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

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

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Complete The Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recreate Kate's Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recreate Kate's Polo Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We rarely get to see the Princess of Wales truly off duty and although I love both her Wimbledon final outfits this year, her polo look from a few days earlier has to be my favourite. She’s attended the Royal Charity Polo Cup before and because these aren’t official appearances, Kate can enjoy wearing something a little more relaxed.

Like us, she relies on summer dresses in hot weather and went to watch Prince William compete wearing a black and white gingham frock by British clothing brand, Temperley London. It’s the first time the Princess has worn it publicly but since it’s past season, this is surely a piece she’s had for a while as part of her "everyday" wardrobe.

Falling to just above the ankles, it had an A-line skirt that skims the legs. This keeps the silhouette sleeker and more low-key compared to voluminous skater dress shapes which are very feminine and can feel a bit too formal.

Recreate The Princess of Wales's Polo Outfit

Unusually for Kate, this Temperley design had straps rather than sleeves and a square neckline. Although spaghetti straps are lovely to wear in the heat, thicker styles are naturally better for concealing bra straps. The future Queen’s dress was made from a black and white gingham material and the checked motifs were bold and large.

Gingham is one of those patterns that is especially popular in summer and conjures up images of picnic blankets - in the chicest way. The jumbo gingham trend has been huge for 2026 and monochrome colours are striking and yet still quite classic. Navy and white is another timeless option, but you can also go for pastels for a softer look.

"Much like florals scream spring, gingham is the perfect print for summer. Larger squares like Kate is wearing feel like the grown-up way to wear this trend, and in a classic colour like black and white, you can't go wrong," says woman&home Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr.

She adds, "I love the square neckline of her Temperley dress, plus the belted waist and flared skirt are super flattering. With such a statement print, keep accessories minimal and pared-back to allow the gingham to do all the talking."

Kate accessorised hers with her go-to summer shoe style - slingbacks. She’s worn Camilla Elphick flats to the polo before and this time she opted for heels.

Slingbacks usually have either a buckled strap or elastication in the strap to keep them secure on your feet and they’re a bit less restrictive and covered than court shoes. The Princess’s pair had pointed toes and were a subtle beige-pink tone that didn’t pull focus from the dress.

Her earrings were brown resin Sézane hoops and she added two cuff bracelets and Ralph Lauren sunglasses. This year Kate didn’t appear to bring a bag with her, though a white or black design would’ve both looked so cohesive with the gingham frock.

Although this probably isn’t exactly how the Princess dresses in her everyday life it’s a lot closer than we usually get. She was off-duty at the polo, happily holding hands with Prince William and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

The match raised more than £1 million to support the vital work of several charities that make a lasting difference around the UK and world, and which are close to William and Kate's hearts. These include Wales Air Ambulance, Evelina London Children’s Hospital and The Passage.

The Princess of Wales has gone through a lot in recent years and after recovering from cancer she chose to set herself a huge personal challenge to "give something back". Last month Kate completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales in a 24-hour period.

This isn't for the faint-hearted and when she attended Wimbledon a few days later, the Princess confessed what really got her through it. In a Royal Special of their Overheard at Wimbledon series, the club posted a conversation between Kate and retired British tennis star Tim Henman.

"Everyone's been so generous," she told him. "That's what keeps you going; it's when you know you're doing it for a good cause - it keeps you going through the harder times."

There will have been plenty of tough moments throughout the hikes and the car journeys between countries. Knowing that her efforts would be making a real difference was a big comfort to the Princess, who was "blown away" by the amount of money donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

She became their Patron in 2025 and received her own cancer treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital. It makes sense that it would've been easier to get through the "harder times" when she remembered the human aspect - the people backing her, the people who helped her and the people the donations would go on to support too.

Alongside the physical and mental aspects of the Three Peaks Challenge, Kate also had to battle some horrendous weather. The UK has basked in intense sunshine for weeks but the conditions that high up were very different.

The future Queen was heard describing the "atrocious" rain and said that all the people climbing at the time got "soaked through". Despite this, they all rallied and drew on the British spirit. She explained, "It was a very sort of stoically British thing to do. You know, you're soaking wet, and everyone's going, 'Come on, we can do it.'"

It was important for Kate to try to "enjoy the process", from the training to "making time during the walk to meet people and enjoy the journey". It wasn't just about "quickly getting to the top".

When she completed the challenge the Princess was given a hero's welcome at the bottom of Mount Snowdon by Prince William, George, Charlotte, Louis, her brother James and parents Carole and Michael.

Although it was the "good cause" that kept her going during the challenge, it was the support and love of her family that got her through her treatment.

Prince William was given a special shout-out by his wife in the video where she first made her diagnosis public. Kate declared, "Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance."

Meanwhile, a friend claimed in Russell Myers' book, William & Catherine, that, "[K]eeping the children entertained and occupied, being constantly sanguine even when he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, allowing her to concentrate on her treatment and recovery, is something she will be eternally grateful for."

The Princess of Wales has rarely missed Wimbledon since becoming a senior royal and that included the championships in 2024. She was still undergoing cancer treatment at the time and had only made one other public appearance that year, making her attendance at the Men's Singles Final even more significant.

Kate was visibly moved by the delighted reaction from the crowd as she took her seat with Princess Charlotte and Pippa Middleton. This was Charlotte's second ever trip to Wimbledon and it was reportedly a special "treat" her mum had committed too.

"It was a long-held promise that Kate would take Charlotte to the finals as a special treat," royal expert and author Ingrid Seward previously claimed to The Sun. "Kate felt guilty she hadn't been able to spend as much time as she would have liked to be with the kids because of her exhaustion after her treatment."

Ingrid added, "It is a super special day for Kate to be able to share it with Charlotte and much more fun for her to have Charlotte there and explain to her the details of what is going on.”

It's so special to think that the Princess of Wales might've planned particular outings with her children so she could catch up on some quality time with them. Charlotte is also a big tennis fan and although Prince George has often gone to Wimbledon before, this time Kate clearly wanted it to be a mum and daughter day.

Balancing cancer treatment with being a hands-on mum wouldn't have been easy and a friend claimed in Russell Myers' William & Catherine that she and William "shared what information they deemed appropriate at the right times with the children".

"What Catherine was able to do was really centre in on what was important to her," they added. "Which was being around her family, and her loved ones, and concentrating on the little moments".

The Princess of Wales fulfilled her Wimbledon promise to Charlotte and went to the final, even though the day might have been tiring too. According to author of Kate!, Christopher Andersen, she reportedly confessed after Trooping the Colour a few weeks earlier - "Unless they've been through it…people don't realise how much chemo takes out of you."

Just over two years later, Kate completed the National Three Peaks Challenge - climbing the highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland - as a "chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back".

She raised money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and was welcomed by her husband, children, parents and brother at the end. The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a series of sweet family snaps, including one of Kate hugging her daughter.

She looked like she was wearing a woven bracelet, possibly made by friendship bracelet-maker Charlotte and mother and daughter could soon enjoy another memorable moment together.

Last year Prince William, Kate, George and Charlotte all attended the Wimbledon Men's Final and I'm sure the children would jump at the chance to go again this year.

On descending Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) after completing the Three Peaks Challenge, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was met by Prince William, their three children, and her parents. She completed the hike with her brother. It was a moment captured by photographers and recently shared on the couple's social media pages.

The Three Peaks Challenge is a 24-hour event where participants must climb the three highest points in England (Scafell Pike), Scotland (Ben Nevis), and Wales (Snowdon), travelling between the mountains. The time limit makes it a real physical and mental task, as participants are often left with limited time to sleep and rest between climbs.

On her wrist, Kate wore the Apple Watch Series 11, the brand's latest. Featuring a 24-hour battery life, accurate and insightful workout data, and strong GPS with the cellular model, it's a reliable option for the Princess of Wales, who would have logged at least 50,000 steps on the Challenge.

In total, the distance is 37 kilometres (23 miles) with more than 10,000 feet of climbing, and about 460 miles of driving between the mountains. Based on average stride length, height, and pace, the future Queen would have tracked 50,000 to 65,000 steps over just one day and night. Luckily, she also had some good Scarpa walking shoes on.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is one of the best fitness trackers today. After starting a Hiking workout, the watch displays live workout data, so Kate would have been able to see how many steps she was taking, the distance she was covering, elevation, speed, and her precise location at every step along the way.

When the climb was over, she would have seen an overview of each hike, revealing the total distance, step count, average speed, and elevation, and she would have been able to see how these efforts impacted her body via the Training Load feature.

At night, Kate would have been able to see how well she slept (if only for a few hours) while wearing the watch, with sensors recording how long she slept for, her various stages of sleep (REM, deep, and light) and how well she slept, rounded up into a Sleep Score.

The watch can also play back music through exercise headphones, make and receive phone calls and texts, and take pictures remotely, all of which come in handy when you're taking on such an adventure.

The Apple Watch Series 11 also has new sharing features, so should she have wanted to, the Princess of Wales could have sent her live location from the watch to family members, who could have tracked her along the way.

Lightweight and ultra-thin, this Apple Watch also has the brightest screen to date, with a new scratch-resistant layer over the top to protect against bumps and bashes while walking or hiking.

Many hikers complete the Three Peaks Challenge for charity, and Kate was no different. Earlier this week, she posted to Instagram from atop one of the climbs, revealing that she was raising money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, an effort you can still donate to today.

She said: "Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.

"I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back. The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people."

When it comes to choosing a good pair of walking shoes, comfort, durability and waterproofing are the three most important features - especially in unpredictable British weather. It's something that Catherine, Princess of Wales, would have greatly appreciated during her recent expedition.

The future Queen took on the Three Peaks Challenge, a long-distance hiking event across the highest points in Scotland, England, and Wales. She climbed three mountains one after the other (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)), within a 24-hour time limit. It's a feat of physical and mental strength, as participants also have to travel between the mountains, leaving them with little sleep and few rest stops.

For the challenge, the Princess of Wales wore Scarpa's Terra GTX walking boots. This Italian family-owned brand has been making reliable, supportive hiking gear for almost 100 years.

While these boots may look old-school compared to the likes of Hoka's Anacapa 2 or Merrell's Moab Speed 2, they have the same GORE-TEX waterproof membrane under the nubuck leather upper that keeps feet dry.

The Scarpa Terra GTX are ergonomic, designed for comfort as well as support. They have a cushioned ankle cuff and platform in the sole, and a slightly wider toe box than other shoes, which can help to reduce pressure on points around the ankles, feet, and toes, making for a more comfortable ride.

Thick lugs on the bottom of the Vibram outsoles have a particular tread pattern that would have kept Kate feeling stable on rocky and muddy mountainsides, both on the way up and down.

Many people do the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity, and the Princess of Wales was no different. She raised money for Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and you can still donate to her effort today.

"I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back. The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life-changing for so many people," she wrote in an earlier Instagram post.

"Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong. It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because in the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward. It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain or landscape you are walking."

Shop Kate's hiking wardrobe

The Princess of Wales couldn't have gone through her cancer treatment and recovery without the support of her family and they were all there to congratulate her as she completed the National Three Peaks Challenge on 28th June. She raised money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and wore what was likely a special tribute to her daughter Princess Charlotte.

In pictures shared after Kate finished this monumental challenge of climbing Scotland, England and Wales' highest peaks, you can see the turquoise bracelet on her left wrist. A lot of her jewellery is meaningful and this looks like a woven friendship bracelet.

Eleven-year-old Charlotte is known for crafting these for her loved ones and it's possible that she made this turquoise one and Kate decided to wear the special gift.

Charlotte first got into making friendship bracelets when she, George and Prince William attended a Taylor Swift concert in June 2024. A few months later William was seen sporting a blue and white bead bracelet with 'Papa' on it and he revealed it was from his daughter.

He promised to wear it on his trip to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize and said he'd "try not to lose it". King Charles has also worn several woven friendship bracelets in recent years, including to Trooping the Colour in June where they stood out against his military uniform.

