The drama with Prince Harry shows no sign of abating or calming down.

His hoped-for family reunion unravelled into an unseemly row over who said what, when, where could people stay and why exactly he feels unsafe in the UK.

Last week I explored all the behind-the-scenes drama and this week I report why William feels betrayed and possibly even humiliated. But amid all the fire, fury and counter-briefing, I also wanted to convey some of the sadness.

Family breakdown is always hard. Here is a grandfather who desperately wants a relationship with his two grandchildren. A son who wants to see his father. And, indeed, his older brother.

In the end, Harry did manage for his wife and two children to spend a couple of hours with the King at Highgrove. But the one question all my friends have been texting me to ask is why? Why is it so difficult?

To a certain extent it all goes back to the untimely death of Princess Diana. It left both William and Harry understandably deeply traumatised. They actually dealt with it, to some extent, in quite similar ways.

Both hated the press, both blamed them for her death, both were understandably devastated.

But the lasting trauma perhaps explains why Prince Harry is so paranoid about security, and protecting his own family.

He genuinely believes his wife and children aren't safe in the UK without guards armed with guns. Even the offer of accommodation at Buckingham Palace and 'safe passage' in and out wasn't good enough.

I'm no security expert (and surely writing about his 'kill count' of 25 Taliban in his autobiography did not discourage any potential threats or terrorist plots against him), but this seems like an overreaction.

Yet his dithering, paranoia and indecision all served to turn his UK trip into a circus. He tried to bounce the Home Office into giving him Metropolitan Police guards (who can carry guns) and seemed to think that bringing his children would sway it. It didn't work.

I can't understand why he didn't instruct his staff to remain silent, pop his wife and kids in a private jet and hop over to the UK from their month-long European jaunt in total secrecy. See his dad (and crucially be protected when he was with him), spend some family time and then send them back to where they were holidaying.

He could then have done his UK engagements, promoted Invictus and his charities alone.

For me, it was trying to combine the two things - his family and his work - that has proved so difficult.

He is no longer a working royal. And so can't act like one.

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

Being monarch grants you a lot of privileges, but also puts you in a position where you have to make some difficult choices between duty and family. The late Queen Elizabeth knew this better than anyone and according to Woman’s royal editor, Emily Andrews, she committed to what many would view as a harsh reality.

Emily recently reflected on Prince Harry and Meghan's recent reunion with the King and revealed what she believes the monarch's main priority should always be.

"Charles' first duty is not to the spare. It is to the heir and his wife," she claimed in the magazine. "That is the deal Queen Elizabeth II understood and honoured for 70 years. The institution comes first, sentiment a distant second."

Since stepping back as working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex haven't shied away from sharing their thoughts about The Firm. From their Harry & Meghan Netflix series to the Oprah Winfrey interview and Harry's memoir, their revelations and allegations have often put the monarchy in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

According to Emily, the things that have been said "must still be painful" for the Prince and Princess of Wales. She wrote, "I understand that William believes the couple should not have been rewarded with a family meeting, however private, with the King."

King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove and although it was a family occasion, he's monarch 24/7 and his decisions will inevitably influence how the Royal Family is viewed by the public. The late Queen was firm about trying to separate love for her family from what made sense for the monarchy.

Despite Harry apparently hoping for a half-in, half-out role, Her Majesty didn’t sign off on this. She made it clear publicly that the Sussexes would no longer carry out engagements on her behalf, though still treasured them as "much loved members of [her] family".

Queen Elizabeth later also stepped in after the Oprah Winfrey interview aired, releasing her "recollections may vary" statement. Her Majesty had to be able to separate the personal from the professional as much as possible and we also saw her do this with King Charles himself.

When he was a child she went on a tour that lasted almost six months and for most of it, he and Princess Anne didn't see their parents. Although it was likely hard for her as a mother to be away so long, duty called and she answered.

Years later when King Charles got married to Queen Camilla, she didn't attend the wedding ceremony, only the service after. Reports have claimed that as she was Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she didn't feel it was right to attend the civil ceremony of two divorcees.

Behind closed doors at the reception she showed her support for Charles' marriage. As per royal biographer Robert Jobson in Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen "could be the proud mother" at their reception and "showed it by breaking convention" and making a speech.

Putting the institution ahead of "sentiment" might sound impossibly hard, but this was something monarchs like Queen Elizabeth - and now King Charles - must seemingly face.

You can enjoy the end of summer whilst starting to embrace autumnal tones and this is exactly what the Duchess of Edinburgh did at the Commonwealth Games. She and Prince Edward went to watch athletics on 30th July and Sophie ditched her summer dresses for olive green trousers, a white blouse and a textured blazer.

Olive is set to be a huge colour trend for autumn 2026 and earthy greens are a great way to add a pop of colour to your outfits in a more understated way. They complement neutrals and are a softer alternative to black, white and even brown.

The Duchess' trousers were wide-leg and this silhouette is comfy and makes tailoring a little less corporate. Flowy designs are also ideal to wear in the heat and so the colour didn't make them feel too autumnal for right now.

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The way Sophie styled them helped too, as she tucked in a bright white blouse with crochet detailing on the neckline. Like Broderie Anglaise, crochet and woven finishes are very popular in the warmer months and add texture to a classic outfit.

Her blazer was mottled beige and white which also balanced out the darker trousers. Unlike shades like burgundy, it's actually quite easy to style olive with paler colours to make it more summery, just as the Duchess of Edinburgh did.

We couldn't see the shoes she wore to the Games in Glasgow in pictures, though plain white trainers would be a casual option to tie in with her blouse. Alternatively, white, tan or green sandals will also coordinate with the rest of Sophie's look and add a polished feel.

Colour matching is a technique the royals regularly use to make their style more cohesive and the King's sister-in-law showcased it with her bag. The Sophie Habsburg Gretel Bag was a lighter olive shade and was made from suede. It had shoulder straps and the size made it a practical option for a daytime outing.

Duchess Sophie could easily fit all her essentials in there and it brought out the colour of her wide-leg trousers. Her jewellery was a mix of gold and silver for a contemporary touch and she finished off her Commonwealth Games ensemble with black sunglasses.

When the seasons change she might not need these as much anymore, but the Duchess can still wear her olive trousers styled in different ways. I'd go for a neutral jumper and boots with them, but she loves being bolder and green and purple is one of her favourite combinations.

I wouldn't be surprised if she wore a berry knit with these and alongside black, brown and white there are some other bold colours that work with olive. Lean into the autumnal side of things and try it with burnt orange or even mustard yellow for a strong, contrasting look.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's trip to Australia in April attracted a lot of attention and divided the crowd, but it also led to Meghan filming a special appearance that's now finally aired. She was a guest judge on an episode of MasterChef Australia and the mum-of-two revealed a lot about her children's food habits and mealtimes at home.

"If they say, ‘Mama, can I have dessert?’ We say, 'If you can pick it, you can have it'," she explained, before confirming that chocolate isn't an option...

One of the MasterChef judges joked, "You can’t pick chocolate?" to which Meghan replied, "No, you can’t pick chocolate, but you can pick a nice piece of fruit."

So it seems it’s fresh fruit for the Sussex children and although it's a healthier option, there are probably times where Archie and Lili are craving something more indulgent. Even so, fruit can be prepared different ways and Meghan added that, "We always have a nice, as my husband would say, 'pud'".

She also described her children as "great eaters", saying that they're "very lucky on that front." According to the Duchess, "[They] jump in a lot, especially with the garden. I think it’s such a nice luxury to be able to have so much space and things to cook."

Speaking to People last year, Meghan again touched on how much her children enjoy the fruits of their labour - literally and figuratively. She declared, "They love [toast with] jam and fresh fruit preserves because they were such a part of me making them and picking all that fruit during berry season for all of our canning."

It’s not just Archie and Lili who've been brought up to love fresh snacks. Over the years, the Princess of Wales has revealed that their cousins, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis, love a huge range of healthy ingredients.

As she filmed the A Mary Berry Christmas special in 2019, Kate shared that her youngest son is a big fan of beetroots (despite being just one at the time). In one scene, she said, "We've got carrots, beans, beetroot - a massive favourite - Louis absolutely loves beetroot."

Like his cousins, Louis is also partial to a jam sandwich. Prince William revealed this on Heart Breakfast earlier in the summer, telling the presenters Louis often brings them on the go and "will leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful."

Kate has also shared that Princess Charlotte, like her Californian cousins, eschews a sugary, packaged snack in favour of something more grown up - olives. Back in 2018, when she visited London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, Kate shared Charlotte’s love of olives and pasta while meeting young patients.

She told Rafael Chana some rare details about her and her children's favourite foods, revealing “I used to eat lots and lots of olives when I was little as well. Charlotte likes pasta too."

Betrayed and possibly even humiliated. That, I understand, was the reaction of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales following King Charles's olive branch meeting with the Sussexes.

Of course, why wouldn't they be? They have been humiliated on more than one occasion by both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and seeing them swan back to the UK must, I’m sure, sting. And let’s not talk about betrayal - the pair who have repeatedly bemoaned the Royal Family and made awful accusations.

Sure, the family reunion at Highgrove House (Harry's childhood home) may only have lasted for a short time. A couple of hours I was told - perhaps just long enough for Archie, seven, and Lili, five, to play in the garden tree house that Charles had built for William as a boy.

It was confirmed by Buckingham Palace within hours of the visit (although they didn’t give any more details or release a photo) and it appeared to announce a policy of appeasement to the Sussexes.

Despite what they may say or do, despite the vitriol levelled against the British judiciary, British government or even the monarchy itself, they will not be cast out.

It must feel like a humiliation for William and Kate, who are believed to want nothing to do with the Sussexes, and are thought to have urged the King to do the same.

They have been hurt and betrayed by Harry’s departure from the monarchy, and his subsequent outbursts - across Oprah, Netflix and memoir Spare - must still be painful. I understand that William believes the couple should not have been rewarded with a family meeting, however private, with the King.

His father has gone ahead, while William is the one carrying an ever-growing share of the actual work and popularity of the monarchy.

Charles' first duty is not to the spare. It is to the heir and his wife. That is the deal Queen Elizabeth II understood and honoured for 70 years: the institution comes first, sentiment a distant second.

Because this meeting looks like a triumph for Harry and Meghan.

Giving all the appearance of working towards this for the past 18 months, their intentions have seemed clear: re-establish themselves in Britain and back inside the family, which could only boost their brand.

Only time will tell whether this marks the start of more regular visits to the UK.

And if it does, then it will be the undoing of Megxit. As surely this would be the half-in/half-out that the late Queen explicitly forbade.

And what can William and Kate do? Not much, if we’re honest, until William is King.

He rarely speaks of Harry in royal circles nowadays, I’m told, but this capitulation by his father is sure to sting.

After all, just three weeks before the visit, the Palace was calling Harry’s refusal to bring his children to the UK until he got the security he wanted ‘emotional blackmail’.

Following the Highgrove reunion, the tone completely changed.

Charles ‘will never shut the door on the possibility of spending time with his family because, despite all the trouble, blood is blood’ said a close source.

There is still huge mistrust between the Sussexes and Buckingham Palace.

It was meant to have been a joyful week for Harry - where he combined his work with repairing relations with his family.

And it’s clear he wants to spend much more time here in the UK.

But it’s also clear that Kate and William will not forgive him for Spare. It is little wonder, then, that my Palace sources tell me our future King and his wife held crisis talks about the latest movements.

They are united on all fronts, but their relationship with Harry and Meghan seems to be broken forever.

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

Throughout summer 2026 vibrant tones like tangerine orange and tomato red surge in popularity - but cooler shades can be gorgeous to wear in the heat too. The Queen of Spain ditched brights for icy blue to chair a meeting in Andalusia this month and the colour was the perfect pairing for her tailored outfit.

Letizia joined the Directors of the Cervantes Institute's Centres wearing a long-line Hugo Boss waistcoat and elasticated trousers to match. They were such a pale blue that they almost looked white and the subtle hue emphasised the minimalist designs.

Bright suits are a royal staple, but the structure and bold colour together can also make them seem very formal. Letizia's pale blue co-ord is softer and more relaxed, with elasticated trousers and no blazer.

Shop Queen Letizia's Tailored Look

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If you're not someone who has a lot of colourful pieces in your summer capsule wardrobe, going for something very pale like this is an easy place to start. Cool colours look gorgeous against neutrals like white, ivory and grey and bring a refreshing, understated quality to an outfit.

You can just make out that the Queen was wearing a white cami underneath her waistcoat and the colour contrast was incredibly subtle. Adding a vest under a more low-cut piece like this is an easy way to boost confidence wearing it and ensure it's not too much for certain occasions.

However, waistcoats can be worn as tops in their own right too and for the most flattering fit, I'd either go for a cropped design or a longer one.

Something that falls to the natural waist could cut off your frame at an awkward point, whereas shorter waistcoats accentuate the waist. Longer styles often cinch in too and when worn with coordinating trousers, they give a lovely silhouette-elongating effect.

The Queen of Spain kept her ensemble for the meeting simple and wore a pair of block-heeled Mary Jane shoes by Sezane and a white Furla bag. They allowed the clothing to do all the talking and are versatile enough to work into so many different summer outfits too.

This is exactly what you want from accessories and I'd also go for a white bag and shoes with ice-blue, though comfortable sandals or espadrilles would be my pick over heels day-to-day. If you've got a light blue top or blouse, you could pair these with white jeans and an icy blue dress would be wonderful for a wedding or special party.

Queen Letizia has quite a few pale blue items, from pencil skirts and blouses, to midi-dresses and other suits and each time she tends to keep everything else pared-back. Although silver is a cool-toned metal and would complement the colour of Letizia's co-ord perfectly, she doesn't worry too much about this unofficial rule.

She chose a gold chain necklace for the Directors of the Cervantes Institute's Centres meeting and it just goes to show that you can wear your favourite pieces with cool colours too, no matter what undertones they have.

Princess Anne famously believes that there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing and I couldn't think of a more "appropriate" jacket style for summer than denim. It's incredibly versatile and the Princess Royal just wore a rather fabulous denim blazer for a day at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

It's possible she's had this in her collection for decades but it stood out as something quite different for her. Anne's jacket was a mid-blue wash and I firmly believe this is the best colour to go for if you want all-round wearability. Indigo, black and white denim are less mottled and can often be stiffer too.

This makes them feel quite formal, whilst light blue washes are naturally casual. Going for a colour that falls in between these makes denim pieces easier to dress up or down - and this applies to jackets as well as jeans.

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The Princess's choice of a blazer with notched lapels and contrasting stitching elevated the material and makes sense, as she rarely goes for casualwear when she's making royal appearances. Denim blazers are also quite fashion-forward and contemporary.

If you want something that's a bit more timeless, I'd recommend a trucker-style jacket or even a shacket - a cross between a shirt and a jacket that's long-line. Any of these will work as a summer capsule wardrobe staple and you can pair them with dresses and trousers, as well as with jeans if you like a double denim look.

Cropped denim jackets are perfect with high-rise items or dresses as they accentuate the waist, whilst longer designs have a lovely frame-elongating effect when worn with trousers.

