The Duchess of Edinburgh has taken a break from cold weather outfits for her solo royal visit to Zambia but the zesty green tone of her dress on Day 1is perfect for autumn at home too. The ARoss Girl x Soler design has been in her collection for a little while and it makes a lovely change from autumn/winter fashion colour trends like brown, berry and tomato red.

As much as I love these neutrals for their versatility, sometimes it's nice to switch things up and nothing brightens up a grey day quite like a pop of colour. The idea of styling vibrant shades can be daunting, but Duchess Sophie took a few simple steps to make it easier as she attended the Orbis Eye Health Reception in Lusak.

Shop Zesty Green Favourites

Staples To Wear With Green

The dress had a graceful V-neckline and short puffed sleeves with subtle gathering to accentuate the feminine shape. The skirt flared out from the bodice and the contrasting purple belt accentuated the waist and added more structure to the flowing silhouette.

The Duchess's dress wasn't the exact shade of green on the Zambian flag, though it could've been a nod to it, and it was a brighter take on olive. The colour had a warm yellow-based undertone that works beautifully with other warm colours like brown, camel or even burnt orange - all of which are very classically autumnal.

As much as I love muted khaki or olive, Sophie's dress felt slightly more fun as an alternative and she made this zesty hue more wearable by keeping the rest of her outfit for the reception very minimal. It sounds simple but this is a trick the royals use so often.

They let the brighter tone stand out and don't overcomplicate things, usually going for black, camel or brown for the rest of their clothing and accessories. Sophie re-wore her Penelope Chilvers espadrille wedges in "putty" which is a very subtle beige.

Her jewellery was all yellow gold and she didn't carry a handbag or add a jacket with this frock. If she had needed an extra layer, I'd imagine she'd pick a beige blazer to tie in with her shoes. Another way the Duchess of Edinburgh made the dress colour more wearable was by going for a totally timeless silhouette.

When you're styling citrus green it's just easier if you're not also trying to balance a statement design too. I'm tempted to incorporate it into my own autumn outfit ideas but would probably pick a jumper or shirt instead. Tops are a smaller part of an overall outfit so they're less likely to dominate it, even if they're bright.

A cosy green jumper would look stunning with jeans and brown boots or trainers as an everyday outfit and is a different way to bring an autumnal feel. The Duchess of Edinburgh wanted to look more elevated and elegant for the reception and so went for her tried-and-tested midi and wedges pairing instead.

During the event she delivered a speech and met with delegates in her capacity as Patron of the charity Orbis UK and Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). The reception was co-hosted by IAPB and Orbis and highlighted important work being done globally to combat avoidable sight loss.

As much as I'll miss the lighter evenings and warmer temperatures, if there's one thing that'll get me excited for the new season it's autumn outfit ideas. Knitwear is a staple in so many people's capsule wardrobes and when you're getting ready in a hurry it's hard to beat jeans and a jumper.

Even the royals agree and the Queen of Denmark just wore an elegant take on this with her Argyle jumper from ME+EM and blue denim when she visited her daughter Princess Isabella at the Guard Hussar Regiment. Checks are a huge autumn/winter fashion trend for 2026 and Argyle is having a resurgence already, though it's so traditional it never really goes out of style.

Shop Mary's Autumnal Style

Queen Mary's cashmere sweater had a grey and navy design, with a crew-neckline and ribbed trims. This colourway is very easy to style which is probably why it's sold out quickly, though the British clothing brand has the same design in grey, camel and red - and there are loads of other options out there right now too.

Argyle jumpers or cardigans which feature neutrals like black, white, grey or brown are the most versatile as these tones balance out brighter hues and you can easily match accessories to them.

The Queen kept to the blue theme with the rest of her outfit and she paired her sweater with mid-blue high-waisted jeans.

Although you can't see the full design in pictures from her royal visit, the cut looks to be wide-leg or straight-leg. These denim cuts are quite relaxed and incredibly comfortable.

My top tip for really cold days is to layer wide-leg jeans over knee-high boots and both these shapes look great styled casually with trainers or chunky boots, as well as with heeled footwear to dress them up. Mary left her jumper loose but you could also tuck in your knits for an extra polished feel.

She layered a dark blue Massimo Dutti coat over the top and the colour complemented her Argyle sweater. It was collarless so it was more relaxed than the structured, lapel collar coats we often see the royals reaching for and this worked well with the rest of the Queen's ensemble.

As we get further into autumn and temperatures plummet you can add warm accessories like scarves and gloves and swap to thicker coats but the basis of the look - jeans and an Argyle knit - remains so wearable. This is part of why I love that duo so much as it's a failsafe for frosty walks, going for Sunday Roasts with friends or just chilling out at home.

Or, in Queen Mary of Denmark's case, visiting her daughter's Regiment with King Frederik and their younger children Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine. She loves re-wearing her favourite clothing combos so I imagine we'll see at least the jumper again over the coming months, though she might style it with trousers and heels to create a smarter look for royal engagements.

The Sussexes are settling into their new life in the UK by lighting crackling wood fires and enjoying plenty of time in the great outdoors - even if the weather isn't quite what they were used to in California. Duchess Meghan gave a brief glimpse at how things are going with a new video that featured almost the whole family.

We saw Archie running towards a herd of deer whilst Lilibet rode her bike and Harry teaching the kids how to fish on a lake. In almost every clip the Sussexes' black Labrador Pula got involved in the action and was clearly loving the countryside.

However, Pula's excitement highlighted that there was someone else missing - Mamma Mia AKA Mia, their beloved rescue beagle.

Prince Harry and Meghan adopted Mia in 2022 and according to a report by People, she was also coming to live in the UK when they moved. We've seen a lot of Mia on social media in recent years, including on the As Ever brand Instagram account.

So it's interesting that we didn't see the beagle in the Duchess's new round-up post, though perhaps since she's a more senior dog she was lagging a little behind or was being looked after by friends while they went on a longer walk.

It's still a little sad that Mia didn't feature at all, though, whilst Pula was there every step of the way. The Labrador has already made two transatlantic trips before, having moved with Meghan when she first came to the UK and then again with the family when they relocated to the US.

He looks like he's happy to be back and Harry once described Pula and Mia (as well as Meghan's late beagle Guy) as being a bit of a handful, but great emotional support in times of need.

"I've got three in this house now, so we basically have five children," he said on a call with the winners of the WellChild Awards in 2022. "Between the three of them, they charge around chasing squirrels and causing all sorts of problems to us every single day. But they are also emotional support dogs, 100%, when they're behaving."

Harry grew up in a family who's equally passionate about their pets and Labradors are a lesser-known royal favourite. King Charles used to own a golden Labrador called Harvey and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have two black labs called Teal and Teasel.

But these pets aren't nearly as famous as the late Queen Elizabeth's corgis or the Wales family's spaniels. In the Sussexes' engagement interview Harry claimed the corgis took to Meghan at once whereas he'd "spent the last 33 years being barked at" by his granny's canine companions.

Bringing their own dogs to the UK with them shows how important Pula and Mia are as part of the family and this will likely have helped create a sense of normality for Archie and Lilibet who are starting over in a new place at new schools. It's a lot for them and they've already had to say goodbye to their chickens who are being looked after back at their California home.

The children have clearly been getting out and exploring their new area with Harry and Meghan and perhaps Mia the beagle will get a cameo on the Duchess's social media in the coming weeks too to show how she's settling in.

Prince Harry once famously described the Princess of Wales as the sister he never had "and always wanted" - and he wasn't about to let his birthday party go ahead without her. According to reports, the Duke of Sussex's 30th birthday celebrations in 2014 were supposed to involve a Kensington Palace dinner attended by close family and friends.

Prince William and Kate apparently played a big role in organising Harry's special event but he's said to have called it off at the last minute. The Princess was pregnant with Princess Charlotte and the Palace confirmed she was once again suffering from Hyperemesis gravidarum - a severe form of morning sickness.

"Harry was in no doubt that the party should be postponed, even though 30 is an important milestone," a source claimed to The Mirror. "Kate had been very involved in organising Harry's party, and once she fell ill he felt it wrong to let the event go ahead."

Vanity Fair later alleged that the party happened another time, but instead of Kensington Palace, where Harry and the Waleses lived, it was supposedly hosted at Clarence House. The reported postponement of his milestone party shows just how much Prince Harry wanted his sister-in-law to be able to enjoy the occasion she'd helped organise.

Their bond was once incredibly close and even after the Sussexes stepped back as working royals, Kate still thought of Harry when it came to a particular occasion. In December 2022 she became Colonel of the Irish Guards and could wear military uniform or a military-inspired outfit for events like Trooping the Colour.

However, she never has. More than that, author Christopher Andersen claimed in his biography Kate! that she "declined" the suggestion of wearing one when the Irish Guards trooped their colours in 2023.

"'No,' she replied, 'I wouldn't feel right... not if Harry can't do it,'" the author wrote. "Instead, Kate opted for a green outfit, matching broad-brimmed hat, and her signature gold-and-emerald shamrock brooch."

Prince Harry served for ten years in the British Army but lost his military patronages and honorary titles in 2020. Now he's no longer permitted to wear military uniform to big ceremonial events. It says a lot that the Princess of Wales was apparently still making choices with him in mind in 2023, even after the Sussexes' Oprah Winfrey interview and the release of Spare.

However, that's not to say that there's been much noticeable progress in terms of the "reconciliation" Prince Harry is hoping for. He and Prince William are said to have not seen each other face-to-face in several years now and the same for Harry and Kate.

This year the King's younger son will be celebrating his 42nd birthday in the UK on 15th September now he and Meghan have moved. The Prince of Wales will be undertaking engagements in Princetown and although the Princess's plans aren't known, she will no doubt want to be at home to pick up Charlotte and Louis from school.

Prince Harry could just spend the day with Meghan at their new home as the world continues to wait and watch for how things might go for the Sussexes and the Waleses now they're back on the same side of the Atlantic.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are one of the most popular power couples in the Royal Family and whilst William is the future King, it's Kate who often gets the most attention when they're out together. This could easily trigger some envy, but former BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond has noticed how this couldn't be further from the truth.

"William and Catherine definitely have the wow factor that Diana had - and which spawned Di-mania," she explained recently to The Mirror, adding "People today are equally mesmerised by the new Princess of Wales, so tall, so elegant and so chatty, but William just seems to purr with pride that his wife is such a star."

Jennie noted that he "is also pretty dashing and gets his fair share of crowd worship", though she's still struck by how different William's reaction is compared to King Charles. During the monarch's marriage to Princess Diana, photographs would clamour to get pictures of her and this apparently didn't go down well with him.

The late Princess commented on this in her 1995 Panorama interview with controversial journalist Martin Bashir. Diana recalled a royal visit to Australia in 1983, explaining, "We'd be going round Australia, for instance, and all you could hear was, 'Oh, she's on the other side.'"

"Now, if you're a man like my husband, a proud man, you mind about that if you hear it every day for four weeks," she claimed. "And you feel low about it, instead of feeling happy and sharing it."

Princess Diana suggested it caused "a lot of jealousy" and "complicated situations arose because of that". However, Prince William has got a very different stance on things, with Jennie commenting, "Luckily, William doesn't seem to suffer the same jealousy that his father did when Diana was the darling of the crowds."

Whenever the Prince and Princess are seen out together or if Kate launches a new project or initiative, he's always the first to praise her or be pictured beaming at her. Earlier this year when he was on Heart Breakfast he dedicated time to talking about the Princess of Wales's recent solo trip to Italy and how he was "very, very proud" of her.

The public sees them as an equal partnership and woman&home Editor Hannah Fernando believes that the future King is thrilled to see his wife excelling at royal life.

"These two seem very much a team. Catherine has no wish to eclipse him. She is coming into her own because she is actually brilliant," she said on True Royalty TV's The Royal Beat in 2023.

Hannah added, "She has taken on this life, opened her arms to it, and learned along the way what she needs to do. I think he is delighted by that, and I don't think he is worried about her eclipsing him."

Part of the reason William waited before proposing all those years ago was to give Kate time to see what royal life was really like and decide if it was for her. So it's no surprise really that he's happy to see the Princess excelling at her role even if the attention is sometimes more on her.

Bold tailoring has become a signature style for the Princess of Wales but when she wants a more casual autumn look there's a trio she always comes back to. Chunky boots, skinny jeans and a thick jumper are Kate's go-tos in cooler weather and I can't help admiring one of these outfits from January 2019.

The future Queen visited King Henry's Walk Garden in London wearing her beloved See by Chloe combat boots in chocolate brown suede. Military styles are a big autumn/winter fashion trend for 2026 and though we're seeing this come through with jackets, combat boots tick that box too.

I have a pair from Dune in my collection and the cleated sole offers extra grip that is very helpful in cold, rainy weather. Mine are leather for extra durability though suede boots like the Princess's are a softer and more relaxed option.

Shop Kate's Style

She styled hers with another wardrobe favourite - skinny jeans. Kate tucked the hems seamlessly into the top of her ankle boots and this is something you can only really achieve with streamlined silhouettes. I personally prefer looser, more comfortable jeans like wide or straight-leg styles and these can work as an alternative too.

They're flowy enough to completely drape over the top of your footwear without bunching up. The Princess of Wales likes her ensembles to feel polished and neat, so even though she has worn chunky boots with flares before, she picks skinny jeans more often.

Tucking them into the boots is also a clever way to create a leg-elongating effect and choosing a longline jumper and jacket adds to this and helps to balance out proportions. For her visit to King Henry's Walk Garden, Kate opted for a J.Crew mock-neck sweater with ribbed trims.

You could just see the neckline and sleeves peeping out from underneath her Dubarry of Ireland Bracken Tweed Jacket. The burnt-red tone couldn't have been more autumnal and it's one of the reasons I particularly like this version of her outfit formula.

If you tend to keep your outfits neutral then going for a slightly more colourful jumper is an easy way to add a seasonal twist. The texture of knitwear helps to soften a bold hue like red and it's only a small part of your overall outfit.

The Princess's khaki-brown jeans, brown boots and green jacket all mellowed things out and also allowed the burnt red to pop. Chocolate tones are an autumn/winter fashion colour trend and they complement the warmth in dark red particularly well.

Her tweed jacket finished off her outfit beautifully and the countryside design tied in with the chunkiness of the boots. I'm sure many of us have slightly more casual day-to-day styles and jeans, chunky boots and a thick knit would also work with a timeless puffer jacket instead.

The Princess of Wales showcased this combination when she took part in a land yachting session in St Andrews in 2021 and you could also go for a structured blazer or trench to bring an elevated edge.

As the royals gathered in Balmoral for their annual summer trip to Scotland, there was only one thing on the discussion list - the then-imminent return of the wayward Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

With King Charles, Prince William and Kate Middleton all in one place for some downtime, I'm told that the surprise (and urgent) summit led to them coming up with an interesting - and potentially explosive - idea between them: the possibility of having a face-to-face meeting with Prince Harry.