Whilst we don't know for sure that Princess Charlotte made his, it's a fair guess that she did. It would explain why His Majesty kept them on for his birthday parade, even though they didn't quite complement the formality of the occasion.

If the Princess of Wales's woven bracelet was also from her daughter, then it's so heart-warming she wanted to have it with her as she finished the Three Peaks Challenge in Wales. It would've been a little piece of Charlotte she carried with her and you can see it most clearly in the picture of mother and daughter hugging tightly afterwards.

Even if it wasn't made by Charlotte, it's still a similar style to the ones the eleven-year-old makes and loves. Kate also wore her birthstone garnet Spells of Love drop earrings and her wedding ring stack, including what looks to be the diamond eternity band William reportedly gave her after Prince George's birth.

All three of her children, her husband, her parents Michael and Carole and brother James were there when she completed the challenge. When his sister was diagnosed with cancer, James posted that, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too".

Now, a year after announcing she was in remission, Kate has conquered three literal mountains as well. She took on the Three Peaks challenge to raise money and "to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare".

"Healing, whether personal or collective, is not just about fixing what is wrong," the Princess declared. "It is about finding balance in how we live. Between effort and acceptance, between control and trust, between thinking and simply being. Because in the end, bravery isn't just about pushing forward. It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain or landscape you are walking."

We knew we were likely to see her at the finals of Wimbledon, but the Princess of Wales paid a surprise visit to the Championships on day four, where she met fans queuing to get in, and of course, sat courtside to watch the tennis.

We know how much Kate Middleton loves a trouser suit, and today she debuted a new addition to her ever-growing collection. It's a sapphire blue linen-blend blazer and matching trousers by Gabriela Hearst, which she paired with a high street top from H&M and the £170 'Stella' earrings by Carousel Jewels. Both her tan heels and tortoiseshell sunglasses were by Ralph Lauren, and she carried her Anya Hindmarch woven tote.

Not only did the colour match Kate's iconic engagement ring, but the linen-blend fabric was also perfect for looking polished on a hot summer's day. The double-breasted fit of the blazer and the wide-leg cut of the trousers is incredibly flattering, so I hope this suit becomes a new favourite in her royal engagement wardrobe.

I was surprised by how easy it is to recreate this look on the high street, too - just head to Jigsaw or Next.

Recreate Kate's style

woman&home's Fashion Channel Editor Rivkie Baum agrees this look is a stellar choice for a trip to Wimbledon. She told me: "While many spectators have opted for Wimbledon whites, and zesty green hues, Kate Middleton took an entirely different approach for her first 2026, SW19 appearance.

"Selecting a dazzling, sky blue trouser suit by Gabriela Hearst and a high street hero top from H&M, the colour ensured the Princess of Wales stood out from the crowd, whilst subtly nodding to current fashion colour trends. Comfortable for long bouts of sitting, her wide-leg trousers were an excellent choice for appearing courtside, while the blazer offered just the right amount of warmth for a balmy summer's day."

Catherine, Princess of Wales wasn’t alone when she completed her impressive Three Peaks challenge - climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales over a 24 hour period - she had her brother right by her side.

In new footage shared on social media, per Hello, the Princess is seen holding hands with James Middleton as they make their way down Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon).

James being there for his sister’s impressive achievement goes beyond a brotherly helping hand - it speaks to their unbreakable bond and the moving promise he made to his sister when she was diagnosed with cancer.

In March 2024, shortly after Catherine publicly announced she was dealing with cancer treatment, James posted a photo of the pair when they were younger. In his protective and emotive caption, he wrote, “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too”.

And he kept that promise - quite literally - supporting the future Queen as they trekked down the Welsh mountain, hand-in-hand. It was also reported that she had further support waiting for her at the bottom.

Michael and Carole Middleton, were waiting to cheer on their daughter - and, as it turns out, their son as well - as she descended Snowdon, and Prince William brought the couple’s three children - Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - to celebrate mum’s milestone.

Dressed down in a pair of red North Face shorts, a sporty cap, and a rucksack, there have been stories that many hikers almost didn't recognise the Princess. Indeed, one young boy who has been paralysed since he was three told ITV's This Morning that he didn't know who she was after she had struck up conversation with him.

Ted Haslam and a group of friends and family were climbing Britain's highest peak when Catherine came across them. Immediately showing her maternal side and checking he wasn't too cold, Ted told This Morning that the Princess remembered him after he had met Prince William and Prince George at an Aston Villa game.

He said, "The funny thing was that she realised who I was, but I didn't realise who she was" with his dad offering, "It took a while for the penny to drop" and praised the Princess for just getting on with it like "any other hiker".

Without any show or artifice, the Princess only kept one touch of regal glamour on her as she took on the 23-mile challenge in a bid to raise awareness for cancer treatments - her engagement ring.

When Catherine shared her post revealing she’d taken on the challenge, her iconic sapphire engagement ring stood out against the grey, drizzly mountains and her raincoat. It’s, arguably, not a coincidence.

The Princess could have been sending a message of just where she takes her strength from - her family. The ring has been there through her battle with cancer, and it was there as she pushed her body with this gruelling challenge.

Sharing why she’d carried out the challenge, Catherine wrote in a social media caption, “Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone.

"We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales announced over the weekend she had completed a tough 23-mile trial - the National Three Peak Challenge - across the span of 24 hours to raise awareness for cancer treatments.

Dressed down and blending in with other hikers, Kate met a group, including Ted Haslam who has been paralysed since he was three, climbing for charity - and immediately went into mum mode, checking that he wasn't cold in the weather and striking up conversation.

Appearing on This Morning, Ted and his father explained that it was the Princess who initiated the conversation, and they almost didn't recognise her, with her cap on and hood down, and just cracking on like "any other hiker".

After meeting Ted, Catherine donated to his fundraising page and left the sweetest note, and even used a rare sign off.

The donation appeared under the name 'Catherine Wales', and her message read, "One of the real highlights of the Three Peaks Challenge was meeting inspiring people like you along the way. Huge congratulations to the entire team for raising money for such a wonderful cause. C".

Spotting them, the Princess stopped to chat, and per the reports told them, “I’m so impressed, really, you've made it to the second peak. Super well done you. We'll be cheering you on. Hopefully we'll see you on Snowdon.”

As well as rooting on the group, Princess Catherine immediately went into mum mode when she noticed they might not have dressed properly for the weather. She reportedly asked, “How are you doing, Ted? You're not too cold? So many people are still in their T-shirts! Why are they doing that?”

In a fun turn of events, Ted explained on This Morning that he'd previously met Prince William and Prince George as a fellow Aston Villa fan.

Dressed down and getting active in nature, the notoriously outdoorsy Princess was likely in her element - and other sources have come forward to say Catherine was totally relaxed and laid back, chatting away to other hikers.

Hiker Jacky Leung, per LBC and his social media, revealed that he didn’t immediately recognise it was the future Queen he was passing. Crossing paths, he said the Princess asked “Are you alright?” And he replied “I am good, just waiting for my friends.”

When it finally clicked who it was, they carried on chatting with ease. He wrote on his Instagram, ‘I believed that not many people recognised Her Royal Highness as she made her way up to the top of Ben Nevis. My friends did not notice her passing by at all. Completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours is a serious test of grit, and Her Royal Highness showed immense strength and spirit.’

Princess Catherine shared why she had taken on the immense challenge - becoming the first royal to ever complete it.

Sharing a deeply personal message, she opened up on the changes cancer brings to someone, affecting not only your body but “how you think and feel”.

Her message read, ‘Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no one wants to hear. What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

‘The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts. Cancer doesn't just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life.

‘I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone. I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back.’

Catherine is raising awareness for the work of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, who have opened a fundraising page following her accomplishments over the weekend.

Catherine, Princess of Wales revealed that she had achieved a personal milestone - and a royal first - over the weekend, completing the National Three Peaks challenge to raise money for charity and “as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis”.

The challenge involves climbing the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales - Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon - and the Princess of Wales climbed all three within 24 hours after starting on Saturday evening.

After Catherine shared the post, James Middleton left two simple emojis for his sister in the comments - a mountain emoji and a red heart emoji.

While perhaps understated, James shared the exact same emojis a couple of years before when his sister first shared her diagnosis, promising to stand by her as she conquered this new mountain in her life.

Sharing the first post back in March 2024, James included a photo of him and his oldest sister as children. In a very poignant nod to Catherine’s latest Three Peaks achievement, the siblings appear to have been on a hike.

The youngsters are both dressed in sporty, outdoor clothing, wearing rucksacks and with an obvious mountain or peak in the background.

James’s sweet caption, written shortly after Catherine shared her cancer news with the world for the first time, read, "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too", followed by the mountain and the heart emoji.

As the Princess finished the Three Peaks challenge, it has been reported that, along with William and their three children, James and his parents, Michael and Carole Middleton were all there waiting for her as she descended from Snowdon, the final peak in her challenge..

With just two emojis and turning up for her during her milestone, James is proving that he’s there for his sister as she faces all the peaks and valleys in her life, literally and figuratively.

The Princess’s incredible achievement will help raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, however, her message goes deeper. In her post, Catherine encourages everyone - affected by cancer personally or not - to think about "the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare".

She continued, "Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally, and that the journey through and beyond treatment requires more than medicine alone."

"We have an opportunity to reshape what the future of holistic cancer care looks like, enabling more people, nationwide, to access the kind of personalised support that can help make a meaningful difference during and after medical treatment."

The Princess of Wales's beach outfits are a little bit different than most people's but there's one in particular I feel is ideal for this scorching summer weather we're having. The future Queen visited Australia with Prince William in 2014 and attended a lifesaving event on Manley Beach.

A lot of people there were in swimwear, but Kate looked the epitome of elegance in a breezy Broderie Anglaise dress and wedges. Just as a little black dress is a staple for party season, a little white dress is a must for a summer capsule wardrobe.

The neutral colour makes them incredibly easy to style no matter which accessories you choose so they're very fuss-free. This is perfect when you're deciding what to wear in the heat and the Princess's Zimmermann frock was made from breezy cotton.

Recreate Kate's Outfit

Natural materials like cotton and linen are wonderfully breathable and this design fell to knee length and had a trim at the waist, down the bodice and on the sleeves and hem. The tiny Broderie cut-outs made it feel even more summery and intricate detailing like this can take a simple white dress to new heights.

It adds texture and although Kate wore her dress over a decade ago, Broderie Anglaise dresses are back in a big way for 2026. This style will never truly go out of fashion and there are so many different silhouettes and lengths to choose from, though the Princess went for something more modest for her official royal visit.

I personally love longer, flowy Broderie Anglaise frocks as the shape complements the feminine cut-outs so well.

The Princess of Wales leaned into this with her choice of shoes too and wore tan wedge sandals by Stuart Weitzman with a secure ankle strap. Walking in heels on the beach isn't for the fainthearted but Kate is a pro and she was even pictured gracefully running across the sand at one point.

If you want to recreate her outfit for a summer date night or BBQ then wedges are a lovely option and give elevation whilst still being quite sturdy compared to stilettos.

To make this kind of style more holiday-friendly, I'd recommend going for flat sandals or espadrilles instead. These are also a lot more comfortable if you're planning on a beach visit too, though the Princess looked undeniably chic in her wedges.

She carried a raffia clutch to match her woven footwear and wore gold hoop earrings with white pearl drops. Everything about this ensemble was minimal and I think this is probably why I can see this look working just as well for 2026 as it did for 2014 (perhaps with a change of shoes!)

You can also dress it up more if you wanted to, as Kate went on to re-wear this Zimmermann dress to Wimbledon that year. She opted for the same pearl earrings but switched out wedges for neutral court shoes and added some classic sunglasses.

Even in a heatwave the Princess of Wales's outfits are always super elegant, so finding ways to keep cool and still look polished is a must for her. During Wimbledon the weather is often as scorching as it is right now and last year Kate reached for two items to help her out as she enjoyed the tennis.