It's completely down to personal preference, but I wouldn't necessarily wear a long-line denim jacket with a midi skirt or dress, as they can bunch up or cut off at a tricky point. Regardless of the shape, when autumn arrives denim jackets can then be worn over knitwear or under thicker coats.

Cotton denim is very breathable, so whether you’re wearing it in the heat or you're concerned about over-heating in layers, these kinds of jackets are a clever pick. The Princess Royal tends to prefer having more layering options and for the Games in Glasgow she was wearing a beige trench coat over the top at certain points.

The rest of her outfit was chic and simple - dark blue trousers, a striped shirt, blue scarf and navy and white trainers.

She also sported her trademark snazzy sunglasses from adidas, which she's owned since at least 2008 and have a wraparound design. The Princess was there with her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, her brother Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie.

Perhaps it was her strong connection with Scotland that inspired her almost entirely blue ensemble, as it's featured heavily on the country's flag. Princess Anne is Patron of Scottish Rugby and she and Timothy got married in Aberdeenshire in a Church of Scotland ceremony.

Whatever the reason, the different shades of blue complemented her denim blazer and the pops of red in her striped shirt were a fun contrast.

Even during the heatwave I've been keeping one eye on new-in autumn pieces and whilst we're not quite done with our summer wardrobe yet, the temperatures have finally started to drop. After weeks of dresses and comfortable sandals it's refreshing to be able to wear a bigger variety of pieces and the Princess of Wales's cropped trousers and short-sleeved knit are a great transitional combination.

She wore them when she hosted the inaugural Kings Cup regatta in August 2019 and the trousers were flowy and high-waisted, with contrasting buttons on the front. They fell to just above the ankle and the relaxed silhouette was breezy for a sunny day.

The last thing you want to wear in the heat - in summer or autumn - is tightly fitted, restrictive trousers.

Shop Kate's Look

Going for something more lightweight is going to keep you cooler and cropped designs showcase your footwear beautifully. Although this length is more popular in spring/summer, you can also repurpose them in the colder months by styling them with ankle boots.

High-rise ankle boots and cropped trousers offer a contemporary look, though the Princess wore her LK Bennett ones with her favourite white trainers from Superga instead. The deep navy tone of the trousers was a softer alternative to black tailoring.

Navy has a reputation for being tricky to style and you could always go for a similar shape in another soft shade like camel or chocolate brown. However, I think this shade is more versatile than you think and can be worn with neutrals, as well as with red or orange for a pop of colour.

Kate's short-sleeved peplum knit from Sandro combined orange, red, white and navy and was a lovely contrast. The peplum itself was small and it draped elegantly over the waistband of her trousers.

These kinds of styles are massively on trend for 2026 and woman&home's Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr has some top tips for how to wear them.

"A peplum top works wonders for anyone wanting to create some shape in their silhouette. They're also brilliant if your tummy is an area you worry about," she says. "Styling them is much easier than you think, too - stick to simple straight-leg jeans or trousers to allow the peplum to make the statement."

This is exactly what the Princess of Wales did for The King's Cup and although her top was quite bold, Caroline explains that "choosing one colour for the whole look will make it flow". She adds, "I'm a fan of colour blocking. Go minimalist, too, here, as prints can feel a little too much."

Stripes are a relatively minimal print, though a plain navy peplum knit would be pared-back and chic with trousers like Kate's. If you've got high-waisted trousers, go for a slightly more cropped top and it'll sit nicely over them without covering you in swathes of fabric.

The future Queen loves peplums more generally and has a big collection of peplum dresses, though starting with a top is a little less daunting if you're not used to wearing this frilled style.

There are times for leisurely getting ready and others that call for a throw-on outfit that delivers instant elegance. The easiest summer uniform is a dress and comfortable sandals but after weeks of heatwaves, I feel like I need some inspiration.

Sometimes taking things back to basics is more striking than going bold and Princess Anne's daughter-in-law Harriet is great at this. Her signature style is unfussy and for last year's Royal Charity Polo Cup she wore a plain shirt dress with wedges and a crossbody bag.

A white or off-white dress isn't the most exciting piece you can have in a summer capsule wardrobe but it's one of the most versatile. Harriet's one was by St Clair and it had a frilled neckline, a tie belt to accentuate the waist and a midi-length skirt.

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Delicate floral embroidery on the yoke was a feminine flourish and there's also scalloping on the neckline and hem. She undid a couple of buttons and shirt dresses can be made smarter or relaxed depending on how open or structured they're worn.

This is why they're a good option if you're in the market for a white dress for the end of summer, as not every design will be as easy to switch up. Harriet Phillips' frock was collarless, sleeveless and crafted from cotton.

Cotton and linen are breathable and look more low-key when you've got a pure white design. The tiered skirt and belt added some definition and although you could be tempted to go for vibrant accessories with something as classic as this, Harriet didn't go too "out there".

The NHS nurse stuck to the keep-it-simple theme and wore tan espadrilles and a woven burgundy bag by Anya Hindmarch. It was technically a wallet but it came with a long leather strap and she wore it crossbody.

I personally almost always wear crossbody handbags and I think that the royals are missing a trick by not reaching for them that often. The Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh and Queen Camilla generally carry either clutches or top handle styles.

These are more formal so I can see why they wear them, though crossbodies are just so practical. Harriet could enjoy her day at the polo completely hands-free and the woven bag was big enough to fit her essentials.

The dark red shade was a contrast against her pale dress and because it was quite muted, it still kept everything feeling minimal. As fashion formulas go, a white dress and crossbody bag is one of the most wearable and quick to put together. If you're not a fan of burgundy for the season, then go for a neutral accessory instead.

The beauty lies in the simplicity so you could even pick a matching white bag to emphasise this even more. Footwear can also be mixed and matched and espadrille wedges like Harriet's are lovely for special occasions. Espadrille flats, ballet pumps and sandals would work as alternatives and timeless designs will echo the elegance of your dress and bag.

Zara Tindall has described Queen Elizabeth as an "inspiration to us all" and she took this to heart on her wedding day too. She and Mike are celebrating their 15th anniversary on 30th July and when they tied the knot in 2011 they paid tribute to her grandmother with arguably the biggest decision a bride can make for her big day.

The equestrian royal walked down the aisle of Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh wearing a striking drop-waist gown. It was very different to a lot of other royal wedding dresses and unlike her cousins or their brides, she picked Stewart Parvin as her designer.

He is famous for being one of Queen Elizabeth's favourite dressmakers and designed so many of her most iconic clothes, including the green coat she wore for her final balcony appearance and her lime look for the Sussexes' nuptials.

It can be seen as a sweet tribute to Queen Elizabeth that tied the two together and this was emphasised by the monarch's outfit too. She wore a pastel pink Stewart Parvin coat dress with a matching hat to her granddaughter's wedding, so both championed the same designer.

Zara and the Queen were incredibly close, so I would be surprised if her choice to wear Stewart Parvin was a coincidence. Princess Beatrice was the only other grandchild to wear a wedding gown by one of the Queen's designers, but her Norman Hartnell dress once actually belonged to Elizabeth and wasn't by her current dressmaker.

The others have all honoured the Queen in other ways at their weddings and there were a few other details on Zara and Mike's day that incorporated a link to her too.

Zara's bouquet included lilies - a possible nod to Elizabeth's nickname Lilibet - and the Queen hosted their reception at her official Scottish residence, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She and Zara had a lot in common besides dress designers, as the two shared a passion for horses.

They were often pictured excitedly watching the races at Ascot and Cheltenham and Zara Tindall rarely got on her grandmother's bad side - at least as an adult.

When asked if she ever got that "stern look" from Queen Elizabeth, she responded, "I always get the good look. We are okay. I think we are alright. Probably when we were much younger, but not recently, definitely not."

Retired rugby star Mike has also commented on his wife's relationship with the Queen on his The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.

"Zara loved the Queen beyond everything else, their connection with horses, same with the Princess Royal, they had a real bond around that," he explained.

Mike Tindall also developed a bond with her and earlier this year he told woman&home's Royal Correspondent Emily Andrews that his “biggest regret” was holding back from asking questions.

"I was lucky enough to have the best seat in the house on 14 or 15 occasions when I sat next to the Queen. She was this icon and I knew she had so many stories, but I never asked," he said.

The Prince of Wales is first in the line of succession and outranks all but the King, but that doesn't stop one of his close family members from giving him a gentle reality check. According to royal author Robert Jobson, Zara Tindall "can tell the heir to the throne he is being pompous" and she apparently does! Not only that, but the expert claimed to the Daily Mail that "he takes it".

Zara and William were born thirteen months apart and grew up together, with Robert noting that they enjoyed the "same Scottish summers, same Norfolk Christmases, same wet afternoons when the adults were elsewhere and the cousins were left to it".

"She knew him before he was a headline," the expert added, before stating that she "has no angle" when she tells the future King how it is.

Their closeness and her straight-forward approach seems to be why Prince William is happy to take her comments on the chin. Robert claims that Zara "did the same for Catherine, who married in from outside the tent and found waiting there a woman who had spent her whole life declining to be impressed by the tent.'

Unlike the Prince and Princess of Wales, Zara Tindall has never had a title. She's grown up in the Royal Family, but with a different perspective on things to William and can maybe see the pomp and circumstance of it all with more of an outsider's eye.

Robert reflects, "she was there in 1997, watching a boy she had grown up with become public property inside a week. Very few people alive can say that."

Zara and William are still close as adults and are often seen embracing and joking together at events like Ascot. As well as being someone who can tell the Prince off for being "pompous", she's also the only royal to be made godparent to any of his children.

She's Prince George's godmother and her children have formed an adorable bond with the Wales kids over the years, echoing their parents' relationship. They used to get up to mischief as children and the professional equestrian was the reason Prince William once got told off by Queen Elizabeth.

"We were chasing Zara around who was on a go-cart, and Peter and I managed to herd Zara into a lamppost. And the lamppost came down and nearly squashed her, and I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral running across the lawn in her kilt," he explained in the Our Queen at Ninety documentary.

The Prince said the Queen "came charging over" and gave him and Peter Phillips "the most almighty b*********, and that sort of stuck in [his] mind from that moment on".

Meanwhile, royal expert and author Ingrid Seward previously shared her belief that Zara is the "sister William never had". She claimed to Hello! that the duo have "always had terrific fun together" and have always supported each other.

"She has the best of both worlds. She understands what royal life is like, but she can live her life as she chooses, without the pressure faced by more senior royals," Ingrid added.

Prince Harry's Highgrove meet-up with King Charles is a step towards a father-son reconciliation, but his relationships with the rest of the Royal Family are another matter. He and Meghan didn't attend Peter Phillip's wedding in June and according to Woman's royal correspondent, Duncan Larcombe, Harry and Zara Tindall's "old close friendship" has reportedly "almost entirely evaporated".

However, there's still one cousin who seems to be keeping up communication with the Sussexes. The Duchess recently posted a holiday album and one picture of her, Harry and their children on the beach got me curious. If they're all in the photo, who was behind the camera?

We can't know for sure, but the snaps are thought to have been taken in Portugal and Princess Eugenie and her family split their time between there and the UK.

The beach picture is very personal and taken so that Archie and Lilibet's faces aren't visible. It's always possible that Harry and Meghan set-up an automated photo-taking mechanism, though the framing looks like a person could've snapped it too.

Princess Eugenie and Harry have always been close and she's the only royal known to have visited him and Meghan in the US since they moved. In his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex wrote about how his cousin and wife got along "as if they were sisters" from the start.

"If meeting the rest of my family goes like this, we're home free," he added.

However, the Princess and her sister Beatrice have been keeping a low profile in recent months amid the scandal that's engulfed their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who vehemently denies allegations of wrongdoing.

Last year, Duncan Larcombe suggested that the Duchess of Sussex will be "very aware of the sensitivities as she's very media conscious".

He claimed, "She won't want to be seen to be too sympathetic towards them, so will keep her distance. I don't think she could object to Harry privately supporting them, but they will be on very different pages."

If it was Princess Eugenie who took the beach picture for Harry and Meghan, it suggests that privately they're still close. The Princess is currently pregnant with her third baby, due this summer, and a meet-up would be a great time for her sons August and Ernest to bond more with Archie and Lilibet too.

It's also not like they would have to spend all their time together, as another Portugal picture showing just Meghan and Lili could easily have been taken by Prince Harry.

"[The Sussexes] love Portugal because Archie and Lilibet can simply be kids," a source has claimed to PEOPLE. "It's always very low-key with beach days, playing and spending time together as a family."

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank started partly living out there from 2022, but they still keep up their relationships with the other royals and attended Peter's wedding. She could be a key link for Prince Harry and the rest of their cousins if he keeps working to achieve a wider royal "reconciliation".

Simple styling is what we need when it's boiling hot and it doesn't come much more no-fuss than a pair of timeless white shorts. The neutral colour and breezy shape make them a useful basic and Zara Tindall has shown that they're an elevated alternative to blue denim.

She wore a pair of PAIGE shorts on a boat trip in Australia last year and styled them with a basic white vest top. The outfit was minimal, monochrome - and incredibly chic. If you haven't found a pair of flattering shorts for summer yet, there's still time, and wide-leg designs are worth considering.

They don't cling and are often slightly longer, which is great if short-shorts just aren't for you. Having a bit of extra coverage can make people feel more confident wearing shorts and Zara's were high-rise too.

Recreate Zara's Outfit

This cut accentuates the waist beautifully and balances out looser leg shapes. The King's niece tends to stick to light washes in the summer and her PAIGE shorts were a creamy white shade which would go with literally any top colour.

White denim also tends to feel smarter than blue, as it doesn't have the same mottled finish. Alternatively, go for linen or tailored shorts which are even more sophisticated and easy to dress up. This is the approach Rivkie Baum, woman&home's Digital Fashion Editor, advises.

She reveals that going for a longer length and "more tailored finish" is her "top tip" if you're "stepping into shorts for the first time". Rivkie also notes how Zara Tindall balanced proportions by "opting for a higher neckline with a shorter hem length".

"In addition to this, sticking to a block colour palette for her top and shorts helps to elongate her frame and makes the outfit more seamless, highlighting the waist with a coordinating belt," she explains.

Keeping to the pared-back theme, Zara Tindall tucked in a plain white vest top and accessorised with a slim, brown belt. Most people's summer capsule wardrobe will have a white tank in it and this one was crew-neck and ribbed.

Bright colours really pop against neutrals and you could easily swap a white top for something more vibrant, but this just proves how versatile the shorts themselves are.

Adding a belt switches up the aesthetic of white shorts without compromising their wearability. Belts also make an outfit feel "finished" and fully styled without a lot of effort. Since Zara and her husband Mike were on a boat trip neither of them wore shoes, but white or tan comfortable sandals would be my pick with her outfit.

Both colours would tie in with the look and you could make it smarter by going for heeled sandals or wedges instead. I personally love leaning into the casualness of shorts like Zara Tindall did and this kind of look would work for sunny summer days at home or for holidays abroad.