My source tells me, 'William is extremely concerned about what Harry's return to Britain will mean for working members of the family. It may well be too risky for them to just sit back and let Harry make the next move.'

‘There are suggestions that they feel they have no choice but to ask the Duke of Sussex for a face-to-face meeting to discuss the future and lay down, or at least reiterate, some of the rules.

'Whether Harry will agree to meeting them all is up for debate, but it is felt that the King and William have little option but to try.'

I'm told that William feels he has been pushed into a corner and is now in a position where he has to invite his brother to talk about what's next, similar to the meeting Queen Elizabeth II organised at Sandringham in January 2020.

Cast your mind back and you will remember that Harry was told in no uncertain terms that not only could he and Meghan no longer use their HRH titles, but they could not expect to be half-in, half-out members of the family.

Arguably, they have flouted both conditions, with their titles still used on paperwork, and the pseudo-royal tours they have often made headlines with.

Effectively, the late Queen saw the dangers of Harry quitting life as a full-time working royal, yet still cherry-picking causes he could still promote without consulting the Firm.

Now that the Sussexes are back in Blighty, it's likely that King Charles and his heir will have major concerns about what exactly they are planning going forward. The damage they inflicted on the family from thousands of miles away was bad enough, but courtiers have warned that with them on home soil the dangers are far greater.

While a meeting may well be useful in rebuilding some kind of relationship between William and Harry, it would be fraught with risks.

If it goes badly, there is a real possibility that the Duke of Sussex may turn to his trusted media to reveal secret details about what went on, something I'm told understandably really worries William. Any meeting between the royal brothers is likely to be at the very least frosty, and at worst a full-on confrontation.

William remains angry with his brother for the string of high-profile interviews and a book that betrayed the family and the very institution that sought to protect him. In an ideal world, William would be able to use the meeting as a way of airing his disappointment, and get assurances from Harry that the days of dropping bombshells on the family are over.

For his part, Harry would benefit from building bridges with William, not least because of what revenge he could and may likely take once he becomes King.

My source added, 'Harry may be many things but he is not stupid. He knows that if he remains at war with his brother, when the time comes for William to take the throne the consequences for him could be severe.'

Some royal watchers have claimed that William may well strip his brother of the title of Prince when he becomes King, in the same way his father stripped Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his title. This would be a bitter blow for Harry and would surely hamper any efforts to make money out of his association with the Royal Family.

Then there is the issue of the Sussex children. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet could become the innocent victims of any move by William to disassociate himself from his brother.

However, the fact still remains that the Sussexes' surprise move back to the UK has blindsided the family, and I understand they have real concerns about why the pair have made this move after making it clear how they felt about leaving.

Prince Harry is still involved with charity WellChild, of which he is patron, and next year he will hold his Invictus Games, for wounded servicemen and women, in Birmingham. These are both high-profile organisations that will deflect attention from the day-to-day work of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

William and Kate simply cannot risk Harry and Meghan being loose cannons, able to pick and choose engagements with impunity as if they were working royals in all but name.

And while the move back to the UK perhaps makes sense for Harry and his children, what about Meghan? After all, if she is to be believed, she was living her best life in the city where she grew up - so why the sudden change?

Either way, there is no doubt that with this surprise return, Harry could be forcing the hand of William, who hasn't spoken to his brother for a very long time, but may now. I predict interesting times ahead.

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

Prince Philip was known for getting straight to the point and he didn't hold back when it came to his first impression of the Princess of Wales either. According to the late Duke of Edinburgh's biographer and friend Gyles Brandreth, he was "relieved" when Kate came into his grandson's life as a "potential bride" and shared his short verdict.

"The Duke of Edinburgh was, he told me, 'relieved to find her such a level-headed girl', Brandreth claimed in Philip: The Final Portrait. This was high praise from the formidable Prince, especially because he had apparently been "worried" about the late Princess Diana's reaction to popularity.

The biographer alleged, "One of the things that saddened - and worried - the Queen and Prince Philip about Diana, Princess of Wales, was not that she was popular, but that she allowed her popularity to go to her head."

Therefore Prince Philip's description of Kate as "level-headed" could be seen as an even bigger endorsement of her as Prince William's then-girlfriend and possible future Queen. His opinion was also massively respected by the rest of the Royal Family and counted for a lot.

"Different generations had leaned on him for personal guidance and his acceptance, or rejection, of others brought into the fold by marriage was seen as a moral compass by those navigating life within the confines of the monarchy," writes royal expert Russell Myers in William & Catherine.

The Princess of Wales clearly wholeheartedly accepted by the Duke of Edinburgh, though he also reportedly "warned" William against proposing too quickly. Myers suggests that he'd been influenced by seeing the marriages of three of his four children - King Charles, Princess Anne and Andrew - ending in separation and divorce.

He apparently "backed him in taking his time while he considered whether he had absolute confidence in his relationship with Catherine before making the biggest decision of his life."

In 2011 William and Kate tied the knot and she went on to forge a close relationship with her grandfather-in-law over the years. He's said to have sympathised with her as an outsider marrying into The Firm and one of his former aides told Myers that Philip was very "fond" of the Princess.

"[He] thought she was the best thing to happen to the Royal Family since he came along," the aide added with a smile.

It was also the Duke of Edinburgh who is understood to have given the future Queen a very valuable bit of advice about handling the press and photographers. As a "level-headed" person, Kate has never let this go to her head and according to Brandreth, Philip thought, "If you believe the attention is for you personally, you're going to end up in trouble.

"The attention is for your role, what you do, what you're supporting. It isn't for you as an individual. You are not a celebrity. You are representing the Royal Family. That's all."

As Britain's longest-serving royal consort Prince Philip knew what he was talking about and it's perhaps why you rarely see the Princess of Wales looking directly at the photographers or seeming to be even aware they're there.

Disgraced Sarah Ferguson has taken refuge in another secret bolthole - this time at the luxury Portuguese mansion owned by her daughter Princess Eugenie and her son-in-law Jack Brooksbank.

The 66-year-old has barely been seen in public since the release of papers earlier this year linking her to her friend Jeffrey Epstein, even after he was convicted of sex-trafficking charges in 2008.

Fergie jetted off to Switzerland in January to spend time at the £13,000-a-day Paracelsus wellness retreat, amid the fallout from the so-called Epstein Files.

She was pictured wearing sunglasses and covered up outside the resort, in what were the first shots of her to be taken for many weeks.

In the months since then, almost nothing has been known about her whereabouts.

However, my sources have confirmed that since early August, the former Duchess of York has lain low while staying at her daughter's home in Portugal, far away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

Eugenie, 36, welcomed her third child and first daughter, Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank, on 3 August while living near the Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club on the Alentejo coast.

The plush pad provides excellent cover for the former Duchess of York, who is understood not to have been there in time for the birth of her grandchild.

One source told me, ‘Sarah is still very keen to keep her whereabouts a secret. She has technically been in self-imposed exile since further details came out about her friendship with Epstein at the start of this year.

‘There'd been reports that Eugenie was angry with her mother, but these seem to have been wide of the mark.

‘Blood is thicker than water, and Eugenie had few reservations about throwing her mother a much-needed lifeline.’

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

Carole Middleton is known for her elegant midi dresses and espadrilles at events like Ascot and Wimbledon but she's just as chic when she goes for more casual outfits. In June, she was there when the Princess of Wales completed the National Three Peaks Challenge and dressed practically in cargo trousers and a water-resistant jacket.

If you want an alternative to jeans for unpredictable weather then something utilitarian like these is a very comfortable option. Carole's trousers were by J.Crew and had a straight-leg silhouette, with a high-rise waist and handy pockets on the side.

They were a soft white tone and although cargo trousers can feel quite casual, monochrome hues are easier to elevate with a smart top and boots. These shades are just more understated, though chocolate brown and khaki green cargos are also incredibly popular.

Shop Carole's Style

The more neutral the colour, the less you have to worry about potential colour clashes and even though white trousers might sound too summery for the season, they go with everything. The Princess of Wales's mum used hers as a timeless outfit base and paired them with an olive green jacket from Swedish outdoor brand Fjällräven.

The future Queen also wore one of their jackets for her hike and Carole's was water and wind resistant, with a zip-up front and hood. Blending practicality and style is the key to creating wearable autumn outfit ideas and Carole proved that you can dress for rainy weather in a sophisticated way.

With waterproof or resistant jackets, I'd advise going for very simple designs rather than bold colours that immediately scream "practicality".

That way you can mix and match them in with everyday looks as well as those for walking or hiking like Carole and Kate. If you've got a boxy shaped jacket, consider wearing more streamlined trousers with them to balance out your frame and proportions.

Carole Middleton's straight-leg trousers are a great mid-point between wide-leg and streamlined cuts and so they're easy to pair with different coats. The soft contrast between the olive green and white tones brought dimension to her ensemble in Wales and she added a baker boy hat and CMT Rigel Low hiking shoes.

We got a glimpse of her full outfit in the second picture in a post shared by her son James to mark Kate's achievement.

It makes sense that Carole wanted clothing that kept her warm and comfy outside, though you could swap walking shoes for simple white trainers instead. Meanwhile, to take cargo trousers from day to night, add a pair of heeled leather boots, a sleek jumper and your favourite bag.

They're a fashion-forward alternative to denim and you can wear them for everything from autumn strolls to Sunday Roasts with friends. Like the rest of her family, Carole Middleton is a big fan of getting out in the fresh air so she'll probably be re-wearing this style formula for hikes or walks over the next few months.

I love this time of year but coming up with autumn outfit ideas can be tricky as we have to dress for all weathers and all temperatures. It's not quite coat season and yet a cold breeze can mean we need more than a jacket. The Duchess of Edinburgh has found a practical solution to this problem without compromising her elegant style.

On 8th September she carried out several engagements in the Cumbria countryside and wore not one, but two jackets. It's easier to spot in some pictures, but between her white shirt and ME+EM woven jacket Sophie had a navy blue mid-layer on.

This isn't the only time she's doubled up on outerwear and a lightweight jacket is a useful item in an autumn capsule wardrobe for providing warmth whilst being discreet.

Shop Lightweight Layers

If the Duchess had wanted an even more seamless finish she could've chosen a neutral jacket to blend in with the tweed The Heritage one over the top. Collarless padded or down jackets are even simpler to style underneath other pieces as you don't have to worry about the neckline showing.

Sophie didn't seem to overly mind as she visited Whin's Farm to open the Addington Fund's New Entrant Scheme and went to The Butchers Arms Pub, to celebrate the impact of the Supporting Rural Communities Programme.

I personally like the idea of having a more functional jacket mostly concealed, so you get the benefits of the added warmth but the outfit aesthetic remains pretty much the same. If you want something even more streamlined then I'd recommend going for a gilet instead of a full jacket.

You still get extra insulation without the bulkiness of several different long sleeves all lining up. The Duchess of Edinburgh's double jacket style trick is easy to adjust to your personal preferences and she tends to use it with trousers rather than skirts or dresses.

Back in May on one of the chilliest days of the Royal Windsor Horse Show we saw Sophie wearing the same ME+EM country jacket with her olive PAIGE corduroy trousers. She was carrying a dark grey padded jacket and a tan waterproof coat and later on in the day the Duchess put both of these on, giving her more warmth as well as rain protection.

As her sister-in-law Princess Anne famously says, there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing - and Sophie wasn't about to risk getting cold in Windsor or now in Cumbria.

The Princess Royal would probably have gone for a full-on puffer jacket for the recent visit but I like how the Duchess's outfit still looked polished whilst being functional.

She ensured that the length of her navy jacket was almost the same as her tweed one so that everything looked as minimal as possible. Slightly cropped styles might be the most versatile as they won't show as easily under different length pieces, from blazers to leather or denim jackets.

Packable designs are also incredibly handy as it means you can easily fold them up and store them in your bag if the sun decides to make an unexpected appearance!

It's rare that a royal's outfit surpasses their wedding dress as their most memorable look but Princess Diana's so-called "revenge dress" certainly did that. The late Princess wore the Christina Stambolian design in June 1994 and now, almost 30 years after the royal sold it for £39,098 to raise money for charity, it's going up for auction again.

But first it's being taken on a world exhibition tour worthy of such a historic royal look. Diana's "revenge dress" will start at Sotheby's London during London Fashion Week from 18th-24th September, then go to Hong Kong, Geneva and New York City throughout the autumn and will be sold in December by Sotheby's.

The auction house estimates it's now worth between £110,000 and £220,000 and for fans, it's a precious slice of history and a beautiful frock. For Prince William and Prince Harry, though, the interest around the dress could bring back painful memories.

Princess Diana stepped out in the black strapless dress at the Serpentine Gallery and it got its famous "revenge" nickname from the media because of the timing. That same evening King Charles gave a televised interview in which he confessed his infidelity with now-Queen Camilla.

Asked by Jonathan Dimbleby if he was "faithful and honourable" to his wife, Charles replied, "yes, absolutely" and was pressed on this by the journalist, "And you were?"

It was then that the monarch responded, "Yes. Until it became irretrievably broken down, us both having tried."

Referencing the dual roles of the white and black swans in the ballet Swan Lake, the designer of the "revenge dress" has discussed the meaning behind Diana's choice to wear it that night.

"She chose not to play the scene like Odette, innocent in white," Christina Stambolian claimed to Harper's Bazaar in 2022. "She was clearly angry. She played it like Odile in black. She wore bright red nail enamel, which we had never seen her do before. She was saying: 'Let's be wicked tonight.'"

When King Charles gave his interview and Diana wore this dress, Prince William was almost 12 and Prince Harry 9. This would've been an incredibly difficult time for the couple's sons and new personal revelations like Charles's brought extra scrutiny.

Although they were probably too young to watch their father's interview or appreciate the significance of their mother's dress, they'll now be very aware of the narrative surrounding both.

The dress might represent power and strength for Diana but it also points back to a moment that doesn't have the happiest associations for William and Harry. Now the Princes will inevitably be reminded of all of this again.

Last year on The Reluctant Traveler, Prince William spoke about the importance of a happy home atmosphere during childhood and briefly noted how Charles and Diana's divorce affected things.

"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," he said. "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."

While there are certainly many upsides to being a member of the Royal Family, this position also comes with a lot of pressure. For those born into it, like Prince William and King Charles, they have a lifetime to prepare. Others, like the Princess of Wales, have to find their own way - and fast.

In his book, Yes Ma'am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, royal historian Tom Quinn suggests Kate’s "very intelligent and intuitive" skillset as the reason that she’s become such an important asset to the monarchy.

According to him, a former Kensington Palace employee claimed, "Kate was always happy to accept advice both from the lower staff, with whom she got on very well, and from the courtiers, even though some of them were initially very snooty about her."

They went on to share how they see the Princess operating within the royal system, alleging, "Kate is someone who slowly and carefully absorbs the atmosphere of a place, the relationship between people and the rules."

"She doesn't jump in straight away and try to change everything to suit her way of thinking," the source added. "She bides her time and is very intelligent and intuitive about other people."