She paired her gorgeous cobalt blue Roksanda dress with a floppy wide-brimmed sunhat from LK Bennett and a paddle fan. Whether you're ordering last-minute sunhats to beat the heat or already have one in your summer capsule wardrobe, something like hers is stylish and practical.

Shop Kate's Heatwave Saviours

Sadly, LK Bennett has now closed but there are always so many options out there and the Princess was clever in choosing a light neutral design. White or tan hats will go with everything and are a softer contrast against most colours than a dark tone like black or navy.

This means you don't have to worry too much about whether your outfit goes with your hat and can confidently mix and match this summer accessory with different looks. Fedoras are popular, though wide-brimmed hats like Kate's shade your face from the sun more which is good news for your skin and your overall temperature too.

She's worn this LK Bennett piece to Wimbledon in 2022 too, this time paired with the sunshine yellow Roksanda dress she recently brought back for Ascot. Once again, the hat fitted in seamlessly and gave her some crucial sun protection.

Her hat wasn't the only item that came into play on Wimbledon's Centre Court last year, though. We also saw the future Queen and her daughter Princess Charlotte both getting a lot of use out of some Wimbledon-branded paddle fans.

Handheld fans just aren't the Royal Family's style and it would've been surprising to see Kate in her timeless outfit using a very modern item like this - even if products like the Dyson HushJet Mini Cool Fan has got woman&home Homes Ecommerce Writer Laura Honey's seal of approval.

If you're not a fan of mechanical fans while you're out and about, the Princess's paddle fan could be the answer and these are also incredibly affordable. The Wimbledon one looks perfect for a day at the tennis, though I'd probably opt for a plain neutral fan that is big enough to make a difference but dainty enough to fit in my handbag.

They come in so many different colours and materials so there's plenty of choice and unlike handheld fans, they don't have to be charged. Something about the concertina shape also looks so chic and the Princess of Wales was serene as she kept herself cool at Wimbledon.

It's rare that we see her using any kind of cooling device so it was clearly very toasty that day. The rest of the time Kate relies on breathable fabrics and floaty silhouettes instead and although these are also brilliant to wear in the heat, sometimes even if the royals need a little additional help to remain cool, calm and collected.

When it's boiling hot the last thing you want is for your shoes to rub and I find sandals can be terrible for this so I often reach for white trainers instead. They might not scream summer in the same way but they're a versatile footwear option that can easily be worn with seasonal outfits.

The Princess of Wales's favourite pair are her Superga Cotu classics and she's styled them multiple times with shorts. Perhaps the chicest way we've seen her wear them was with her white linen-blend shorts for a visit to Plymouth in 2022.

Kate's Supergas are far more streamlined than sports trainers, with a plimsoll-esque design and breathable canvas uppers. There's minimal branding on them and this helps increase their wearability.

Shop Kate's Trainers

Shop More Of Her Fashion

Plain white trainers aren't as fun as bright colours or patterns but they go with a whole lot more and this makes them such a great piece for your summer capsule wardrobe. They've made their way into woman&home Fashion Writer Molly Smith's collection and in her Superga Cotu Classics review she explains they're brilliant for all-day wear.

"They may not be super cushioned but they're reliable, and definitely suitable for all-day wear," she says. "They are supportive without being chunky, and fitted but not too tight because of the canvas material, making them my new go-to staple."

If you want a pair that feels more elegant than athletic then something like the Princess of Wales's Supergas would work so well as they're sleek rather than chunky and cushioned for high impact sport.

This means they're not too much of a style contrast if you're wearing a flowy dress or skirt with them. Alternatively you can copy the Princess of Wales's approach and pair your canvas plimsoll trainers with shorts.

Linen and cotton are perfect materials to wear in the heat and Kate's Holland Cooper shorts are linen-blend and high-rise, with glimmering gold buttons. The crisp, structured shape of tailored designs makes them an elevated alternative to denim and white shorts, like white trainers, go with pretty much anything.

Coordinating your shoes to your outfit is a failsafe way to add a level of cohesion to an outfit too, though the future Queen has also worn her Supergas with green chino shorts in The Bahamas.

We've also seen her choose them for a day at Chelsea Flower Show in 2019. On this occasion Kate paired them with camel culottes, a Broderie Anglaise blouse and her Monica Vinader green onyx drop earrings. This outing called for a slightly smarter look than she wore for sailing, yet the white trainers still complemented her chic clothing.

Cotton canvas uppers are brilliant for warm weather and this might be why the Princess of Wales reaches for these particular trainers a lot in spring/summer when she wants to be comfortable but not overly casual.

The Princess of Wales won't be a Queen in her own right but she's learnt some valuable lessons from Queen Elizabeth that she's putting to good use. Of all the late Queen's skills and qualities, we often don't think about her aura of mystery.

The way she presented herself in public was all most people ever saw and she was an expert at keeping her true feelings to herself. Now royal biographer Catherine Mayer has suggested that the Princess of Wales has taken this smart approach too.

"She has done such a clever job of finding a way to adapt to the institution," she told Hello!'s A Right Royal Podcast. "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.

Like Queen Elizabeth, Kate has cultivated an ability to connect with the public without sharing too much of her private self. She's appeared on two podcasts and in a few interviews, but that's pretty much the extent of her "confessional spilling" and she admired the Queen deeply.

Speaking on ITV's Our Queen at Ninety Kate 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."

Earlier this year portrait artist Chris Levine told woman&home that he'd found Her Majesty hard to read at their first sitting. He declared, "She wasn't giving anything away and I realised that she'd developed a mechanism where you couldn't tell what she was thinking or feeling because she's meeting people all the time. I've never experienced it with anyone else in my life and it was really quite unnerving."

Given how many people Queen Elizabeth met every year and her diplomatic position this skill was probably very necessary and will be just as useful for Kate. With scrutiny on her at all times, there will be occasions where the Princess can't afford to let her innermost thoughts become known.

This approach also helps draw a line between her work and private life and means she doesn't risk sharing too much. Catherine Mayer's new book Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles focuses on several royals including Kate and the author praised her and Prince William for finding a way to live in relative privacy whilst being in the public eye.

In her view, this is "enormously difficult" to do and woman&home Royal Correspondent Emily Andrews claims on her Keeping Up With The Royals podcast that there is definitely a difference between her public and private personas.

"The public Catherine is quite reserved and quite formal and very warm with the kiddies…but she's not going to give you too much," Emily alleged. "The private Kate is quite different. Very warm, very friendly, and got a great sense of humour."

According to her, the Princess likes a good practical joke too, though it's unlikely members of the public will ever actually get to see this in practice.

So many of us excitedly look forward to sunny weather but now it's finally arrived, deciding what to cook when it's boiling hot outside can be a struggle. All I want to eat right now is something refreshing and light - and the Princess of Wales's go-to summer salad ticks those boxes.

We've not seen her sampling it out in public, though Kate apparently can't get enough of cooling watermelon salads. Watermelon and feta is a very popular combination (I can confirm it's delicious) and the future Queen is believed to love the contrasting flavours in this salad.

"Watermelon salads are a staple of Kate's lunches and include juicy pink watermelon mixed with avocado, onion, cucumber, and feta cheese," exercise and nutrition experts at BarBend previously claimed to Express, describing it's "the perfect mix of sweet and savoury".

Other reports in the past have also suggested that the Princess loves this summery salad as part of her healthy diet. The addition of avocado, onion and cucumber makes it a little bit different to most watermelon and feta salads you see on restaurant menus.

However, I can totally imagine the cucumber, tart onion and creamy avocado cutting through the sweetness and tanginess of the fruit and cheese which can get a bit samey if you're eating a bowl of it for a meal. Mint is the herb most often sprinkled on top of watermelon and feta salads and would also enhance the freshness.

Kate's salad would also work beautifully as a side dish for BBQ food and we know that the Royal Family are big fans of grilling. The late Prince Philip was dubbed the "master of the BBQ" by Prince Harry and Mike Tindall recently told woman&home that Zara is brilliant at it too.

A watermelon and feta salad wouldn't be the only greenery on offer at a Wales family barbecue though. During a visit to The Apricot Centre in Devon on 18th June, William opened up about everything Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are growing at home.

"He was quite impressed with our strawberries and was telling me in Norfolk his children grow strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce and have a small kitchen garden," claimed Rachel Phillips, the managing director of the organic, biodynamic regenerative farm. "He was asking me how we grew them, and we talked about how we stop our children eating them all."

Although the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children live at Forest Lodge during school terms they also still spend a lot of time at Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

Homegrown lettuce would be another yummy addition to salads and there are so many desserts you can make with berries - if George, Charlotte and Louis leave any for their parents! A spoonful of cream or a drizzle of honey over raspberries or strawberries would be great too and the Waleses have their own supply of honey on their doorstep.

Kate is a keen beekeeper and in 2021 she surprised school children during an engagement at the Natural History Museum by bringing Anmer Hall honey for them to taste.

A small amount of honey would also work wonderfully with a watermelon and feta salad and I wonder if the Princess has tried this and if she'll be whipping one up whilst the weather is so hot.

If, like me, you've been touched by cancer, the recent engagements by Catherine, Princess of Wales will have brought a tear to your eye.

One in two of us will be diagnosed with it in our lifetimes, and most of us have family or friends who have undergone this arduous journey.

Catherine, of course, is in remission from her cancer (she's never said what kind she had), which was caught in January 2024. She underwent chemotherapy, then took a period of time of rest and recovery over the past couple of years.

Now I'd say Kate is very much back!

And she has really used her personal experience to connect with people in a totally authentic and genuine way.

On a visit to The Christie hospital in Manchester she was almost overcome as she hugged Claire Lorente, 30, who had recently finished her breast cancer treatment. As Claire prepared for the symbolic action of ringing the bell to mark the moment, both women were emotional.

Her voice slightly breaking, Kate told her, 'Well done, well done you. What a journey. Well done, you've been amazing. It's tough.'

Claire was crying. She was not the only one.

Kate turned to Claire's partner Pablo, 30, and added, 'Well done. I know it's just as hard for family and loved ones.'

The princess certainly does know that. She talked about how hard it had been for her children - Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight - as well as her parents.

But, as ever with Kate, it was not about her. She stepped back and made sure the moment was all about Claire, Pablo and Enzo, their eight-month-old baby.

Later, she wrote on social media, 'Healing is about so much more than treatment alone. A cancer diagnosis affects every part of life, in mind, body and the deeper part of ourselves. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. C'

At a Cancer Research UK reception two days earlier - in a heart-print red dress - it wasn't just the celebrities she chatted to.

Yes, the pictures of her meeting Davina McCall and Ronan Keating made the front pages, but Kate sought out the clinicians, researchers and scientists who are finding new ways to fight this disease.

She was there to support the King, who is still receiving treatment for his cancer, although at a much more reduced rate than last year.

In her own quiet way, Kate brings so much comfort to so many people - a true princess of hearts.

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

We're set for another heatwave and whilst this is good news for our social lives with lots of potential for BBQs and sunny meet-ups, it can make styling a bit trickier. Shorts are great to wear in the heat but denim options can be a bit too casual or too mini.

They're not the only option, though, and the Princess of Wales's sage green pair are a smarter alternative. As she's the future Queen we're not likely to ever see Kate reaching for denim shorts and during a visit to The Bahamas in 2022 she went to a regatta in these timeless chino shorts.

She accentuated the high-waisted design by adding a chocolate brown woven belt and they had practical pockets at the sides and neat stitched hems. The muted green colour wasn't strictly a neutral, but it wasn't far off.

Shop Shorts Like Kate's

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Soft khaki and olive work so well with white, black and tan, as well as with brighter colours like red or pastels like blush pink if you love ice cream shades. This makes a pair of sage green shorts like Kate's far more versatile for a summer capsule wardrobe than you might imagine.

They also make a nice change from white shorts or blue denim. For the regatta the Princess of Wales took a sportier styling approach than usual, opting for a white polo shirt and her favourite white trainers from Superga.