The Prince and Princess of Wales's marriage has often been compared to those of other royals but the way their relationship began sets them apart. In his book, The Four Wives of Windsor, royal correspondent Simon Vigar focuses on Queen Camilla, Princess Diana, Kate and Meghan and, according to him, the only one who "had anything close to a normal romance" was the future Queen.

"As undergraduates at St Andrews University, the friendship between Catherine and William was able to develop slowly and ­naturally - or at least as normally as possible given the fact that Scotland Yard's elite Royalty Protection Department were ever-present," he explains.

In contrast, he claims that both Princess Diana and Meghan "with varying degrees of failure" were "fast-tracked into the Royal Family". Prince William and Kate were friends for years before they got together and weren't rushed by speculation over when he was going to pop the question.

The future King admitted in their engagement interview in 2010 that one of the reasons he waited to propose was to give Kate time to "back out".

"Her and her family, I really want to make sure that they have the best, sort of, guidance and chance to see what life has been like - or what life is like - in the family," he said. "That's kind of almost why I've been waiting this long is that I wanted to give her a chance to see and to back out if she needed to before it all got too much."

The Princess of Wales did no such thing and earlier this year the couple marked their 15th wedding anniversary. Her brother-in-law Prince Harry and Meghan's journey from meeting to marrying spanned two years and she was well-known for her work on hit drama Suits, so their romance attracted plenty of attention from the start.

The Duchess herself has said that she "didn't fully understand what the job was" when she started dating Harry. In some ways, perhaps Princess Diana didn't either, as she was just 19 when she accepted King Charles's proposal and they married months later.

Vigar notes that Queen Camilla's journey was "slower" and went from "initially being The Other Woman" to "facing an interval of more than thirty years between first fling and engagement". Once again, all of this played out in the public eye and it was once unthinkable that she would ever become Queen because of backlash.

The reactions to each of these romances was very different, but William and Kate's relationship evolved more slowly and privately than the others. They have adapted to royal life and forged their own paths, with Kate knowing exactly what she was in for.

In this way, it could indeed be considered more "normal" and they've strived to raise their kids with a sense of normality too. The couple do school pick-ups and drop-offs themselves and William explained on The Reluctant Traveler how he wants to take elements of his childhood and make it even better for them.

"I think it's really important that that atmosphere is created at home, you have to have that feeling of warmth, security, love that all has to be there. And that was certainly part of my childhood. My parents got divorced at 8, so that lasted a short period of time but you take that and you learn from it," he declared.

The King might be ready to extend an olive branch to the Sussexes, but his elder son doesn't seem to be on the same page just yet. The Prince of Wales is said to have been "unhappy" when Prince Harry and Meghan briefed the press that they would be coming to the UK with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in July.

Rumours soon flew that the family could potentially stay at one of the royal residences and according to Woman's Royal Editor, Emily Andrews, Prince William was firm about Windsor being completely off-limits to his brother and sister-in-law.

"I'm told [Prince William] made it clear that Harry and Meghan were not to be offered Windsor Castle, or indeed any royal accommodation in Windsor," she wrote in a recent issue. "He did not want to run the risk of seeing his younger brother - or Meghan - on his home turf."

The Prince and Princess of Wales live at Forest Lodge on the Windsor estate and it's a ten minute drive from the castle and a short walk from Harry and Meghan's former home, Frogmore Cottage. It's very possible that they could've crossed paths at some point and Emily believes that William was determined to avoid in-person conflict.

She claimed, "A brutal showdown (which is what it would surely be) between the warring brothers is something that William would want to avoid at all costs. I'd go as far as to say that he'd snub Harry if he came anywhere near."

The last time they were in the same room together was the funeral of their uncle in August 2024 and reports have alleged that the brothers kept their distance there too. Whether or not Prince William's feelings were the deciding factor for the King, the only royal accommodation we know Harry was offered was at Buckingham Palace.

Things got confusing fast, with conflicting reports from each side over whether the Duke of Sussex would actually be staying there. In the end, he didn't, and he wasn't seen anywhere near Windsor either, so William did manage to avoid a "showdown".

He and Kate weren't at Highgrove House when Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet met with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Instead they were miles away at the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup. The complicated relationship between the brothers doesn't look anywhere close to being resolved, even if the King seems more willing to build bridges.

Royal biographer and editor Russell Myers thinks "shutting Harry and Meghan out" has been a key decision Kate and William made, with their wellbeing and the "protection and prosperity" of the monarchy in mind.

In his book, William & Catherine, he suggested "As an 'outsider', Catherine had witnessed the deterioration of William and Harry's relationship.".

He claimed she'd tried to act as a "peacemaker" but by the time her brother-in-law revealed he wanted to step back as a senior royal, Kate had a different view.

"Sources suggest Catherine had less interest than her husband in trying to persuade Harry to stay in his current role," he alleged, before adding, "She believed William and Harry's fundamental differences as 'heir and the spare' had created the inevitability of Harry wanting more from his role than being a bit-part player."

Emily Andrews' feature appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

There's a lot Prince Harry has missed out on since he moved to the US and that includes spending a lot of time in-person with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis. He was so excited to become an uncle when George was born in 2013 and now he's a teenager and Harry has missed out on an experience he used to look forward to.

In Spare the Duke of Sussex recalled everything he wanted to teach his "beautiful" firstborn nephew. He explained, "I couldn't wait to teach him about rugby and Rorke's Drift, flying and corridor cricket - and maybe give him a few pointers about how to survive life in the fishbowl."

So many of these things have already happened without him, including teaching George cricket. The 13-year-old loves the sport and we just got a glimpse of him playing it on the beach in his 2026 birthday video - clearly not requiring any guidance from his Uncle Harry.

Prince George expertly hit the ball before running across the sand and it looks like he'd been playing with Louis, as his birthday video from April showed the same set-up and was also filmed on the Waleses' Easter holiday in Cornwall. The experience of tutoring his nephews in cricket has sadly passed Harry by and he'll have no luck teaching George rugby either.

He's attended several matches with his parents and plays it himself at school, as well as practising at home. George sounds pretty formidable at it too, with the Princess of Wales admitting in January, "I do *not* want to get tackled by him!"

A lot of the Duke of Sussex's other early hopes for unclehood have been dashed since his move across the pond.

He wrote of how he "looked forward to popping in all the time" when he was living at Nottingham Cottage and the Wales family were at Kensington Palace.

Harry wanted to arrive "holding a bottle of wine and an armful of kiddie presents" before "dropping to the floor and wrestling with little George". He might have got to do this sometimes when he was still based in the UK but it just isn't possible anymore.

Trying to arrange scheduled visits also seems to be a challenge amid the ongoing rift between Prince Harry and Prince William. Although the Sussexes recently met with the King and Queen at Highgrove and are thought to have gone to Princess Diana's childhood home, there's been no suggestion that the brothers and their families reunited at any point during the UK visit.

Even though he hasn't had the kinds of experiences with his uncle that Harry had planned, the young royal has an uncle-figure in Mike Tindall too. Mike and Zara Tindall (who is also George's godmother) aren't working royals so they offer a different perspective on things.

Body language expert Judi James has previously told The Sun's Fabulous magazine that she thinks the retired rugby star has "more than filled" a "Harry-shaped gap" in George's life.

"Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behaviour, Mike's presence in his life is completely invaluable," Judi claimed.

It can be an ordeal to find confidence-boosting, flattering shorts and yet the weather is about to get too hot for jeans again, so a pair of comfy white trousers is a perfect alternative. This staple is such a handy item to have - whether you have a minimal summer capsule wardrobe or a bigger collection like the Duchess of Edinburgh.

She owns several white trousers, but the style she wore to the 2022 Commonwealth Games was particularly chic. They were cropped and had a straight-leg shape that was streamlined but not fitted. This kind of silhouette is great to wear in the heat as it accentuates your frame and isn't restrictive.

Compared to loose, ultra-wide leg styles, straight-leg trousers also naturally feel quite smart and if you go for neutral tones like Duchess Sophie did, they are incredibly easy to dress up or down.

Recreate Sophie's Summer Outfit

White trousers are a classic outfit base that will work with almost anything and the senior royal went for a subtle pop of colour with her pink Soler blouse. It had a delicate floral print, a tie belt to emphasise the waist and whimsical flared sleeves.

The billowy shape was a contrast against the crisp white trousers and together they felt very balanced. Because the blouse had a peplum-esque frill, Sophie chose to leave it loose and draped, which made her outfit feel a little more relaxed.

For a polished edge, tuck in your top and create a seamless finish. The Duchess's trousers were ankle-grazer length and if you're not entirely convinced by the capri trend for 2026, then this is a subtler way to wear shorter styles.

Ankle-grazer designs are only slightly cropped and they frame your footwear beautifully - as demonstrated by Sophie at the Games. She is loyal to her espadrilles all summer and stepped out in Birmingham wearing £169 Penelope Chilvers wedges.

The brand still makes them to this day and unlike a lot of Sophie's wedges, these have a slip-on court shoe design and are made from leather rather than suede or canvas. The tan shade was warm-toned which complemented the pastel pink blouse and tied everything together.

White trainers or sandals would also work with trousers like hers if you wanted something more casual and comfortable for the daytime. The Duchess is a pro at spending all day in heels so this won't have bothered her and she completed her Commonwealth Games outfit with some gold jewellery and a tan shoulder bag that matched her shoes.

Her ensemble was elegant and not too bright, but the beauty of white trousers - like with jeans or denim shorts - is that they're versatile enough to pair with vibrant tones. You can be as bold as you like with your top and accessories and know that the trousers will go with them.

This is another reason why they're so useful for the season, as many of us love wearing a bit more colour and pattern this time of year. Duchess Sophie has worn white trousers with neutral and vivid tops before, though she clearly loves the look of her pink blouse with them as she wore a more cropped pair with it during a visit to Malawi in 2022. Even the royals stick to tried and tested outfit combinations!

Unlike his older brother, Prince Louis's future career isn't quite as clear. He's sixth in the royal line of succession and might not become a full-time working royal, though he seems to have other plans anyway. In 2022 he did some volunteering as part of the Big Help Out initiative and one person asked if he "might want to be a painter" when he's older.

Little Louis' response was quick and clear - "No, a fighter pilot". He doesn't seem to have given up on his dream as the Princess of Wales later described his eagerness to be a pilot when she visited RAF Coningsby in October last year and said she'd warn her children it "takes eight years and a lot of hard work".

Now we've been given a glimpse of Prince Archie from the Sussex family's summer trip to Europe and it suggests he shares his older cousin's passion for aircrafts and flying.

The Duchess of Sussex posted a selection of different snaps from the holiday and in one of them we can see Prince Archie wearing a pilot's hat, sitting in the cockpit of a plane. He's got his hands on the yolk and looks like he's being talked through how everything works by the crew.

They're clearly not in the air, as you can see boxes on the ground through the windscreen but Archie still looks like he's enjoying himself and perhaps Harry and Meghan organised for him to go there as a special treat. Heading into the cockpit is something you'd be more likely to do if you loved the idea of flying.

Both he and Louis are the sons of trained pilots and outside of his military career, Prince William also went on to fly a helicopter with the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

It was his final job before becoming a full-time royal and last year he said that flying was his "happy place".

"I do still fly, yeah - I keep my hours going," he explained at RAF Benson. "When you learn that skill set, you just don't want it to go. I've definitely lost a lot of the skills I had, but I like to keep on top of my flying, keep doing it."

His love of flying has clearly passed to Louis, who was spotted leaning out to the side at Trooping the Colour this year, seemingly to get a better look at the flypast. He could go on to serve in the RAF one day - potentially as a fighter pilot - even if he also carries out royal duties.

Prince Archie is highly unlikely to become a working royal, though depending on residency and other criteria, he could technically serve as well.

The Duke of Sussex isn't known to have flown a helicopter since his time in the army, but he would no doubt be proud of his son if he joins up. Harry recently described one of his jobs as "British Army veteran" on the Joe Mahler Will See You Now podcast and he founded the Invictus Games in 2014.

Even if Louis and Archie don't end up following in their fathers' footsteps, they seem to have developed similar interests whilst living an ocean apart. We don't know when the cousins last saw each other in person but Harry and Meghan moved from the UK in early 2020 when their son wasn't yet a year old.

He and Louis have only ever been pictured together once, at a polo match in July 2019. Maybe one day they'll meet in person again and bond over their mutual love of aircrafts.

It's a big month for Prince George. He's just waved goodbye to his prep school, celebrated his 13th birthday this week and his thoughts turn to starting Eton College in September. A huge transition - and one that is allied to his further preparation as future King.

I'm told he hasn't fully faced up to the enormity of his future (how can you when you're just becoming a teenager?) but takes his responsibilities very seriously.

However, this birthday marks a real watershed from child to adult.

Of course, like most teens and tweens he's likely massively self-conscious, right-on and prone to moodiness.

But he loves music, takes guitar lessons and follows in the tradition of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather in taking a keen interest in conservation.

And thanks to the hands-on nature of the Prince and Princess of Wales' parenting, he has been able to live a remarkably 'normal' life.

He's enjoyed watching the football World Cup, supports Aston Villa like his dad (who takes him to matches, pictured above) and participates in national sporting competitions.

Yet he's also heir to the throne and, as such, has slowly been introduced to a life of duty. It must be so strange to know that your future is preordained.

Sure, he will make GCSE then A-level choices at Eton College, which has educated future leaders for centuries. He may go on to study a university degree and, as future Head of the Armed Forces, in all likelihood do some form of military service (he's taking flying lessons and is apparently already a keen pilot).

Yet he knows what the future holds - or at least some of it. His parents have introduced him slowly to 'the Firm'.

George joined his parents at a Buckingham Palace tea party last year honouring World War Two veterans for VE Day (pictured left), and last December went with his father to The Passage homeless shelter to help cook and serve a special Christmas lunch for residents.

Last month, he went on his first official visit with just his mother, to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, to mark Armed Forces Day and inspect the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

But for now, it's a special summer.

A holiday of outdoor pursuits, such as sailing, swimming and picnics at Anmer Hall - the family's country retreat in Norfolk - beckons. It's sure to be a summer to remember, as he prepares to step into the more grown-up world of senior school.

I hope he enjoys every second. Happy birthday, George!

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

Summer dresses have been a failsafe during the heatwave but now it's slightly cooler so we want a bit more coverage. I can't face going back to my jeans right now so flowy trousers have become my staple. Then Queen Camilla arrived (in a Dr Who Tardis no less) at the opening of the Commonwealth Games and reminded us how chic jumpsuits are.

Wide-leg designs like her Anna Valentine jumpsuit are a breezy choice for warm weather as they skim your frame and don't cling or restrict your movement. The draped silhouette is also very leg-elongating and the Queen's jumpsuit had a fitted bodice to balance out the flowiness.

Long sleeves added coverage and the zipped neckline could be adjusted to be as open or as modest as she liked. The details were all timeless but the blue tone made a real statement and Camilla and the other royals often go for this combination.

Recreate The Look

Shop Wide-Leg Jumpsuits

It makes vibrant colours easier to style if you're not also having to consider bold shapes or patterns at the same time. Her Majesty loves blue and this oceanic shade was striking and complemented the contemporary, powerful jumpsuit.