This skill could be a key reason why she’s become such an important figure to both the wider Royal Family and to Prince William. In the excerpt from the book, the source continued, "I don't know where William would be without Kate - she hasn't had everything done for her throughout her life, so she calms him down when he gets a bit fractious."

This is not the first time Kate’s ability to quickly adapt to the royal way of life has been discussed. Royal biographer Catherine Mayer previously suggested Kate has followed in the footsteps of the late Queen Elizabeth with how she conducts herself in public.

Speaking on HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast, she said, "She has done such a clever job of finding a way to adapt to the institution. That does not mean that I think she has it easy. [But she's done] very little speaking and almost no confessional spilling of anything about who she is. She's quite enigmatic."

This skill for fostering connections while not oversharing is something the late Queen was widely celebrated for throughout her 70-year reign. Her Majesty seldom shared her own personal viewpoints.

It’s perhaps telling, therefore, that Kate singled out this quality when talking about Her Majesty on the ITV documentary, Our Queen at Ninety. In it, the Princess said, "Everyone feels like they've had some quality time with Her Majesty and, also, a real personal connection and I think that's a real skill."

Body language expert Judi James has also noticed Kate “perfecting” the same sort of body language that Queen Elizabeth showed. As per The Sun, Judi shared, "Kate has spent years perfecting the body language of sustainability and is now at no risk of looking bored or showing any negative emotions."

Comparing this to that of the late Queen, Judi added that Her Majesty was "always able to present the sweetest of smiles under the most difficult of circumstances".

Prince Harry has started taking some tentative steps towards a reconciliation with King Charles but making up with Prince William is proving trickier - and could be even more important. Writing in Woman, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe suggested that the future might not be rosy for Harry if they haven't repaired their relationship by the time his brother is the monarch.

"Harry would benefit from building bridges with William, not least because of what revenge he could and may likely take once he becomes King," he claimed, before citing a source who believes the Duke of Sussex is well aware of the potential results.

"Harry may be many things but he is not stupid," they alleged. "He knows that if he remains at war with his brother, when the time comes for William to take the throne the consequences for him could be severe."

There's already been speculation that King William might look to strip his brother's royal titles. A few years ago this would've been unprecedented, but after King Charles did just that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor it's sounding a lot less ridiculous now.

Duncan believes that if this happens it would be a "bitter blow" for Prince Harry, who is, after all, still fifth in the royal line of succession and a Counsellor of State as it stands. Meghan is only Duchess of Sussex due to her marriage to Harry, so if he loses his Dukedom and Princely title she'd lose hers too.

Then there's the matter of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who took on their titles in 2022 when they became the grandchildren of the reigning monarch. Emily Andrews, Woman's Royal Editor previously said she thinks it's "obvious" that uncle William "will, at the very least" strip their Prince/Princess titles when he's King.

Prince Harry apparently knows exactly what he and his family could face but whether he has any power to prevent it is something else. The Prince of Wales didn't see him during the Sussexes' UK visit in July and he's not spoken publicly about them moving back last month.

All the signs seem to indicate that he's not that interested in making peace with Prince Harry and is quietly getting on with his life with Kate and their children.

"A key decision for William and Catherine has been shutting Harry and Meghan out, for their own well-being, as well as for the protection and prosperity of the institution," claimed royal author Russell Myers in his book, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story.

The biographer also alleged that the Princess of Wales was "less interested" in trying to persuade her brother-in-law to stay as a working royal in 2020 than William had been. It looks like it would take a lot for William and Harry to have the kind of "reconciliation" the Duke of Sussex says he wants with his family.

Next year is the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death and now that Harry is back living in the UK, so perhaps there could be some sort of olive branch extended. By the sounds of it, it would reportedly be a lot better for the Duke of Sussex if they made peace whilst his brother is still Prince of Wales anyway…

Read royal biographer Duncan Larcombe's full feature in Woman magazine. Subscribe now and get your first 6 issues for £1.

The Prince of Wales was once photographed heading to swanky London nightclubs but nowadays the dad-of-three's evenings look very different. We know very little about his and Kate's lives behind closed doors, but according to royal biographer Robert Hardman, there's a TV show that the couple can't get enough of.

"The King is the one who still enjoys sitting up writing letters into the night, whereas Prince William's idea of a fun evening, says one of his team, is to 'sit down with the Princess in front of The Traitors'," the author claims in Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story.

Since it first started the Claudia Winkleman-fronted BBC series has become a cultural phenomenon and now it's got the royal seal of approval. It's hard to imagine the future King and Queen watching a reality show, but as the BBC notes - The Traitors is an "ultimate reality game of trust and treachery."

The show wouldn't be the same without the mind games and competition and if there's one thing William and Kate love it's being competitive. Watching other people taking on the challenges and outmanoeuvring each other isn't quite the same as doing it yourself, but it still probably appeals to their personalities.

Now I'm secretly hoping for two rather special guests on a future Celebrity Traitors series and if the rumours are true we could be just a few weeks away from the next instalment of the spin-off. Perhaps the Prince and Princess are already looking forward to incorporating it into their "fun evening" plans for autumn.

Having an unmissable TV show to watch together might also help take their minds off things as they adjust to everyday life without Prince George. The 13-year-old started at Eton on 8th September and Forest Lodge might feel very different for William, Kate, Charlotte and Louis now.

The Traitors isn't the only BBC programme that's a big hit in the Wales household though. Strictly Come Dancing will be kicking off soon (minus Claudia following her and Tess Daly's exit as hosts) and Kate once took Charlotte and Louis to the studio as a special treat, where they got to meet head judge Shirley Ballas.

Prince William has also seen Strictly before and told Claudia at a charity gala in 2019, "I have watched the show a couple of times. Catherine is a huge fan and my mother-in-law loves it."

Before long the Prince and Princess of Wales will also have a lot of films to add to their to-watch list too. William has been President of BAFTA since 2010 and he and Kate try to watch as many of the short-listed movies as possible before the awards every February.

At the 2026 BAFTAs, the mum-of-three also revealed that watching films with George, Charlotte and Louis can help to spark challenging but important discussions as a family.

"The children are starting to get interested in films and it's a really great way to have some of the hard conversations with them," she explained, adding that sometimes the movies are a tough watch for her too.

Although she found Hamnet "very powerful", as a mum Kate admitted it maybe wasn't the best choice of film for her (the plot includes the death of Shakespeare's son), saying she "ended up with very puffy eyes" from crying watching it.

Jeans have a place in my wardrobe all year round but when the temperatures drop I often find myself wanting something a little bit cosier and more autumnal. Corduroy trousers tick these boxes perfectly and the Duchess of Edinburgh has decided the time has come to ditch denim for this seasonal fabric.

She brought back her PAIGE Anessa trousers for a visit to Cumbria on 8th September and the sumptuous dark olive tone screams autumn to me. Duchess Sophie debuted them at this year's Royal Windsor Horse Show in May, but corduroy always surges in popularity at this time of year.

The textured finish is such an easy way to add dimension and softness to a layered outfit and cord is often made from cotton or a cotton blend which is breathable.

Shop Corduroy Trousers Like Sophie's

Complete The Look

The Duchess' trousers were high-waisted and wide-leg which is one of my favourite comfy silhouettes as it's very elongating on the frame and not restrictive. Straight-leg and flared cords are also everywhere right now and the variety of shapes and colours rivals even that of jeans.

Like your go-to denim, cord trousers can be the base of so many autumn outfit ideas. Choosing a neutral colour like Sophie did means they're easy to style with other shades and warm hues like olive, brown and tan complement the texture beautifully.

Her Paige trousers were a very dark green with brown undertones and she pretty much kept the rest of her outfit to this colour palette. She tucked in a crisp white shirt and then wore her mottled tweed ME+EM The Heritage jacket, with a discreet navy quilted jacket as an extra layer.

The Duchess of Edinburgh had a busy schedule in Cumbria, visiting Home Grown Here in Crosby to highlight community-led food systems and sustainable vegetable production. She also opened the first farm in the Addington Fund's New Entrant Scheme and celebrated the impact of the Supporting Rural Communities Programme as she met pupils from Crosby Ravensworth School.

All these engagements called for sturdy, practical footwear and Sophie chose the Philadelphia Lady GTX women's walking shoes from Meindl in tan. The hue worked well with her trousers and jacket, tying the whole ensemble together.

However, I personally love wearing my own corduroy trousers with heeled ankle boots or white trainers depending on how smart I want to look. Suede footwear mirrors the softness of the cord and is a classic pairing though leather gives an edgier feel.

There are so many different combinations and the best bit about cords is that you can pretty much recreate any outfits you'd normally wear with jeans and swap them in. Whilst denim can look a bit too casual depending on the colour and wash, corduroy is more elevated and can be dressed up or down with ease.

I can imagine Duchess Sophie getting a lot of use out of her Anessas over autumn/winter, styled in warmer ways. For her day in Cumbria she didn't need a full coat and looked excited and focused on shining a light on so many causes close to her heart.

The Princess of Wales would've chosen her outfit for Prince George's first day at Eton very carefully - not only because this is a big moment, but because she wouldn't want to overshadow the excited teen. However, I still couldn't help admiring her style and was surprised to see her ditching delicate necklaces for something more statement.

Kate wore the Laura Lombardi Portrait chain in gold and the chunky design was a fun contrast against her very sleek and formal dress. The frock was by Emilia Wickstead, one of her go-to British clothing brands, and it was a deep emerald green.

Traditionally silver jewellery is thought to work better with cool-toned colours and I generally stick to silver and green together. The Princess's duo was more of a contrast and proved that not only does gold and emerald look great together, but that we shouldn't worry about these "rules".

Shop Chain Necklaces

Shop Emerald Green

The gold necklace was made up of delicate circle links and it immediately drew the eye, whilst the squared neckline of the dress framed the future Queen's jewellery perfectly. It's surprising how much of a difference a slightly bolder necklace can make.

As we head into colder weather and start wearing more knitwear with jeans and skirts, having a hint of sparkle adds some extra dimension and glamour. Dainty chains might tend to get a bit lost in layered looks so something chunkier like Kate's Portrait necklace is a clever choice.

The warm undertone of the gold brought warmth to the Princess of Wales's overall outfit in a way that cool-toned silver just wouldn't. It actually felt slightly more daytime appropriate too, as a bright silver statement necklace would catch the light even more.

Emerald and forest green are generally considered cool colours and the gold chain was a soft contrast against them. Because she already had one warm-toned element, Kate could also easily incorporate more of these shades with her other accessories.

Her shoes for George's first day at Eton were dark brown suede court heels. She has plenty of green heels in her collection that would've coordinated, though not going for a strict colour match made her overall ensemble a little less formal.

It also meant that the necklace wasn't the only warm shade in the look and since chocolate is a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend for 2026, I suspect many of us will be reaching for brown boots very soon. The Princess of Wales has shown that mixing different undertones together like she did on 8th September can be so beautiful - and not as tricky as we thought.

I've even been swayed to not stick so rigidly to silver with green and I think the key to mixing cool and warm colours in a Kate-esque way is to pick one as the focus and add in a few elements of the other. Gold jewellery is such an easy way to bring in warm hues and a lot of handbags have gold hardware to tie in.

Autumn outfit ideas don't have to be complicated and Harriet Phillips' signature style is all about making the most of timeless basics. When she's not accompanying her royal husband Peter to formal occasions like Ascot or Trooping the Colour, the NHS nurse dresses more simply and she wore ecru denim to the Burghley Horse Trials.

These Wiggy Kit gaucho jeans are high-rise and the oversized patch pockets and flowy silhouette give them a casual, modern feel. Harriet also wore them to her and Peter's wedding rehearsal in June and this time she gave them an autumnal twist by pairing them with a floral Boden shirt.

Shop Harriet's Outfit

The British clothing brand is famous for their colourful designs and the royal's Carmen top had black piping and mustard, blue and pink flowers all over it. If you want to make floral pieces more seasonal then I'd recommend steering away from bright or pastel hues and going for something darker, deeper or more muted.

The black panel detailing on Harriet's top added the illusion of more structure and would've also made it easy for her to swap her ecru jeans for black denim or trousers and tie everything together. I like that she took a different approach, though.

Ecru and cream tones are a warmer alternative to bright white and look gorgeous with so many autumn/winter fashion colour trends like berry, scarlet and blue, offering some more contrast. They're also very versatile as they go with everything and because ecru denim doesn't have a graduated wash like blue, it tends to feel smarter.

Harriet Phillips is never seen in public looking super casual, so her jeans and shirt combination worked well for a day at the Horse Trials. She finished off her ensemble with green Chico espadrille flats by Penelope Chilvers and the sheen of the velvet brought some subtle glamour.

Later on in the day Harriet also donned a brown-black denim jacket from ME+EM over the top and the collarless shape layered seamlessly over her shirt. A brown suede or leather jacket would've looked equally polished and if you love blue denim jackets then the beauty of ecru jeans is that you can style them together without creating an obvious denim-on-denim outfit.

The NHS nurse accessorised with a woven white crossbody bag and a larger blue tote (both by Anya Hindmarch). We often see the royals carrying two bags to engagements - one for fashion and one for practical reasons.

Harriet's small handbag complemented her jeans and looked very neat and sleek. The tote brought a pop of colour, though if I had to pick between the two I think the crossbody is my favourite.

Her overall outfit was utterly timeless and perfect for a sunny September day when you have to still be prepared for potential showers or cold breezes. When it gets slightly colder, you could wear a neutral knitted vest or jumper over your shirts as an extra mid-layer and gently tuck the bottom into your jeans. This brings a preppy feel, though you could leave the knitwear draped and loose to be more casual too.

The King is staunchly standing by one of Queen Elizabeth's strict rules and he's made it crystal clear - the Sussexes might be back in the UK but they're not back in the working royal fold. In a letter sent on his behalf by the Lord Chamberlain, Charles stated that Prince Harry and Meghan will still not use their HRH titles or carry out royal engagements.

"The charitable work of the Duke and Duchess is a personal matter for them both and undertaken in their private capacity," the King's letter continued.

The message was sent the evening before an official review of the couple's security, but the timing was significant in a more personal way too. September 8th is the fourth anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's death and King Charles doubled down on her judgement of the Sussexes.

When Harry and Meghan first announced their intention to step back as working royals in 2020, the late Queen promptly shared her own statement. She didn't mince her words, either. Reports have suggested that Harry wanted a half-in half-out approach to royal life, yet Queen Elizabeth dashed her grandson's hopes.

Buckingham Palace confirmed, "While they can no longer formally represent The Queen, the Sussexes have made clear that everything they do will continue to uphold the values of Her Majesty. The Sussexes will not use their HRH titles as they are no longer working members of the Royal Family."

There was no arguing with that and now King Charles has held firm to her words and shown his commitment to Queen Elizabeth's decision.

Releasing the message just before the fourth anniversary of her passing - and the anniversary of him becoming monarch - adds an extra layer of meaning and shows the continuity between the two.