The coordinating top and shoes tied everything together and added a lovely amount of contrast. Chino shorts typically have a tailored feel to them so you can go quite casual with the rest of your look and still create a smart-casual outfit.

T-shirts and sandals would work well with them and you can dress chino shorts up with a shirt and ballet flats or wedges too. Belting your shorts like she did can also make a big difference, as it emphasises the waist and also makes everything feel very intentional and polished.

On cooler days, blazers and shorts are a trendy combination and chino styles tie in with the formal aesthetic in a way that denim designs don't always. Kate's shorts looked breathable and lightweight which was perfect for the rainy, hot weather in The Bahamas.

She was also clearly very comfortable in them otherwise she would definitely have gone for something else for the sailing. The Princess wore a pair of twisted gold Spells of Love hoops and her wedding rings but otherwise went jewellery-free.

Later, when it started to rain, she added a white waterproof jacket and a cap to shield her from the worst of it and swept her long hair up into a sleek ponytail. As the temperatures rise in the UK I know I'll be reaching for shorts and who knows if Kate will wear this pair at home too.

The Princess of Wales's jewellery box is filled with magnificent items and some of her most meaningful pieces were special gifts from family members. We just saw one of them for the first time so far in 2026 as Kate wore her sentimental acorn wedding earrings to the Order of the Garter Service in Windsor.

These were a present from her parents Michael and Carole and after seeing Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour, I can't help wondering if she might end up wearing another of Kate's wedding gifts one day soon. The Princess of Wales owns a beautiful gold chain bracelet which she was reportedly given by Queen Camilla.

It has a golden disc charm engraved with a 'C' on either side, topped with a tiny coronet and a tiny crown to make them monograms.

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The letters are thought to stand for both Catherine and Camilla and, of course, that's also Charlotte's initial too. Kate wore it a lot in the first few months after her wedding including to Wimbledon, though it hasn't been seen since 2011.

Since it likely holds a lot of sentimental value as a gift from her stepmother-in-law, the Princess probably stored it away safely. However, she's also not much of a bracelet person in general and unless she's going all-out for a big occasion like a State Banquet, the Wimbledon final or Trooping the Colour, she often skips this piece of jewellery.

It's much more rare to see her without earrings or necklaces, and her go-to styles nowadays are quite minimal compared to her 'C' bracelet. Compared to her mum Princess Charlotte is a huge bracelet fan and wore a three-strand pearl design to the monarch's birthday parade on 13th June.

It was very similar to the one the Princess of Wales was wearing, which had a diamond clasp and once belonged to Princess Diana. The eleven-year-old is also often spotted with beaded or woven friendship bracelets on her wrists and she's even rumoured to have made King Charles one.

If there's anyone that would jump at the chance to wear the 'C' bracelet surely it's Charlotte. It's not set with precious gems that could be damaged or fall out so Kate wouldn't have to worry about this piece as much as other jewellery.

The chain design could also be easily shortened to fit the young Princess if she wanted to wear it now or in her teenage years. I can't imagine Queen Camilla would mind and she might actually love to see the next generation wearing this special wedding gift.

She and Charlotte share a passion for ballet and Her Majesty was spotted making a reassuring gesture to her step-granddaughter at the Coronation Concert in 2023.

Princess Charlotte did the traditional curtsy to King Charles and then seemed to forget to do this for Queen Camilla. The Queen reached out and placed a hand on Charlotte's shoulder, smiled and said hello, which people have viewed as her way of making her feel ok about the faux pas.

As Princess Charlotte grows up she'll have many more pieces of royal jewellery she could possibly borrow for big events but I'd love to see her starting to wear a few more items here and there that are meaningful, though not priceless.

The Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton both put their best fashion foot forward as they attended 2026 Royal Ascot's second day. This was a big moment for Kate, who hasn't been to the races since 2023, and she travelled with Prince William in the carriage procession.

Even from a distance, her outfit was instantly recognisable as she re-wore her zesty citrus-yellow Roksanda dress. This vibrant ensemble couldn't have been more different from Carole's Ascot outfit, which was the most delicate blush-pink colour.

However, mother and daughter have a similar timeless approach to styling. Carole and Kate used the same clever tricks to enhance the elegance of their outfits and these are worth recreating with your summer capsule wardrobe staples.

Recreate Kate And Carole's Outfits

The Princess of Wales has worn her bright yellow midi dress several times before, including to Wimbledon in 2022. It has a distinctive bow detail on one shoulder that adds a feminine flourish and subtle gathering on the bodice. Aside from this it's very timeless and has a fitted bodice, short sleeves and long, flowy skirt.

"The Princess of Wales picked the perfect colour for people to pick her out," says woman&home's Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "Even though it's a dress she's worn several times before, this yellow shade feels like an unexpected colour and she perfectly offset it with a matching hat and neutral accessories. We've all been loving butter yellow for a while, but we'll be leaning into bolder hues from now on."

The future Queen wore a matching yellow hat with netting decoration on the top. Carole also wore a bold hat that matched her dress, which was the same collared design she'd worn previously to Pippa Middleton's wedding.

Both women love getting maximum use out of their favourite frocks, switching up the accessories each time to make them feel refreshed. This is something we could probably all do more often to get wear out of our summer wedding guest dresses.

The high level of coordination is also classic Carole and Kate. It's such a simple tip to follow and makes a lot of difference. Every single part of Carole Middleton's outfit was the same shade of pink, right down to her Emmy London block heel slingbacks and her top handle bag.

The Princess did a pared-back amount of colour matching with her hat and dress and her accessories were neutral. Kate carried an Anya Hindmarch white satin clutch and wore her trusty beige suede Gianvito Rossi heels.

When you're styling a bold colour like yellow, I think it's easiest to go more minimal with the rest of your look. Perhaps introducing some tiny accents of yellow on your bag or even through your jewellery would be enough.

With a more delicate colour like blush you can embrace this approach bit more, like Carole did. Matching shades makes every part of your outfit feel intentionally chosen and this creates a sophisticated, polished feel even if the actual items are quite casual.

Both women also opted for suede heels and the soft texture complements summer dresses a bit better than smooth leather which can look a bit stark and severe next to pretty florals and floaty fabrics. Suede sandals, trainers or ballet flats would work just as well if you're not a fan of heels.

The weather is heating up again and the summer events keep on coming, but we can always rely on Zara Tindall to oblige and deliver some much-needed style inspiration. She didn't disappoint on Day 1 of Royal Ascot and instead of going for vibrant colours like so many of the royals do, she went for head-to-toe pastels.

Even Mike got on board and matched his tie to her Rebecca Vallance dress, which is a sneak peak of a new season colour that's yet to be released. Alongside her trusty British clothing brands like Fairfax & Favor and Aspinal, Zara regularly champions the Australian designer but this lilac Ascot dress is a little different.

Instead of going for the high neck, puffed sleeve shape she often wears, the equestrian royal chose a wrap dress with a scalloped collared neckline.

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I'm surely not the only one who took one look at this gorgeous piece and thought of the Princess of Wales. She loves tailored dresses and Zara Tindall's frock had the perfect Kate-esque blend of structure and femininity.

The skirt was floaty and the bodice was streamlined without being overly fitted. The waist belt accentuated this fit-and-flare shape too.

Flowy silhouettes are ideal to wear in the heat as they're more breathable and you can't beat pastels when you want to add a summery edge. Blush pink and cerulean blue are both fashion colour trends for 2026 and the King's niece paired her dusty purple dress with rose accessories.

Her court shoes were Kate's favourite Emmy London Rebecca design in the shade 'misty rose' which is still available in the lower-heeled Claudia style. For Ascot, Zara might have used her affordable heel trick and added plastic protectors to avoid sinking into the grass.

Like many people I prefer lower block heels which tend to be comfier too and no matter what specific style you wear, blush pink is remarkably versatile. It's so similar to beige or pale tan whilst being very soft and feminine. You can pair it with neutrals or with other pastels to complement it - as Zara did.

Even her bag was a pale pink tone and instead of one of her Aspinal Lotties she carried an Anya Hindmarch design. Top handle bags work effortlessly with occasionwear as they are generally more structured.

This style suits pieces like summer wedding guest dresses or jumpsuits and many come with detachable long straps anyway so you can make them more casual if you wanted to wear them with everyday outfits.

Coordinating your bag and shoes is a clever way to make a simple ensemble look particularly polished and this is exactly what Zara did. She finished off her look with sunglasses and a lilac boater hat, as well as amethyst drop earrings.

She started off Ascot 2026 strongly with this pastel outfit and with the temperatures set to rise, I think we'll see her reaching for more flowy midi dresses for the rest of the week.

No couple is going to enjoy all of the same hobbies and whilst Prince William thinks his wife's love of cold water swimming is "crazy", she isn't a big fan of one of his pastimes. The future King passed his motorbike test when he was 19 and he recently admitted that he still goes out for a ride, but does his best to go under the radar.

On 11th June William visited Norfolk Blood Bikes which transports blood, plasma, platelets and other urgent medical supplies to hospitals in Norfolk. They also transport blood to the East Anglian Air Ambulance, which Prince used to work for as a pilot.

After seeing all of the bikes lined up he apparently remarked, "I love bikes", adding "I do still ride now and again, quietly". William nodded knowingly and quipped, "Disguise".

As much as I wish he meant this literally and enjoys hurtling down the country lanes near Forest Lodge or Anmer Hall in a full on disguise, I suspect it's more that his protective clothing and helmet obscures his identity. For someone who's spent his entire life in the public eye, this probably makes a refreshing change.

However, whilst the Prince of Wales loves bikes, the Princess of Wales does not… Perhaps this is why he only rides "now and again", as Kate's said in the past that she's "terrified" of the hobby.

The couple visited Dundee in 2015 and, as per Vanity Fair, the future Queen was asked if Prince William was still riding his motorcycle. She reportedly answered, "He's still riding it. It always fills me with horror when he goes out on it. I'm terrified. Hopefully, I'm going to keep George off it."

At the time Prince George was 2 years old and maybe she's got her wish as Prince William didn't share any anecdotes about going out on bikes with his children or about any of them riding. In 2018 when he went to the Isle of Man for the TT races he also explained that after becoming a father of three he might have to "tone it down now".

Getting to enjoy his hobby occasionally and "quietly" is something at least and he was full of praise for volunteer-led Norfolk Blood Bikes and unveiled the latest rapid response vehicle which has been named the "Prince William".

Talking to the bikers he declared, "It's a crucial part of the community, not many people understand the network. You guys provide such a crucial link to what goes on. You guys are amazing."

Thankfully for the future King, even if Kate doesn't share his love for riding bikes there are so many interests that they have in common. Both are passionate about rugby - although they are patrons to opposing teams - and tennis, which they play at home with mixed success.

Although they clearly relish the rivalry of a husband and wife tennis match, the Princess of Wales doesn't believe they've ever actually finished one. Instead, she told Mike Tindall on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast in 2023 that it becomes a "mental challenge" between them instead.

The Princess of Wales's upbringing was very different from Prince William's and their marriage blended these two approaches, drawing the Middletons into the royals' inner circle for the first time. Kate has remained incredibly close to them all and she just chose this year's Order of the Garter service to re-wear a very sentimental piece of jewellery linked to her parents.

Arriving at St George's Chapel ahead of the Orders' procession, the Princess of Wales wore a buttermilk coloured coat dress by Patrick McDowell with her wedding earrings. They're more subtle than a lot of the 2026 jewellery trends and were commissioned as a wedding gift by Carole and Michael Middleton and are white gold set with diamonds.

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The custom design of these delicate drop earrings ties them even more closely to the family, as they're inspired by the Middletons' Coat of Arms. The top portion is the shape of an oak leaf and there is a tiny acorn suspended in the middle of each earring too.

West Berkshire where Kate grew up is surrounded by oak trees and this is why they feature in the Middleton Coat of Arms. There are three on there - one to represent each of Michael and Carole's children - and when the details were announced back in 2011 the Royal Family also noted that oak trees are a symbol of 'strength' and 'England'.