Like dresses, the beauty of a jumpsuit is that it's a whole outfit in one. This makes them a great, fuss-free alternative to trousers and they naturally feel more elevated. Camilla kept the rest of her outfit simple for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony and wore matching court heels and her usual jewellery favourites, including her blue agate Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet.

The last time we saw Her Majesty wearing this jumpsuit at a reception for the inaugural Queen's Reading Room Literary Festival in 2023 she carried a navy blue bag. On this occasion she chose a blue and white floral clutch from the Launer London x Sanderson collaboration.

The print added some extra detail into her ensemble and was a lovely contrast against the jumpsuit. If your jumpsuit is patterned, I'd advise doing the opposite and picking out some plain accessories to keep everything in harmony.

The material will also make a huge difference when it comes to styling too. Linen, cotton, jersey and other casual fabrics will mean a more relaxed-looking jumpsuit, whereas crepe or satin ones are perfect for special occasions.

Even then, you can make them slightly more low-key by wearing a crossbody bag and flat, comfortable sandals instead of heels. Wide-leg jumpsuits often cover a lot of your footwear anyway so you can get away with white trainers underneath for pure ease. Queen Camilla's heels could only just be seen as she and King Charles left the Tardis and walked across the stage at Glasgow's Hydro Arena.

The King is the Head of the Commonwealth, so it makes sense that he and the Queen would want to be there for the ceremony. Charles officially opened the Games and on social media the couple wished the athletes good luck and thanked them for "such a joyful start" to the event.

In the end, was this really what Prince Harry wanted?

All the drama, the will-he/won't-he come, the will-the-kids-come/will-they-not confusion and chaos? Perhaps with hindsight, the Duke of Sussex may look back on his two-week visit to the UK and realise how catastrophically he got it wrong.

Then again, maybe not. It never quite ceases to amaze me how Harry's victim mentality ensures that it is ALWAYS someone else's fault.

It's the monarchy's fault, the men in grey suits' fault, his brother's fault, his stepmother's fault and even the British government's fault.

The blame is never his.

Eventually, he did manage to arrange that longed-for meeting between his father and his two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five.

The audience - finally convened with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, their private Gloucestershire residence - was, after all, supposed to be the whole point of his trip to the UK. The King had not seen his Sussex grandchildren for four years – and had only met Lili once.

But I always thought it was a little dangerous - and actually a bit disrespectful to military veterans - that Harry combined his working engagements with family ones.

He had arranged to visit Birmingham to fire the starter pistol on the one-year-to-go mark for the Invictus Games and to attend a summer party for the charity Scotty's Little Soldiers (which provides support for bereaved military children).

So far, so good. But the wheels started to come off even before Harry had set foot in the country.

The Sussexes briefed the press in June that they would come to the UK and bring their children to meet the King.

Prince William was said to be unhappy - and I'm told made it clear that Harry and Meghan were not to be offered Windsor Castle, or indeed any royal accommodation in Windsor.

He did not want to run any risk of seeing his younger brother - or Meghan Markle - on his home turf. A brutal showdown (which is what it would surely be) between the warring brothers is something that William would want to avoid at all costs.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say that he'd snub Harry if he came anywhere near. My sources tell me that their relationship is far from thawing.

The King offered Harry somewhere at Buckingham Palace but the duke did not initially respond either way. What followed next suggested perhaps why he'd announced he was bringing his wife and children so publicly.

Harry had hoped to force the government (via the Home Office decision-making body RAVEC) to approve full royal-level protection for his family as he believes it's not safe for them to visit the UK without it.

Yet although the Sussexes would enjoy full royal protection when inside the palace, and they had already sent their itinerary to select journalists like me in the full knowledge that they did not have Metropolitan Police protection, when they were told they weren't going to get the security they wanted, all hell broke loose.

It was briefed that Prince Harry was 'devastated' and 'close to tears'.

Then he told his father he wouldn't stay at Buckingham Palace, only a couple of hours later to say, actually he did want to stay there - just 48 hours before he was due to arrive.

But by then it was too late.

The King put his foot down (and I was getting whiplash with all the about turns) and said no, he couldn't stay. Staff had to be given adequate notice to get rooms ready at the palace and there wasn't enough time.

Part of the problem was that Harry was about to get his judgement in his long court battle for unlawful information gathering against the Daily Mail.

The King no doubt wanted to avoid being dragged into Harry's railing against both the judge and the press once it was announced that he had lost on all counts.

His son has waged war against the pillars of our national life - the press, judiciary and government - not to mention his pot shots against the monarchy itself, from which he has to stand above the fray.

No wonder the King didn't want him to stay at 'Monarchy HQ' - after all, Buckingham Palace is not lastminute.com!

In the event, Harry did strike out of the capital, visiting Birmingham Children's Hospital on behalf of the WellChild charity. He and his family also squeezed in a visit to Althorp, where Princess Diana is buried.

Back in London that same day, William and Kate were presenting their own picture-perfect family image at Wimbledon with children George and Charlotte.

But this visit to our shores and Harry's reaction to the judgement in the court case seems to reconfirm that he lives in a bubble where it is his way or the highway. And when opposition is encountered, it's like a toddler tantrum - toys thrown out of the pram.

Harry's apparent entitlement, lack of good judgement and eternal lashing out have perhaps destroyed his chances of fully rebuilding bridges with his family. Yes, he and Meghan were able to bring their children to meet their grandfather (who is still receiving cancer treatment, don't forget).

But as a future blueprint for calm, measured - and treasured - family time, Harry blew it.

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

Just as we got used to dressing for the heatwave, the weather has cooled down, but not quite enough to have us reaching for jackets. Summer dresses are still a failsafe for cloudy days and the easier they are to style, the better. The Princess of Wales's Rixo polka dot dress ticks so many boxes and although she's only been seen wearing it once, it's instantly recognisable.

Kate chose this as her outfit when she took Prince George, Charlotte and Louis for their settling-in afternoon at Lambrook School in 2022. The pictures were everywhere and the Izzy dress quickly sold out in the copper and white colourway. Now it's back for 2026 and British clothing brand Rixo has nailed it with the £245 ruby red version.

Shop Kate's Polka Dot Dress

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It's similar but a more summery colour than the Princess's dress and still has her favourite polka dot pattern. The Izzy is a classic shirt dress, with a neat collar and buttons running down the front. The bodice is fitted to flatteringly highlight the waist and the midi-length skirt flows out in an A-line shape.

The three-quarter length sleeves have elasticated cuffs and a billowy shape. This is perfect for warm - but not scorching - weather as it gives coverage without being tight. Shirt dresses are an easy throw-on style and you can undo more buttons to make them more relaxed or button them up for a polished feel.

Kate's signature style for royal appearances is pretty smart so she wore hers with just one button undone and coordinated her shoes perfectly. The mum-of-three wore tan suede court heels with a pointed toe.

Colour matching makes an ensemble look cohesive, so it's a trick the royals use a lot. The polka dots meant she could've gone for white shoes and still had the same effect. This also applies to this year's ruby red Izzy dress and because the shade is brighter than Kate's, some people might prefer to go more neutral with their accessories.

White trainers, sandals or wedges would look great with a frock like this and would also be more relaxed for day-to-day wear. Red also looks stunning with blue denim so on cooler days or in autumn you could layer a denim jacket over the top.

The future Queen didn't need one on that sunny September day and she didn't carry a bag either, though she did wear her dainty Annoushka pearl earrings for some subtle glamour. Pearl jewellery is a great choice with polka dots as they echo each other.

We've only seen the Princess of Wales wearing her Rixo dress once so far but that could just mean she reaches for it when she's out of the public eye. A polka dot frock is an outfit in itself and the print makes a statement without being too "out there".

Kate has a lot of different spotted dresses in her collection and a lot of them are black and white or navy and white. Her copper-brown Rixo one is something a bit different and the red and white version is a fun alternative that still has the same elegant feel.

We probably won’t ever see photos from Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s reunion with King Charles but the Duchess of Sussex has shared a glimpse at another part of their UK visit. Meghan posted a selection of snaps from the family’s trip to Europe, including one that looks a lot like it was taken at Princess Diana’s childhood home, Althorp House.

The tree-lined surroundings have a British countryside feel and Harry reportedly hoped to take his children there. Nestled in the middle of a lake in the Althorp grounds is his mother’s final resting place and if you look closely at what Harry and Archie were carrying, it does seem possible that this picture was from a visit there.

The Princes are furthest away from the camera but you can still see that they’re holding huge bouquets of white and blue flowers.

Princess Diana loved white and cream blooms and in 2017 The Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace was re-planted with white flowers. It took inspiration from her dresses and the iconic Mario Testino photographs of the late royal.

The inclusion of blue flowers in Harry and Archie’s bouquets also hints to me that they were visiting Princess Diana’s grave. Her favourite flowers of all were forget-me-nots and although you can get them in white, the blue ones are most common.

Forget-me-not season only runs until June and the blue flowers in these bunches look bigger anyway, but they’re the same colour. Unless the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirm where the photo was taken we’ll never know for sure, though the signs are that Archie and Lilibet did visit their grandmother’s home and grave for the first time.

The Sussex children grew up with photos of her in their nursery and Harry has shared that "Grandma Diana" were some of his son’s first words. He and Meghan keep her memory alive for Archie and Lili and it was probably a moving experience for him to visit Althorp House with them.

The Duchess has been to Diana’s childhood home before, in 2022, and Prince Harry wrote about what it was like "bringing the girl of [his] dreams home to meet Mum" in his memoir, Spare.

"We hesitated, hugging, and then I went first. I placed flowers on the grave. Meg gave me a moment, and I spoke to my mother in my head, told her I missed her, asked her for guidance and clarity. Feeling that Meg might also want a moment, I went around the hedge, scanned the pond. When I came back, Meg was kneeling, eyes shut, palms against the stone," he declared.

The island and Princess Diana’s grave are both off-limits to the public so they would’ve had complete privacy there. As well as the Harry, Archie and Lilibet picture Meghan shared as part of her "summer holiday" post, there was another one that had a UK-esque setting.

It showed the seven-year-old Prince walking barefoot in the countryside holding a stick, with the sun set gleaming through the trees. Archie was wearing a very similar outfit to the one in the other photo - beige shorts and a blue shirt.

This could suggest it was also taken at Althorp, although some will likely be hoping it was actually snapped at Highgrove before or after their meeting with King Charles.

With summer in full swing, the Royal Family are likely preparing for their annual holiday to Balmoral, the Aberdeenshire estate that has been their private haven for over 100 years. Spending August-October there was an important tradition to the late Queen Elizabeth and she would welcome her family for visits.

The Queen was so relaxed at Balmoral that she would "hang up her tiara on the front gates and put on a headscarf" and become "Granny and Mum", according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the royals for 15 years.

He has also spoken about the surprising tradition that the likes of Prince Philip and Princess Anne upheld. Apparently, different members of the family took responsibility for a different course of a meal - and they'd really "get stuck in".

Describing it almost like a royal version of Channel 4's Come Dine With Me - or the most regal potluck dinner ever - Darren, as per Aberdeen Live, shared, "You’d often get Princess Anne come down to the kitchen and say, 'I’m in charge of the first course tonight, what can I take?'"

He added, "Then Prince Edward would come down and be in charge of pudding, so would want to do something like pancakes. We’d make the batter and he’d want to fill them with things like raspberries or strawberries from the garden with ice cream."

It’s a different way of picturing the royals, for sure. And for Darren, it showed their close knit family principles - "They worked as a family on creating this meal, which they loved. They weren’t afraid to let their hair down and get stuck in."

By the sound of it, it’s a tradition which stemmed from the late Duke of Edinburgh’s love for cooking during their family summers. The former royal chef explained, "Prince Philip was the most passionate of cooks in the kitchen. They would go off and take BBQs at Balmoral... He loved to cook and cared about foods and recipes."

Darren recalled that he'd pop into the kitchen and ask if there was any venison around for a family BBQ in the hills.

"He’d go on to ask what we could marinate them with and what vegetables were in the garden," the chef said. "He’d often walk the gardens and see what’s in there. He loved local produce. Then he would be in charge of cooking the main course."

This image of the royals dropping the airs and graces and coming together like any other family is one that Prince Edward’s ex-girlfriend, West End star Ruthie Henshall, also opened up about recently.

The author of The Showgirl and the Prince spoke with HELLO’'s A Right Royal Podcast where she reminisced on the "surreal" experience of watching the royals, without any protection officers, "doing the cooking and cleaning" themselves.

Similar to the fun they’d have taking over a course of the meal each, Ruthie also remembered King Charles manning the bar and offering up rather potent martinis, describing their time at the Scottish estate as "a family just having a good time".

The Prince and Princess of Wales used to only share new pictures to mark their children's birthdays but this year they've started a new tradition of releasing short videos as well. All of the clips were filmed during their family holiday to Cornwall at Easter and when Prince George turned 13 on 22nd July we got another glimpse at what a private trip looks like for them.

The video shows the teenager climbing up rocks and exploring on the coast, but there was also a sweet moment of George on the beach. He can be seen bending down on the sand and gently stroking the head of their chocolate brown spaniel puppy, Otto.

It seems the Waleses didn't want to go away on a trip without their canine companions and it's an interesting choice.

Holidaying with three children is busy enough without adding two energetic dogs into the mix, but Otto and Orla were fully included in their activities. When Princess Charlotte turned 11 in May, her birthday video included footage of her on a boat and both pets were lying down calmly on the deck beside her.

So the spaniels enjoyed a beach visit and sailing, all while Otto wasn't a year old yet. This suggests that they're both well trained and it shows William and Kate really wanted the whole family to go on holiday together, as I'm sure the Middleton family would've been more than happy to dog-sit for them otherwise.

After all, Kate's parents and siblings all have their own dogs and live nearby in Berkshire. The future King and Queen probably drove or took the train down to Cornwall with George, Charlotte, Louis and the dogs which is sure to divide the crowd. Not everyone could face the idea of travelling with pets and sorting out all the logistics that come with it.

It was clearly worth it for the family and perhaps this is something they do whenever they're on holiday within the UK. In their birthday videos Prince George and Princess Charlotte certainly looked thrilled to have Otto and Orla there with them.

Since Otto was born in 2025 the family's morning routine has changed and everyone chips in to stop him chewing. During a conversation with a guest at a Garden Party earlier this year the Princess of Wales explained, "You have to keep them busy. The first thing we do in the morning is check, 'Has anyone taken Otto out?'

Despite their best efforts to keep him "busy", Prince William said in May that Otto still has the bad habit of chewing the family's possessions. The Prince of Wales revealed this when he was touring Nansledan and came across another dog, saying, "Ours chew slippers. Anything left on the floor is gone."

Otto and Orla might not get to go on all the Wales family's holidays but there is likely another one coming up for them this summer.

During the school summer break Prince William, Kate and their children often spend time at Balmoral in Scotland with the King and Queen (who have dogs of their own). In the Our Queen at Ninety documentary in 2016, Princess Eugenie previously described how pets were always part of the royals' holidays there.

"Walks, picnics, dogs – a lot of dogs, there's always dogs – and people coming in and out all the time. It's a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa, for us to come and see them up there," she said.

