Princess Anne is all about practicality, from her choice of outfits to the products that pique her interest. She's also famously got no time for fussing about and so should we really be surprised that she once took a loo brush home in her luxurious Bentley?

I don't think so, and this is apparently what happened in 2018 when the Princess Royal visited the office of homeware brand Joseph Joseph to present them with the Queen's Award for Enterprise for innovation. They'd won it for their Totem Waste Separation & Recycling bin but Anne supposedly dubbed the toilet brushes "fantastic" too.

Speaking recently to the Sunday Times, Richard Joseph (founder alongside his brother Antony) explained, "She was so brilliant. We gave her a blinged-up toilet brush…and talked her through the [design] story, showing all the prototypes."

Although he didn't specify how it was "blinged-up", I can't help wishing there were some kind of sparkles as a nod to their royal guest. He might simply have meant the details were what elevated it and Richard claimed they offered to send the brush to the Palace "thinking it's just going to go into a cupboard".

The Princess Royal had other ideas and reportedly turned down the offer, wanting to take it with her there and then. He alleged, "And then it went in the back of the Bentley. The next week we got an order from the Palace for more."

For all we know, the Royal Family's historic residences are still using Joseph Joseph toilet brushes and the picture accompanying Richard and Antony's interview suggests Anne loved the Flex™ Lite Toilet Brush. This comes with a compact holder to discreetly keep it in, a flexible D-shaped head and anti-drip and anti-clog technology.

It's got everything you could want from a toilet brush and it's hilarious to think one of them made the journey back with the Princess in a royal Bentley. She seemingly recommended the product to the Palace too, if they placed an order for more.

This is all very *Anne* and perhaps she was especially interested in the brush because of the product design element. Back in 2020 she gave an enlightening interview to Vanity Fair and revealed that if she hadn't been a working royal, she might have been an engineer.

"The practicalities of how things work, I think, was always interesting as far as I was concerned," the Princess Royal explained. "But I think it was a little bit early in the sort of scheme of things to have gone down that route."

Even though she never pursued this path herself, she said she's “enjoyed" helping to "encourage more girls to look at engineering as a realistic career". Her father Prince Philip was also interested in how things work. On what would've been his 100th birthday in 2021, she said that it's "probably true" they were so similar.

"I think that's probably true because I think if anything broke, there was always 'have a look at this, see if you can mend it'. We didn't throw things away, I'm that old. We have to re-educate ourselves on the basis of not throwing quite so much away. That often comes from your own family background," the Princess Royal declared.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are already making small moves to modernise the monarchy but when they become King and Queen Consort, this could be taken to another level. The couple will suddenly have the run of the vast royal property portfolio, including the iconic Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

However, royal author Ingrid Seward believes that Kate, perhaps inspired by her mother Carole's upbringing, could persuade her husband to tone things down.

"[Will they] stay small in Forest Lodge, or go the whole hog and decide to keep Sandringham, Balmoral and all the other smaller houses light and warm and staffed through the long winter nights?" she asks in Catherine & Diana. "The voice of Catherine, whose mother was brought up in a council flat, in William's ear might suggest that keeping things relatively modest is in tune with the times."

Carole Middleton has previously spoken about watching her father Ron, a builder, and mother Dorothy, who worked part-time in a jeweller shop, toiling "extremely hard" to "make ends meet and give [their children] a lifestyle". She believes she's passed that same work ethic to her kids and we can see that Kate, Pippa and James's upbringing was far more ordinary than William's.

The Prince and Princess of Wales currently already own Forest Lodge, Anmer Hall and Tam-Na-Ghar Cottage but keeping multiple official residences staffed is another matter and Ingrid thinks Kate's grounding gives her an "immense, not to say unique, value as a queen consort". Although the author believes his destiny as King is "drilled into his DNA", she adds his feet are on the pavement.

"All the signs point to William wishing to downsize the grandeur of the royal family - not to lose its tradition or its panoply of grandeur but to bring it in line with people's expectations," she claims.

Traditionally we'd expect the King and Queen to spend time at different residences throughout the year, like Sandringham at Christmas and Balmoral over the summer. I'd be surprised if they abandoned that completely but they might choose to actually stay at Anmer and Tam-Na-Ghar after hosting the family at the main homes.

Windsor Castle hasn't really been used as a residence since Queen Elizabeth's reign and they might still use it for audiences or meetings like they do now. Instead of staffing so many homes all year round, they could just be staffed as and when.

This would be seen as more economical and "in line" with modern expectations but Forest Lodge works so well as a base for them too. It's easy for them to travel from there to London and it's not far from the Middletons' home in Bucklebury.

The Princess of Wales's family are just as important to Kate and William as the royals - and the Prince recognised how close they were from the start.

"Kate's got a very, very close family. I get on really well with them and I'm very lucky that they've been so supportive," he said in the couple's engagement interview. "Mike and Carole have been really loving and caring and really fun and have been really welcoming towards me."