The acorns are accompanied by a gold chevron representing Carole, whose maiden name was Goldsmith, and two thinner chevrons for mountains and hills since the family loves getting outside together. The level of meaning in each detail is astonishing and Carole and Michael carried this across in the design for Kate's wedding earrings.

Whenever and wherever she wears them now they'll remind her of her parents, her siblings and her happy childhood in Berkshire. They also have the romantic link to her wedding day and Prince William, who joined her family as much as she joined his.

The Prince of Wales is in the Order of the Garter so he is involved in the procession each year whilst his proud wife watches. It's a big day for him and the future Queen was clearly feeling quite sentimental when she was planning her outfit for the service.

The oak leaf symbolising England and strength also makes sense, as the Order of the Garter is the oldest chivalric order in Britain and the Patron of the Order is St George, the Patron Saint of England. Since her wedding day, the Princess of Wales has only re-worn her earrings in public four times and two of these were Order of the Garter services.

In 2016 she went for head-to-toe fun scarlet and this year's ensemble is more understated. Kate's coat dress had a smart lapel collar and a single-breasted silhouette with covered buttons running down the front. She added a boater hat and Gianvito Rossi pumps with a suede clutch.

Neutrals are a clever choice if you're struggling to find a summer wedding guest dress or other formal looks, as these shades go with everything and versatility is even more important as occasionwear is often more expensive. The Princess of Wales is clearly loving soft beige and blush tones right now so I'd expect to see more of these kinds of outfits before the summer events season comes to an end.

The Princess of Wales's wardrobe is packed full of elegant options for formal occasions so we know when she picks a particular piece that a lot of thought has gone into her look. At this year's Trooping the Colour, the future Queen stepped out in a pale blue Catherine Walker coat dress with white piping along the crisp collar, pockets and cuffs.

Her sculptural hat matched the two tones of her frock perfectly and the rest of her accessories were plain white for a timeless feel. Prince William wore his scarlet Welsh Guards dress uniform for the occasion like we expected, but Kate's Trooping the Colour outfit subtly honoured her husband in a surprising way, as well as more obviously reminding us of Princess Diana.

It's surely no coincidence that Kate's Trooping the Colour outfit for 2026 is unbelievably similar to the blue and white coat worn by Diana in 1987 for the Royal Family's Easter Sunday service. She was pictured walking out of St George's Chapel, holding hands with four-year-old Prince William who matched his mother.

His coat was the same delicate shade of blue and had white detailing too, as well as military-style buttons. Both of these coats were crafted by British clothing brand, Catherine Walker, who also made the Princess of Wales's Trooping the Colour dress.

Clearly, they were a reference point for Kate's new look and because the two women are often compared for their sense of style and royal positions, it's easy to see the new dress as purely a tribute to Diana.

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I think this is definitely a nod to the late Princess and Kate regularly incorporates meaningful links to her mother-in-law into her outfits. However, the original coat was part of that iconic matching mother/son moment and so the Princess of Wales was simultaneously honouring Prince William and his close bond with Diana.

Kate could've chosen to echo one of Princess Diana's other outfits if she'd wanted to, yet she picked this one from that day with him. As soon as he saw his wife's frock for Trooping the Colour, I'd be surprised if the Prince of Wales didn't think back fondly to that Easter Sunday with Diana. This would've been very special and was likely as much for him as it was his mother.

Princess Diana's memory is kept alive by her sons and their families, and we've seen pictures of the Mother's Day cards Prince George, Charlotte and Louis write to "Granny Diana". Meanwhile, in the Waleses' engagement interview Kate described her as "an inspirational woman to look up to".

She reportedly had some "reservations" about taking on the Princess of Wales title, according to royal author Russell Myers in William & Catherine. He writes, "Catherine had also 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."

Kate supposedly took a "bit of convincing" to take on her late mother-in-law's title but then she decided on her approach.

"She felt that while there would be inevitable comparisons with Diana, she could manage it in her own way while having full respect for the way Diana carved out a very different role for herself within the Royal Family," they declared.

In the fifteen years that have passed since she married Prince William, the Princess of Wales has had to adjust to living as a public figure and all the protocols and traditions that surround being a member of the Royal Family. You might think this sounds daunting - and to most of us it would be - but now it's just business as usual for Kate, with some exceptions.

Even though she's got a lot of experience under her belt there's a part of royal life she still finds formidable. The Princess opened up about what it's like to go into a changing room and meet a sports team in a special appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Podcast in 2023.

"I do find it quite intimidating because it's not a sort of natural environment to turn up into," she explained to hosts Mike Tindall, James Haskell and Alex Payne.

The future Queen appeared alongside Prince William and Princess Anne to talk all things sport and James has recently re-shared a clip of this particular confession on Instagram. Kate went on to admit that she appreciates these experiences even though they're challenging because they give you an amazing glimpse behind-the-scenes.

"I think you really appreciate how many people come together. You know, you're watching the game, it's the performance of those on the pitch. But actually to appreciate and see and meet all the people that got that team to the place they are," she said. I think [it's] one of the most inspiring things actually."

As Patron of the Rugby Football Union, the Princess of Wales has been to visit both the England men's and women's rugby squads in their changing rooms before.

It's something she probably wouldn't have done so often if she hadn't been a senior royal. Thankfully for her, most of these times came after a victory, including in February when she went to congratulate the men's team on their win against Ireland in the 2026 Six Nations competition.

It's understandable that walking into a room full of athletes might be "quite intimidating" for her, compared to a meeting in a neutral setting or where they all arrive together.

Kate isn't the only royal to find certain situations a little overwhelming. Queen Camilla apparently once confessed to royal expert Rebecca English that it's hard to appreciate how "terrifying" it is when you get out of a car and "there's this huge sea of people, and cameras".

She and the Princess of Wales have clearly found ways to face these moments over the years and it might help Kate that she's such a big sports fan and would've been excited to meet all the rugby players too. She and Prince William are Patrons of opposing rugby teams (he is the Patron of Welsh Rugby) and on the podcast they touched on their competitive natures.

The Princess admitted they might not have ever "actually managed to finish" a tennis match as it becomes a "mental challenge". Asked about where she gets her competitiveness from, she suggested it's a family trait.

"If I asked both my parents, you know, who is the most competitive, I think probably like William and I, they'd sit down for quite a long time arguing who was the most competitive and who was the most sporty of the two of them," Kate declared.

Today, thousands lined the streets around Whitehall to celebrate King Charles’s official birthday with the annual Trooping the Colour parade.

Joining His Majesty for his official birthday were family members including his sister, Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince William and his family, Catherine, Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

And while royal fans have got used to the Waleses youngest son, Prince Louis, stealing the show with his high-energy hijinks and funny expressions, it was actually Prince George who was caught sharing a laugh with his mum on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after a stray sneeze caught him by surprise.

George joined his siblings, Charlotte and Louis, in the Ascot Landau carriage, riding with their mother, and happily waving away at the well-wishers lined up and down The Mall.

But after reaching the palace and appearing on the balcony for the RAF flypast, George was caught trying to suppress a sneeze, leading to some very amusing - and relatable - facial expressions. When it got the better of him, he looked to his mother with a grin as the pair chuckled away.

Princess Catherine and her three children all matched for the big occasion, with shades of baby blue represented in each of their outfits. As Colonel of the Irish Guards, the Princess of Wales paired a baby blue outfit by Catherine Walker with a hat by Philip Treacy and the Irish Guards brooch.

George and Louis’s ties perfectly matched their mum’s stunning coat - itself evocative of an outfit the late Princess Diana wore back in 1987 - and Princess Charlotte’s beautiful white gown - reportedly designed by Alessandra Rich - had subtle pops of powder blue embroidery.

Charlotte also matched her mum with both of them wearing a three-strand pearl bracelet. Pearls were, of course, also a favourite accessory of Charlotte’s late great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Princess of Wales was also caught sneezing during the ceremony, which might be a result of her reported allergy to horses.

Back in 2011, Clarisa Ru, wife of Santa Barbara Polo Club president Wesley Ru, told People (per HELLO) "[Kate] said she’s been riding horses for a while and she hopes to play polo one day. She said, 'I'm actually allergic to them, but the more time one spends with them the less allergic you become.'"

Along with the Wales family, Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward were there to celebrate the annual parade, joining Prince Richard and Birgitte, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent, the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth and the current oldest living member of the Royal Family.

Celebrating the monarch’s official birthday in June has been a tradition since 1748, and it became an annual tradition after 1760, during the reign of George III. King Charles’s actual birthday is actually November 14.

The time is fast approaching for George to start ‘big’ school.

And dad Prince William has revealed he’s been preparing for the transition by boarding on occasions at his prep school Lambrook.

It’s to the credit of Catherine, Princess of Wales and William that they’ve managed to keep their children out of the public eye to such an extent that they enjoy a huge amount of privacy.

After George’s birth, they thought a great deal about how to manage the public interest in their children.

They have used lawyers to clamp down on any unauthorised pictures and enjoyed the support of the mainstream media to ensure you will never see a ‘candid’ shot.

In return, the Waleses release occasional official photos of George, Charlotte and Louis to ensure their privacy is protected, and thank the public for their support.

It’s meant that George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, eight, have experienced a relatively normal childhood.

They participate in their school sports teams (George is apparently a talented swimmer, football player and completes triathlons), perform in the end-of-term drama shows and are generally treated the same as any other pupil.

Of course, there will always be public interest in the lives of the young Waleses, but in the main, their Berkshire prep school has succeeded in giving them an anonymous and extremely privileged education.

In a rare insight into the management of their childhood, Prince William has confirmed that George has started ‘flexi-boarding’ - which enables pupils to stay for anything from one to four nights a week of boarding - in advance of his progression to senior school in September.

Speaking to Heart Breakfast hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden during a broadcast from the Isles of Scilly (to highlight the work of the Duchy of Cornwall), William gave a sweet shout-out to his children.

'Charlotte and Louis - because George was boarding last night - so, Charlotte and Louis, if you’re listening, make sure you’re on time, please. Make sure you’re not fighting over who’s listening to what this morning,’ said the Duke of Cornwall, who turns 44 on 21 June.

The Prince and Princess of Wales (and George!) have apparently decided where he’s going next, but it has not yet been officially announced.

Eton College (William’s old school) is understood to be the front runner, but other options include Kate’s alma mater Marlborough College, Oundle school in Northamptonshire and Wellington College in Berkshire.

Watch this space!

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

Trooping the Colour is always an exciting event for royal fans but the 2024 parade was particularly moving. Held to celebrate King Charles's official birthday, it also marked the first appearance of the Princess of Wales so far that year after making her cancer diagnosis public.

I wouldn't be surprised if she put even more thought than usual into her outfit knowing how much attention she would inevitably get and Kate wore head-to-toe monochrome focused around a Jenny Packham dress. This is a go-to British clothing brand for her and the design had black detailing accentuating the neckline and waist and a bow bringing a feminine flourish.

The colour palette was a little different for her and it showcased how seriously the Princess of Wales still takes one of Queen Elizabeth's unofficial mottos.

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When we think of Queen Elizabeth's style two things immediately spring to mind - bright colours and floral hats. Both are very eye-catching and according to her daughter-in-law Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, this is partly why she wore them.

"She needs to stand out for people to be able to say 'I saw the Queen'," Sophie explained on the ITV documentary, Our Queen at Ninety. "Don't forget that when she turns up somewhere, the crowds are two, three, four, 10, 15 deep, and someone wants to be able to say they saw a bit of the Queen's hat as she went past."

Looking at the Princess of Wales's black and white outfit in 2024 you might think it's very minimal but against the backdrops of the parade and Buckingham Palace balcony it also really stood out. According to royal author Christopher Andersen this was probably not a coincidence.

In Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, he reflects, "Realizing the importance of this moment, Kate wore a white Jenny Packham dress with a large black-and-white bow and a wide-brimmed hat."