The Princess of Wales has talked about plenty of her hobbies in the past, from hockey to cold water swimming, but whilst receiving cancer treatment she turned to something else. Kate visited The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in June and confessed to patients and staff that she struggled to even read a book during her chemotherapy.

"I don't know about you, but I didn't really have the ability to read or focus on anything," she said in a moment that's captured in a recently resurfaced video. "And actually colouring was my way of exploring interesting things."

The Princess loved "being able to do something that didn't require an end product or an end finished piece". As per Hello!, colouring was "just a way of playing and losing yourself" and she explained how "lots of thoughts came up in that process."

We don't know exactly what colouring Kate was doing, though her comments about it not requiring an "end product" suggests it was quite simple. She could've bought an adult colouring book and not put pressure on herself to complete each picture.

This seems quite likely, particularly since Prince William once told illustrator Johanna Basford about his wife enjoying her colouring books.

In 2020 Johanna posted a throwback of her and the future King when she was being awarded her OBE and shared, "He told me his wife likes my books. She colours. Kate is one of us! Now this makes perfect sense. Why wouldn't she? A busy mum with what I imagine is a lot of stress, trying to raise and protect a family."

Shop Adult Colouring Books

This was long before the Princess was diagnosed with cancer, but it seems she already knew about colouring. Adult colouring books are a great way to occupy your mind and some people credit them with helping with their anxiety and mindfulness.

Colouring clearly helped Kate with "losing herself" in an activity and it's very different to the artwork she normally does. She did a History of Art degree and we've seen her sketches before, including the picture of St Andrews she did whilst studying there.

Even though she found it hard to "focus", finding another creative outlet during treatment was important for her. In an Instagram post after her visit to The Christie, the future Queen said that meeting patients, families and staff there was a "powerful reminder that healing is about so much more than treatment alone".

"A cancer diagnosis affects every part of life, in mind, body and the deeper part of ourselves" she said, adding, "The Christie's commitment to holistic care, from art therapy and wellbeing spaces to emotional and spiritual support, helps people navigate not only illness, but the profound impact it can have on quality of life."

Art means a lot to her and author Tina Brown claimed in The Palace Papers that Kate used to visit London's galleries and museums around 8am to "nourish her inner life".

Once, when she was recognised by a member of the public at a David Hockney exhibition at the Royal Academy, Kate apparently replied, "I miss my history of art. It's what I do to get my fix."

The scorching hot temperatures have passed but it's still sunny and warm enough for us to enjoy our summer dresses for a while longer. They're just so easy to throw on and they're one of the simplest items to take from day to night, depending on the style.

Duchess Sophie has just added a new design to her collection that is the epitome of all-day styling and she debuted it at this year's Royal Welsh Show. She attended as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) and the show shared snaps from her visit, giving us a glimpse at her Lexy London Gudrun dress.

The Duchess of Edinburgh recently wore a pink floral number from this British clothing brand but the Gudrun dress in the 'helibore' print has a bold green print with flashes of burnt orange, white and brown.

Shop Sophie's Outfit

It's a colourway that will work into autumn and the neutral tones help to balance out the bright jade green. Like many of Sophie's favourite frocks, it's maxi length and has a flowing skirt and loosely fitted bodice.

Short puffed sleeves are a feminine touch and there's a waist belt for definition. Dresses with belts are so handy as it gives you flexibility.

Not many people want to wear close-fitting clothing in the heat but cinching in the waist is great when it's cooler or to create a more polished feel for the evening. Incorporating more structure into an outfit is a clever way to elevate it and the Duchess also did this with her accessories.

Because the dress was quite busy already with the paisley floral pattern, Sophie went for her favourite sand suede espadrilles from Penelope Chilvers rather than trying to coordinate her footwear.

Wedges are a comfier alternative to stilettos for the summer as they offer more stability and these ones fasten around the ankle with a strap. The Duchess of Edinburgh's exact espadrilles are almost sold out, though she's owned these for years and I wouldn't be surprised if the style gets brought back again.

Tan or beige shoes are more warm-toned than white and equally wearable, so they're a good option for pairing with statement outfits. Sophie also carried the Mosaic Nano bag by Strathberry in raffia and tan leather.

The raffia complemented the jute sole of her wedges and she wore it slung over her shoulder, leaving her hands-free as she walked around the Royal Welsh Show meeting exhibitors, staff, members and volunteers.

The King's sister-in-law is a vocal supporter of farming, food production and rural communities and recently penned an essay where she said she thought the country's agricultural shows "should be described as 'The Greatest Shows on Earth.'"

Duchess Sophie attended Day 2 of the four-day Royal Welsh Show and although the weather was dry she wore a beige wool-blend blazer for some of her visit. Adding a smart, tailored jacket is another way to turn a day dress into an evening outfit and I would probably remove the longer strap on her bag and carry it by the top handle.

Wedges are a good smart-casual item, but you could swap them for heeled yet comfortable sandals or court shoes to bring some more night-time glamour to your summer dresses.

The royals have plenty of affectionate nicknames for each other but palace insiders also reportedly have one for Prince Harry - and he might not be too happy about it. The Duke of Sussex, who Meghan affectionately calls H or Haz, is said to have the same moniker as his disgraced uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor behind closed doors.

"Palace insiders refer to Harry and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as the "Dukes of Hazard", The Times claimed earlier this year, adding that is the "only official-sounding title" Andrew still has. This alleged name is a play on the American comedy, Dukes of Hazzard, but Prince Harry will likely find it less than amusing.

Andrew has always vehemently denied any allegations of wrongdoing against him, but "notwithstanding" this he was stripped of his Princely title and the Dukedom of York last year. Now he's just Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Prince Harry has hinted at his opinion of his uncle.

Writing candidly in his memoir, Spare, the King's younger son shared a conversation he had with Meghan about the possibility of them losing their security before their royal exit. He recalled telling his wife that they'd "never" do it, as Andrew still had his.

"Meg asked me one night: You don't think they'd ever pull our security, do you? Never. Not in this climate of hate. And not after what happened to my mother," Harry declared. "Also, not in the wake of my Uncle Andrew. He was embroiled in a shameful scandal."

Despite this, the Duke of Sussex noted at the time that "no one had so much as suggested that [Andrew] lose his security".

This passage speaks volumes about his view of the former Prince and an insider told People earlier this year that Harry "was frustrated by the comparisons" between them as detrimental to The Firm's reputation.

"It was never fair to lump them together," they added. "Harry served his country, did the job well and never engaged in misconduct - yet lost security and housing, while Andrew was protected for years."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in February and has kept a low profile since then. His nephew isn't a working royal any longer, but he still makes public appearances and recently returned to the UK, where he, Meghan and their children spent time with the King and Queen.

Buckingham Palace confirmed this meeting happened on 10th July at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, but no pictures have been shared. This was an especially huge moment for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as they got to see their grandfather in person for the first time in four years.

We don't know for sure what Archie and Lili call Charles, but he's apparently known as "Grandpa Wales" to his other grandchildren, due to his former title of Prince of Wales. They call Prince Harry "Papa", just like he calls the King "Pa", and this is a sweet connection between the generations and shows the more affectionate side of royal names.

We've all been reaching for breezy pieces like summer dresses and sandals throughout the height of the heatwave but now it's slightly cooler, our staples can shift slightly too. Breathable fabrics and relaxed silhouettes are still key and the Princess of Wales's flowy white trousers are a great alternative to jeans or shorts.

She wore them in Belize during her and Prince William's Caribbean visit in 2022 paired with a blood-orange toned jacket. Like a lot of Kate's conic items, the trousers were by British clothing brand, Alexander McQueen, and they were high-waisted and wide-leg.

The future Queen loves skinny jeans but when it comes to tailored trousers she reaches for wide-leg and flared-leg styles the most. I can't blame her, as these silhouettes are some of the most comfortable to wear.

Recreate Kate's Outfit

They're loose on the leg which is particularly lovely when it's hot outside and the draped shape looks so elegant. If you're not someone who loves shorts, billowy trousers offer extra leg coverage whilst still being quite light.

Kate's trousers were clearly made from a more crisp material, though I'd recommend linen or cotton pairs for summer. They're naturally very breathable and they're a bit more relaxed than crepe or satin for example.

This means you can wear your white trousers with casual tops and accessories without it looking like too much of a clash of styles. The Princess of Wales wanted to dress more formally in Belize, as she and Prince William were officially leaving the country to head to Jamaica to continue their visit.

She opted for a utility jacket from Yves Saint Laurent with a notched lapel collar and plenty of pockets, as well as a belt to accentuate the waist. The colour was what really made this outfit memorable, as it was a gorgeous red-orange that contrasted strikingly against her trousers.

If you're missing white trousers in your summer capsule wardrobe, their versatility is what makes them worth picking up. Because they're neutral, you can style them with any other shade and be confident that your ensemble will work.

Kate's jacket looked stunning with her trousers and she left it draped over her waistband. You could also recreate this look with a top rather than a jacket and to make everything slightly more elevated, I'd advise tucking it in.

Alternatively, leave it loose and add some white trainers or flats for a more breezy, off duty feel. The Princess finished off her outfit with white court heels, pearl drop earrings and her dainty white Mulberry Amberley bag.

She's worn this publicly loads of times, including once with the same white trousers and another occasion with an orange-red coat dress. Kate clearly likes these tones together and you can't deny they're a striking duo, especially for sunny summer weather.

At first glance, Prince George's 13th birthday photo looks like a simple, special snapshot of the future King as he prepares for a huge change. He's heading to Eton in September and will be fully living away from home for the first time. George already looks so grown up and the picture taken by Matt Porteous definitely shows that.

However, I was struck by the location and just how minimal and formal the image was. The birthday photo was captured at Kensington Palace after Trooping the Colour in June and shows George standing on a white staircase in his navy suit - minus his pastel blue tie.

It's a portrait of a young man who is destined to be never really off duty. Although it was taken behind-the-scenes when he was relaxed and completely outside the public eye, the Prince still looks very smart and composed.

His actual surroundings aren't grand but Kensington Palace is a historic royal residence and it's also where he spent the early years of his life. The Prince and Princess of Wales moved to Kensington Palace in 2013 and it's still their London base.

Since Prince George's 13th birthday photo was taken there, it suggests that they were either staying whilst they were in the capital or just wanted to return to the palace for the shoot. The royal residence probably holds a lot of memories for George and it's also where Princess Diana used to live, so there's another layer of significance.

It couldn't be more of a contrast to last year's photo location. Prince George's 12th birthday photo was taken by Josh Shinner in Norfolk and showed him wearing a shirt and gilet, leaning on a mossy garden gate.

We all know how much William, Kate and their children love spending time at doors and their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, is a private countryside haven for them. However, as he gets older George will have more and more of a public role and the dramatic difference between these pictures highlights that.

The new image isn't quite as formal as official photos we see of Prince William and King Charles, but it's a step closer to that. Sadly, the days of truly casual snaps might now be over, though the Waleses did later share a video montage filmed during their holiday to Cornwall at Easter which showed us George exploring at the beach.

Perhaps the videos will continue to be a more candid option compared to the pictures. It was also interesting that they chose to take the photo in a part of the palace that isn't recognisable and on the same day as Trooping the Colour.

One day Prince George will have his own official birthday parade but this time he got to experience King Charles's big day and then go off and take his birthday photo completely privately. Because the Wales children's celebratory snaps are often taken weeks or even months before their birthdays, we don't get a glimpse of what they're doing on the day itself.

Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are all now on summer break from school and the 13-year-old might want to make the most of being at home with his family before starting at Eton. As for what presents he could receive, William and Kate have been open about not allowing any of their children to have phones up to now.

The Prince of Wales said they're "really strict" about it, but with George heading away to school soon, could they finally make an exception for their eldest child?

Ruthie Henshall is a decorated West End star and choosing a career on the stage over a future with her former boyfriend, Prince Edward, is something she explores in her new memoir. The Olivier Award-winning actor dated King Charles's youngest brother from 1988 to 1993, and she was invited to join the royals on holiday at Balmoral Castle.

Now immortalised thanks to fictionalised accounts in the likes of The Crown, Ruthie has even shared her own account of the infamous, unofficial "Balmoral Test". Whilst some people's accounts of the supposed "test" aren't that flattering, Ruthie fondly remembers her time in Scotland.

Speaking on HELLO’s A Right Royal Podcast, she claimed, "I didn’t know what to expect. I certainly didn’t expect my own maid. I didn’t expect somebody to come and tell me that they were going to draw the bath. I didn’t expect my suitcase to be unpacked."

"I didn’t know what the weekend was going to bring. I didn’t know I was going to dinner with them all on the Friday," she continued. Thankfully for Ruthie, Prince Edward gave her the heads up once they’d made it to the famous Scottish residence.

"We were going for a cookout with the royals with no protection officers, no nothing, just driving up there," Ruthie added. "They were doing the cooking and the cleaning, that was surreal."

She recalls how surreal it was to watch the Royal Family "wash up and dry up" and to be there with them. That wasn't the only unusual aspect of staying at Balmoral, according to Ruthie, as ghost stories and pranks were seemingly very popular.

People were "jumping out at [her] when [she] went to the loo" and one of the royals who would partake in such hijinks was allegedly King Charles.

From relaxed cooking to pranks together, Ruthie described it as "a family just having a good time", adding that - when he wasn’t enjoying ghost stories - King Charles would also man the bar, with his speciality being rather potent martinis.

Ruthie also recalls how accommodating the royal residences were to her. They even allowed her to bring her pet cats as she’d watch them "run around Windsor and Buckingham Palace".

As for meeting Edward’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Ruthie said the first meeting took her by surprise. Revealing she didn’t know she was going to meet the late monarch, she compares it to the "Mad Hatter’s tea party… it was as exactly as you’d think tea at Windsor would be".

What Ruthie’s first-hand experiences capture so well is how Balmoral truly is a place where the royals can relax. In the past, Princess Eugenie revealed in ITV's Our Queen at Ninety documentary, that the late monarch was "happiest" in the highlands.

King Charles has also paid tribute to the importance of Balmoral to his mother. In the foreword to a new guidebook released earlier this year, the King shared, "Balmoral has been the cherished Scottish home of my family since the estate was purchased by Prince Albert, my great-great-great-grandfather, in 1852."

'Since my earliest childhood, it has held, and continues to hold, a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself, and my late mother particularly treasured her time at Balmoral," he added. "It was here, in these most beloved of surroundings, that she chose to spend her final days."

Prince George and Charlotte joined their parents at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final this year but other than this now-traditional appearance, they're probably not going to be seen again in public for the rest of the summer holidays. Unless, that is, the Prince and Princess of Wales bring one or both of them on a special trip up north.

The couple's love of sport has passed down to their children and the 2026 Commonwealth Games kicks off in Glasgow on 23rd July. The last time it was held in the UK in 2022, Charlotte travelled to Birmingham with William and Kate to watch the swimming, gymnastics and hockey.

This was her first appearance without her siblings and I'd be surprised if Charlotte didn't want to go again - especially since the Games weren't supposed to be back on home soil so soon.