The Duchess of Edinburgh has long been a valued working member of the Royal Family - and one who was said to enjoy a particular closeness with the late Queen. But now she’s stepped up even more and become exactly "what the royals need" in the opinion of former royal butler Grant Harrold.

He worked with King Charles for seven years and has recently described Sophie as a "steady influence" and a potential future matriarch figure for the monarchy.

Speaking to GB News, he suggested, "I think in recent years we’ve seen her position grow even stronger, and she’s become the King’s steady influence. She’s always working hard in the background as a reliable constant, and that’s exactly what the royals need at the moment."

Grant makes it clear that the Duchess has always been "a trustworthy and hardworking member", but it’s only in recent years that her work and qualities have become more visible. He claimed, "While she didn’t always get the brightest spotlight, she was always pushing for the causes she cared about and used her platform to raise awareness for important issues."

This is how she quietly fostered deep connections with key royals. Grant added, "She has always clearly been a favourite, and they all enjoy spending time with her. She was admired by the Queen, and she’s also very close to Catherine."

Now His Majesty and Sophie have become closer too, according to the former butler.

"Sophie and the King have a brother-sister-like relationship," he alleged. "She is reliable and is really just the overall perfect royal."

Praising her dedication, Grant continued, "The family has always trusted her to carry out her engagements. The Duchess has a fantastic poker face, exactly like the Queen. She will always just get on with the job, despite all the chaos unfolding around her."

It’s not just a likeness with Queen Elizabeth that has stood Sophie in good stead. Grant believes she shares many similar qualities with her sister-in-law, the Princess Royal. So much so, he even dubbed her "the next generation’s Princess Anne".

He shared, "Like Princess Anne, Sophie will always be a member of the family that the King trusts. The Duchess is taking on the exact role that Princess Anne has played for decades. They are incredibly similar in the sense that they just get on with it."

Grant even envisions Sophie taking on an important role for William when the time comes for him to ascend the throne, eventually inheriting the matriarch mantel.

He said, "I have no doubt she will become one of the future King's closest allies. She will be a matriarch for the Royal Family, and a vital asset to future King William."

Being a working royal was never on the cards for Zara Tindall and as the daughter of two professional equestrians it's no surprise that she turned to horses as a potential carer. However, whilst some parents might be endlessly supportive, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips know what it takes and took a tough love approach.

"When I was about to leave school - and I had a great last couple of years at school and didn't do very much work; I played lots of sport - and I then thought, I'll just see if I'm any good at it," Zara explained on a recent episode of the Talk Horse podcast. "You know, riding a horse, try and find something that could maybe go all the way."

Anne and Mark didn't try to dissuade her but they told her, "You have to do it properly. And this is how it's going to work. And you're not getting any help and you need to produce results".

Just because Zara was their daughter and a royal didn't mean she was going to get special treatment and this is something that she's so grateful for. Zara and her brother Peter Phillips appeared on the Anne: The Princess Royal at 70 documentary in 2020 and explained that they'd been raised knowing they'd need to make their own way.

"We were always brought up on the understanding that we were going to have to go to work," said Peter. "We were going to have to go out and earn our living, regardless of the fact of who our grandmother was or who our mother was."

Zara added, "I think it made us fight harder as well. To try and be as successful as we could be. So I definitely, you know, we're very grateful to not give us a title anyway."

She took Anne and Mark's words to heart and certainly has produced "results". At the 2012 Olympic Games Zara was part of the equestrian team that won silver and received her medal from the Princess Royal herself. Her dad Mark is an Olympic gold and silver medalist and he was particularly "tough" when it came to her training techniques.

"Mum's very relaxed," Zara said. "She's like, 'Just, you know, just do what you do'", whilst Mark was always making suggestions.

"Very rarely you would get a, 'Yeah, that was good', out of him. So it was always striving to try and get that comment. He was a tough coach," she explained, revealing she's trying "not to be quite that bad" with her children Mia, Lena and Lucas.

The love of horse riding has definitely been passed down the generations and the tough love approach clearly inspired Zara Tindall to throw herself into following in her parents' footsteps. Her mother recognises her commitment and on the Anne: The Princess Royal at 70 documentary she praised the way Zara went about things.

"Zara was always a natural and it was really a question of whether she felt that was something she really wanted to do, and she did and she was very thorough and applied herself to it. So she was quite rightly very successful," the Princess Royal said.

Prince Harry was just 12 years old when he lost his mother and for years after Princess Diana's tragic death he felt "guilty" about the thought of finding joy without her. Now 42, the Duke of Sussex is reflecting upon his experience of grief in a new Masterclass online discussion with Dr Mary-Frances O'Connor, neuroscientist and grief expert.

In the trailer for Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss, Harry confessed that he "felt like [he] had to be sad in order to prove to her that [he] missed her". The idea of being happy again was something he didn't consider for a long time, viewing it as a kind of "betrayal".