Mother and son are still aligned in their view of the Sussex situation and the King is emphasising the clear line between him seeing more of his son personally and how the monarchy remains unaffected by the family's return. According to their spokesperson, the Duke and Duchess "were a little surprised not to have been told about" King Charles' letter "in advance".

However, as per the BBC, royal sources claim the Duke and Duchess were made aware of the letter before it went public. Prince Harry and Meghan moved back to the UK in August and have enrolled Archie and Lilibet in British schools starting this month.

A month earlier they enjoyed a special reunion with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. This was seen as a positive step following Harry's open admission he would love a "reconciliation" with his family. Prince William didn't meet with his younger brother during the Sussexes' UK trip and in June, a royal source claimed to expert Duncan Larcombe in Woman that the King and Prince of Wales might have to make things clearer.

"There is an increasing view that the King and his heir may well have to try and draw a line in the sand when it comes to Harry and Meghan. They are acting as though the discussions with the late Queen never took place," they claimed.

Perhaps the King's message is this "line in the sand" the source predicted, but it definitely showed that Queen Elizabeth's decision remains unchanged.

Prince George might've hoped for slightly better weather for his first day at Eton College but the rain didn't look to have dampened his spirits. The thirteen-year-old was accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Wales on 8th September as he arrived wearing a smart suit and tie ready for his next chapter.

We shouldn't be surprised that this pivotal moment played out in front of the cameras. The Wales kids are used to their milestones being marked publicly and many fans will have been excited to see George as he prepares for the start of term.

He's following in Prince William's footsteps at Eton and the choice of school was seen as inevitable by many. However, royal expert Emily Andrews believes the key reason for William and Kate picking it was something rather surprising.

Back when it was first announced George was heading to Eton, Emily claimed to woman&home that "one of the deciding factors was that Eton is all boys". This seems totally at odds with their approach up to now, as the Prince and Princess of Wales have consistently sent their children to co-educational schools like Lambrook.

It's often been said that they've been very modern by choosing to have Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis educated together.

Eton College is a return to the royal mould and Emily alleged that "in the world of smartphones and social media" George being at an all-boys school "gives any nascent teenage angst a little more protection".

The future King and Queen are strict about their kids not having mobiles and are concerned about how smartphone use can lead to disconnection and isolation.

They might end up relaxing their rule now George is living away from home, though it's interesting that they could've partly picked Eton to protect their son's emotional wellbeing and minimise "angst". Protection in the more traditional sense is incredibly important too and it's likely that the media will take a similar stance as they did with Princes William and Harry.

While they were at school their privacy was respected in return for occasional, official pictures. Like his dad and uncle, George will also be boarding just a short distance from his family. Prince William famously used to go for tea with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Windsor Castle during his time at Eton and the Waleses live close by at Forest Lodge.

Emily Andrews thinks that this was another huge factor that made Prince William and Kate pick the Berkshire boarding school.

Knowing his mum and dad aren't too far away might make the "big transition" for George a little less daunting as although he's been boarding at Lambrook during the week, this will be his first time permanently living away from his parents and siblings.

He looked confident and happy as he arrived and will soon be kept busy when term officially starts on 9th September. The sweet pictures of Kate, William and George together at Eton will inevitably become one of the iconic snapshots of the 13-year-old's life and could be one of the rare times we see him publicly during this new chapter.

James Middleton has left his sister the Princess of Wales in no doubt about his trustworthiness and the signs are subtle but consistent. Unlike Kate, James is a free agent with his own personal Instagram account and whilst he does share family pictures, he's very careful about it.

He'll happily post sweet snaps of his wife Alizée and their son Inigo (without showing his face), but there are almost no photos of Kate - or their sister Pippa. James didn't share a photo for Pippa's birthday on 6th September or for Kate's birthday in January.

On the rare occasions he does post the Princess on his page, it's usually only after she's shared something similar herself like when she completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June.

Kate undertook this challenge to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and awareness of the importance of holistic healthcare. She was clearly happy for pictures to be shared if it would help towards either of these goals, so James posted several of the family congratulating her after finishing.

When the Princess first made her cancer diagnosis public in 2021, James also supported her publicly by sharing a throwback picture of the two of them with the caption, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too".

Once again, he followed her lead in sharing something and was incredibly respectful and minimal with what he said. There were no new details for people to analyse, just a special tribute to his big sister and the commitment to being there for her.

Other than these posts, the businessman has occasionally shared a snap of Carole Middleton for Mother's Day but that's about it. To me, it's a clear sign of how James is mindful of Kate - and their wider family's - privacy. Whilst she probably really appreciates this now, his discretion will be even more important when she's Queen.

Knowing who to trust is something the royals have to carefully consider and the Princess's brother has proved to her and the rest of the Royal Family that he isn't an over-sharer. The Middletons have kept some of William and Kate's biggest milestones entirely secret until they were ready to share - from the couple's engagement to the Princess's pregnancies.

Royal author Russell Myers claimed in William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story that Kate's family had "become a constant presence" in their lives and were particularly "crucial" when the kids were young. According to him, the Prince of Wales loved their sense of normality.

"William appreciated their involvement beyond measure, enjoying their company and the normalcy of the environment, whatever the circumstance," he claimed, adding that William apparently told an aide his in-laws gave them "more room to breathe".

"Michael and Carole enjoyed visiting the couple in Norfolk and would often stay for weekends, providing much-needed extra support for the young family," Myers continued.

Knowing that Michael, Carole, James and Pippa can be relied upon in a world where scrutiny and speculation follow the royals everywhere is no small thing for Kate and William. Whilst they have public-facing roles as Prince and Princess of Wales, their family helps the couple keep their personal lives blissfully private.

Prince William tries his hardest to arrange his royal diary around family life but this month his duty to King Charles might make this impossible. The Prince of Wales is heading overseas for an important occasion that falls on the same day as Prince George starting at Eton College.

The 2026 Michaelmas Term starts on 9th September and William would no doubt love to be there to wish his son luck and potentially drop him off that morning. However, he's set to represent His Majesty at the State Funeral of King Harald V of Norway at Oslo Cathedral later that day.

The service begins at 1pm local time and Princess Anne will also be paying her respects to the late monarch as the godmother of new King Haakon VIII. According to royal sources, Prince William's attendance representing King Charles upholds a tradition that the monarch doesn't usually go to the funeral of another Head of State.

Depending on flight times it's possible that the Prince of Wales could still get to Norway in time after taking his eldest son to Eton. He won't want to rush or risk being late to such a poignant State occasion, though, so I suspect William will miss out on George's big day.

Notably, Buckingham Palace has confirmed only that William will be there and not that the Princess of Wales will be going too. This makes sense, as if the Prince of Wales is unable to be there for the 13-year-old's first day at Eton, he'll still have his mother supporting him.

School drop-offs and pick-ups are something William and Kate prioritise doing personally and it might help Prince George feel a bit more at ease if his mum takes him to Eton for the start of the new term. Although we know he's been boarding at Lambrook School, this will be the first time he's permanently lived away from home.

It'll take some getting used to - for him and the rest of the Wales family. Returning home after King Harald's funeral and not having George there could be very strange for Prince William. Royal expert Robert Jobson previously predicted this period will be very "emotional" for all of them.

"They are such a tight family unit; George will be missed," Robert declared. "It will be like having an empty seat at the table."

He added, "William used to go to visit the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor while he was at Eton College, but that has to be organised. You can't just pop home when you want to."

Both the Prince and Princess of Wales went to boarding schools themselves (Eton and Marlborough College respectively), so they'll know what George will be going through. His new, more structured daily life will prepare him for the royal duties that await him one day too.

In future Prince George will probably have to miss out on some personal moments to represent his father at major occasions. King Charles actually delayed his wedding to Queen Camilla by a day out of respect, so that he could attend Pope John Paul II's funeral in Queen Elizabeth's place.

It comes with the territory if you're a senior royal and Prince George will understand this. If the future King has to head to Norway before school drop-off, William could perhaps have a special phone call or FaceTime with his son later to see how he's getting on instead.

Prince William has been described as a real "big boy" and a "modern day dinosaur" - but, fear not, we aren’t talking about the Prince of Wales.

As it turns out, there’s a new Prince William who lives in one of the Commonwealth countries, and he’s a 12 foot 6 inch saltwater crocodile named in honour of the future King. The, let’s say, unique honour was bestowed upon Prince William by one of his new friends, famous conservationist Robert Irwin.

Robert has formed an unexpected friendship with William, and in honour of the prince’s work with his Earthshot Prize, and the son of the late Steve Irwin has celebrated this friendship and their shared love of environmentalism by naming a huge crocodile at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Australia after him.

Introducing the regally named crocodile on his social media page, Robert said, "This is all for the conservation of crocodiles and over the years we have caught 300 crocs in this ground-breaking study.

"I’m very proud to say that this big boy right here is the 300th crocodile that we have caught. This is a really exciting milestone, and in gratitude and recognition for the incredible conservation work from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, we wanted to name this extremely special modern-day dinosaur, this amazing animal, after His Royal Highness.

"So meet Prince William. Here he is."

As part of the reserve’s work, William the crocodile will be tracked for the next decade, providing data about what he eats, how long he can dive and how climate change affects his body temperature.

The future king and the 22-year-old conservationist have struck up the unlikeliest of friendships ever since Robert became an ambassador for William’s Earthshot Prize, which was launched in 2020 and awards five winners a £1 million grant each to scale their work towards goals of environmental and conservation importance.

Earlier in the year, after joining William riding London’s 3000th electric bus as part of London Climate Action Week, Robert appeared on ITV's This Morning where he spoke about the "privilege" of befriending the prince.

Describing him as one of the “greatest environmentalists that we have on the planet”, Robert revealed more about how William checks in.

"This is a perfect example of what he's like, right?" Robert responded, "I was doing Dancing with the Stars in America, bringing the conservation mission to a very different audience. He FaceTimed me in rehearsals with my dance partner just to wish me well on all the dancing."

He added, "He is just a down to Earth human being and someone who knows the importance of conservation reaching different audiences."

Queen Camilla is back from her summer holiday in Balmoral with King Charles and other members of the Royal Family and she’s right back to work, making an unannounced appearance in front of a stunned audience.

Her Majesty took to the stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Thursday evening (September 3) to make a surprise reading at Letters Live, a popular event which includes guest speakers reading personal or noteworthy letters on stage.

The Queen, who made the appearance in support of the National Literacy Trust, for which she is the patron, read a moving and emotional letter written by the Queen Mother to the British poet Edith Sitwell, detailing her journey through grief after the death of King George VI.

Stepping on to the stage to audible gasps and much applause, the Queen arrived dressed in a blue Fiona Clare gown with turquoise and diamond earrings.

The letter Her Majesty read aloud was written by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in September of 1952, not long after she lost her husband of over 28 years in February that same year.

In the moving letter, the Queen Mother wrote, "It was a day when one felt engulfed by great black clouds of unhappiness and misery, and I found a sort of peace stealing round my heart as I read such lovely poems and heavenly words."

Thanking the poet for sending her a book, she continued, "I can never thank you enough for giving me such a delicious book wherein I found so much beauty and hope quite suddenly one day by the river."

The Queen Mother's letter also quoted the poet George Herbert, “Who could have thought my shrivel'd heart, could have recovered greennesse? It was gone quite underground.”

She continued, "I am deeply touched by your thought of me, I love being given books, and I send you my warmest thanks. I am yours, very sincerely, Elizabeth R.”

The letter is a true piece of history, offering a rare look at a grieving Queen Mother in a way that hasn’t been seen before. At the time of his death, the Queen Mother reportedly favoured a much more stoical stance, choosing to grieve privately in Scotland.

She would return to public duties not long after, and true to the royal mantra of ‘never complain, never explain’, she seldom spoke of her grief publicly but continued to mourn him privately. According to several royal historians, this included the touching move of keeping his study at Royal Lodge, Windsor, exactly as it was when he died.

The Royal Family’s social media account posted footage of Queen Camilla at the event and described Letters Live as “a celebration of the enduring power of literary correspondence. Each show always features a completely different array of great performers, reading remarkable letters written over the centuries and from around the world.”

Throughout her history-defining reign, Queen Elizabeth II oversaw many firsts and ushered in many changes, but there was one “solemn” tradition that was kept private - and King Charles followed her lead seventy years later.

Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 coronation was the first of a British monarch’s to ever be fully televised, but one part was kept hidden - the anointing of the oil. The Chrism oil is consecrated in Jerusalem ahead of a coronation, and per the Royal Family’s website, “It has historically been regarded as a moment between the Sovereign and God.”

In a new book, royal historian George William Cullen Gross suggests this was Her Majesty’s way “to preserve the mystery surrounding it”, and perhaps a testament to her faith and dedication to her role as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

In the book, Crown and People: British Coronations and the Shaping of National Identity 973–2023, Gross writes, "In a similar vein to the religiosity of baptism, the ceremony of anointing was hidden from television cameras during the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II to preserve the mystery surrounding it”

"In this instance, four Knights of the Garter held the canopy of gold over and around the monarch to shield the act from view. During the act of Anointing, the monarch disrobes from their crimson robes and takes off any jewellery, giving up all symbols of their status."

The book goes into more detail, explaining that the oil is presented in "an eagle-shaped flask in solid gold, [which] dates back to the remade crown jewels for the coronation of Charles II in 1661."

Interestingly, despite many changes in his own coronation in 2023, King Charles decided to keep this moment private as well.

The Royal Family’s website wrote in more detail about what was to take place in the build-up to the historic affair. They explained, “The Dean of Westminster pours holy oil from the Ampulla into the Coronation Spoon, and the Archbishop of Canterbury anoints the Sovereign on the hands, chest and head.

"It has historically been regarded as a moment between the Sovereign and God, with a screen or canopy in place given the sanctity of the Anointing."

King Charles’s anointing took place behind a special screen he had commissioned before the coronation. His Majesty personally chose the design of the anointing screen, which was inspired by the stained-glass Sanctuary Window in the Chapel Royal and created by the Royal School of Needlework.

The central design takes the form of a tree which includes 56 representing the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. The King’s cypher was positioned at the base of the tree, representing the Sovereign as servant of their people.

When they became parents, it was inevitable that Prince William and Kate would find themselves learning new things, but the Princess of Wales might not have thought she’d have to teach her husband quite a common childhood game.

Exploring the royal couple’s personal lives and just how they continued to learn new things about one another years into their relationship, royal author Tom Quinn claimed that Kate had to show Prince William what a piggyback was - something he rather sadly revealed he’d never experienced himself as a youngster.

In his book, Yes Ma'am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants, Tom suggests a maid told him, "[Kate] had to show him how to give the children a piggyback, for example. William said very quietly, 'My father never gave me a piggyback.'"

He added, “Kate had to explain many of the things that parents outside the royal family do with their children as a matter of course.”

The insider went on to suggest, “I don't know where William would be without Kate - she hasn't had everything done for her throughout her life, so she calms him down when he gets a bit fractious.

"She said he sometimes has to be treated as her fourth child."