Victoria in Australia was originally set to host but pulled out in 2023 due to concerns over the costs, leading to Glasgow stepping in. Instead of being around a day's flight away, the Waleses can get to the Commonwealth Games in just a few hours by train.

Suddenly, it becomes a lot easier and looks a lot more likely that Prince William and Kate could make another appearance, possibly with Charlotte. It would show support for the competing nations and the future Queen's patronage, SportsAid, works in partnership with Sport England and Commonwealth Games England.

During the 2022 Games, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Charlotte went to SportsAid House, so it would make sense if they wanted to champion the charity again. The bigger question for me is whether Prince George might come this time.

We know William and Kate like to make sure their children get to enjoy solo outings. Charlotte didn't go to Wimbledon in 2022 and when the family were asked why she wasn't there, the Princess of Wales reportedly replied, "It's George's treat today."

Maybe the 2022 Commonwealth Games was Charlotte's "treat", so if that's now *her* thing to do with her parents, George might not be there this summer. However, the 12-year-old has a lot on his plate at the moment as he prepares to start at Eton College in September and live fully away from home for the first time.

He loves sport as much as his sister and going to the Games together might be a nice way to make fun summer memories before this big life change. They could even each go with either Prince William or Kate to watch different sports they're interested in.

Princess Charlotte has said that gymnastics is her favourite and Prince William once joked there are a "lot of cartwheels going around the house". Prince George is known to love hockey and swimming, as well as football which isn't played at the Games.

George and Charlotte reportedly support different sides - Aston Villa and Chelsea - in the Premier League but they'll have both been fully behind England in the recent World Cup. Hopefully we'll get to see the siblings unified, cheering the athletes on at some point before the Commonwealth Games ends on 2nd August.

Prince George's 13th birthday on July 22nd marks a big turning point in his life. He'll be entering his teenage years and moving away from his old routine when he starts at Eton College a few months later. This will be the first time that George hasn't gone to the same school as at least one of his siblings since 2019 and he'll be away from home.

Although he chose to start boarding a bit at Lambrook School, Eton is boarding-only and will be strict about home visits. He won't be able to see the Prince and Princess of Wales spontaneously and royal author Robert Jobson thinks it's a "chance for him to spread his wings" and "take part" in activities in the afternoons and evenings.

Meanwhile, former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond has noticed how George's confidence has already changed in the lead-up to his 13th birthday and school move.

"He seems to be growing not only in stature, but in self-confidence," she explained to The Mirror. "Recently, he has looked far more at ease in front of the cameras, and he's definitely more of a young man now than a child."

Prince George's most recent appearance was at the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final, where he joined William, Kate and Charlotte in the Royal Box. Commenting on the Princess of Wales's view of her eldest son, Jennie suggested that she must "think what a handsome, self-assured young chap he has become".

Neither she nor Robert Jobson seem surprised that the future King and Queen chose Eton College for Prince George. Jennie thinks that William and Kate "fervently believe" that it's where their son "will feel safe and secure" and notes that it's close to their Forest Lodge home.

Eton College is only ten minutes' drive from Windsor Castle too and even though he won't be able to go home whenever he wants, Prince George has the comfort of knowing the general area. That's not to say it'll be totally easy for then-13-year-old George or his parents and siblings.

Robert previously stressed that the Waleses are a "tight family unit" and "it will be like having an empty seat at the table" when he's not there. Once he's used to it, though, Robert believes it will be the perfect setting for the next five years.

Writing in the Daily Mail, the royal expert claimed, "Eton will be a challenge, but being close to home, in the shadow of Windsor Castle will help. The environment will protect him like it did his father who thrived there."

During his time at Eton, the Prince of Wales's privacy was largely respected by the press in return for a few set photographs and interviews. He got to grow from teenager to adult, free from the intense scrutiny he faces now. Prince George will hopefully get the same thing and after his 13th birthday and before he heads to school, an announcement may possibly be made.

Either way, Prince George is preparing for a period of big change and has his birthday and the rest of the summer holidays to enjoy before starting at his new school.

The Prince and Princess of Wales knew before Prince George was born in July 2013 that their experience of parenthood was going to be different to most. They introduced their baby son to the world on the steps outside St Mary's Hospital and Kate has admitted that she and William had "tried to practice" a difficult moment.

The Prince of Wales took charge of strapping little George into his car seat and securing him safety in the family's vehicle. Doing this with the eyes of the world's media upon him wasn't easy and on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Kate described using a doll to prepare for it.

"We were like 'What do we do?... in a swaddle?'. 'How's this supposed to work?!'" she told host Giovanna Fletcher in 2020. "We even tried to practice with a little baby, like a little doll, at home".

She admitted "it just never works out the way you planned it so it was quite hard to do that on the world's stage" but added that her husband "did a very good job". By that point the new mum was "keen to get home" with George and William, so she was likely relieved it went so well.

The Princess talked openly about how she had "all the memories of being in hospital because of being sick" when she suffered with Hyperemesis Gravidarum during her pregnancy. She didn't want to "hang around" there and "was really desperate to get home and get back to normality."

Even so, she knew that being at home could be a challenge too. Kate explained she's heard stories from mothers who "took their child out of the car seat and put it on the sofa and didn't want to touch it" because they were so worried about accidentally doing the "wrong thing".

After returning home with her husband and son, the Princess of Wales didn't make a public appearance for another month whilst they spent time as a family and adjusting to parenthood. Unusually for a future Queen, Kate didn't have a full-time nanny at first.

The way she and William confirmed Prince George's birth was also very different too. He was born third in the royal line of succession and the new mum apparently "insisted, with her husband's backing, that the Palace wait four hours" before making the announcement.

According to royal author Christopher Andersen in his book, Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, this was "so that they could savour the moment in private 'as any young family would.'"

A royal press release was shared that evening and a formal notice of George's birth was also displayed in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The first official pictures of Prince George were taken in the garden of the Middleton family home in Berkshire by the Princess of Wales's father Michael.

This could be seen as another way that the Waleses were doing things differently and trying to have more privacy in this special time. A family friend previously claimed to the Daily Mail that Michael proposed the idea and wanted to "organize a stress-free photoshoot" and "save them the bother of getting in a photographer".

"It meant the nervous new parents could stop any time they wanted," they alleged.

Harriet Phillips' off-duty style is my new source of inspiration as she's someone who strikes the right balance between elegance and practicality. Since marrying Princess Anne's son Peter in June, the NHS nurse has been to Ascot and Wimbledon but missed the Royal Charity Polo Cup .

This is a shame as her outfit from the 2024 event is a favourite and would be perfect to wear in the heat now. Harriet opted for a linen dress from a collaboration between British clothing brand Beulah London, and homeware brand Birdie Fortescue.

It had a V-neckline, puffed sleeves and a loose, flowing shape, as well as handy pockets. The silhouette was incredibly simple and this kind of cut skims the body in a flattering way without actually being fitted.

Shop Harriet's Polo Outfit

This makes summer dresses like this great for warm weather and Harriet's frock was extra summery thanks to the print. It featured tiny green and blue florals as well as darker blue stripes, all done in an illustration style.

If you're going to wear a pattern I always recommend going for something with a neutral base colour like white or black, as it makes accessorising easier and balances everything out. Harriet's dress felt understated and she wore a coordinating white bag.

It's refreshing to see a member of the Royal Family (even if she wasn't royal at the time) carrying a crossbody bag as they're more wearable day-to-day than top handle designs. They leave you completely handsfree and the new Mrs Phillips' bag was big enough to fit all her essentials.

She wore the Anya Hindmarch Neeson Camera Bag which had a tassel and gold-toned hardware for a touch of glamour. This accessory added a relaxed edge to Harriet's polo ensemble and because it tied in with her dress, it still felt polished.

Her shoes were the biggest contrast within her entire look as she stepped out in pink Penelope Chilvers High Valenciana Dali Espadrilles with bottle-green velvet ribbons. These were quite a statement but the ribbons linked in with the green on the frock.

The brand still makes these in various colourways and wedges are a comfier alternative to heels and still give you some elevation. Plain white trainers or flat sandals would also have worked well with Harriet Phillips' outfit and these footwear options are personally what I'd pick to go with a midi dress and crossbody bag like hers for the daytime.

To turn this style pairing into something slightly more elevated you could swap wedges for classic court shoes or strappy sandals. A crossbody bag might be more casual than a top handle one, but it can still work for smart occasions if it has a more structured shape like Harriet's did.

She completed her polo outfit with brown tortoiseshell sunglasses and a few pieces of minimal gold jewellery. Just over a year later Peter Phillips proposed and she started wearing a rather more luxurious piece of jewellery - her three-diamond engagement ring. It was made by Pragnell, from whom Harriet borrowed the tiara she wore on her wedding day.

Princess Anne doesn't mince her words and plenty of her quips have become iconic, from her response to her would-be kidnapper in 1974 to her belief that there's "no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing". Her directness makes her who she is and she's been equally honest about her son-in-law's favourite pastime.

Mike Tindall has embraced golf after retiring as a professional rugby player and has hosted the ISPS Handa Mike Tindall Celebrity Golf Classic since 2014. His wife Zara plays too, but the Princess Royal once declared, "Golf seems to me to be an arduous way to go for a walk".

According to The Telegraph, she reportedly added that she'd "prefer to take the dogs out" instead. This comment is very *her* and I'm sure her canine companions would appreciate her view, even if she and Mike might have to agree to disagree.

The retired rugby star has been married to Zara for just under fifteen years, so he'll be very used to his mother-in-law's directness by now. Golf, like any sport, isn't going to be for everyone and it equals out as Mike doesn't share Anne's passion for horse riding.

In an interview with woman&home for our July issue, he told royal correspondent Emily Andrews that his daughters Mia and Lena "both ride, like their mum" but it's "not a sport [he's] good at".

"No horse wants some guy weighing 107 kilos on it," he explained. "So I respect them, they respect me and we keep to our own paths."

Both Princess Anne and Zara Tindall have competed at the Olympics and Zara went on to win silver as part of the British equestrian team at London 2012. She was even presented with her medal by her mum, in her capacity as President of the British Olympic Association.

Although Mike stays away from horse riding and the Princess Royal reportedly thinks golf is "arduous", they are both committed rugby fans. Unfortunately for them, they're not on the same side, as Anne has been Patron of Scottish Rugby since 1986 and Mike used to play for England.

The King's sister is regularly seen cheering on Scotland at matches wearing the team scarf and she and Zara have apparently suggested to Mike that he should embrace some traditional Scottish attire.

As per Express, he previously declared, "We got married in Scotland and Zara was schooled in Scotland. Obviously, my mother-in-law is patron of Scottish Rugby. They keep on that they need to get me a pair of trews."

Trews are men's formal trousers and they're designed to sit higher on the waist. They're very smart as an alternative to a kilt but Mike hasn't been persuaded to wear a pair.

"I have spent my whole life trying to kill a Scotsman [on the rugby field] I don't want to wear their trousers," he quipped.

He might not be prepared to wear Scottish trews but he and Zara still often go up to Scotland in the summer to spend time with the family at Balmoral. This is a long-standing royal tradition that King Charles has continued and it won't be long before the royals' annual break begins.

It can be tricky to find flattering shorts that make us feel confident baring our legs and jeans are just too thick to wear in the heat, but the Duchess of Edinburgh has found a brilliant alternative to both. Capri pants have come back into fashion in a big way for 2026 and back in 2022 Sophie showed us exactly how to style cropped trousers when she wore a white pair in the Caribbean.

She and Prince Edward went on a royal visit to mark Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee and on Day 6 they went to St Lucia. The Duchess stepped out in white high-waisted trousers that fell to just above her ankle and had a subtle kick flare.

This length is perfect for warmer weather as it gives you more coverage than shorts do but without swamping you in fabric and making you overheat.

Recreate Sophie's Outfit

Cropped trousers also show off your summer footwear and woman&home's Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr thinks Sophie's are particularly easy to style.

"Has Sophie found the perfect pair of trousers for this time of year? The cropped length will keep you that bit cooler in a heatwave and show off your shoes, plus they feel a bit smarter than shorts," she explains. "In white, they're endlessly versatile too, as they'll work with every top you have in your summer capsule wardrobe."

Like Caroline says, trousers are always going to have an elevated edge compared to shorts. They have more structure to them and the longer length means you can comfortably wear them for a wide range of occasions, from daytime coffee meet-ups to more formal restaurant date nights.

In St Lucia, Sophie wore her trousers with an emerald green Soler blouse draped over the top for a breezy look. The brightness of the top was balanced out by the white tailoring and you could really make out the gorgeous detailing on it.

Floral patterns and lace added a sense of fun to the timeless design and the beauty of white trousers is that you can go as bold as you like with the rest of your ensemble and know they'll complement the other colours. This makes them a reliable staple to build a look around.

The Duchess of Edinburgh could've tucked in her blouse if she wanted to accentuate her waist but her approach worked in a different way. Leaving her shirt loose and concealing the top of her trousers created a seamless silhouette and had a frame-elongating effect.

It was also more relaxed which was great for a day spent visiting Fond Doux Cocoa Plantation and walking up Sulphur Springs, St Lucia's dormant volcano. Her footwear wasn't necessarily the most practical choice for the climb compared to white trainers or hiking boots but her espadrilles looked very chic nonetheless.

Duchess Sophie has a big collection of wedges and these ones were white, with the classic jute sole and an ankle strap to keep them secure. They tied in with her trousers and keeping to this minimal green and white colour scheme made the royal's outfit feel polished and cohesive.

She had the perfect finishing touch too - a gold Cassandra Goad necklace bearing Bob Marley's famous quote, "Love the life you live, live the life you love."

Whenever there's a heatwave a lot of people's main complaint is finding it difficult to sleep and the late Queen Elizabeth had a strict rule that helped keep her royal bedroom cool. She used to enjoy an annual summer break at Balmoral Castle and according to former royal butler Paul Burrell, she "never" closed her bedroom windows when she was there.

Paul previously claimed that the Queen "loved the fact that her bedroom windows were open every night and she would get the fresh air from the highlands". He added that "From August until early October, she never closed" them and when the autumn got "very, very cold" she used a lot of "sheets and blankets and covers and eiderdowns".

Although most people wouldn't want to keep the windows open on a freezing October day, right now Queen Elizabeth's approach sounds perfect.

She also managed to avoid a common cooling mistake, as opening your windows during the day can actually make your home warmer.

Letting in some air sounds like a great idea but Angus Struthers, Managing Director at heating & cooling specialists BOXT, has explained to woman&home that "If the air outside is warmer than the air inside, you're just letting more heat into the house."

It's better to throw them open in the evening when the outside air is cool and Angus advises keeping windows shut "throughout the hottest part of the day". While it's been so hot in the UK I've been following this recommendation and can confirm it's definitely worked for me.

The Queen's love of "fresh air from the highlands" probably meant her Balmoral bedroom was a comfortable temperature at night, even when Scotland's weather was warm. Keeping the windows open was just one part of her evening routine.

She apparently used to aim to go to bed around 11pm and woke up at 7:30am, giving her a solid eight and a half hours of restful slumber. In 2017 an ex-guardsman alleged to The Times that when Queen Elizabeth found it a struggle to get to sleep, she would sometimes walk around the palace grounds late at night.