"I'd spent so long being emotionally numb, to a large extent because nobody told me joy was still allowed. That it wasn't betrayal," he continued.

As reported by the BBC, King's younger son also said he felt "disloyal and guilty" about the idea of being joyful now his mother was gone. Harry hopes the Masterclass will give those watching it "permission and the tools" to access happiness beyond grief.

The realisation he eventually came to himself - that it "wasn't betrayal" - is something that Prince William seems to have reached ahead of him. The Duke of Sussex said he went to war, in part to try and "outrun" his feelings, but by the time he first deployed, his big brother had found love with the Princess of Wales at university.

During Harry's second deployment, William and Kate were married and expecting their first baby together. The Princes were at different stages of life and perhaps in their stages of grief too, as the Prince of Wales had so much to be happy about and was able to let himself enjoy that.

That's not to say that it was smooth-sailing for Prince William and there were likely many times during those big life moments where he inevitably felt the loss of Princess Diana deeply. However, it looks like he maybe didn't view joy as a "betrayal" of his mother like Harry.

He was 15 when Diana died and he met Kate earlier than Harry met Meghan. The Princess of Wales has been a huge source of support for William and he's spoken about this particularly after they had children, which he said made "emotions come back".

"Having children is the biggest life changing moment, it really is… I think when you've been through something traumatic in life, and that is like you say, your Dad not being around, my mother dying when I was younger, the emotions come back, in leaps and bounds," he said to Marvin Sordell on the Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health documentary.

After acknowledging he "definitely found it very, at times, overwhelming," William continued, "Me and Catherine particularly, we support each other and we go through those moments together and we kind of evolve and learn together."

The Prince and Princess of Wales keep Princess Diana's memory alive for their kids and Prince Harry and Meghan do this for Archie and Lilibet too. Next year is the 30th anniversary of her death and just a few months before the release of the Masterclass discussion, Harry revealed that the Sussexes have a tradition of marking 31st August - and Diana's birthday on 1st July - by baking lemon drizzle cake.

The Princess of Wales is one of the most photographed women in the world, is always meticulously dressed and lives in a historic royal property on the Windsor Estate. However, behind closed doors, Kate is comfortable with things being a lot more low-key and used to go on trips that involved far less glamorous routines.

According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the future Queen inherited her down-to-earth approach from her dad, Michael, who "frequently took the family on adventure holidays" to the Lake District. They owned a cottage there and the expert claims in Catherine & Diana that they "would bathe in tin baths and gather logs for fires".

It’s all very humble and these holidays couldn’t be more different to many of the luxurious trips her husband Prince William went on growing up - or even the visits to Mustique that the Middletons have also enjoyed in the past. It paints a picture of a side of Kate that fans will never really get to see and shows she’s never been afraid to get stuck in and get things done.

Her uncle Gary Goldsmith (Carole’s younger brother) has directly said his niece isn’t "precious", claiming to fashion writer Claudia Joseph that she "quietly gets on with the task at hand". Ingrid also believes that the Princess of Wales is "more like" Michael than "feisty" Carole, insisting that she’s "never sought" the spotlight even though she’s constantly under it because of her royal role.

It’s the small moments that matter most to her and the Princess is eager to encourage her own children to get outside and make memories.

During her appearance on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2021, Kate was asked to complete the sentence, "I’m happiest when…" and promptly responded, "I’m with my family outside in the countryside and we're all filthy dirty".

She spends so much of her working life being perfectly poised and professional, so it perhaps makes sense that she’s more understated in her personal life. We get to see her relaxed side in the anecdotes she tells at engagements, particularly if they’re about George, Charlotte and Louis, but Woman&Home’s Royal Correspondent Emily Andrews believes there’s definitely a difference between the Princess of Wales in public and in private.

Speaking on an episode of her and Reverend Richard Coles’ Catching Up With The Royals podcast earlier this year, she declared, "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. The private Kate is quite different. Very warm, very friendly, and got a great sense of humour."

The royal expert also suggested that the Princess of Wales loves practical jokes too and played a rather surprising one during her and William’s official visit to Australia in 2014.

"Her and William had to stand in a specific place and it had been marked out on the floor with a plastic spider. So she crept round the back of the sofa to where one of her aides was sitting and she knew that he didn’t like spiders and she kind of drops it into her aide’s lap. I mean he nearly hit the roof! I mean everyone thought it was very funny - including, I should say, the aide," Emily claimed.

The Princess of Wales's signature style is always polished but you can tell how much she loves spending time in nature and her outfits for outdoor engagements are what I can imagine her wearing in her daily life. They're also very easy to recreate and Kate's jeans and boots combination for a visit to the Lake District in September 2021 ticks that box.

She stepped out in plain black skinny jeans and her trusty See by Chloe lace-up boots, styled with a simple oatmeal knit and a belted jacket. This look blended practicality with style and it needed to be cosy and comfortable, as she was heading out on Lake Windermere as well as visiting the Jetty Museum.