"She chose the outfit for two reasons: white is the universal colour of hope, and - Kate always follows the late Queen's famous dictum: 'I must be seen to be believed' - white is visible from a distance," he adds.

In pictures of the Royal Family standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony to watch the flypast in 2024, the Princess of Wales stands out clearly between her red uniform-wearing husband and father-in-law.

Before she made her cancer diagnosis public there was an onslaught of speculation and conspiracy theories circulating as to why we hadn't seen her. At Trooping the Colour the future Queen was clearly visible to everyone who lined the streets to watch the parade and in the photographs that were published around the world.

Last year Kate wore turquoise and her dress had white detailing which again incorporated this colour associated with hope. I wouldn't be surprised if there was white somewhere in her outfit this year for the same reason and she will likely choose a dress in another equally striking shade.

A long car journey calls for snacks and drinks and the Princess of Wales has just given us all a peak at her go-to road trip beverage. She and Prince William attended Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's wedding on 6th June and were pictured arriving at All Saints' Church in Kemble.

As Kate elegantly got out of the car in her blush Roland Mouret dress we got to see the drink nestled in the passenger door pocket. It was only the briefest of glimpses but the blue carton was quite distinctive and looks like Vita Coco coconut water, rather than the simple still or sparkling water I might've expected to see.

Coconut water is great for keeping you hydrated and contains minerals like calcium and potassium. It's a refreshing alternative to plain H20 and if this was what the Princess drank on the drive to Gloucestershire, it's got the royal seal of approval too.

The Princess is known for her active, healthy lifestyle and unsurprisingly her wellbeing has been an even bigger priority following her cancer diagnosis. Earlier this year Kate is understood to have asked for a soft drink during a visit to the Fabal Beerhall in London, explaining, "Since my diagnosis I haven't had much alcohol."

She apparently shared that it's something she has to be "a lot more conscious of now". When it comes to non-alcoholic drinks, it's not just coconut water that the Princess apparently reaches for. According to woman&home correspondent Emily Andrews, the future Queen is partial to a cold can of Diet Coke - or at least she was in the past.

Speaking on her and Reverend Richard Coles' Catching Up With The Royals podcast in April, Emily suggested that Kate has very humble requests when she's going to engagements.

"Do the royals have riders? Do they have special requests for drinks or snacks that they always have to have on royal engagements? The answer is yes," she declared.

Whilst King Charles and Queen Camilla reportedly "always like to have a specific cushion" in the car with them, Emily claimed, "The Princess of Wales is never without a can of Diet Coke or some Hula Hoops if she gets peckish".

We don't know if these are still her go-tos and even if they are, it's unlikely we'd ever see the future Queen opening a can of coke or a packet of crisps.

The royals only tend to eat and drink in public if it's actually part of the engagement, like when she enjoyed a cuppa with volunteers and patients at Colchester Hospital last July. She apparently took her tea round with her too and joked that "as a parent you know you'll keep losing" it otherwise.

As for how she takes her tea, the Princess of Wales is said to drink it with a dash of milk and no sugar. Both fresh mint tea and coffee were served at William and Kate's wedding in 2011. Perhaps there was a similar hot drink selection on offer at Peter and Harriet's private reception after the Princess of Wales kicked off her day with a hydrating coconut water.

Out of all the Princess of Wales's public appearances over the years, none will ever be quite the same as Trooping the Colour in 2024. This was the first time we'd seen her since she made her cancer diagnosis public. A few days before, Kate posted a photo by Matt Porteous and shared she was making "good progress" and was looking forward to the parade.

Even though she'd confirmed she would be there, it was still a huge moment to see the Princess join her family for Trooping the Colour. It also apparently took a lot out of her, with royal author Christopher Andersen alleging that "once the event was over and they returned to Adelaide Cottage, Kate collapsed from exhaustion."

"'Unless they've been through it,' she said, 'people don't realise how much chemo takes out of you. There's only so much you can do.'" the author claimed in Kate!.

Trooping the Colour took place on 15th June in 2024 and Kate was still undergoing treatment at the time. She said in her Instagram post that there are "good days and bad days" and "on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well".

Travelling into London and back, being part of the parade which typically takes several hours and stepping out in front of thousands of people excited to see her would likely have been a lot. It's understandable that she might have felt exhausted afterwards even if this was a "good day".

Kate's reported confession is so moving and you might never have considered that side of things when looking at pictures of her from the parade, where she beamed and looked so energetic throughout. Pacing herself is still something that's important now she's in remission.

Prince William spoke about his wife's first overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis on Heart Breakfast in May and declared, "Away trips like that take a lot out of you because you're on sort of permanent receive and send the whole time."

"So we have to balance that, make sure she's okay and rested," he added. "But yeah, she's in good form."

The Princess of Wales has gradually eased back into a full schedule of royal engagements and is expected to be at this year's Trooping the Colour parade on 13th June. She famously uses her outfits to communicate certain messages and elsewhere in Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen Andersen reflected on her 2024 ensemble.

"Realizing the importance of this moment, Kate wore a white Jenny Packham dress with a large black-and-white bow and a wide-brimmed hat," he said. "She chose the outfit for two reasons."

One was apparently because white is the universal colour of hope and Andersen claimed the second was due to Kate following Queen Elizabeth's ethos that you have to be seen to be believed. White, the author added, is "visible from a distance".

The Princess of Wales's 2025 Trooping the Colour outfit also featured white detailing and it's possible that this hopeful shade will continue to be incorporated for many more parades to come.

Meeting your future in-laws can be a daunting experience for anyone, but for Prince William, it was said to be "eye opening" and "mind boggling" when he was introduced to the Middletons. The future King was apparently struck by the "informality" of his now-wife's parents Michael and Carole and their lifestyle.

Getting candid 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 suggested that "William found the informality eye-opening" and noted that this included the likes of learning to load a dishwasher or putting the finishing touches to the food before serving. However, one moment apparently left him a little red faced...

"Laying a tablecloth was a struggle and placing the cutlery embarrassing. He tried to claim it was because he’s left-handed," claimed the royal source.

It was this experience - a far shout from life in the royal palaces - 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.

Though they were no longer with the Middletons, Carole was still reported to have helped in one clear way. When the Prince of Wales had to visit the local supermarkets himself, he followed his future mother-in-law’s advice to the letter.

"His first experience of a big shop following Carole’s detailed lists was apparently mind-boggling," the source added.

For Prince William, it was supposedly all part of discovering a new way of life, far from the "stifling" formalities of the royal households. According to the source, it’s because of this that he "introduced a lot of relative informality into home life" and sometimes even the cook is "redundant" as William or Kate do it themselves.

This idea that the Prince and Princess of Wales are creating a more down-to-earth household for their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to grow up in has been discussed often before. Royal author Katie Nicholl previously told The Mirror that all three "absolutely do menial tasks."

"They are far more ordinary than many might imagine - the kids even have to do chores in return for their pocket money. It's about them wanting to have a normal, happy, ordinary family home," she said.

Donning a sombre and razor-sharp designer black suit, Meghan Markle looked dressed for business. Her speech on the devastating effect of social media on kids was emotional and entirely fair.

Behind her in Geneva’s Place des Nations was the Lost Screen Memorial - an installation of 50 illuminated light boxes, each showing the home-screen photograph of a child who lost their life to online harm.

No one could fault the sentiment.

"Children today are being shaped by systems designed to capture attention at any cost: relentless algorithms, exploitative engagement and endless exposure to harmful content that they are not seeking out."

Few parents would dispute that.

And yet… this was not just a message about the evils of the internet. This was the Duchess of Sussex trying to step back into serious public life.

After trying (and some would say failing) to be a lifestyle hostess on the Netflix show With Love, Meghan, selling us jam with her As Ever range and attempting to be a producer, Meghan was asking the world to take her seriously again.

Not as a duchess, not as a fashion horse, but as an advocate.

As someone close to her told me, "Of course she cares about these issues, as all parents do, particularly when she’s personally suffered so much trolling at the hands of social media and the internet.

"She has always held strong opinions and wants to use her platform to drive change."

Indeed, it wasn't so much her stepping back into the political space as much as the timing that surprised me.

For it came in the same week as the Princess of Wales had enjoyed a stunning return to international tours since her cancer diagnosis and treatment two years ago.

As one royal source sniped to me, "It’s almost as if the duchess can’t help herself. Catherine goes to Italy for her work in children’s early years, is greeted by adoring crowds wherever she goes and is feted to the rooftops.

"So then Meghan appears to try and do the same or go one better. I understand that she always saw the princess as a rival, but regardless, she always seems to have to make a point.

"Catherine is learning about best practice in children’s education, whereas Meghan is trying to take on the big tech companies."

The contrast couldn’t be more marked.

The princess drew genuine crowds - thousands filling the town square in Reggio Emilia, people craning out of windows shouting her name, the streets of a small Italian city brought to a complete halt.

She drew the crowds because of what she represents - the Royal Family.

Meghan, of course, left and for the past six years has been repeatedly telling us that she was silenced. She had so much to say, but according to her, the institution wouldn’t allow her to say it.

Now she wants to make a difference.

Yet it’s harder to take this repositioning seriously due to Meghan’s own use of her children on social media.

The day before she gave her speech, alongside Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, she posted a picture of her daughter Lili, who’s about to turn five, to her 4.5 million followers.

Yes, the adorable redhead had her back to the camera and was sitting on the floor of Meghan’s walk-in wardrobe, surrounded by what looked like thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing (thought to be a Giorgio Armani blazer on the rail, dozens of high-end garments behind her, plus a pair of Dior heels and Manolo Blahniks on the floor).

The caption credited Lilibet as ‘Mama’s little helper’.

But this is something we’ve seen from Meghan time and time again.

A tease of her children’s faces - a side glimpse, a video of backs of heads in the pumpkin patch, emojis to conceal their faces at Disneyland, a family photo in the garden.

Normally in an apparent bid to drive business for her brand and lifestyle business (the candles are even numbered to mark her children’s dates of birth).

It seemed bizarre to me that Meghan would use her own four-year-old child to encourage interest on her huge social media platform, just as she was about to tell the world that big tech is preying on kids.

Driving engagement was key - and on the very social media platforms that Harry has described as being run by people who are ‘evil’ and ‘wicked’ and who ‘farm children’s minds’ for profit.

Harry has complained for years about his life being ‘commercialised’ since he was a teenager. Yet it seems Meghan is doing similar, I’d argue, to boost her brand.

Her kids have royal titles, have royal names and a monarch as a grandfather. The very thing she claims to hate is the thing she is using to promote herself.

No wonder she wanted to remind the world of her agenda for change.

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

The Princess of Wales has plenty of individual honours, from her royal titles to her military roles, but now she's got one that she can share with her children too. She, Prince George, Charlotte and Louis have all made the shortlist for a prestigious competition - or, at least, a photo of them has.

The judges for the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards have selected a snapshot of the family at the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day to be in the running for a win. The public can now vote for their favourite of the 21 shortlisted pictures.

Getting chosen at this stage is already a big achievement and this royal photo is an action shot, showing George, Louis and Kate all leaning sideways to get a better view of the flypast. Only Charlotte is standing poised and straight, and her younger brother looks particularly in awe.

Like Trooping the Colour flypasts, this one featured not only the RAF's Red Arrows but current and historic military aircrafts. It's no wonder that George and Louis were desperate to get a good glimpse of them, as they're believed to have been playing "guess the aircraft".

Analysing the Waleses at the time, lip reader Nicola Hickling suggested to Hello! that the Princess of Wales asked her elder son, "What is this, George?" and he replied that he couldn't see it yet. Prince Louis then reportedly chimed in, "It's my turn."

Even Prince William, who previously served in the RAF, got involved in the game and apparently told Queen Camilla, "It's the wrong answer". According to Nicola, she jokingly replied, "Are we playing this still? I need to try harder."