The guardsman recalled one incident when he spotted a figure in the dark at 3am and called out, "Who's that?" When he realised it was her, he said, "B***** hell, Your Majesty, I nearly shot you."

The Queen gave a typically witty response, saying, "That's quite all right. Next time I'll ring through beforehand so you don't have to shoot me."

In the morning she also had a routine and it began, not with an alarm clock, but with a performance by the Piper to the Sovereign. A bagpipe performance is a pretty unique wake-up call and the piper plays outside the monarch's window every morning for 15 minutes, split into two sessions.

The position is currently held by Pipe Major Paul Burns who was appointed by Queen Elizabeth and kept on by King Charles. His role is prestigious and the Piper is the only person outside the Royal Family who's permitted to wear Balmoral tartan.

The Princess of Wales loves wearing bright colours, especially in the summer, but one of my favourite seasonal outfits she's worn is actually monochrome. July is when the Royal Charity Polo Cup is usually played and Kate's black and white dress from the event in 2022 proved how keeping your style simple can be very striking.

This piece was by one of her go-to British clothing brands, Emilia Wickstead, and it was sleeveless and midi-length. The black piping accentuated the subtle fit-and-flare silhouette in such a flattering way and although you can't get this exact dress anymore, I couldn't believe my luck when I came across a similar style at ME+EM.

Recreate Kate's Polo Outfit

The Princess loves them for classic staples and this year they're selling a monochrome midi dress that is perfect if you want to recreate her polo style. Better yet, it's just gone into the ME+EM sale and is currently 30% off, down to £175 from £250.

The dress is made from a linen and viscose blend material which is designed to minimise creasing. This is a bonus in my book, as who really wants to be ironing in this weather? Linen is also great to wear in the heat as the natural fibres are so breathable.

The black tipping on the ME+EM frock has a slightly different shape compared to Kate's 2022 dress but this detailing still highlights your frame. It's sleeveless but not strappy or overly revealing and the high round neckline adds an elegant feel.

Because it's monochrome like the Princess's Emilia Wickstead dress, you can accessorise it so easily. To make it more casual, pair it with white trainers, sandals or ballet flats and for an elevated evening look you can go for heels or wedges instead.

Keeping to a minimal colour palette makes an ensemble extra cohesive and polished, though I think a pop of red would look fabulous with this dress. Kate took a different approach and styled hers with beige and black slingback flats from Camilla Elphick.

No matter the heel height, slingbacks are the future Queen's favourite summer shoe style and she's worn these ones a lot for different appearances. The black toe cap coordinated with the piping on the bodice and skirt whilst the beige tone brought some contrast.

Kate completed her outfit with her Sézane resin hoops and a pair of tortoiseshell brown sunglasses. She recently wore the same earrings with a black and white gingham Temperley London frock at this year's charity polo cup and mixing in warm-toned browns with monochrome hues can soften things beautifully.

Each of these dresses have only been seen publicly once, but the charity polo cup isn't an official engagement for the Princess of Wales. This means the event is a good opportunity for her to enjoy wearing more everyday pieces and I'd imagine Kate has reached for both of these a lot in her day-to-day life when it's hot.

Piers Morgan has never been backwards in coming forwards in terms of how he feels about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Having walked out of his six-year job on Good Morning Britain in 2021 following remarks he made about the former Meghan Markle - which gained a huge 41,000 complaints to television standards regulator Ofcom - he has not stood down on his forthright opinions about the controversial quasi-royal couple.

Now, he’s hit out at the pair again, accusing them of hypocrisy for discussing the importance of privacy online and then choosing to post pictures of their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, on their social media - albeit with their faces obscured.

He told Woman, 'My old friends the Duke and Duchess of Sussex keep preaching to us about privacy and about the need to be careful online, and how dangerous it is for kids – and then what did they do? They upload photographs of their five-year-old child on social media [for her birthday] to billions of people, immediately recognisable.

'And I’m like, “What are you doing? What is this about? Why would you preach about privacy? Why would you lecture the world to be very careful with children online and then put your own child out there to millions of people?” It makes no sense to me.

'Maybe it makes sense to their fans, I don’t know, but to me, that is a classic example of the kind of double standard that I think is ridiculous. If you are going to start preaching about stuff, at least try and live up to it. Don’t immediately do something which is the complete opposite of what you’ve been preaching about.'

Speaking again on 5’s The Royals Uncensored show, Piers discussed the fact that the pair would likely be coming to the UK with their children for the first time in years, as part of the Invictus Games countdown. As Woman went to press, Buckingham Palace had reportedly withdrawn an invitation for Harry to stay at the royal residence while in London.

Piers said, 'How do you trust these two? And they’re going to bring the kids [to the UK] that they keep preaching to the world about privacy, and how to protect kids online. Meantime, she’s out there, pumping week after week, more and more pictures of their kids... so there’s an absolute hypocrisy there which I find, honestly, frankly, quite sickening.'

It’s not the first time that Piers, 61, has hit out at Harry and Meghan and called them hypocrites. He did so in 2019 - prior to the couple leaving royal life in 2020 - when it was noted that they had been taking private jets while ‘preaching’ about environmental issues. ‘They are making themselves look like rank hypocrites and you can’t, as a royal, do that,’ he said at the time on GMB.

And despite Piers making a career out of giving his opinions - which he now does on YouTube channel Piers Morgan Uncensored, which has 4.4 million subscribers - he believes those in the public eye should stop moaning.

‘I think the celebrity public-figure side shouldn’t whine too much,’ he said. ‘Mick Jagger has it right - never complain, never explain - and the Queen Mother said the same. You rarely heard her speaking in public.

'Let what you do, do its own talking. I think it’s really good advice. People talk too much. I know that sounds pretty rich coming from me, but then I’m supposed to talk too much!’

Additionally, Piers hit out at his former show, GMB - which has found itself at the centre of budget cuts at ITV Daytime - claiming it cannot keep up with the kind of programming he is now doing.

‘Our audience [of the Piers Morgan Uncensored show] is growing exponentially around the world, at exactly the same rate as most mainstream TV shows. I don’t want to mention Good Morning Britain, because, obviously, they don’t have me any more, so understandable that the audience halved, so you get my point.

'Yes, dramatically. I think YouTube is how most young people watch anything. I know because I’ve got four kids, from the age of 32 right down to 14, and it’s all they watch. They don’t watch television unless it’s a major live event.

‘I’ll often do my show from a little cupboard somewhere. Literally, sometimes I will be in the Middle East somewhere, and I’ve got to do a show. I’ll get in the cupboard and put a camera on and get my laptop going. Nobody cares as long as the content is good, and I’m still doing my job.’

With Piers’ Uncensored show seeming to grow and grow, it looks unlikely he’ll be giving up his often controversial opinions any time soon!

This feature first appeared in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

There are certain colours that always surge in popularity in summer and others that can feel too dark or too muted. However, I love wearing black all year round and all it takes is some careful consideration to incorporate this deep tone into seasonal outfits.

Queen Letizia of Spain nailed this with her outfit for a meeting of the Princess of Girona Foundation's youth advisory board on 15th July. She knows what to wear in the heat and reached for her white Hugo Boss midi dress and a pair of lace-up espadrilles.

This midi frock has been in her collection for a while and it has short floaty sleeves and an abstract black floral design that breaks up the solid white. The pattern almost looks like a drawing and although a lot of people will have bold florals in their summer capsule wardrobe, something subtler like this is a versatile alternative.

Recreate Queen Letizia's Look

Black and white feel minimal and chic - plus they're incredibly easy to style. You can accessorise a monochrome floral dress like Letizia's with any shades you like, though she stuck to the same colour palette.

Although it's been speculated that her Espadrilles Picón wedges are navy, I think they look more like black and that makes more sense as it would coordinate with everything else. The Queen wore the Letizia espadrilles and they had the classic neutral jute sole and black uppers and ribbons.

If you feel more secure with a strap, you could swap out lace-up wedges for Mary Jane ones and they'd still be stunning. Given that Her Majesty's frock was so pared-back, her lace-up espadrilles were a great choice and added some extra structure to her ensemble.

The combination of a midi-length summer dress and wedges isn't ground-breaking but it is timeless and simple to recreate. Sticking to monochrome tones also made Letizia's style more striking and sophisticated than a vibrant pairing might have been.

The contrast draws the eye and yet the overall look isn't over-complicated or busy. She finished her outfit off with a black woven leather handbag by Massimo Dutti and carried it by the top handle strap. Even her white floral earrings matched.

The Queen of Spain really stood out next to her husband King Felipe and their daughters Leonor and Sofia at the meeting, as they all wore a pop of bright colour. The night before at the Princess of Girona Awards 2026, Letizia wore all-black and earlier in July she also wore a head-to-toe black look for the ABC Journalism Awards.

Both of these outfits were beautiful too, though the mix of white and black in her other outfit helped to brighten things up and naturally felt more summery. Silhouettes and materials are key when you're styling dark colours for the season.

Queen Letizia's midi dress had a loose fit-and-flare shape and espadrilles are strongly associated with warmer months as they're impractical to wear in the rain and cold. The jute soles also add a beachy edge, making this pairing the perfect way to wear black and white right now.

Many of the royals have been very vocal about their feelings concerning social media and the Duchess of Edinburgh is the latest to share her thoughts. In a deeply personal essay, she's insisted that there are much better ways to find entertainment than "social media doom-scrolling", urging more people to visit some the UK's agricultural shows.

Sophie penned the piece for The Yorkshire Post as Patron of the Association of Show & Agricultural Organisations and started out by acknowledging a sad truth.

"In this age of technology where old and young have instant and endless entertainment at their fingertips, events such as agricultural shows may seem to face stiff competition," the Duchess declared.

"Yet the more than 600 shows that span our entire nation contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to our economy, provide more interactive, more visual and sensorial experience, more wholesome entertainment and more endorphin lifting moments than any social media doom-scrolling can ever offer," she added.

For her, the excitement of these local shows far outweighs the experience of scrolling endlessly through our social media feeds. Praising the shows for helping visitors "learn about our countryside, our food production and the vital role our farmers play in our everyday lives", Sophie described the shows as a "place where town can meet country".

True to form, Duchess Sophie also made a point of celebrating the hard work of the staff and volunteer stewards and expressed her belief that the UK's agricultural shows "should be described as ‘The Greatest Shows on Earth’".

Her essay highlights how much Duchess Sophie has in common with her brother-in-law, King Charles. From his days as the Prince of Wales and right up to present day, Charles has championed agriculture and farmers.

In 2016, he even declared rural Britain as "one of the greatest treasures of our nation" - something Sophie quite agrees with, it would seem. Another thing they appear to have in common is a disinterest in social media and mobile phones.

As the Duchess urges people to look for entertainment beyond their fingertips, it’s been reported many times that the King refuses to use a mobile phone, and staff members are reportedly required to turn their mobile phones off, unless they are in a job that requires them to use one.

While it’s not known if Sophie is quite as anti-phones as the monarch, she has previously shared that her children, Lady Louise Windsor and her brother James, Earl of Wessex aren’t that interested in social media.

Lady Louise just graduated from the University of St Andrews and is 22 but she quietly goes about her life, keeping out of the spotlight. Duchess Sophie said in 2021 that her "private" daughter "doesn't put anything out about herself" and doesn't have any public social media accounts out of choice.

"I wouldn't deny her going onto it. But she's not really that interested in it," the Duchess shared. "There's a few platforms that she talks to her friends on. But that's basically it."

When Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Sussex family had spent time at Highgrove House with the King on 10th July they included an important detail - Queen Camilla was there. Her relationship with her younger stepson hasn't always been smooth-sailing and some people might've been surprised that she was at the reunion.

According to royal author Catherine Mayer the Queen had to be there, because she's a "non-negotiable part of Charles' life". Opening up to People, she claimed if Harry wants to heal his relationship with his dad, Camilla is key as "there is no reconciliation with him without her."

We don't know if Queen Camilla was at any of the Duke of Sussex's face-to-face meetings with the King in the past few years. Statements released afterwards have only ever mentioned Charles and Harry, but it seems she's going to be included now.

This Highgrove meeting was particularly important as it was the first time Archie and Lilibet have been to the UK or seen their grandfather in person since 2022. Having Queen Camilla be part of this special family moment sends a powerful message, particularly to Harry.

In his memoir, Spare, he explained that he had "complex feelings" about gaining her as a stepparent in 2005, as he "thought [she] had recently sacrificed [him] on her personal PR altar." In an interview to promote the book he also went into this, describing the Queen as "dangerous" because of the "need for her to rehabilitate her image".

The Prince even claimed in his memoir that he and Prince William asked King Charles not to marry Camilla, writing, "'We support you,' we said, 'We endorse Camilla,' we said. 'Just please don't marry her, just be together, Pa.'"

"He didn't answer. But she answered. Straight away. Shortly after our private summits with her, she began to play the long game. A campaign aimed at marriage, and eventually the Crown, with Pa's blessing we presumed," Harry added.

Earlier this year King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary and Woman's Royal Editor Emily Andrews has revealed that the Queen was shocked by her stepson's Spare comments, as their relationship had been better.

"Harry and Camilla's relationship had always been slightly uneasy but by the time of his wedding to Meghan it had much improved," Emily wrote. "So she was staggered when Harry hurled so many hurtful barbs her way - which also angered the King."

A friend also claimed to Emily, "The Queen has always appreciated how hard it has been for William and Harry after the death of their mother. She never sought to take her place, and has always tried to remain sensitive."

They added that she "kept her counsel, despite the many slings and arrows of public acrimony" to protect the monarchy's reputation. Queen Camilla apparently found "Meghan and Harry's public rejection and criticism, which caused so much damage, unforgivable".

Despite this, she was there at Highgrove. Could this signal that a reconciliation really is a priority right now? Queen Camilla's presence would've meant a lot to King Charles and it's not just the monarch whose bond with Harry will need to be healed if they're going to move forwards.

Comfortable sandals and flipflops are great for a heatwave but the Princess of Wales's go-to shoes right now are more elegant and work beautifully with summer dresses. Kate reaches for her slingbacks more anything else when it's sunny and she owns both flat and heeled versions.

Unlike court heels which can feel a bit formal for everyday wear, slingbacks are more understated and chic no matter the heel height. The Princess tends to wear hers during visits that are more smart-casual, like when she went to watch Prince William compete in the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup 2026 on 10th July.

She styled a gingham midi dress with beige-pink Camilla Elphick slingbacks and added statement brown resin Sezane earrings for a modern touch. The frock made such a statement that neutral shoes were the perfect choice to balance things out.

Shop Slingback Flats

Shop Slingback Heels

These Lucia heels are pointed and have a patent toecap for a touch of contrast. The buckle means the Princess of Wales could secure them as tightly or loosely as she liked for the sweltering weather and the angled heel was mid-height.

Kate also has these exact shoes in black and had worn them to visit Evelina's Children's Hospital just a few days before. On that occasion her entire outfit was monochrome and the black heels tied everything together. Her slingback collection is primarily either black or beige and her favourite flats feature both tones in one design.