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The future Queen went for her go-to denim silhouette here and although I personally much prefer wide-cut jeans, skinny jeans look so sleek tucked into the top of boots. There's no bunching of the fabric and the final look is so streamlined that it's very leg-elongating.

If you're not sure about incorporating skinny jeans into autumn outfit ideas then straight-leg styles are a more relaxed alternative and they drape beautifully over ankle boots. Kate's jeans were black rather than classic blue and darker jeans are always popular in the colder months.

Black denim in particular tends to feel smarter as there's not a lot of variation in the wash, so they're so useful for those occasions where you want to be comfy yet still look polished. The block neutral tone also works well with pretty much any other colour, including some of the fashion colour trends for 2026 like berry and chocolate brown.

The Princess of Wales's boots were a dark brown and she often wears this See by Chloe style when she's outdoors because the cleated sole provides extra grip. Black boots and black jeans complement each other especially well as they seamlessly blend into one another, though her dark brown boots were a softer alternative.

The lace-up design added some detail and flat ankle boots like this are perfect for the daytime when you're doing a lot of walking. To take an outfit like Kate's from day to night, you can swap out a crew-neck jumper for a shirt or roll-neck and add a blazer over the top too.

She didn't dress quite that smartly in September 2021, but still looked put-together in her beige sweater and a Really Wild green tweed jacket that added a countryside feel.

This was an understated style choice for this engagement, where the Princess went out on Lake Windermere with Ike and Arek, two of the "Windermere Children" - a group of 300 child survivors of the Holocaust who came to the Lake District in 1945.

Kate's an expert at adjusting her outfits to ensure they're appropriate for different occasions and her jeans and ankle boot pairing wasn't too fancy or too casual. It highlighted her approachability during this poignant visit, during which she also went to the Jetty Museum and heard about the Lake District Holocaust Project's work documenting and educating the public about the experiences of the 'Windermere Children".

The Princess of Wales's high heel collection is something so many shoe lovers would envy but it's her practical footwear that's inspiring my own autumn/winter wardrobe. She has a few staple styles that she reaches for whenever she's undertaking engagements in the rain, mud or snow and her Sorel ones might be the most useful.

Kate owns an older version of the brand's iconic Torino boots and they're waterproof and lined. She wore them a lot during her and Prince William's 2018 visit to Norway and Sweden and hers are the black colourway. This year Sorel is selling them in a range of different shades, including black and brown, which is still a major fashion colour trend for the season.

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The chunky cleated soles provide excellent grip and woman&home Digital Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr described the fleece lining as being “like a hug for your ankles” in her full Sorel Torino Boots review. The Princess would've no doubt appreciated this level of comfort too, as she wore these shoes to play some Bandy hockey and walk around in the snow, all while being pregnant with Prince Louis.

Although many of the best wellies are stylish as well as functional, a pair of waterproof, warm boots is a must-have for the colder months. Kate cleverly went for a neutral colour that will go with everything and because her Torinos are ankle-height, they're easy to tuck trousers into.

In Norway when the Waleses visited Holmenkollen she stuck to black ski trousers but for the Bandy hockey match in Sweden, the future Queen opted for black skinny jeans instead.

Even if you're not someone who usually loves fitted jeans (me neither!), this shape is perfect for neatly tucking into boots. Straight-leg jeans are a slightly comfier alternative and if you want an ultra leg-elongating effect then go for a close colour match.

Black jeans, leggings or trousers and black boots seamlessly flow into each other, though lighter boots and blue denim is another great option. Sorel and many other brands sell waterproof snow boots that come up higher, though shorter styles like Kate's are just a bit more versatile and understated.

You could easily wear shorter boots day-to-day as well as for hikes or snowy weather, compared to taller footwear which can look a bit out of place if you're not actually walking in deep snow or torrential rain.

I have plenty of pairs of leather and suede boots that I love for autumn/winter but this year I'm tempted to invest in some that are specifically made to keep feet dry and warm.

The Princess of Wales has proved that they can still be chic and although we haven't seen her stepping out in her Sorel Torinos publicly for a while, who knows how often she reaches for them in private when she's heading out in the countryside around the Waleses' Norfolk and Berkshire homes.

If there's one staple anyone's autumn jacket collection needs it's a blazer and tailoring has had a luxurious update this season. Tuxedo-style blazers are everywhere and they're perfect for taking a simple outfit up a level for the evening or a special occasion.

We're still a few months away from party season, but you can never go wrong with a black blazer with an elevated twist like Queen Letizia's Pertegaz jacket. She wore this with the matching trousers to a reception on Day 1 of her and King Felipe's State Visit to Finland and it had satin lapels and fun feather detailing on the sleeves.

The combination worked so well because the rest of Letizia's look was so simple, but even if you're not a fan of the feathers, the other elements are well worth copying.