Perhaps the short-listed picture captured a moment of them all trying to identify something else, or they could've merely been excited to see a particular craft. Either way, it's a special snap and it sums up the Princes' enthusiasm and Princess Charlotte's calm, self-assured nature.

She's the one who's often been spotted telling her brothers what to do at big public events. At Trooping the Colour 2024 the young Princess seemingly told Louis, "Put your arms by your side". This is the typical pose for the royals during the National Anthem in particular and Charlotte was standing impeccably like this in the VE Day picture.

The Waleses (minus Prince William who sadly didn't appear in this specific snap) aren't the only royals in the running to be a UK Picture Editors Guild Award winner.

A picture of King Charles talking to 101-year-old World War II veteran Ruth Barnwell, taken at the tea party to mark VE Day's 80th anniversary, has also been shortlisted. So has an image of Princess Anne looking straight-faced at two sleeping farmers at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.

Many of the other pictures focus on more poignant or political events from 2025, including one that depicts the harrowing aftermath of the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester last October.

The winner of the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards will be announced on 30th June and public voting closes at 12pm on 10th June.

The Princess of Wales is an expert at using clothing to tell a story and whilst the message can often be obvious, there are often subtle layers that go under the radar. On 2nd June she attended a reception celebrating the 125th anniversary of Cancer Research UK wearing a strawberry-red dress covered in polka dots and tiny hearts.

The colour and pattern are strongly associated with love and compassion, so Kate's outfit spoke volumes the moment she stepped into the room. This Rodarte frock also had a removeable silk flower on the lapel.

The Princess chose to wear it and I think this could have been another sweet nod to love, and perhaps her family. According to Farmer's Almanac, the rose is the flower of June and this adornment looked like a deep red rose to me.

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The Cancer Research reception was held in June, so that's a lovely tie-in anyway, but roses are also widely considered to symbolise love, as well as courage and profound respect. All of these meanings feel significant given the focus of the event, which was held eighteen months after Kate shared she was in remission.

The love represented by the rose could be extended to everyone there, though possibly also Prince William (who was born in June) and Prince George, Charlotte and Louis. Throughout her cancer treatment and recovery, she has been open about how much the love of her family helped her.

In the video taken by Will Warr in which she announced she'd finished chemotherapy, the mum-of-three spoke of how she'd come to appreciate the small moments even more than before.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted," she declared. "Of simply loving and being loved."

Meanwhile, in William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, a close friend said the future King "worships" his wife and the whole world shifted when she was diagnosed.

"She's his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished. He talked about the rug being pulled, but it was more than that, it was heartbreak, fear and helplessness all at once," they claimed.

They added that William's "devotion to her never wavered", describing this as "love in its rawest, most powerful form".

This loving support from her husband and children and her love for them was there for Kate at that challenging time and beyond, so the silk rose on her dress could be seen as a lovely nod to this, even if it was done unintentionally.

Last year a new rose named in her honour - Catherine's Rose - was unveiled and proceeds from each sale go towards the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Princess of Wales is their Patron and she got to plant some Catherine's Roses at Colchester Hospital.

This fragrant bloom is pink and celebrates the healing power of healing and raises awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in supporting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

The Princess of Wales's first public appearance after May half-term couldn't have been more meaningful as she joined King Charles for a reception in honour of Cancer Research UK's 125th anniversary. It's been eighteen months since she shared she's in remission and the morning of the event it was announced that the future Queen would be there, paying tribute to this huge milestone for the world's largest independent cancer research charity.

For this event close to her heart she went all-out in a strawberry-red Rodarte dress, a twist on the biggest spring/summer fashion colour trend, tomato red. This design incorporated not just her favourite print - polka dots - but if you look carefully you can make out tiny white hearts too.

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Red is strongly associated with love and the hearts tie in perfectly, signalling compassion with and support for the guests and those whose lives have been affected in some way by cancer. Coincidence? I think that's unlikely given how many dresses the Princess of Wales owns and the level of thought that goes into her royal outfits.

She's known for sending messages with colours, patterns and designers and I suspect this Rodarte dress is the latest example of this. It also happened to be stunning, with a vintage-inspired design that included a white lapel collar and cuffed, puff sleeves.

The fit-and-flare shape was accentuated by the matching belt and even if your favourite summer frocks don't come with one, this is worth copying. Adding a versatile neutral belt brings structure and defines the waist, which can give a dress an extra polished feel.

Kate often wears this silhouette and polka dots have long been her go-to pattern for spring and summer. This dress had both micro dots and hearts, and polka dots are one of the easiest prints to style because they're so minimal and uniform.

If you have a piece which has white or black polka dots this will help to mellow any brighter colours too - as we saw with the Princess's vibrant red and white frock. You can tie in your accessories to either colour if you love a cohesive aesthetic and Kate went for all red.

She carried a Miu Miu suede bag as a clutch and wore her red Gianvito Rossi suede court shoes. Ruby jewellery finished off the look in style and this was the perfect level of formality for such an important reception. To make a polka dot dress more casual, I'd style it with white trainers or sandals (weather-permitting) and a denim jacket.

Denim and a strawberry red like this work particularly well as a contrast, though a white denim jacket is a lovely alternative too. The Princess of Wales didn't need any kind of jacket inside St James's Palace, where she chatted with guests at the Cancer Research reception which included clinicians, researchers, volunteers and partners.

King Charles, who is still undergoing treatment, became Patron of Cancer Research UK in 2024 and he hosted the event. Queen Camilla and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended and the charity works to transform how cancer is prevented, detected, treated and understood. According to the Royal Family's post after the reception, today 8 in 10 people who receive cancer drugs in the UK receive a drug developed with the charity.

As we re-adjust to picking outfits for cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather there's one pairing we can always rely on - jeans (or trousers) and a nice top. It's a combination that can be adapted to suit different weathers - and the Princess of Wales has found an easy style solution that gives her the perfect tucked in look.

Kate recently wore it again during her trip to Italy when she stepped out on Day 1 in an azure blue suit and what seemed to be a white shirt. Except it wasn't - it was actually a bodysuit and she's styled it many times before.

This £149 Cupro Shirt Bodysuit is by one of her favourite British clothing brands, Holland Cooper, and it shows bodysuits can be great for the daytime.

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Kate's bodysuit has a back pleat and gorgeous gold-toned buttons on the cuffs and shoulders. It's got a nylon elastane thong base to ensure it has a smooth fit every time and the collared neckline is a smart touch.

When the Princess of Wales wears hers, it's impossible to tell it isn't a shirt tucked into her trousers. The tucked-in style is a simple way to make an ensemble feel more elevated and polished, even when it's incredibly simple and a bodysuit just makes that easier to achieve.

You could wear Kate's bodysuit with blue jeans and loafers or ballet flats in the day and then dress it up with linen trousers and wedges for a date night outfit.

"A bodysuit is every stylist's secret to making an outfit look sleek and streamlined," says woman&home's Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr. "Once they're on, they stay perfectly in place all day, and whilst they're a great layering piece for the colder months, in the summer, you can style them simply with shorts or linen trousers. They're way more comfortable than you might think, too."

The future Queen tends to use hers as a neutral base when she's wearing colourful tailoring. Aside from her blue blazer and trousers in Italy, she's also styled it with a burgundy suit, a green suit, a black suit, a navy suit and a pinstriped suit.

As a royal, her signature outfits tend to be more on the formal side but a classic, plain bodysuit would work with so many different trouser options or skirts so you don't have to stick to suits like Kate does. Going for neutral colours will help you get maximum wear out of your piece as you won't have to worry about colour clashes.

A white shirt is a staple for many people when building a capsule wardrobe, so a bodysuit version that you don't have to worry about riding up is so useful too. Kate also owns a white Roland Mouret silk design that she likes to wear in a similar way to her Holland Cooper one.

I used to think of a bodysuit as something worn in the evenings for a sultry edge but the Princess of Wales has proved they work so well to give a neat silhouette in the daytime. If shirts aren't for you, then look for a bodysuit that resembles a T-shirt or a vest-top instead and you can get versions with different sleeve shapes and lengths.

What a star the Princess of Wales was on her first tour abroad since her cancer diagnosis. Looking utterly elegant during the two-day visit to Reggio Emilia in northern Italy, Catherine reminded us all how much she has been missed on the international stage.

She was greeted by wildly cheering and clapping crowds - many of whom had sweetly worn hats and fascinators in the mistaken belief there was a dress code - which demonstrated what immense power she wields.

Not just the well-documented 'Kate effect' for her fashion – although I’m sure the gorgeous cornflower-blue Edeline Lee suit and pinstripe Blazé Milano jacket had us all madly googling RepliKates.

Princess Catherine's Italy fashion

A Kensington Palace aide said it was 'undoubtedly a huge moment' for her since she announced her cancer remission last year.

Catherine's visit focused on the city's acclaimed approach to early education, a cause she has long championed through her work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

There were cute pictures of her chatting to kids and trying some Italian (she lived in Florence on her gap year as an 18-year-old).

But there was also a diplomatic aspect to her visit. Italy has been a key ally for the UK, and visited twice by the King and Queen in the past couple of years.

Catherine was awarded the city's highest honour - the Primo Tricolore - for her work on early childhood and looked genuinely moved as Reggio Emilia's mayor read out all her achievements.

She was seen placing a hand to her heart as she listened, and replied, 'Wow, what an honour. I’m very grateful.'

But I did wonder about the timing of another, wannabe diplomatic salvo...

Kate's trip had been announced in advance and well covered. So I was rather surprised that Prince Harry chose day two of her tour to publish a first-person opinion piece on 'My fears for a divided kingdom' (referring to the UK).

Given that one thing Harry is remembered for is dressing up in a Nazi costume (he admits this was one of the 'biggest mistakes' of his life), I was equally surprised that he was lecturing us all about anti-Semitism.

Frankly, I agreed with him on the subject (and, as he acknowledged, we can all change).

But what I thought a little odd was his timing and the fact he thought his warnings on anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred were so vital given he hasn't lived in the UK for the last six years.

In comparison, the King visited Golders Green in north-west London, where two Jewish men had been stabbed, in solidarity with the community.

To cries of 'God save the King', thousands turned up to see him and shake his hand. He didn't need to lecture - he just had to be there.

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

From their twinning fashion moments to shared interests in ballet and playing piano, Princess Charlotte and her mum, Catherine, Princess of Wales are two peas in a pod. Now we know that Charlotte is taking after her mother in yet another way too - and it could possibly lead to some family tension in the future.

Prince William has let slip that, despite being a lifelong Aston Villa fan himself, his only daughter has followed in her mum’s footsteps and supports Chelsea Football Club instead.

During a visit to Nansledan in Cornwall, William met with young children at a nursery, and when he was told a young girl was a Chelsea fan he reportedly replied, "My daughter loves Chelsea."

Some might think this would come as a crushing blow to William - who is such a fan of the football team Aston Villa that he’s regularly spotted cheering them on at matches. The future King even recently travelled to Istanbul to witness them winning the Europa League Trophy for the first time in over 40 years.

However, he's always insisted his children can choose their own teams. In the past he apparently said, "I'm kind of hoping they'll all find their own teams in time. They don't all have to be Villa fans. I'm trying not to be biased but obviously they see how passionate I am about it and they watch the matches with me."

He also joked that Prince Louis refused to settle for just one and supports "about five different teams". It’s not all bad news for William, though. Twelve-year-old Prince George has inherited his father’s passion for Aston Villa.

Prince George and his father have been photographed at Aston Villa games over the years, letting their guard down and getting caught up in the drama of it all. When it comes to a house divided, it was first claimed that the Princess of Wales was a Chelsea FC supporter after a charity event in 2015.

Kate met a young girl at the event who later told reporters, "We high-fived because she supports Chelsea and I support Chelsea. I love people who support Chelsea."

This isn’t the only sport that leaves different family members on different sides, either. Prince William is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union while Kate is patron of the English rugby team after taking over the patronage from Prince Harry.