At the polo in 2022, Kate styled Camilla Elphick toe cap slingbacks with a white and black sleeveless dress and a month later re-wore them with a white tailored suit. White seems to be her preferred colour to go with these flats as she wore this tone with them again in Italy in May.

The Princess also owns Gianvito Rossi beige suede slingback heels which have been her choice for Wimbledon a lot. If you're looking to add some sleek new shoes to your summer capsule wardrobe it makes sense to copy the Princess and stick to colours that are easy to incorporate into a range of outfits.

As she's proved, slingbacks look especially stunning with dresses and they are great if you want a leg-elongating effect too. Strappy sandals and heels can cut off your frame at a tricky point but since slingbacks fasten at the back you've essentially got the openness of a mule with extra security.

All of the future Queen's slingbacks have a buckle on the strap, though you can get designs with elasticated straps instead if you find that comfier.

Slingback flats like Kate's beige and black shoes are always going to be more relaxed than heels and yet they're a step up from most flat sandals or even ballet flats. Pointed or chisel toes enhance their elegance and heeled slingbacks are sleeker compared to court shoes or wedges.

The Princess of Wales is getting to wear all her different slingbacks during the hot weather and the black heels are her latest purchase. The others have been in her wardrobe for a long time so you know that Kate finds them comfortable, versatile and timeless.

Harriet Phillips' signature style has always been elegant but since her wedding to King Charles's nephew Peter in June, we've all been taking more notice of her looks. She looked polished in pastel blue at the polo and went vibrant at Wimbledon and yet I can't help feeling that one of her past outfits deserves another moment.

In 2024 Harriet and Peter went to the Burghley Horse Trials and she wore a pink maxi dress and trainers. Comfort and fashion go hand-in-hand more than you might think and the new Mrs Phillips proved it then. The dress was by the sustainable British clothing brand Dilli Grey and they still make the Fifi design in different colours now.

It's made from 100% cotton which makes it a lovely option to wear in the heat as it's breathable. The V-neckline and blouson sleeves are chic and there's a drawstring at the waist so you can adjust it to be as fitted as you want.

Recreate Harriet's Outfit

Details like this are often underrated but they are great for increasing the wearability of a dress. When it's hotter or you want a flowier silhouette, you can leave it looser and vice versa. Even if a frock doesn't come with a built-in belt or string, adding a belt of your own is a simple way to accentuate the waist and switch up the look.

Harriet Phillips tied the drawstring enough to give a bit more shaping and left it at that. Her trip to the Burghley Horse Trials with Peter was quite low-key so this dress was perfectly smart-casual. Maxi dresses naturally feel sophisticated and yet if you go for a fabric like cotton, linen or jersey they work so well for the daytime.

Materials like silk or satin or fit-and-flare styles risk falling into "gown" category so sticking to a more relaxed design works best if you want to pair your frock with flats.

She stepped out in the Princess of Wales's favourite Superga Cotu Classic trainers but whilst Kate has them in white, the NHS nurse's were beige. White trainers are the most versatile option as they'll go with everything, however cream or beige are still easy to incorporate into outfits.

These tones have more warmth to them too so it depends what you prefer. The one thing I do think is important when you're finding trainers to work with dresses is going for streamlined plimsoll designs.

Chunky sports shoes can be a bit too much of a contrast against a long, feminine dress and minimal canvas trainers like Harriet's blend in better.

She finished off her ensemble with a cream Anya Hindmarch bag and wore it crossbody. The Royal Family usually prefer top handle accessories for a formal edge. However, crossbody bags are far more practical as they leave you hands-free.

When the weather got a bit cooler, Harriet Phillips added a Boden borg gilet over the top and though we definitely don't need a layer like this right now, it gives us a bit of inspiration for how to wear maxi dresses and trainers into autumn.

The Duke of Sussex's high-profile appearance on the Joe Marler Will See You Now podcast has sparked a lot of conversation, but I was particularly surprised by something he said early on. Prince Harry introduced himself to listeners with his rather long full name - Henry Albert Charles David - and then listed his occupations, starting with "full-time dad".

He included "Prince of England" too, which has earned criticism from some people since he stepped back as a working royal in 2020. However, I was taken aback because this was a rather big mistake on Harry's part. After all, the Kingdom of England hasn't formally existed since 1707.

That was when the Acts of Union officially merged the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland together formally into Great Britain. Nowadays it's the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, so whichever way you look at it, Harry was incorrect with his phrasing.

Although you can debate whether he should or shouldn't have said "Prince" is his occupation, the Duke of Sussex definitely can't be a Prince of an extinct Kingdom.

He *is* a Prince of the United Kingdom and we know this is what the senior royals give as their job title. The Princess of Wales's occupation is listed as Princess of the United Kingdom on her children's birth certificates and Prince William is Prince of the United Kingdom on the paperwork too. William has been open about being "rubbish" at royal history, though 12-year-old Prince George seems to have got a flair for the facts.

The Prince of Wales said on The Reluctant Traveler last year, "Actually, George, my son, is way better in history than I am. I have to check with him now on my dates. I think I probably need some history lessons... I could do with that."

After giving Prince of England as a job during his podcast interview, Prince Harry did go on to settle on his last option, Duke, "for today". Queen Elizabeth bestowed the Dukedom of Sussex on him in 2018 and now it's become his family name.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were given the surname "Mountbatten-Windsor" at birth, but it makes sense that they seem to go by Archie and Lilibet Sussex now. Their cousins are known as George, Charlotte and Louis Wales after William's senior title and this is traditional.

When they were at school, William and Harry used the surname Wales because King Charles was Prince of Wales at the time. It might make things simpler when your title and name match up. Archie and Lilibet took on Prince and Princess of Sussex titles when their grandfather ascended the throne and this is now how they're listed in the royal line of succession.

Expert and Woman's Royal Editor Emily Andrews expressed her belief earlier this year that, "To [her], it's obvious that King William will, at the very least, strip Archie and Lili of their prince/princess titles" one day. This would be a momentous decision for him to take, though King Charles has reminded us all that it is possible after stripping his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's Princely title.

Strappy summer dresses and bandeau styles might sound great for hot weather but many of us want a bit more coverage - including the Duchess of Edinburgh. Long sleeves can be incredibly elegant and breezy and Sophie demonstrated this to perfection at a reception for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) in June.

Her outfit of choice for the evening was a sapphire blue maxi dress with a graceful V-neckline and stunning cape sleeves. They were so billowy and voluminous that they seemed to scarcely touch Sophie's arms and this is exactly the kind of silhouette you want to wear in the heat.

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Clinging, fitted sleeves can be uncomfortable and restrictive, but draped shapes give you freedom of movement and look very ethereal too. The Duchess's frock was covered with a red, white and turquoise floral print that complemented the femininity of the cape sleeves and the streamlined A-line skirt balanced everything out.

With flowy, longer sleeves, having a slightly sleeker bodice and skirt works well to keep your frame in proportion and not overwhelm you in swathes of fabric. The Princess of Wales also sticks to this formula when she wears cape or draped-sleeve pieces like the olive green Emilia Wickstead dress she wore to the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final.

The structure of the bodice contrasted against the one-shoulder cape detail and this balance was even more important for Sophie as her dress was maxi. The overall design was flattering whilst still being cool and comfy and she kept everything else simple.

The Duchess of Edinburgh is loyal to her espadrilles this time of year and she styled this bright blue dress with her Jimmy Choo Dovina wedges. These have a crossover strap to keep your feet secure rather than a traditional ankle strap or ribbon ties.

This makes them more minimal and slightly smarter than your typical espadrilles. Sophie's were metallic gold and she wore gold floral earrings to match. The longer sleeves were glamorous and these accessories tied in beautifully with that.

However you don't have to keep floaty sleeved dresses purely for special occasions. You can make them more casual by adjusting your accessories and going for different fabrics too. Linen, cotton or jersey designs are always going to look more relaxed than silk or chiffon.

A dress like Duchess Sophie's would work with white trainers and a crossbody bag for a sunny outing too. Alternatively, lean into the boho style and go for a sunhat, tasselled bag and gladiator sandals (which are very much back on trend).

The King's sister-in-law went more elevated for the reception, which was held at Government House in Jersey. Duchess Sophie took over as Patron of the NSPCC from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2016 and it's a charity very close to her heart.

This special occasion was the first time her sapphire blue cape sleeve dress has been seen publicly but knowing how often she re-wears her favourites, it will no doubt get re-worn at some point in the future - possibly with the same accessories.

Princess Diana and King Charles apparently disagreed over something rather important when their sons were born - and Harry's latest podcast interview brought it to mind. The Duke of Sussex recorded a special episode of Joe Mahler Will See You Now during his time in the UK and introduced himself to listeners in an unusual way.

He was asked by retired rugby star Joe to do so and he responded, "Henry Albert Charles David, Duke of Sussex". This is one of the only times we've heard the Prince refer to himself like this and even when he was a child he was always called Harry.

His first name was chosen by Princess Diana and she also picked 'William' for the Prince of Wales after rejecting Charles's options. In Andrew Morton's Diana: Her True Story, she's quoted as saying, "He wanted Albert and Arthur, and I said no. Too old."

According to People, she told Morton in their interview that "there weren't fights" about it - she just said, "No thank you" to those. In the end, Charles and Diana reached a compromise and Arthur and Albert were both used for their sons in another way.

When he gave his full name on Joe Mahler's podcast, the Duke of Sussex could be seen as re-affirming that link with his family and his royal position. Joe's podcast co-host Jake Bhardwaj quipped, "It's a long one" and laughed after hearing Harry's intro.

As Harry just reminded us all, Albert is one of his three middle names, whilst Prince William has Arthur as a middle name. Arthur has obvious Arthurian legend links but Albert is a more traditional British royal name. Perhaps King Charles wanted to honour his grandfather, as George VI changed his name from Albert when he became King.

Albert was also the name of one of Diana's grandfathers. Even so, it seems she wasn't swayed and thought the middle names could pay tribute instead. Harry also has Charles as a middle name as a nod to his dad and David could be after Charles's cousin, David Armstrong-Jones.

Diana and Charles aren't the only royal parents who have initially disagreed over baby names. The Princess of Wales apparently preferred something different for George before he was born, but she ended up being the one who compromised.

In his book, William & Catherine, royal author and editor Russell Myers claimed she "had her heart set on" Alexander for a boy or Alexandra for a girl. Prince George has Alexander as a middle name and William "was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother" with a daughter.

Princess Charlotte was later given Diana as a middle name and Harry and Meghan did the same when Princess Lilibet was born in 2024. During his podcast interview, the Duke of Sussex spoke about his late mother and how he's taken her style of parenting on board with his kids.

He's said that Diana used to hug him and William "as tight as possible" and now he hugs Archie and Lili "extra tight" after a difficult day. A few days earlier Harry also revealed the family marks his mum's birthday and the anniversary of her death by making lemon drizzle cake in her honour.

Prince Louis has yet to make his Wimbledon debut alongside his family, but the Prince and Princess of Wales's youngest child is just as passionate about tennis as the rest of them. At this year’s Men’s Final, the Princess was joined by William and their two oldest children, George and Charlotte.

Eight-year-old Louis didn’t join - likely as London is experiencing soaring temperatures that could prove tricky for the youngster. But Kate reportedly revealed that her son has ambitions of taking on a special Wimbledon job.

As reported in The Standard, ball girl Jenna Fontanilla shared, "[The Princess of Wales] told me about how Louis was asking her about how to become a ball boy, and we were talking about how much hard work it is to be on court and how we work alongside the ball kids, and it’s just so lovely."

So it seems we might potentially see Prince Louis out on the Wimbledon court itself rather than in the Royal Box in the future.

Speaking about what it was like meeting Kate, Jenna added, "She’s so genuine. It felt so easy. I thought I was going to be really nervous, but she made it so easy. The conversation was very natural."

Kate's love of tennis is well-known and she's even received praise for her skills on the court from eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer. The two have played a few rounds together before and it seems Louis has definitely inherited her passion for the sport just like George and Charlotte.

In 2023, an official who runs youth programs at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club told PA News that Kate said Louis was "very upset he wasn’t coming" to the final along with his older siblings. The Princess reportedly added, "It's Charlotte's first time, George came last year. They've been eagerly watching".

That same year, a teen Wimbledon ball boy named Joel also told the Press Association that Louis had already begun practicing to become a ball boy.

She told the young ball boy that Louis "tries to practice the standing and staying serious like us... He tries to practice the stands and how we stand at the back of the court and next to the players."

Both Prince George and Princess Charlotte were the age Louis is now when they first joined their parents in the Royal Box. Even though he wasn't there this year, Prince Louis does still get to attend plenty of major events with his family.

He's become a highlight at the annual Trooping the Colour parade, often delighting fans with his cheeky reactions and excitement at the fly-past. Prince Louis was also present at Queen Elizabeth's 2022 Platinum Jubilee festivities and King Charles's 2023 coronation.

Just when we thought it wasn't going to happen, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet had not only come to the UK after all, but had seen King Charles. The reunion took place on the afternoon of 10th July and no pictures were shared by either the King and Queen or the Sussexes.

Even so, it was a big step in the right direction for Harry's dreams of a "reconciliation" and the most interesting detail for me was the location of the meet-up. Highgrove House in Gloucestershire is the King's family home and is privately owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, unlike Clarence House which is owned by the Crown Estate.

It's also where Prince Harry spent a lot of time as a child. There are special snaps of him and William with Princess Diana and King Charles in the picturesque grounds in the years before their divorce.

There could've been plenty of logistical reasons for the Sussexes meeting with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove, though I think it says a lot that it took place there. Security and privacy is a huge concern for Prince Harry and Meghan when it comes to Archie and Lili and the reunion wasn't announced in advance.

The Duke didn't confirm his wife or children were even coming to the UK and Highgrove gave them space and seclusion for the highly-anticipated reunion without the public gaze on them. London is inevitably busier and more likely that the Sussexes would be spotted heading into Clarence House, for example.

Highgrove is also purely a family home and this was a "private family meeting" between a grandfather and his son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren. The setting was more low-key than a palace and although as the King, Charles might still not be entirely happy with how Harry and Meghan have gone about things like their Australian visit in April, this was a personal visit.

I also believe that Highgrove's connection to happier times and Diana might have made it a more comfortable place for Harry and his family to come to. It would've also been lovely for him to show Archie and Lili where he partly grew up too.

Privacy and family are clearly the priority when it comes to the Royal Family's relationship with the Sussexes right now. We don't know how long Harry, Meghan and the kids will be staying in the UK, though reports had suggested that the Duke was keen to bring them to Princess Diana's final resting place at her family home, Althorp House.

It's claimed that they've now visited and a few days earlier Prince Harry explained how he remembers his mother on significant dates like her birthday on 1st July and the anniversary of her death on 31st August. When asked about it at Scotty's Summer Festival, he said, "Yes, we do lemon drizzle cake."

Prince Harry is the Global Ambassador for Scotty's Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved military children who have experienced the loss of a parent. He went on to say that "traditions are really, really important. Especially when they're sweet."