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The colours and silhouettes of tuxedos for women vary, though contrasting fabric is always part of the design and evening elegance is a big autumn/winter fashion trend this year. Satin has a subtle sheen and makes blazers look more luxurious and smart, no matter what else you're wearing with them.

It's also not quite as in-your-face as a full velvet blazer for example - though I do love styling velvet as we edge closer towards the festive season. The Queen of Spain dressed head-to-toe in black for the reception for the Spanish community at the NH Grand Hansa and incorporating different materials is a clever way to ensure your monochrome outfits have definition and interest.

With a tuxedo-style blazer you get textural contrast within a single item and black jackets have extra versatility as they go with a huge range of other shades.

The smarter aesthetic of blazers makes them easy to dress up with a frock or tailored trousers and yet they are also chic with casual pieces like jeans or knitwear. A satin collar doesn't change this and there are so many different autumn outfit ideas that you could incorporate a jacket like Queen Letizia's into, perhaps with dark denim or even leather trousers.

In contrast, suede or denim jackets can sometimes feel too much or too relaxed for certain occasions, so an all-rounder is very useful. Her Majesty's Pertegaz jacket was single-breasted and sleek, helping to balance out the boldness of the feathery sleeves.

She leaned into this by styling it with tapered cigarette trousers and what looked to be a square-neck cami. Her shoes were her beloved Massimo Dutti leather slingbacks and she finished off the ensemble with a pair of hoop earrings.

Double-breasted blazers are also beautiful and bring even more structure to an outfit, so it just depends on which cut suits your signature style best. The Queen regularly wears both shapes and she's stepped out in this tuxedo blazer in autumn several times since 2019.

Her way of styling the jacket is pretty much identical every time other than the shoes and it just goes to show that although tuxedo blazers are a 2026 trend, they're also timeless enough to work year after year.

Jeans are a wardrobe staple for many of us all year round but in the colder months we tend to gravitate towards dark washes. These tones feel more traditionally seasonal, though the Duchess of Edinburgh isn't ready to let go of light denim just yet.

She's inspiring me to try going for something different this year and recently styled a pair of white straight-leg jeans with an autumnal twist at the final meet of the Carriage Driving season. Duchess Sophie attended with her daughter Lady Louise Windsor and she paired her denim with a dove-grey jumper, scarf and a checked La Gazelle jacket.

The jeans were high-waisted and the straight cut is a versatile choice if you want to have fun with autumn outfit ideas. I personally love the drape and comfort of wide-leg jeans most but straight jeans are a close second, as they're slightly more streamlined without being restrictive.

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Because of this, you can dress them up with a shirt and heeled boots or dress them down with an oversized sweater and white trainers and both styles work equally well. White jeans like Sophie's tend to naturally look slightly more smart because they don't have the variation in the wash you get with blue denim.

They have an almost trouser-esque look and this neutral colour complements pretty much any other shade whilst bringing some brightness. Against seasonal fashion colour trends like berry, khaki and chocolate, a pair of white jeans lifts everything and feels softer than black or dark blue.

The Duchess kept the rest of her outfit for the Final Meet relatively light too, going for a pale grey jumper that she wore loose over the waistband.

Tucking in jumpers, especially if they're more fitted, is a way to elevate jeans into something more smart-casual and accentuate the waist. We'd often see royals like the Princess of Wales doing this, though Sophie wasn't at an official engagement so her approach was more understated.

She still emphasised her waist by going for a cropped jacket that finished at the same point as her top. This La Gazelle Cotswold jacket was crafted from Harris Tweed and, according to reports, was bought by Sophie at another equestrian event, the Cornbury House Horse Trials, last month.

The combination of different greys and the subtle checked pattern brought some extra dimension to her ensemble.

Checked patterns are having a surge in popularity right now and the Duchess of Edinburgh finished off her outfit with her Meindl walking boots and a camel neck scarf. Everything felt balanced and minimal, which is very in-keeping with Sophie's day-to-day style.

When the weather gets colder she - and us - can still get plenty of wear out of white jeans by swapping jackets for coats and thicker knits. There's something very chic about an all-white winter outfit and monochrome is always a striking combination, so perhaps the Duchess's look was a useful reminder that blue and black jeans aren't the only option.

Easy, everyday autumn outfit ideas tend to be what we wear the most but sometimes we just want to feel a bit more put-together. That doesn't mean you have to overcomplicate your style as simple pairings like a jumper and jeans can be elevated.

Adding some jewellery can work wonders and I still can't help but admire the way the Princess of Wales's dainty charm necklace looks with knitwear. She debuted this Alex Monroe Paleontology Nugget necklace in 2020 and wore it twice that November, both times with a knit and blazer.

I particularly love the way it looked against her pink jumper in a video she filmed to tease the announcement of the 5 Big Questions survey results. Compared to a lot of Kate's other pieces, this necklace is very dainty and understated, with a single gold chain and tiny charms spaced out along it.

