Three royal stories in one day: Windsors' work faces being overshadowed

The royal family are used to the world being fascinated about their every move, every story about their private life and especially every potential scandal.

But this was a day when I'm sure at least some behind palace walls were thinking 'when is this going to stop?'

The only saving grace was a busy day in Westminster.

In the space of just a few hours, three stories broke. The High Court getting involved in the Prince Andrew case, more senior staff stepping down from the Prince's Foundation over claims of "rogue activity" in relation to fundraising, and the Met police announcing they wouldn't be opening an investigation into Martin Bashir's Panorama interview with Princess Diana.

While the Diana announcement is significant, and will cause upset for some of her family - and potentially William and Harry - it's the matters relating to the Queen's two sons that have attracted most attention recently and become difficult for the royal family.

Both men have issued their own denials.

Clarence House has said the Prince isn't involved in the day-to-day running of the foundation, wasn't aware of any of the claims and supports the investigations... and Prince Andrew, for years, has strenuously denied the sex abuse allegations against him.

The two matters are of course different - but this summer they have both regularly been an unwelcome distraction for the Queen and the institution.

This is traditionally the time of year when the Windsors start to return from Scotland and get back to work after the summer break.

Members of the family will have big autumn projects they want to tell us about and COVID restrictions being lifted will allow them to travel about more, celebrating the inspirational projects and people they like to promote.

They will shake plenty of hands and smile their way through it, and seeing Prince Charles working the crowds last week, this doesn't appear to have hurt his reputation with the public as much as other scandals that he has weathered.

But with investigations to conclude, and the wheels of the legal process now turning with greater speed, it's inevitable both matters will continue to overshadow the day-to-day work for the royals.