcare workers.

"I understand, and we understand, that becomes harder every week with cuts and financial difficulties... just the insanity that seems to be circulating, not just in this country but in general," he said.

"I don't know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives," he said, as he emphasised how the vital hospital simply cannot function without its dedicated staff members.

Harry with the medical staff of the Birmingham Children's Hospital(Image: Aaron Chown/Pool PA via AP)

Whie undertaking a day of engagements in East Sussex, William visited Hastings Commons, an organisation taking derelict buildings into community ownership and making them into social spaces.

He asked people playing pool at a youth club created in one of the Commons’ buildings if it felt like a safe space, and if it changed their use of social media.

One young girl, who was drawing, told William: “I prefer being here with friends than being on social media”. The prince's visit highlighted vital work of local youth-led and community-driven organisations.

The Prince of Wales in Hastings(Image: Getty Images)

While the relationship between the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex is strained, the brothers still have one thing in common: their love of football.

In Hastings today, Prince William spoke with royal fans about England's chance in winning the quarter-final match on Saturday.

Hesaid he was “confident” about England’s chances against Norway, as he heir-to-the-throne shared his mood when he surprised a class of four and five year olds eating their packed lunches on the beach.

Parent volunteer Ben Tivey, 40, who was accompanying daughter Tilly, five, and other members of Diamond Class at Cranbrook Church of England Primary School, raised the subject of the World Cup, telling William: “Come on England!” The Prince, smiling broadly, replied: ”I’m feeling confident.”

Meanwhile, Prince Harry spoke with WellChild patient Wyatt Makwana while at Birmingham Children's Hospital as they also spoke about the upcoming World Cup match.

Wyatt, 12, said: “If England do win against Norway, I don’t think they will get past the semis,” and Harry made the room laugh when he replied: “Let’s hope you’re wrong.”

The Prince of Wales has placed top of a celebrity leaderboard at a Hastings seafront crazy golf course, after taking on the famous windmill hole.

The Prince, who said he had played mini golf with his family before, played five holes at Hastings Adventure Golf as part of a day out with local young people.

Joining teenagers on the seafront, as a small crowd watched, he did not manage a hole in one, but finished respectably.

The Prince was introduced to the traditional course by expert players David and Marion Hartley, members of Hastings Mini Golf Club who managed the course for 14 years before they retired, and Murray Thompson, who came second in the World Mini Golf Championships last year.

Mr and Mrs Hartley, who are 74 and 75 respectively and both among the country's leading players, joked that they would not be going easy on the Prince, but would give him tips "if he asked".

The Prince had made it known to them, via his Kensington Palace team, that he was particularly keen to play the windmill hole, which involves hitting the ball through moving sails to send it through the windmill and into the hole.

He hit the ball through on the second attempt, making it a hole in three. He played four other holes in total - two with the experts and two with local young people - taking two attempts each time to hit the ball into the hole.

The Prince joked that "next time he would play with a bunch of eight-year-olds, so I might have more chance". Mr Thompson, 41, hit hole-in-ones each time. "Stop it Murray," said the Prince as he watched him repeat the feat. "Oh my Lord, Murray!"

Locals had not been aware that the Prince was visiting the mini golf course, with a few dozen people - friends and family of staff - gathering to catch a glimpse of him before words spread.

The Prince said of his prior mini golf experience with his family: "We've played a few times. The children love it." One player reassured him: "We'll stand back when you swing." When he potted the golf ball in two goes for the first straightforward hole, the Prince said: "Phew."

Mrs Hartley gave him some advice for the "tricky" third hole - the Prince took on holes one, three, and five - and he repeated "Ok, hug the wood". "You make it look so easy," he told his fellow players, as they each got a hole in one through the windmill.

The Prince of Wales plays a round of mini golf at Hastings Adventure Miniature Golf(Image: Carlos Jasso/PA Wire)