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These are etched with different motifs, from botanicals to an ammonite and the Alex Monroe iconic bee design. This design is part of the brand's Natural History collection and it's made from gold plated solid silver, as are a lot of pieces in the Alex Monroe autumn jewellery collection.

The Princess layered it over her knitwear and the glint of the gold added some subtle sparkle without being too much. A necklace like this that sits below the neckline of a jumper is so chic and hers really stood out against the pastel pink behind it.

The bigger the colour contrast, the more it becomes the focus so if you really want your jewellery to steal the show I'd recommend going for a black or a white knit. The first time we ever saw the Princess of Wales with this necklace on was in a video thanking participants in her Hold Still community photography project and she styled it with a lightweight white knit and red blazer.

Once again the necklace sat beautifully over the top of her jumper and caught the light. Both of Kate's jumpers were plain block colours so having the sparkle and the individual charm details added some extra detail and a sense of sophistication.

If you're someone who tends to reach for roll-neck jumpers then you can still take a leaf out of the Princess's book but I'd advise going for a slightly longer necklace or a fitted sweater to ensure the jewellery sits nicely over the top. A dainty design will be easier to incorporate into different outfits day-to-night, as will necklaces without any stones or colours.

The Princess went for a plain gold Alex Monroe necklace and the same Paleontology Nugget design also comes in silver. Metallics go with everything and versatility is key when you're trying to find the perfect daily necklace. Even though Kate has a vast collection of jewellery it's often the simplest items like this that she reaches for most often for engagements.

She saves the jewel-encrusted pieces for big events or to send a sentimental message. The Princess of Wales also goes through months and years gravitating towards certain necklaces more than any others for public appearances. Although we haven't seen her Alex Monroe one for a while, that doesn't mean that she isn't wearing it at home to jazz up her jumpers.

Life at Forest Lodge will be a little different now Prince George has started at Eton, but mornings in the Wales household are probably still incredibly busy for the Prince and Princess of Wales. There's still eleven-year-old Charlotte and eight-year-old Louis who have to eat breakfast and get to school on time and it seems they might not always be the tidiest when they're getting ready.

During a recent visit to Pulborough, the Princess of Wales came face-to-face with an adorable cocker spaniel, prompting a revelation about the Wales's pets, Orla and Otto. As per Hello!, Kate reportedly asked the dog's owner, "Is he cheeky? Does he steal your food?"

"Whenever there is cereal on the floor, our doggies always eat the cereal!" she then admitted.

Somehow, I can't imagine it's Prince William and Kate who are dropping cereal on the floor and since George isn't now living at home, Charlotte and Louis seem like the most likely suspects. Thankfully, their mum didn't sound overly concerned about a little bit of mess - and Orla and Otto are always on the alert and first in line to clear up.

Eating some dropped pieces of cereal is one thing, though the spaniels' talent for nibbling doesn't go down too well when it comes to shoes. Earlier this year William also met a fellow dog owner and ended up explaining, "Ours chew slippers. Anything left on the floor is gone".

Food, footwear: it sounds like their dogs always want to investigate anything on ground level and since welcoming one-year-old Otto the family have adjusted their morning routine.

Instead of going to make a drink or having a shower, the "first thing" they do now is check if he's gone out. Kate apparently revealed this at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party in May, shortly after she and William finally confirmed their newest pet's name.

He got his own dedicated Instagram post in honour of his birthday and Otto and Orla have both featured in George, Charlotte and Louis' birthday posts this year too.

It's clear how much they're a part of the family, even if they do exhibit some "cheeky" behaviour from time to time. Anyway, even if it is Charlotte and Louis dropping cereal, we also know that the dogs aren't getting this everyday as the seven-year-old has another favourite breakfast.

Jam sandwiches go down a storm in the Wales family and often get eaten en route to Lambrook school rather than at Forest Lodge. The Prince of Wales said as much when he was asked on Heart Breakfast in May about whether the school run is chaotic, responding, "There's a lot of jam sandwiches taken in the car usually."

"Louis will leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful," the dad-of-three continued.

The eight-year-old has inherited his late great-grandmother's love of jam sandwiches, as it's said Queen Elizabeth used to have them for tea everyday. Her snacks were round, crustless, filled with strawberry jam and the size of an old English penny, which is why they were called jam pennies.

The Princess of Wales's cancer diagnosis sent shockwaves around the world but it's hard to truly imagine how devastating it was for those closest to her. Prince William has described 2024 as "brutal" and now it's been suggested that the news of his wife's illness brought back the "sudden, sickening" fear he'd felt as a teenager when his mother died.

"When Catherine fell ill, it wasn't just a medical crisis. It was the reopening of an old wound he had spent decades learning to live around," claims royal expert Ingrid Seward in Catherine & Diana. "The shock of the diagnosis announced by Catherine in an emotional video filmed at Windsor carried with it the unmistakable scent of déjà vu."