During the 2023 Six Nations tournament, the Prince and Princess of Wales both attended the Wales vs England match in Cardiff. Speaking at a reception before the game, William joked, "I'm looking forward to today. It's going to be a very tense journey home. If we win today my wife won't speak to me. It will be a tense evening."

As it turned out, England came out on top, beating Wales 20-10. A loss for his team, but a victory for a peaceful home life.

Getting ready for bed isn't always a calming experience for Prince William, as he's revealed he regularly finds himself "fighting" to get in the room. Chatting about the Princess of Wales's recent trip to Italy on Heart Breakfast, he explained that she's so committed to her early years work that she gets caught up on research in the evenings.

"She spends God knows how much time now looking through all the paperwork," he said. "She's a proper pro on early years, and so most evenings I'm fighting to get past in the bedroom all the paperwork that she's got lined up ready to read."

Her dedication might be a bit of an inconvenience for her husband as he side-steps stacks of papers to get to bed, but he's "so pleased" the trip went well. William said she "came back buzzing" and he's "very, very proud" of her, especially after all she's been through in recent years.

Her two-day visit to Reggio Emilia to learn about their world-leading approach to early years was her first overseas trip since she was diagnosed with cancer and William stayed at home with George, Charlotte and Louis. Elsewhere in the Heart Breakfast interview he said their family "couldn't cope without her", describing her as an "amazing mum" and wife.

These heartfelt remarks give an insight into what their home life is like behind closed doors and paperwork is not the only thing the couple share their bedroom with. We already know that their dog Orla gets to sleep on William and Kate's bed.

It's widely reported that the Prince of Wales revealed this during a conversation with a fellow dog-owner in Duchy College Stoke Climsland last July. At the time we didn't know they'd kept one of Orla's puppies, Otto, and now they have two dogs, perhaps they sleep in a bed of their own.

Otto turned 1 in early May and the Prince and Princess of Wales finally shared his name with the world, along with a cute picture. Puppyhood is equally as chaotic whether you're royal or not, too. Whilst he was in Cornwall, William explained that Otto had been chewing all the family's slippers - "anything left on the floor is gone".

Possibly Orla gets involved too as he did say "ours" do this to someone holding their own pooch. Recently, Kate explained that the first thing the family asks in the morning is if anyone's taken Otto out and she's believed to be more of a morning person too.

Tina Brown, author of The Palace Papers, has claimed that the Princess of Wales used to visit some of London's best-known galleries and museums around 8am.

She could therefore fit these trips into her busy schedule and avoid huge amounts of attention. This habit of getting up and out early is especially interesting given she likes reading paperwork at bedtime.

It suggests Kate might burn the candle at both ends when she's got early years research she wants to do. In contrast to his wife, Prince William told Heart Radio's Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston he's very much *not* a fan of early rising.

"I'm definitely not a morning person, no, but I'm very thrilled to be here with you both, so good morning," he told the hosts.

The last thing I want to do right now is spend ages agonising over what to wear in the heat and the Princess of Wales has a breezy, elegant combination that works for these incredibly sunny days. You can't go wrong with a floaty frock and espadrilles and Kate's lilac midi and wedges are one of my favourite pairings.

She wore these pieces for a day of engagements in Cambridgeshire in June 2021 and she looked put-together whilst still being comfortable. The dress was an old favourite from British clothing brand LK Bennett and it had short sleeves that covered Kate's shoulders but had a flowy shape.

The skirt was also floaty and you can tell from the movement and drape of the fabric that it was light and airy. Adding to the summery feel was the soft colour palette.

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Lilac, peachy orange and blue confetti-style patterns created an almost watercolour effect and the Princess of Wales also owns this dress in raspberry pink. Delicate pastel tones are perfect for the season and they look stunning with white or tan accessories, making them actually quite easy to style.

Patterned summer dresses also feel a little more fun and intricate compared to plain designs, even if the silhouettes are utterly timeless or the fabric is quite casual.

The future Queen's frock could work as a summer wedding guest dress with heels and a clutch, but she chose to go for something more low-key and comfy in Cambridgeshire. Kate stepped out for Cambridgeshire County Day at Newmarket Racecourse in her trusty Castañer's Carina 80 Suede Wedge Espadrilles in 'toast'.

She even managed to kick a football in these shoes, so you know that they're one of her most comfortable shoe options. Wedges are a lovely alternative to heels and give you that extra bit of elevation with more stability than you get with stilettos.

However, flat espadrilles or espadrille sandals are also fabulous. The woven jute soles add a beachy edge that complements a floaty midi dress perfectly and if you wanted to accentuate this even more, consider wearing a raffia bag to match.

The Princess of Wales didn't have a handbag with her at the County Day, but she paired the pink version of this dress with a deep red crossbody bag before to tie in with the shades in her clothing. This was her outfit of choice for a day at the polo with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis in 2019 - again worn with her tan wedges.

This combination of a floaty patterned dress and espadrilles is clearly a summer go-to for Kate in her private life as well as when she's undertaking engagements. It's simple to dress down or up depending on the designs you choose, how you accessorise and if you go for flats or wedges.

Fabrics like cotton and linen will always look more casual than silk, though all are breathable. The key to nailing Kate's combination is selecting a dress with a similar, floaty silhouette with plenty of drape to it to achieve a breezy, chic look.

Prince William has always taken every opportunity to praise his wife and the way he talked about her during a recent radio appearance emphasised how much of a crucial role the Princess of Wales plays within their family. The future King joined Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast on 22nd May to discuss the opening of a new wing at the Isles of Scilly Hospital.

Inevitably, William ended up chatting about his wife too, and called Kate an "amazing mum" and "an amazing wife".

"Literally our family couldn't cope without her, so she's been absolutely stunning really," William continued, revealing she was in "good form" after her recent trip to Italy.

This was the Princess's first overseas visit since before she was diagnosed with cancer and he said she "came back buzzing". When he was asked by Amanda how he felt about it, Prince William responded that he's "very, very proud" and added that "she's been through so much in the last couple of years particularly".

Touching on how Kate has been easing back into royal engagements, he explained, "Away trips like that take a lot out of you because you're on sort of permanent receive and send the whole time."

Because of this they "balance that" and make sure the Princess is ok and rested. His remark that they "couldn't cope" without her echoes the suggestion made in Russell Myers' William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story that she is William's "world".

"He worships her, truly. She's his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished," a close friend claimed. "He talked about the rug being pulled, but it was more than that, it was heartbreak, fear and helplessness all at once."

They said his "devotion to her never wavered" and this is "love in its rawest, most powerful form". Now, seeing her getting back to the overseas engagements and projects she loves, Prince William is so proud of her and the couple have forged a new way of doing things, prioritising family time more than ever before.

Kate will likely be looking forward to spending half-term with Prince William and their children and who knows if they could be back to the Isles of Scilly together. The Prince of Wales spoke about how he used to visit the Isles a lot with his parents when he was younger and "the children can go where they want, it's completely safe".

He said there's "so much to do" down there for a family too. Prince William, Kate and the children spend so much of their lives being scrutinised and photographed in public, so a peaceful place like this where they can relax and just be themselves sounds much-needed.

The radio interview came ahead of Prince William's visit to the Isles of Scilly Hospital. The new wing increases medical capacity and the hospital now has maternity services (previously you had to travel to the mainland to give birth) and more social care.

The Prince also visited the construction site for ten new, sustainable homes which are being delivered by the Duchy of Cornwall (Prince William succeeded King Charles as Duke of Cornwall in 2022).

With summer almost here it's a great opportunity to have a little seasonal style refresh and sunshine often has us reaching for bright colours and flowy silhouettes. The more fun or bold our outfits, the more it helps to have jewellery staples that go with everything and the Princess of Wales and her fellow royals have a favourite style.

She, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla all love pearl jewellery and specifically white pearls which are arguably the most versatile. The neutral colour means they go with everything and although pearls aren't a jewellery trend for 2026 I think that's partly why the royals wear them so much.

Kate, Anne and Camilla all have very classic styles, although they each put their own twist on things. Pearls are timeless and they're a lot more understated than diamonds.

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The sheen of a pearl adds glamour but not sparkle, which makes them a perfect choice for everyday. They complement casual jeans and blazer outfits as well as formalwear and you can go as subtle or statement as you like with the designs.

The Princess of Wales mostly wears more delicate items like her Monica Vinader Nura necklace with a single pearl drop on a golden chain. She also has several pairs of pearl drop earrings and when Kate wants to go bolder she reaches for the late Queen Elizabeth's Bahrain earrings or three strand necklace.

These only tend to get brought out for formal occasions like church services, receptions or Garden Parties like the one she attended earlier in May. But if you want jewellery that's instantly striking, then perhaps it's worth looking to Princess Anne or Queen Camilla for inspiration.

Both women either opt for very simple pearl drop earrings or they go all-out with chunky necklaces. The Princess Royal wore one of these chokers when she hosted the Not Forgotten Association Garden Party on 19th May and Her Majesty wore her four strand choker with the diamond clasp to events to mark Queen Elizabeth's centenary.

This is one of Camilla's most-worn pieces and if you're styling something this eye-catching, I'd recommend taking her approach and making the rest of your outfit minimal. Of course, most of the pearls worn by these senior royals are likely a very luxurious price-point, but that doesn't have to be the case if you're tempted to add some new pieces to your collection.

Pearl jewellery can be picked up very affordably and faux pearls can actually look very convincing too - sometimes more so than crystal alternatives for precious stones. Studs and dainty necklace are lovely for day-to-day, and drop earrings or multi-pearl necklaces would jazz up a date night outfit or summer wedding guest dress.

For a cohesive look, you can wear multiple pearl items together just like the Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and Queen Camilla often do with their earrings and necklaces.

A heatwave is incoming just in time for the UK late May bank holiday and whilst this is great news for anyone with outdoor plans, it can make dressing tricky. Breathable fabrics are a life saver and you can still look elegant and be cool and comfortable.

The Princess of Wales has to strike this balance when she's out at engagements and her oyster white linen shorts are the perfect piece for hot weather. They're still sold to this day and are made by one of her favourite British clothing brands, Holland Cooper.

Kate wore them when she visited Plymouth in 2022 and they're a classic tailored shape with a high-rise waist. Not everyone is a fan of short-shorts and these are a modest length and are crafted from a breezy linen blend fabric.

Shop Kate's Tailored Shorts

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The linen is mixed with viscose to help prevent heavy creasing which pure linen is known for. This is why I personally prefer linen blend items as they're more fuss-free. The Princess of Wales's shorts also had gold-toned buttons for a touch of glamour, practical belt loops and knife pleats for added structure.

Denim shorts are naturally quite casual and white tailored shorts like Kate's are the perfect alternative for occasions when you want to dress slightly smarter. Denim can also be stiffer and thicker compared to light linen or cotton pieces, and denim shorts are often quite fitted rather than flowy.

You could easily pair tailored shorts with a crisp shirt or a silky cami, or make them more relaxed with a T-shirt.

When she visited sailing teams from the UK and New Zealand the weather wasn't boiling hot and the Princess wore a navy and white striped jumper and her go-to white trainers from Superga. Each piece complemented each other and the outfit kept to a minimal colour palette.

However, white shorts are a versatile staple and you can really have fun with other colours. Bright tops and accessories won't be too bold when they're paired with such a neutral item.

There are so many ways to style shorts and they're worth considering adding to your collection even if you're not keen on denim pairs. To balance out the amount of skin coverage in an outfit on a cooler day, go for a long sleeve or three-quarter length sleeve top like the future Queen did.

Because she's such a senior member of the Royal Family we very rarely see Kate stepping out in shorts so her choice to do so in Plymouth shows how chic and useful she finds her Holland Cooper ones.

The other times the Princess of Wales has worn shorts have all been when she's doing an activity-based engagement, like when she attended a sailing regatta in The Bahamas during her and Prince William's Caribbean tour.

Otherwise when it's hot Kate typically prefers floaty midi dresses and these are a stunning option for a heatwave too, though shorts are a bit sleeker and low-key.