This isn’t the first time it’s been suggested that William experienced a whole other way of being thanks to Kate, and his in-laws. In fact, one royal source has previously suggested William was actually influenced by this less formal way of life he picked up from the Middletons.

Previously reported in the Daily Mail, a royal source claimed, "That the Middletons had to nip to the shop for food, ensure there was enough bread in the house, empty their own bins and put out the recycling on the right day were all refreshing".

They suggest that "William found the informality eye-opening" and something as trivial as “laying a tablecloth was a struggle” at first for the future King. But it was thanks to this that allegedly helped William and Catherine as they lived together for the first time in Anglesey. The couple were there during William’s time working as an RAF Search and Rescue Pilot.

When William was first sent to the supermarket “his first experience of a big shop following Carole’s detailed lists was apparently mind-boggling”.

Now, as a result, it could be why the pair have "introduced a lot of relative informality into home life” at their Windsor Great Park home, Forest Lodge. The couple are thought to make their three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - do their own chores like any other children, and they enjoy a level of informality that’s closer to Kate’s upbringing than William’s.

Indeed, one rule that they are reportedly adamant on is no live-in staff at their home. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward has previously shared, "William and Kate have never wanted live-in staff; I think that’s the modern way.

“Since William was a little boy, he’s seen all the staff at the late Queen’s homes, and he never wanted that. It’s not something Kate grew up with either."

If one fitness influencer’s encounter tells us anything, it’s that Princess Anne is exactly the same whether she’s on duty in public or relaxing with her family during their summer escapes to Balmoral.

Finlay Jacobs, a Scottish-based fitness content creator, shared his unexpected run in with the Princess Royal while he was out on a run around Scotland, posting his experience on his social media page (as reported by Hello!).

What stood out - and what feels so on-brand - was Princess Anne’s hilariously no-nonsense response. He shared that, rather than being flanked by security or trying to distance herself from the runner, the very relaxed Princess Royal simply ushered him to keep going and told him to “Keep going!”

Finley shared in his video that he debated asking her for a photo or a video before the Princess Royal instead willed him to keep going. The fact that he was able to stop and think about asking for a photo suggests how relaxed and informal the encounter must’ve felt, and Princess Anne choosing instead to focus on his exercise feels so on-brand for the no fuss royal.

Princess Anne is currently enjoying the summer holidays at Balmoral Castle, the 50,000-acre estate in the Scottish Highlands that has been a fixture for the Royal Family for decades.

Prince Albert (King Charles and Princess Anne’s great-great-great-grandfather) bought the estate in 1852, making it one of the privately owned royal properties and not part of the Crown Estate.

The late Queen Elizabeth II made it an important annual tradition that the family would enjoy summers in their private haven, a place where they could be off-duty and simply come together as a family - a tradition that King Charles is keen to continue.

There’s a reason it’s become such a valued tradition. Former royal chef Darren McGrady, who worked for the royals for 15 years, previously shared that it was during these Balmoral holidays that the royals could really “let their hair down” and come together like a regular family.

He even shared one particular tradition which would see the whole family take control of the cooking, with members claiming individual courses to oversee. He told Aberdeen Live, “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."

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."

We're finally entering jacket and coat season, but it's still not cold enough to be bundled up in thick layers, making trenches our new best friend. They're lightweight, often water-resistant and the classic structured style instantly gives autumn outfit ideas an extra level of sophistication.

The Princess of Wales relies on them a lot and one of her most beautiful coats was her Burberry Littleton wool-blend trench from March 2011. She wore it for a rainy day of engagements in Belfast and with the forecast very showery in the UK for the foreseeable future, I'm definitely taking some inspiration from her.

Kate didn't let the weather dampen her spirits and she looked chic in this stone-toned coat, which had all the traditional details you'd expect.

Shop Timeless Trenches

It featured epaulettes on the shoulders, belted cuff straps and a gun flap on the front. All of these elements are what gives trenches their distinctive, polished look and the Princess's also had a frill on the bottom hem.

The contrast between the femininity and the structure was stunning and although Kate favours longline outerwear now, this coat fell to her knees.

She styled it with a black dress the same length, tights and knee-high boots. This was a clever move and the key to styling a trench coat with dresses is to try and roughly match the hemlines. For example, if you're wearing a midi or maxi-length frock then a longer coat will echo this streamlined, leg-elongating shape.

Shorter pieces tend to work better with shorter coats as everything again looks very cohesive. If you're someone who prefers wearing jeans or trousers then this isn't so much of a factor, as both cropped or long trenches pair well with them.

Belted designs are great for accentuating the waist and also bring more of a formal edge. The future Queen's signature style is smart-casual anyway and she was undertaking engagements with Prince William, so wanted this elevated feel.

Kate's coat was made from a wool blend, though plenty of trenches are either fully waterproof or water-resistant and this is a practical feature worth keeping in mind if you're looking to add one to your collection. In Belfast, the Princess carried an umbrella when the rain started and she kept her trench fastened for warmth.

This stone colour is one of the most popular shades for trench coats alongside camel, though a plain black design is equally versatile. Neutrals go with everything and with jackets and coats, this is even more important because you want to be able to mix and match them with a variety of ensembles without worrying about clashing.

Minimalism is a big autumn/winter fashion trend and the Princess of Wales's 2011 trench fits this to a tee. The rest of her outfit was also pared-back, but you could also go for rich autumnal colours with a beige coat, like burgundy or olive green.

The Princess of Wales's popularity is at an all-time high, as she almost single-handedly provides the sparkle the Royal Family so desperately needs.

Blessed with stunning good looks and the ability to be elegant, whether in a ball gown or rolling up her sleeves to play table tennis with a group of underprivileged youngsters, Kate has cemented her place at the top table.

In recent years, she has enjoyed unrivalled popularity with the public both here and overseas. But her cancer diagnosis and the cruel way she was forced to silence the conspiracy theorists and online trolls about being unwell - and therefore out of the public eye - have simply served to prove that she's in a league of her own.

Having to sit down and calmly explain that she was being treated for cancer not only silenced her critics but also made those who love her reach a new level of infatuation.

Thankfully, she is in remission, but the moment anyone is told by a doctor, 'It's cancer,' remains one of the most frightening scenarios a human can face.

She might have married into the Royal Family, with all the trappings that come with that, but her relatability is just what's needed in this turbulent time for the Firm.

I first met Kate in 2005, when little - if anything - was known about the beautiful St Andrews undergraduate who had caught the eye of our future king. At the time, she had been told that if journalists or photographers approached her, she needed to simply smile and act as though she was pleased to see them.

My conversation with Kate during a ski trip in Switzerland that year was brief, and instead I ended up speaking to Prince William as she quietly slipped away.

But in our encounter I was struck by how sincere she seemed to be, and someone who had her head well and truly on her shoulders. For some, a royal encounter is too much to contemplate, but Kate has always taken it in her stride.

The truth is that Kate has turned out to be a natural. Someone the late Queen would have been extremely proud of and recognised as a huge asset.

In his recent book, the royal expert Russell Myers reveals something that, to me, simply shows what an exceptional person Kate really is.

Myers claims that Kate had instinctive and grave concerns about inheriting the title Princess of Wales. Not only were Princess Diana's enormous shoes to fill, but Kate was also concerned about detracting from the legacy of her husband's much-loved mother.

It was, according to Myers, something that she had even spoken to her husband and her father-in-law Prince Charles (as he was then) about.

In his book, Myers writes, 'Catherine had privately expressed to William and to Charles her reservations about taking over the title, conscious of the British public's exceptional feeling for, and connection to, Princess Diana even 25 years after her death.'

How incredible that someone about to inherit one of the most iconic titles in the world would be modest enough to raise her concerns. I would say that is a sign, if not proof, of Kate's star quality.

Kate, you are more than worthy of the title of Princess of Wales and will one day make a wonderful queen at William's side.

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

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have officially moved back to the UK now, and are ready to enrol Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in schools ahead of terms starting next week.

The Sussexes return follows suggestions that things were improving between Harry and his father, King Charles, who met at Highgrove earlier in the summer. However, it’s suggested that not every royal is as optimistic about their return, with a source claiming it’s come as a "massive shock" to the Princess of Wales.

The source revealed she is prioritising "the stability of the family and the monarchy" over her personal feelings, but the fact that Meghan has "freedoms" to say what she wants in the press might be "bringing unresolved issues back to the surface."

Unnamed insiders revealed to Heat World, "Kate fears seeing the family dragged back into another cycle of accusations, briefings and public fallout. She can’t see how it’s all going to work, and it has left her reeling".

The unverified insider allegedly added that one of the biggest obstacles potentially preventing the Waleses and the Sussexes moving forward is the lack of trust.

They suggest, "So much has happened, and trust has been lost. How do you rebuild a relationship when you’re no longer confident that what happens privately will remain private?"

They continued, "Meghan also has freedoms that Kate doesn’t. Kate has protocol and a royal diary, whereas Meghan can give interviews, use social media and choose her own public appearances.

"Meghan can also speak out in a way Kate and William simply cannot respond to. There have already been serious allegations, which caused enormous damage and scrutiny, and Kate knows just how quickly another revelation could reopen all of that."

Since quitting life as working royals in 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan have made several allegations against the Royal Family and their staff - with many stories involving Prince William and Kate.

In his memoir, Spare, Harry wrote about "an awkward moment" between the pair when Meghan asked to borrow Kate’s lip gloss and she "grimaced"... an experience which "left a little mark."

In the book, Harry also pins the blame on William and Kate for his decision to wear a Nazi costume in 2005, when he was 20-years-old.

He recounted, "I phoned Willy and Kate, asked what they thought [about his costume choices]. ‘Nazi uniform’, they said. I rented it, plus a silly moustache, and went back to the house. I tried it all on. They both howled."

Other allegations have included Harry claiming William physically attacked him and Meghan suggesting Kate made her cry in a disagreement over bridesmaid dresses.

True to form for the royals, they’ve rarely responded. The only riposte came in March 2021, following the Sussexes explosive Oprah Winfrey interview. In a rare move, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II issued a public statement on accusations made against the family which declared, "Whilst some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

Only a few years ago, the Sussexes and the Beckhams - two of the most famous families in the world - were believed to be very friendly with one another. However, sources now tell me that has all changed, and things between the couples are at an 'all-time low'.

One insider blamed the success of recent projects carried out by the Beckhams, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have arguably had far fewer positive headlines and, indeed, less success.

The Duke of Sussex's failed attempt to sue the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday was cited as a reason the bitterness has escalated, and it perhaps laid bare the lengths the Sussexes would go to for public victory. And, with the publisher seeking to recover some of its extensive costs, this is arguably a very low moment for the couple. Do they even have the money to pay the newspaper?

Meghan, someone who has courted the limelight for years and has been criticised for lashing out at the very institution that keeps her in the headlines, is understood to be baffled that the Beckhams receive overwhelmingly positive media coverage while she feels under constant attack.

It's not the first time relations have been reported to be fraught. Last September I spoke to Woman about how Harry and Meghan had reached out to the Beckhams' son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola over their shared family-feuding drama. This must have made Victoria understandably furious.

Like I said at the time, I think Meghan is a social climber and that this was perhaps just another example of her being prepared to play some people off against each other.

So it is perhaps hard to understand why Meghan is thought to be struggling with the Beckhams winning on the publicity front.

One source even went as far as to tell me, 'Meghan feels as though it is one rule for the Beckhams and another for her and Harry. This apparent double standard is a constant issue for Meghan, who sees herself as one of the most trolled women on the planet.'

Victoria and Meghan were once good friends, of course, in the days when the duchess was happy to wear VB-designed outfits and the Beckhams famously attended the Sussexes' wedding in May 2018.

And prior to meeting wife Meghan, Harry was close to David, with the former England football captain-turned international icon a familiar face in supporting some of the good causes promoted by the Firm.

But, ultimately, the friendship was to be short-lived, with my sources claiming that the former friends' fall-out most likely 'boils down to jealousy' and one even breaking rank by saying, 'I believe it was envy that caused the fall-out.'

My sources also suggest that Meghan was 'furious' about the success of David's Netflix documentary, as well as the announcement of Victoria's dedicated limited series.

Indeed, when the Sussexes unveiled the trailer for their high-powered and non-scripted sports show Polo in November 2024, the insider said there was 'an element of the green-eyed monster' relating to their respective upcoming releases.

Royal biographer Tom Bower wrote in his book The House of Beckham that Meghan and Victoria initially fell out over requests for free clothing from Victoria's fashion line, make-up tips, as well as a 'snubbing' during a visit to Australia – accounts that led to the Beckhams being accused of leaking stories to the press.

'In Meghan's celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame,' Tom Bower claimed in his book, adding, 'As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal Family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order.'

'[Meghan] was irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself. They owned five homes, had constant access to private jets, invitations to sail on yachts and much more money. And she was soon to be a duchess.'

Bower's biography on the Beckhams also alleged that Meghan 'put on airs' around Victoria when they first met, but that she also felt she had 'little in common' with the former pop star.

But if reports are to be believed, this didn't stop her from requesting free clothes from Victoria's label. However, according to Bower, Meghan's arguably crude request was 'vetoed by the Palace for being against their rules'.

Tom Bower even suggested that the friction between the couples heightened when the Beckhams were not requested to attend the Sussexes' wedding dinner, having only received an invite to the ceremony.

But the Sussexes hit back at the biographer following his more recent book, Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family, saying in a statement, '[Bower] has made a career out of constructing ever more elaborate theories about people he does not know and has never met.'

Reports of the couples' falling-out recirculated in August 2023 after stories suggested that the former England football captain was 'absolutely furious' after it was claimed that the Beckhams had shared private details with reporters. At the time, a source said that 'any making up now is so unlikely'.

Victoria had previously been nothing but glowing about Meghan, calling her a 'genuinely lovely woman' in a 2018 interview. And, according to a Vanity Fair article from the same year, Meghan had been consulting VB for fashion advice. 'Meghan really likes Victoria's style and was keen to pick her brains about pulling together a working wardrobe,' a source said.

Meghan even wore one of VB's designs for her final official outing as a working royal, at the 2020 Endeavour Fund Awards. The turquoise-blue pencil dress became something of an iconic image as the couple walked through rainy London, looking decidedly happy about the new life that lay ahead for them in California.

As a jobbing actor growing up in LA, many think Meghan would have dreamt of the day when A-list stars would fall over themselves to make her acquaintance. In reality, many of the Hollywood movers and shakers appear to have grown wary of publicly associating themselves with the Sussexes.

When former US President Barack Obama celebrated his 60th birthday in August 2021, an invite for Harry and Meghan seemed conspicuous by its absence. And even celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey – who, of course, famously interviewed Harry and Meghan in 2021 – are believed to have distanced themselves from the royal couple.

The reason stems from Harry's ongoing feud with Prince William. Relations between the two brothers are so bitter that many of the rich and powerful are reluctant to be seen as 'Team Sussex', given that William is the future King.

It feels like things aren't going to get easier for the duke and duchess any time soon.