She believes that Prince William experienced the same "sense of being thrust into a story he had never chosen, one that had already taken too much from him".

According to Ingrid, the future King did "everything in his power to shield" his wife from the world and although he resumed public-facing duties a month after she made her diagnosis public, his schedule was significantly scaled-back. He wanted to be there for her and their children and ensured that work was fitted around his family.

"The thought that he might lose her was intolerable to William, so he made sure he wouldn't - by being there at every turn," the expert alleges.

This was an incredibly tough time for the Wales family and the idea that the Princess's diagnosis might have also brought back the helplessness he felt as a 15-year-old losing his mother is heartwrenching.

William has said 2024 was the "hardest" year of his life and he's been equally open about how the family wouldn't function without Kate. After describing his wife as an "amazing" spouse and mother on Heart Breakfast in May, he added, "Literally our family couldn't cope without her, so she's been absolutely stunning really."

Her illness and what Princess Diana went through are incredibly different, though for William it makes sense that he'd be especially protective of his wife after losing someone else so integral to his life at such a young age. Prince Harry has also expressed fear about "history repeating itself", comparing the media's treatment of Meghan to what his mother faced.

The Princess of Wales announced she was in remission in January 2025 and she and William have re-focused more than ever on each other, their children and causes very close to their hearts.

Kate has eased back into royal duties, undertaking her first solo overseas trip since her diagnosis shortly before William's radio appearance. The future King has also been open about how "the most important thing in [his life] is family" and he and Kate continue to be hands-on parents arranging work around George, Charlotte and Louis.

All of them were also there to congratulate the Princess when she completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in June to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The Prince and Princess of Wales have always faced everything together and even though her illness might've opened "old wounds" they're stronger than ever.

After a summer of wearing espadrille wedges non-stop, the Duchess of Edinburgh is clearly ready for boot season and just styled some she's added to her collection relatively recently. Crafted from soft suede and made by British clothing brand LK Bennett, Sophie first wore her 'Karen' boots publicly in 2024.

They've been glimpsed several times since and she re-styled them to the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Memorial Day on 1st October. A great pair of low-heeled, tall boots can work for so many occasions if you're looking for an alternative to classic black boots, lighter neutrals are the way to go.

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Duchess Sophie dressed respectfully for Memorial Day in a dark navy ensemble and her footwear was the one contrasting colour. Although I incorporate black boots into autumn outfit ideas a lot, they can sometimes look a little too stark against other colours and navy and black isn't a combination everyone loves.

The Duchess's boots were a cappuccino-brown and the suede accentuated the softness of the shade too. The last time Sophie stepped out in these before this engagement was at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2025 and she styled them with a white midi skirt, pastel pink jumper and navy trench coat.

Cream, ivory and other pale tones tend to work better with lighter neutrals and Sophie's showed taupe boots also complement dark shades.

This makes them very versatile and if the royals could only wear one type of footwear for autumn/winter it would surely be knee-high boots. The Duchess of Edinburgh has quite the collection besides the LK Bennett ones and a lot of them are similar tones like tan or caramel.

Depending on the heel height and your preferences, tall boots can be worn day to night and they're perfect when you want to look polished in the cold. Many people continue to wear their best white trainers and ballet flats even in winter but they don't offer much warmth.

Knee-highs cover half of your leg in material and keep you cosy. The streamlined shape also flatters the leg and is very elongating. In the past, royals like the Princess of Wales used to wear their boots with skinny jeans tucked in and this is really leg-lengthening.

However, you can also get this effect when you pair them with longer dresses and skirts. This is how the King's sister-in-law tends to wear hers most and she opted for an Emilia Wickstead frock and an Alexander McQueen blazer for the REME Memorial Day. Her outfit was finished off with gold earrings and a gold Alex Monroe tortoise and the hare bracelet.

She was there in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Duchess Sophie's outfit had to feel elegant whilst not detracting from the poignancy of the occasion, and she struck the perfect balance.

At one point she was seen wiping away tears and the Corps marked their 84th anniversary with the dedication of a new memorial centrepiece made by REME metalsmiths. The Duchess has been their Colonel-in-Chief since 2022, taking over the role from her late father-in-law, Prince Philip.

It wasn't just the Princess of Wales who had to get to grips with the intense public scrutiny when she married Prince William, it was her family too. The Middletons were thrust into the spotlight and had to figure out how they were going to handle the attention.

Carole's approach was to be very selective with what she said publicly, which royal author Ingrid Seward believes is the key to her success. In her new book, Catherine & Diana, she claims, "Put simply, Carole used her head, not her heart, when dealing with the phenomenon of becoming mother-in-law to the Prince of Wales."

According to her, the same couldn't be said for Princess Diana's mother Frances Shand Kydd, who was the total "opposite". Ingrid explains, "Carole's wiliness was in her silence - it's what has made a woman from truly humble beginnings such a successful royal mother-in-law."