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

There’s been so much speculation about Meghan, Duchess of Sussex making a potential return to acting now she and Harry are back in the UK. However, she's not the only royal to have appeared on screen and we almost had a rather surprising cameo from Queen Camilla in Emmy winning TV show, Only Murders in the Building.

In a new interview, John Hoffman, the producer of the hugely popular series spoke about the upcoming sixth season being filmed in London. He told Vulture, "We almost got Camilla. I know it’s insane, but yes, there was a moment".

Sadly, it didn't come to pass, though this was reportedly not down to the Queen being unwilling. He claimed UK filming rules meant that they couldn’t make it happen.

Explaining how it all started to come together, he told the publication that he couldn’t quite believe it when he was told it wasn’t out of the realms of possibility that they could potentially book Her Majesty for an appearance.

"I was like, ‘Wait, what? Is that real?'" he laughed. "Then we kind of went down the road a little bit… I did pursue it a little bit, until I realised it’s going to be a whole thing".

By "whole thing", he meant the union rules that are in place while filming in the UK. With shooting reduced to strict ten-hour days, the logistics of getting Queen Camilla involved apparently proved too much.

Only Murders in the Building has landed several high profile appearances since its inception, with Meryl Streep, Paul Rudd, Renée Zellweger and Eva Longoria joining main cast members Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short.

For the upcoming season, the show has moved from New York City to London, and with it, a number of British icons have joined the fun. Jennifer Saunders, Olivia Colman, Geri Halliwell-Horner, Simone Ashley and Jim Broadbent are just some of the UK stars set to appear in the new series.

And while Queen Camilla sadly won’t be joining them after all, it actually wouldn’t have been too far-fetched for her to agree. Her Majesty is known to be a fan of murder mysteries and has given her approval to appear as a character in one in the past.

Peter James’s 2025 novel, The Hawk is Dead sees Detective Superintendent Grace investigating after the royal trail derails and a sniper kills a trusted aide. Queen Camilla is also on board and is believed by many to have been the true target.

Author Peter previously told the BBC how he received approval from the Queen - who had reportedly told him in the past how much she loved his books - to use her as a character in his long-running series.

"I was aware that there was chaos in the palace due to renovations, and when I heard art was being moved, I saw an opportunity," the best-selling author explained. "I drafted a few lines and sent it to the palace, but the Queen loved it. It got signed off by Buckingham Palace communications."

It wouldn't be the first time Her Majesty had a brush with acting fame. In 2022, she and King Charles made a cameo appearance in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. In the Platinum Jubilee themed episode, the residents of Albert Square were shocked when King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in a car outside the iconic Queen Vic pub.

Meeting Queen Elizabeth isn't something you ever forget and for the late Dolly Parton the build-up to the experience was totally different from the moment itself. She performed at a special Royal Variety Show in Glasgow to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977 and was introduced to Her Majesty afterwards.

Pictures capture this special moment between British and country music royalty and in 2023, Dolly said she'd been anxious about the protocol beforehand. Thankfully, she quickly realised that the Queen wasn't really concerned about faux pas.

Dolly told BBC Radio 2, "Even though you have to do the protocol, you have to bow and all that, I could tell that she didn't care about that. That's just something she had to do. And if somebody made a mistake, it was OK."

"I was scared to death that I was not going to know how to curtsy, that I wasn't going to bend right," she continued. "But she was just very warm, very sweet, and I could tell she was a very giving person. And just meeting the Queen of England, just to meet a queen, it was amazing."

Although the Royal Family's website confirms that there aren't "obligatory codes of behaviour" when it comes to greeting the monarch, the traditional way for women is a "small curtsy". This seems to be what the singer was preparing for and meeting "sweet" Queen Elizabeth in person backstage must've been particularly special - if nerve-wracking - for her.

Dolly, who sadly passed away after a "brief battle with cancer" on 25th August, confessed she was intrigued by royalty as a child growing up in Tennessee.

The Jolene star explained, "I remember as a child being fascinated with the kings and queens and all their flamboyant clothes, people living in another world with riches and crowns and jewelry and all that. But when I actually got to meet her, she was very sweet."

She almost got to meet a future Queen too, as in the same interview Dolly revealed she'd been asked to tea with the Princess of Wales. Sadly, she "couldn't even go" as she was so busy promoting her album, Rockstar. However she thought Kate's gesture was also "very sweet".

The Princess would surely be honoured to be described by Dolly Parton in the same way as her late grandmother-in-law. When Queen Elizabeth died in 2022 there were outpourings of tributes from people across the world and the flags on the royal palaces were lowered to half-mast.

Following Dolly's passing, official US flags are at half-mast as a mark of respect for the 12-time Grammy Award winner and they'll remain lowered for a full week.

Across the pond, King Charles shared a special video on social media, in which the Band of the Coldstream Guards played a rendition of 9 to 5 outside Buckingham Palace. This unique performance surely fulfilled Dolly's childhood idea of a "flamboyant" monarchy.

The King is still on holiday at Balmoral but work never stops when you're monarch and plans for a major overseas tour in the autumn have just been confirmed. Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles and Queen Camilla will undertake a royal visit to Antigua and Barbuda in October before attending the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

This will be the couple's first overseas trip since the US State Visit in April and it looks like His Majesty has started an intriguing new travel tradition. Like last time, Charles's schedule includes solo visits to other nations - in this case The Bahamas and Guyana.

The monarch will be kicking off the tour in The Bahamas and according to the official announcement, it will just be him. He will then head to Guyana "at the invitation of the President" and "at the request of the UK Government".

King Charles is the Head of State of The Bahamas and in Guyana he'll be helping celebrate 60 years of bilateral relations between them and the UK. It's interesting that Queen Camilla won't be by his side for these important visits and she didn't go with him to Bermuda after four days in the US.

Now this split schedule has happened again, it's beginning to look like a new custom for Charles and it's possible that there are logistical reasons for this. Perhaps the Queen has other prior commitments to patronages or organisations in the days he'll be in The Bahamas and Guyana.

However, it could also be a subtle move to make these trips a little less official and more personal. The last time the royals visited The Bahamas was when the Prince and Princess of Wales went on their Caribbean Tour in 2022.

The tour in general attracted considerable criticism, especially when the couple rode in in the same Land Rover in Jamaica that the Queen and Prince Philip used in 1953. King Charles will no doubt want his first visits to The Bahamas and Guyana as monarch to be seen very differently.

Going on his own is always going to be low-key than if both the King and Queen were there and he can solely focus his attention on his engagements and strengthening his relationships with these two Commonwealth nations. It also isn't going to draw as many direct comparisons between his visit and those of the other two royal couples in the past/

Queen Camilla is Queen Consort of several Commonwealth Realms but does not have a formal constitutional role in the Commonwealth like her husband, so her presence for all of the tour isn't as crucial.

She'll join King Charles to visit Antigua and Barbuda and attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, so she'll still be involved and representing the monarchy.

The full royal tour is planned for 27th October-4th November and the palace said it will "celebrate the communities, cultures and nature within the Commonwealth family". It'll be the first time the monarch has visited the Caribbean since he went to Barbados in 2021, when they officially removed Queen Elizabeth as its Head of State.

In a speech as Prince of Wales, Charles acknowledged the "appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history".

Princess Anne might have finally had enough of the ongoing rift between Prince William and Prince Harry and she isn't afraid to make her feelings known. The King's sister is famous for her no-nonsense approach and according to reports, she seems to think that her nephews need to reassess their own priorities and consider their father.

A source is reported to have said: 'Anne says everybody in this situation shares some of the blame, not just the Sussexes and not just the Waleses, and in her view they all need to be brought into line and told that this nonsense has gone on far too long.'

They continued, "In her view, for two grown men to be fighting, sulking and getting bent out of shape over every little thing when they should be treasuring every moment they have left with their father, and showing him proper respect is appalling."

The Princess Royal is fiercely loyal to King Charles, who has been undergoing cancer treatment since his diagnosis in 2024, all whilst still maintaining a busy schedule of engagements. Unlike William, the King has started to see more of his younger son.

In July, Charles even reunited with Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet at Highgrove House and is said to welcome the opportunity to spend time with the Sussexes now they're moving back to the UK this month. It looks like His Majesty is open to the "reconciliation" Harry is hoping for - but big brother William is another story.

In Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, he vividly recalls a plea his father apparently made after Prince Philip's funeral in 2021 - "Please, boys. Don't make my final years a misery". Now the inside source claims their aunt Anne has been "chipping away" at William and "trying to get him to see how bad this is for his father's legacy" too.

If the Princess truly has decided the rift has been "too long" and has been speaking to her nephew, then maybe there is a flicker of hope for a brotherly reunion. She is hugely respected within the Royal Family and just focuses on what needs to be done.

Anne will also be aware of how the ongoing issues between William and Harry have affected the monarchy's reputation. Like the rest of the family, she might not have been thrilled by the remarks the Sussexes have made about The Firm over the years, but if she could put this aside for King Charles's sake then perhaps she could convince the Prince of Wales to do the same.

Of course, we'll probably never know, as Princess Anne sticks by the royals' old unofficial motto of "never complain, never explain" and keeps her views on such matters private. She never gets involved in drama and has said she sees her job as "serving" the nation, following her parents' "way of working and where they saw their role being".

Princess Anne has also been described by royal author Robert Jobson as being "determined to serve her brother as he steadies the throne". If she can manage to bring about peace between her two nephews that will surely be a huge source of comfort to King Charles personally too.

We're used to autumn/winter fashion colour trends featuring rich browns and burnt oranges but this year there's another huge contender in the mix - poppy red. This is good news for the Princess of Wales, as this fiery tone is one of her go-tos for outfits.

That in turn is great news for those of us who maybe aren't as confident styling bright colours, as she's already shown us plenty of ways to do it. I particularly loved Kate's boucle blazer and ballet flats from September 2023 and even though the rest of her outfit was quite formal, we can easily take some tips from this look.

The future Queen attended a Portage Session for her Shaping Us campaign and the blazer was a Zara double-breasted design.

Shop Flats Like Kate's

Shop Poppy Red

Tailoring and bright colours might sound like a very bold combination, but a jacket like Kate's is also the focal point of an outfit. The rest of her clothing was entirely neutral and this kept everything in balance. She opted for a beige knitted top, plain black cigarette trousers and then black shoes from Boden.

The Princess regularly steps out in pieces by this British clothing brand, though she rarely wears flats. This is maybe why this particular look stands out to me so much and the pumps had pointed toes and a buckle decoration on the front. Pointed toe footwear creates a lovely leg-elongating effect and you can get a subtler form of this from almond-toed shoes too.

Square-toe flats are another great option and they feel a bit more contemporary and fashion-forward compared to rounded designs. No matter which shape suits you best, a pair of classic black flats like Kate's are so handy for autumn outfit ideas.

When it's mild like it is now, it's not quite the season for boots. However, trainers can be a bit too casual and ballet pumps or loafers are comfy yet elevated. The Princess of Wales wore hers with crisp trousers, though you could recreate a similar look with blue or black jeans and a red blazer would then finish things off with a pop of colour.

Alternatively, go for a poppy-red jumper, cardigan or shirt and this still brings in the trending shade but in a more relaxed way. The important thing is to stick to classic shapes and keep the rest of your outfit quite minimal.

This will help ensure that the bright red isn't overpowering everything else. We've often seen Kate do this when she wears scarlet to engagements like the Portage Session. There are occasions when she goes all-out in head-to-toe red, though she tends to do this more for ultra formal events such as the Commonwealth Day service or welcoming dignitaries for a State Visit.

Otherwise, this formula of picking one main red item is her go-to and she likes the contrast of red and black together. Black makes the poppy tone stand out and her black ballet flats are the kind of style that could be re-worn time and time again, compared to red accessories.

The death of Dolly Parton has sparked an outpouring of tributes across the world and King Charles's way of honouring the Queen of country music was every bit as majestic as she deserved. The Royal Family's Instagram account shared a special video the day after Dolly passed away, filmed at the most iconic of residences - Buckingham Palace.

It featured the Band of the Coldstream Guards playing a rendition of her hit, 9 to 5, during the Changing of the Guard on 26th August. This was already incredibly moving, though the caption included another detail that made it even more meaningful.

"Remembering the late, great Dolly, who brought joy, comfort and inspiration to so many - including the millions of children given free books through her Imagination Library. We will always ❤️ you" the King and Queen's message read.

Whilst Dolly Parton will forever be remembered for her musical accomplishments as a 12-time Grammy award winner, the Imagination Library became her "mission". She set up the literacy initiative in 1995 and was inspired by her late father, Robert Lee Parton.

"Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done," she wrote on their website. "I can't tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams."

"Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county but here we are today with a worldwide program," Dolly continued.

The King's reference to the extraordinary impact of the Imagination Library in the royal tribute was a beautiful way to honour Dolly's work beyond her music. I suspect this detail was something Queen Camilla would've especially wanted to include.

She is also an advocate for literacy and set up The Queen's Reading Room book club, which is now a charity and which celebrates and promotes the benefits and power of reading. Together with the 9 to 5 rendition, the caption is such a special way to remember Dolly Parton, who once met Queen Elizabeth after singing at her Silver Jubilee Royal Variety Performance and grew up "fascinated" with all things royal.

"I remember as a child being fascinated with the kings and queens and all their flamboyant clothes, people living in another world with riches and crowns and jewelry and all that," she explained in 2023. "But when I actually got to meet [Queen Elizabeth], she was very sweet."

The singer recalled being "scared to death" about the curtsy, but the late monarch "was just very warm, very sweet, and [she] could tell she was a very giving person. And just meeting the Queen of England, just to meet a queen, it was amazing."

Dolly Parton passed away on 25th August at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center "surrounded by loved ones" after "bravely facing a brief battle with cancer", her reps confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement. They added that she "spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched" and praised her "unmatched generosity".

After dressing for scorching weather for what feels like months at this point, I'm now more than ready to embrace some autumn outfit ideas. Knitwear, jeans and light jackets are perfect for cooler temperatures and that's what Zara Tindall wore to the Cornbury House Horse Trials in September 2024.

This was a pared-back, neutral look and keeping things simple like she did is not only a time-saver, but very chic. Zara championed British clothing brand Fairfax & Favor and wore their soft wool and cashmere knit and Violet waxed coat.

Her jumper was a gorgeous muted taupe and whilst this isn't a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend for 2026, it's also a shade that will never go out of style. Like chocolate (which is still hugely popular), latte brown is a softer alternative to black and complements a vast array of colours.

Shop Zara's Outfit

The King's niece left her knit draped over the waistband of her blue skinny jeans for a relaxed, effortless look. Whilst I love tucking fitted tops into wide or straight-leg jeans to accentuate the waist, skinny jeans are already very sleek and structured.

To balance out your silhouette, I'd recommend going for a slightly looser, relaxed top with them. The streamlined shape of skinny jeans works well with tall boots as there's no bunching of the material around the knees and Zara tucked hers into the Fairfax & Favor x Le Chameau L'Alliance Wellington boots.

These were a practical choice for a day at the horse trials and she added to the countryside feel with her waxed coat. The Violet design falls to just above the knee and has a corduroy collar, antique brass hardware and plenty of useful pockets.

Sadly, the exact coat is almost sold-out but barn jackets are a trending style for the season. It's still too warm for full-on coats and waxed cotton options give a traditional edge to an outfit and a degree of water resistance too. Zara Tindall left her Violet coat unfastened to give a glimpse of her jumper and jeans underneath and she picked the 'bracken' colourway.

This earthy brown-green colour looked great against her jumper and the structured shape meant the coat wasn't too casual. Just in case, she brought a fedora hat and a grey and white patterned scarf with her to provide some extra warmth during the day.

We could all easily adapt this basic combination of jumper, jeans and a waxed jacket to suit different occasions too. This ensemble would be perfect for a country walk but if you wanted to make it slightly more elevated, you could swap the wellies for leather or suede knee-high boots with a comfortable block heel.

If you're not sure about skinny jeans then you could also take inspiration from Zara Tindall's Cornbury outfit and choose a different denim style and ankle boots instead. She's a big fan of barrel-leg jeans, though they might not have looked so neat with her wellies and she wanted a combination of practicality and autumn style.

Life is about to change dramatically for seven-year-old Prince Archie and his five-year-old sister Lilibet as they prepare to move thousands of miles away from their Montecito home and start at a new British school from September. It's a lot to process for such young children and Archie might be particularly sorry to leave a part of US life behind.

According to The Telegraph, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to bring the family's dogs, Mia and Pula, to the UK with them this month. However, the chickens will be staying behind and will reportedly be looked after by their household staff. Collecting eggs is something they used to do as a family and the coop is even named Archie's Chick Inn.

During her appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' former talk show in 2021, Meghan shared a picture of a then-two-year-old Archie standing in the "inn" wearing wellies and holding a basket. He's clearly been very involved with egg collecting from the beginning and as the oldest child, he's had longer to form a bond with the birds too.

Ellen, who owns a neighbouring home, said the Prince is "so sweet with the chickens" and is a "gentle soul". We saw more of the flock in Meghan's With Love, Meghan Netflix show, where the Duchess said egg collecting was a lovely way to start the day that made you "think about your day differently".

Although it makes sense that Prince Harry and Meghan wouldn't want to transport their birds across the Atlantic ocean, poor Archie could be feeling rather sad that they're not coming too. He'll have to wait until they're next in the US to see the Archie's Chick Inn residents again, but he's not the only royal with a hilariously-named coop.

King Charles is also a proud hen-owner and keeps over 100 of them at Highgrove House.These chickens get to roost in Cluckingham Palace and roam under the fruit trees, with species including Burford Browns and Welsummers.

Egg collecting is a bit more labour-intensive here than at Archie's family coop, though. The Highgrove website states that around 4,000 eggs are collected each year.

His Majesty is said to welcome the opportunity to spend more time with the Sussex family when they move, so perhaps Archie can help out with his trusty basket if he visits. In the meantime at least he and Lilibet will have their family dogs with them as they start their new lives in Britain.

Prince Archie was born in the UK, but he's only been back twice since the Duke and Duchess stepped back as working royals in 2020 and it'll take him time to adjust to moving. Even though he likely can't remember much from his time living here before, it's important to Prince Harry for his children to love and understand their British heritage.

"The UK is my home. The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the US. That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil," he said in a statement to the High Court in 2023.

Jeans are an all-year round wardrobe staple for so many of us and yet when I start to think about autumn outfit ideas, there's something else that I reach for a lot too. Faux leather trousers are one of my go-tos when the temperatures start to drop and I'm not alone, as Duchess Sophie owns a lovely wide-leg pair herself.

The Duchess of Edinburgh wore hers to the Cornbury House Horse Trials in September 2024 and she styled them in a way that would work for late summer too. Instead of a chunky knit, she paired her leather trousers with a pastel pink cardigan worn as a top.

Her tweed blazer brought a countryside edge to the ensemble and her beige chunky ankle boots were a practical touch.

Shop Faux Leather Trousers

Complete The Look

Every other part of Sophie's outfit was quite light and bright, which is a clever tip if you want to enjoy leather trousers or skirts in late summer into early autumn. Then when winter arrives you can swap to deep jewel tones like burgundy and forest green.

No matter what autumn/winter fashion colour trends you love most, black leather and faux leather trousers will complement almost anything. This is also true for denim, though jeans can feel a bit too casual for certain occasions.

It's one of the reasons why we don't see the working royals regularly wearing jeans out in public, as they like to dress more smartly when they're making appearances.

The smooth finish and tailored silhouettes of leather trousers instantly make them look more elegant and elevated than denim and yet they're just as comfy. Many styles - including the £30 M&S straight-leg design I own the 2025 version of - have a cosy lining which also keeps you warm.

I love straight-leg and wide-leg shapes in general because they have a beautiful drape to them and aren't at all restrictive on the legs. You can even get away with wearing tall boots underneath them as another layer in the winter.

Duchess Sophie's trousers were wide and high-waisted, allowing her to smoothly tuck in her cardigan and fitted tops look particularly stunning with looser trousers. The contrast balances out your frame and if you want an extra elongating effect you could also layer over a longline jacket or coat.

The King's sister-in-law chose a checked zip-up jacket which fell to just below the waist and the muted khaki tone complemented her pale beige boots. Cleated boots give you plenty of grip and as Sophie's were heeled and she was walking on grass, this would've been very useful.

Opting for a lighter colour was an interesting move and it worked because of the other shades in this ensemble. For a more minimal look, go for black ankle boots instead and they will almost blend in with the leather or faux leather trousers.

Duchess Sophie likes going for brown footwear with leather, as she did both times she's worn her Loewe midi dress. Perhaps she loves the contrast, but whatever the reason, she's inspired me to bring my own faux leather trousers out of storage.

Zara Tindall might not have a title, but the Prince and Princess of Wales once granted her a role that could have a huge impact on the monarchy's future. In 2013 the Prince and Princess of Wales made her one of Prince George's godmothers and she's the only Royal Family member to be a godparent to any of their children.

This highlights their trust in Zara and expert Robert Jobson believes her grounding influence on 13-year-old George is key. Speaking recently to the Daily Mail, he explained, "In the autumn he goes up to Eton. The apparatus that makes a king is already built around him. The school. The staff. The gaze tightening by degrees until one day he notices it, and it is too late to mind."

"All of that will make a king. None of it decides what sort," he added. "For that, look at the two people in his life who hold no rank at all, Zara and Mike Tindall."

Robert has noticed that when Zara is with George "there is no deference" towards him, despite him being second in the royal line of succession. Instead, he thinks she "teases him" and the teenager is "easy with her the way children are easy with adults who want nothing from them".

Although retired rugby star Mike isn't a godparent to George like his wife, he also behaves very normally around him and Robert believes he talks to the youngster "about losing". According to the royal author, this is "the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning."

"Prince George is destined to be king. Whether he arrives knowing the difference between being important and being useful is not," Robert later stated. "Two people close can undoubtedly help him. They have no titles between them... That is exactly why they can."

Zara has never been a working royal but she was raised in the public eye as Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, so she has a unique perspective she can share with Prince George. According to woman&home's Royal Correspondent Emily Andrews, the Tindalls have "perfected" the royal "balancing act".

"They attend major state events, honour the monarchy, and maintain close bonds with the likes of William and Kate," she wrote. "All while raising thousands for charity (such as Parkinson's UK, with which Mike's father was diagnosed in 2003), paying their own way and keeping their feet on the ground."

With Prince George now a teenager and preparing to head off to boarding school, this is a formative time for him and Zara and Mike's influence might help shape him more than we ever realised. The Tindalls are also close to Charlotte and Louis and at Christmas and Easter we get to see their children all together too.

It's clear the bond has been passed down to the next generation and these close family ties could be an extra source of support for Prince George when he takes on more responsibilities in the future.

Of all the things the Duchess of Sussex might've said when asked what she missed about her former home, I don't think many of us predicted her actual answer last year. On season 2 of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, she chatted to British-born fashion expert Tan France and admitted Magic Radio is "one of the things I miss most about the UK".

Just under a year later, she and Prince Harry are moving back across the pond and Meghan will be able to listen to Magic Radio to her heart's content. Although Tan joked it was a "Grandma station", she owned it, saying "I'll be that Grandma". Her response sparked a big reaction at the time and now she's relocating, I wonder if a surprising "offer" still stands…

The Duchess's comments about missing Magic FM caught the attention of the station and the Content Director, Paul Sylvester, reportedly made her a rather special offer. According to The Telegraph, he told a RadioCentre conference, "We had conversations with the Sussex team and if the Duchess would like to add radio presenter to her CV there is an offer on the table."

Meanwhile, Magic said it had "been in with her team and offered her a show, if she ever wanted one". This never ended up happening and logistically it might've just been too difficult given that she was California-based. However, very soon this won't be an issue.

Prince Harry and Meghan are understood to be moving to the UK this month and Archie and Lilibet have been enrolled in a British school from September. The Sussexes are going through a massive life switch-up and that could affect their careers too.

It's been widely reported that the Duchess of Sussex is in early stage talks to take on a role in Netflix's The Gentleman. This would be her first significant acting role since she married Prince Harry in 2026 and suggests that Meghan is open to different work projects right now.

Perhaps she might be tempted to try her hand at radio presenting? Who knows if the reported Magic FM offer still stands, but the wording of "if she ever wanted one" suggests that the door isn't fully closed. Starting a radio show would be a major move for Meghan but it doesn't sound too out-there.

She's gone on multiple podcasts before and hosted her own, Archetypes, which aired from August to November 2022. The Duchess is confident chatting to listeners and it would be interesting to hear a member of the Royal Family regularly on the radio.

Even if she doesn't take up the offer, she can still enjoy Magic's music at her new home and her and Harry's relocation to the UK has sparked plenty of interest and speculation to be getting on with. For a start, it'll be intriguing to see whether the Sussexes start to attend more family occasions, notably Christmas at Sandringham House, which they haven't been at since 2018.

King Charles is said to have been told about the move on 16th August and welcomes the opportunity to spend more time with Harry, Meghan and their children. The Prince and Princess of Wales haven't commented publicly on the news and are currently up at Balmoral with the King, enjoying the end of the school summer holidays.

Late summer and early autumn outfit ideas often revolve around pieces that are easy to layer and the Princess of Wales's white shirt is an elegant example of this. She was pictured heading to Crathie Kirk during the royals' Balmoral holiday on 23rd August and wore a timeless, high-necked design from British clothing brand Holland Cooper.

The Audley blouse has a Victorian-inspired feel about it, with frilled cuffs and lace detailing. Kate is a fan of statement collars and traditional elements but even if these aren't for you, a white shirt is still hard to beat for versatility. There are so many variations to choose from and they're autumn's answer to a basic white T-shirt.

Shop Kate's Outfit

Complete The Look

As she was sitting in a car on the way to church we didn't get a glimpse of everything the Princess wore with her Audley shirt, but she did pair it with a tweed jacket. It looked to be a blazer and the structured silhouette complemented the crisp white blouse perfectly.

Neutral, checked designs are a great way to add some dimension to an outfit without going too bold with it. The future Queen matched her hat to the rich brown tones and re-wore her Lock & Co pillbox hat she's owned for several years.

Perhaps as a nod to being off-duty and on holiday, Kate sported large, multi-drop earrings rather than the more minimal pairs she usually reaches for when she's working. They added some sparkle and glamour, though all together, this was a very simple, chic look and the white blouse was the useful basic at the heart of it.

At this time of year you can put shirts to good use as a base layer. They look great worn under knitted vests or jumpers when it's cooler, especially if you have a collared or high neckline that can poke out the top. This gives a polished effect and we've seen the Princess do this multiple times over the years.

In October 2023 she stepped out for a visit to the Vsi Razom Community Hub in a white shirt with statement cuffs, a dove-grey vest and matching wide-leg trousers. Structured, oversized shirts tend to give a more contemporary feel to an outfit whilst designs like Kate's with lace or frills are an ultra-feminine alternative.

For the most classic, preppy look, I'd recommend going for a fitted white shirt with a neat collar and minimal detailing. No matter which style you're drawn to, they all have a place in an autumn capsule wardrobe and can be made more relaxed with blue denim or dressed up with tailoring.

The Princess of Wales usually sticks to wearing skirts or dresses when she's attending church with the royals, so even though we didn't see it, she was probably wearing a midi skirt - perhaps even a tweed one to match her jacket.

I personally prefer jeans with white blouses and this is how I'll be getting the most use out of this seasonal staple. It's a throw-on-and-go combination that works best for everyday and strikes the perfect balance between being smart and casual.

The late Queen famously spent her summers at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and it was one of the few places where she could enjoy just being "Elizabeth". While she was there, she swapped floral hats for headscarves and liked things to be a little less formal.

Tradition and ceremony are important to the Royal Family, but Queen Elizabeth's personal protocol meant that guests at her Balmoral BBQs were never allowed to wash up. According to former Prime Minister David Cameron, she cleaned the dishes herself and he found out that this wasn't a rule to break…

As per The Telegraph, he previously explained, "One of the best parts [of going to Balmoral] was when in the evening you'd get into Her Majesty's car, a Range Rover, and she would drive at breakneck speed up the hill and onto the moor."

Once they got up there they went to a "sort of converted bothy, an old cottage on the hill" and Prince Philip would be there barbequing. Lord Cameron added that the Queen's husband would have built the barbeques himself and he'd cook grouse.

"I'm not making this up, you sat down and Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen served your dinner and cleared it away and washed it up while you sat talking with the other guests," he said.

You might think it's only polite to offer to assist the hosts but the former Prime Minister tried this once - around year five of his time in office.

He continued, "I thought 'Well, I now surely can help' and got up and got on the Marigolds and started doing the washing-up. And I remember Her Majesty saying: 'What on earth is the Prime Minister doing?' I'd broken with the protocol and rapidly sat back down and did what I was told."

During Queen Elizabeth's summer break it seems she took a more down-to-earth approach and the same was true when she was at other royal residences. After Philip retired from public duties in 2017 he moved to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate.

On her and Reverend Richard Coles' Catching Up With The Royals podcast, woman&home royal correspondent Emily Andrews explained the couple behaved similarly at the "secluded" home.

In an episode in April, she claimed, "[Wood Farm] always has held a special place for him and the Queen. Often he and the Queen when Sandringham was open to the general public or whatever, he and the Queen would live at Wood Farm, doing their own washing up, maybe even stacking the dishwasher."

Sometimes while they waited for Balmoral Castle to close to the public, the couple used to stay at Craigowan Lodge where they also lived more humbly. Speaking on Channel 5's Secrets of the Royal Palaces, expert Wesley Kerr explained, "I think the Queen sees the grandeur in these amazing houses as, sort of, part of the job. But the Queen, like anybody else, can only be in one room at a time. So one room in a small house is probably a rather nice change."

For someone raised in royal splendour, it likely was quite refreshing - and freeing - for Queen Elizabeth to be able to live more simply and to do things for herself and her guests.

Whenever the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are out in public there's always comparisons to the Prince and Princess of Wales - and the timing often doesn't help. A lot of their high-profile visits this year have come either just before or after a big moment for other royals like the Waleses.

Now they're reportedly moving back to the UK and have enrolled Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in a British school from September. That same month Prince George will also be starting his first term at Eton College and I can't help feeling his big moment might not get the attention it would've had if his cousins hadn't relocated.

Given how much Prince Harry and Meghan have said about wanting privacy for their family, I don't think they'll confirm which school Archie and Lili will be going to. We probably also won't see a picture like we're expecting with George, who is second in the royal line of succession and the son of working royals.

However, the speculation over their school, fascination with the move and most autumn terms starting in September could put Archie and Lilibet firmly in the spotlight with George. Comparisons and suggestions of "overshadowing" could start being focused on this generation.

These criticisms have already been directed at Harry and Meghan. Writing in Woman in June, royal correspondent Duncan Larcombe alleged, "Meghan's visit to Switzerland to highlight the dangers of social media is also understood to have upset William as it had the potential to overshadow Kate's first foreign visit since her cancer diagnosis, as both happened mid-May."

His royal source claimed William and Kate "take a great deal of care" planning their engagements and "will not want anything to overshadow the roles they play".

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Australia trip in April took place just before King Charles's US State Visit. Even their Highgrove reunion fell on the same day as the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

Eton's autumn term starts 1st September and is a big moment for the 13-year-old, as he will be living fully away from home and attending a different school to his siblings. The Prince and Princess of Wales released pictures for his first days at other schools so it makes sense there'll be a new one in a few weeks' time.

It's less certain, but Meghan could post some kind of snap of Archie and Lilibet (without showing their faces or identifiable school uniform), or one with a caption that mentions fresh starts or their first day.

According to the BBC, sources close to the Sussexes haven't denied reports that the Duchess has been offered a UK acting job.

She could potentially return to her former career, though her lifestyle brand will probably still be important to her. Archie and Lilibet have been featured on Meghan's As Ever Instagram as well as her personal one and it would be a surprise if she completely stopped including them on her social media after the move.

Even if Meghan shares nothing, though, the attention and predictions over her kids' school aren't likely to die down anytime soon.

Some of the best autumn outfit ideas rely on just a few key pieces and jeans are up there as one of the most versatile staples. Incorporating seasonal tones with your top and accessories is an easy way to transform your denim and this is what Queen Mary of Denmark did when she visited Momentet, a residential facility that provides social and psychiatric support.

Steering away from the pastels she's been loving so far in summer, the Queen wore a dark brown jacket from British clothing brand, ME+EM. The Sharp Shoulder Straight Blazer is still available in one size in the 'summer chocolate' tone and in other colours, though thankfully brown jackets aren't hard to find if you're looking for an alternative.

Recreate Queen Mary's Outfit

It's been such a popular colour in recent years that I've already spotted some gems and a chocolate blazer like Mary's works so well with more casual outfits. The structured shape gives blazers a sophisticated feel and the Queen styled hers with flowy denim trousers.

They were more tailored and lighter than jeans, with a high-rise waist and belt loops. However, you could easily wear your favourite wide-leg jeans with a brown jacket or top for a similar effect. Mary went for mid-blue denim which was a lovely, gentle contrast against the darker blazer.

Chocolate brown is a softer alternative to black and works with almost any colour, so you can be confident when styling it. Denim is equally simple to pair with different hues and so together you're got yourself a chic and fuss-free combination.

The Queen of Denmark tucked a white shirt into her trousers and because the rest of her ensemble was so neutral, she went a bit jazzier with her footwear. Her Majesty stepped out to meet some of the residents at Momentet wearing leopard print flats.

The tones in this particular pattern complement dark brown perfectly and even a small amount of leopard print can totally transform an outfit into something more fashion-forward. Animal prints in general are a big autumn/winter fashion trend for 2026 and shoes or accessories like bags or scarves are a subtle way to incorporate it.

Queen Mary kept everything else in her look pared-back for a sense of balance. Part of why this style stood out to me so much is because it's so classic and elegant.

It can be easy to overlook denim or chocolate brown or think they're not exciting enough but realistically it's the neutral colours and uncomplicated designs that many of us wear most often. Although this is the first time the Queen has worn her ME+EM blazer she owns several other brown jackets and she's owned her Britt Sisseck denim trousers since at least 2022.

In June that year she wore them with a cream blazer and her Chanel slingback flats, so tailoring and comfy shoes are clearly her preferred way of styling them.

This time around she looked just as polished at Momentet, which is run by The Deaconess Foundation, of which Mary is Patron. Momentet provides accommodation and support for young adults aged between 18-35 who face mental health and social challenges.

It had to happen, didn't it? It was surely a matter of when, not if... the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to their Californian home in Montecito, whereupon Meghan Markle did a huge picture dump on Instagram of her summer holiday.

And look! Isn't it so lovely, so joyous, so much family time with Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, on the beach in Portugal, Meghan shopping for just-gorgeous homeware, all to the tune of Cliff Richard classic Summer Holiday?

And I thought they'd left the Royal Family as they wanted privacy...

Oh - is that the swimming pool at Althorp House, where Prince Harry is adoringly flipping Lili out of the water? Is that Archie wandering barefoot through Earl Spencer's estate? Is that Harry and Archie carrying armfuls of white flowers to lay on Princess Diana's grave in the middle of Oval Lake, with Lili bringing up the rear?

Because, if you thought these pictures genuinely were just some candid holiday snaps, perhaps think again.

To me, all look artfully contrived then posted to remind us all that Meghan is very definitely royal, that Harry is very much Princess Diana's son, and that the Sussexes are the true heirs of Diana.

To be fair, she resisted posting anything from the 'Highgrove High Tea' (as I'm calling it), when King Charles and Queen Camilla invited all the Sussexes for a family reunion. She's far too canny for that. But then, she didn't need to.

That holiday dump reminded us all that they came to the UK, they did the royal stuff, and it was all happy happy happy! Which is even more extraordinary, if you think about what actually happened before and during their stay here.

This was a fraught period for the Sussexes. They were deep in life-defining security negotiations with the British state, a back-and-forth that threatened to make it impossible for them to travel to the UK for the rest of their lives.

I was told that Harry was close to tears about it all, while Meghan's side told People magazine she was 'saddened' and 'humiliated' by how it all unfolded.

Meghan and the kids didn't come for a large part of the trip. The family was separated, and they were the ones who were telling us how awful and scary and upsetting it all was, at great length and in excruciating detail.

But no! According to this social media photo carousel, everything was sun-kissed, wonderful and uplifting.

And this is the problem for Meghan and Harry. Things rarely feel authentic. Things often seem like they're there for the social media construct. It's just another form of advertising.

As someone said to me, 'It just looks utterly shameless, trying to capitalise on everything. And she and Harry wonder why most of the family won't see her? They just don't trust them, and worry they will be used to advertise the Sussex brand!'

The issue for Meghan is that it just looks fake. They can't tell us one week how horrendous and awful everything is, then the next it's all breezy summer holidays without a care in the world!

Public relations people are paid a fortune precisely to help their clients avoid this kind of confused messaging.

Meghan needs consumers (us) to buy into her lifestyle so we'll buy her wares. I don't think it's working.

Harry, too, had some bizarre mixed messaging. After hitting out at the British courts and the government, he then went on retired rugby player (and Celebrity Traitors hero) Joe Marler's podcast, boasting about farts and being called 'carrot top' at school.

Then, back in the USA, he went on James Corden's chat show to talk about the World Cup and the England football team with a pint! (I know from talking to Harry myself that he's more of a rugby man.)

It all feels like, to me, that the Sussexes' great American dream is crashing down.

Next month, Harry will be back in the UK to attend the WellChild Awards. Watch this space...

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

Prince Harry and Meghan's imminent return to the UK has sparked a frenzy of speculation and interest - notably about where things stand with the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William and Kate weren't at Highgrove House for the Sussexes' big reunion with King Charles in July and didn't see them at any other point during their trip.

However, a detail shared alongside the recent news could suggest that Harry has reached out to his older brother. According to the BBC, His Majesty was told about the move on 16th August and they added that the "Prince and Princess of Wales have also been informed of their plans".

It's possible that they found out via the King, but the phrasing sounds more like they were specifically told in their own right.

That doesn't necessarily mean they were told personally by Harry and Meghan, however even if the Sussex team shared the news this would be a big step. The last time the Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales saw each other face-to-face was reportedly August 2024.

When Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lilibet went to Highgrove to see King Charles and Queen Camilla, some suggested that William wasn't thrilled.

Emily Andrews, woman's Royal Editor, wrote that she was told he "made it clear that Harry and Meghan were not to be offered Windsor Castle, or indeed any royal accommodation in Windsor" for their UK visit. She added, "He did not want to run the risk of seeing his younger brother - or Meghan - on his home turf".

Whilst I can only speculate where Prince Harry and Meghan might live after moving back right now, we know it won't be a royal residence and I'd be surprised if they settled in Windsor. Even so, the idea that they wanted to keep Prince William and Kate in the loop is intriguing.

Their respective children haven't had a lot of time to get to know each other and it's thought none of the Waleses have even met Lilibet at all. Surely, Harry would love them to spend time together and informing his brother and sister-in-law could also be a sign of respect.

Prince William is first in the royal line of succession and no matter what their personal relationship is like, Harry knows that the proper thing to do is not to exclude the future King from such a big life update. Given that part of the reason William is supposedly unhappy with his brother is the claims he's made about the institution, including that the Prince is "trapped" in it, this is a good move.

The relationships between Royal Family members are personal, but there'll always be that public, formal element there too. Telling the Prince and Princess of Wales they're moving back to the UK is a small step in the right direction ahead of a big year for the royals, including several moments where you'd expect the brothers to both be there.

In July 2027 the Invictus Games will be held in Birmingham and 31st August will be the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death. One of the last times we saw William and Harry side-by-side in public was when they unveiled a statue of their mother on what would've been her 60th birthday.

I imagine they'll want to mark this poignant anniversary in some way and it would speak volumes if they did this together too.

Princess Anne recently turned 76 and the King's sister shows absolutely no sign of scaling back her royal duties anytime soon. Her commitment to her work could reflect the sense of duty she inherited from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, but is also perhaps testament to how important it is to have a place to relax in total privacy.

The Princess Royal lives at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire and the late Queen's former communications secretary, Ailsa Anderson, believes it's her "bolthole".

Speaking to Hello!, Ailsa described Gatcombe as a place where Anne can enjoy time with her children and grandchildren completely at ease, adding it’s "where she is not the Princess Royal - she is Anne. It’s a lot less formal."

She continued, "She has Zara and Mike still living on the estate, and Peter and Harriet nearby. I think, like every parent, she just wants to see her children happy. She adores them and it's touching to see her with her grandchildren at horse trials, showing them things and looking relaxed in her jeans."

Princess Anne's son Peter married NHS nurse Harriet in June this year and the royal gained not only a new daughter-in-law, but a step-granddaughter. Harriet has a daughter, Georgina Sperling, from a previous relationship and a source reportedly close to the family shared that Anne has welcomed her with "open arms".

The Princess Royal inherited a lot of traits from her mother Queen Elizabeth and making people feel welcome is apparently one of them.

"She is an amazing mother and grandmother and has a natural talent for putting people at ease, much like her mother," the source claimed.

Royal author Robert Hardman has offered even more insight into what life on Gatcombe is like for Princess Anne. He agrees that the 730-acre estate is "her happy place" as she’s "fundamentally a country person”.

With her family so close, she gets to enjoy "very normal" and "no-nonsense” relationship with them all. He alleges, "It's very normal; there isn't any standing on ceremony, and she's the only one with a title."

Princess Anne turned down titles for her children and her grandchildren Savannah and Isla Phillips and Mia, Lena and Lucas Tindall don't have them.

Robert suggests, "She's a very good grandmother. She's hands-on, but like all grandchildren, I think they can get away with things. She dotes on them."

While life away from public duty might be all about normality, Ailsa firmly believes that the Princess Royal won’t step back from work any time soon.

"I don't think the word 'retirement' is in her vocabulary", she shared. "She does not pause for breath. Think about how many other 76-year-olds are putting their feet up, watching TV, and she just carries on. It's all about duty. She inherited that sense of duty and service from both of her parents."

There are so many fun autumn/winter fashion trends emerging already but if you love staples that are more classic then look no further than Duchess Sophie for transitional style inspiration. She visited Capability Scotland's Riccarton Hub on 14th August to mark their 80th anniversary, wearing a gorgeous corduroy skirt that's given me plenty of autumn outfit ideas.

The Duchess of Edinburgh kept things a little more summery in Edinburgh and paired her Soler skirt with a blue silk blouse and neutral wedges, both from Penelope Chilvers. She'd previously worn the same skirt with knee-high cowboy boots, showing how versatile corduroy can be.

Shop Duchess Sophie's Outfit

Shop More Cord Skirts

The ribbed finish of the material adds a sense of cosiness to an outfit, but cord isn't too heavyweight to wear when it's mild. The softness of Sophie's skirt contrasted against her smooth, silk top and brought some textural interest.

As we move more into autumn/winter mixing up textures it's a key tip to ensure your outfits have definition and feel a bit more polished. Duchess Sophie's skirt was a light tan colour which emphasised the corduroy detailing and is very versatile.

Warm neutrals like tan, olive and brown are so autumnal and I think they're easier to incorporate into a range of looks than black skirts because they don't look as stark against light colours.

The Duchess's skirt was clearly comfortable for a busy day but it felt more elevated than a denim one would've been too. Denim skirts are a great alternative to jeans, however they can still be a bit too casual for certain occasions thanks to the mottled colour washes.

In contrast, corduroy styles are more minimal and can be dressed up or down easily. Duchess Sophie's choice of an A-line, midi design is about as timeless as it gets and would work with a variety of different top and shoe options.

In autumn I'd go for a jumper and sleek knee-high boots with an item like this to create an elegant, elongated silhouette. Her ensemble was perfect for a late summer and struck a good smart-casual balance for her time celebrating 80 years of Capability Scotland, which delivers support, care and education for disabled children and adults across the country.

The Duchess of Edinburgh spent the afternoon with people supported by the organisation, as well as staff, volunteers and guests.

She heard all about the experiences and achievements from across Capability Scotland, cut an anniversary cake and officially opened a new YouthZone Play Park. This was a solo engagement for the King's sister-in-law, though she's expected to reunite privately with a lot of the wider Royal Family during their annual summer break this month.

I wouldn't be surprised if staples like this cord skirt, blue blouse and wedges get re-worn a lot during her holiday. The Duchess often sticks to tried and tested pairings and if it gets cooler at Balmoral, she could even style the skirt with the same Penelope Chilvers western boots she wore to the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.