Frances was the daughter of Baron Fermoy and her mother Ruth had also served as a Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen Mother. The aristocratic connections were there but she supposedly failed to win Queen Elizabeth's seal of approval like Carole decades later.

As Ingrid puts it, "The Queen liked Carole very much; she didn't like Frances."

Princess Diana's mother once said she was "always too honest" and the author suggests that the royals weren't thrilled about how often and how much she spoke out. In comparison, Carole's only given a few interviews since Kate and William's wedding and none at all since they became Prince and Princess of Wales.

In her first ever one in 2018 she even told The Telegraph, "Over the years, it's proved wise not to say anything." Frances could've chosen "silence" too but didn't and we all know how important discretion is to the Royal Family.

The Queen clearly appreciated it from her grandson's mother-in-law and they forged a bond. Carole was pictured in the passenger seat of the monarch's Range Rover at Balmoral in 2016 and she and Michael were guests at the main castle.

The Middletons are still often seen with the royals at big occasions now and as the grandparents of future King, George, they'll have a huge impact on the monarchy's future too. They've already been a big influence on William, who said in his and Kate's engagement interview that he's "very lucky" that the close-knit family have been so supportive.

Royal author Russell Myers has also suggested that the "constant presence" of the Middletons in their lives has been very valued, especially when the kids were young.

"William appreciated their involvement beyond measure, enjoying their company and the normalcy of the environment, whatever the circumstance," he wrote in William & Catherine.

According to Myers, the Prince of Wales once told an aide that having his in-laws there meant they had "more room to breathe". The author added, "Michael and Carole enjoyed visiting the couple in Norfolk and would often stay for weekends, providing much-needed extra support for the young family."

The Princess of Wales always looks so polished and professional at royal engagements but it seems she has her disorganised moments like any of us. Surprising as it might sound, Kate has admitted she often forgets something crucial - her handbag!

The future Queen revealed her habit of misplacing her accessories as she travelled in the West Sussex Minibus with 94-year-old Stella Drewett on 30th September. The Princess was visiting to learn more about this volunteer-led community transport service which helps people across West Sussex stay connected to the people and activities that matter to them most.

Taking her seat next to Stella on the bus, she reportedly joked, "Everyone always runs after me [shouting], 'You forgot your handbag".

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You'd think a handbag carrying your day-to-day essentials is something you'd never misplace, especially when they're as beautiful as hers are, but apparently not. Kate carried a beautiful burgundy design by Smythson for this visit and it had the structured shape and top handle straps that her go-to styles from handbag brands like Aspinal and Strathberry also have.

These elements just make a bag feel more formal, which is exactly what she wants for a work day, though the Princess also often brings a tote with her and passes it to one of her royal assistants when she arrives. Perhaps that's one of the reasons for her forgetfulness, as it's possible her actual handbags don't have much in them.

When she and Prince William visited Jamaica in 2022 there was a viral moment where Kate looked like she was going to leave her handbag on a chair after a welcoming ceremony. At the last minute she remembered and calmly went back for it but it shows it's easily done when you're chatting to people at these kinds of occasions.

Handbags aren't the only thing the Princess of Wales needs to be reminded about either. Speaking to The Times earlier this year, host of the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Giovanna Fletcher, claimed, "She told me that she was notoriously bad at keeping an eye on her phone. She always loses her phone."

According to her, "all of [Kate's] Christmas presents" in 2019 were related in some way to helping her with this. It sounds like it's all very good-natured and the Princess is also on hand to remind Prince George, Charlotte and Louis about important things too.

As per The Mirror, on the minibus journey to the weekly lunch club at Pulborough Village Hall, the Princess of Wales explained she has to remind her children to put their seatbelts on in the car. She and William regularly do school pick-ups and drop-offs and are generally either driven or drive themselves to events in cars.

It was quite a contrast to see the future Queen aboard the West Sussex Minibus and she looked very relaxed as she spent time with attendees and volunteers at the lunch club. She heard how different opportunities to come together can forge friendships, reduce isolation and build stronger, connected communities.

Fifteen years after the magical scenes from their royal wedding gripped the world, Princess Diana and King Charles finalised their divorce in August 1996. At the time Prince William was 14 years old and Prince Harry only 11 and Diana's oldest son was determined to comfort her after she lost a prestigious royal honour.

Even though she and Charles were no longer married, she was known as Diana, Princess of Wales but she didn't keep her HRH style. After seeing his mother's "distress" over this, William apparently stepped in.

Referencing this moment in Catherine & Diana, royal expert Ingrid Seward writes, "She didn't have her HRH style, but former royal butler Paul Burrell recalled the moment when William, seeing his mother's distress, offered the only reassurance he could: 'Don't worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king."

The author suggests that the "innocence" of the teenager's words "undid" Princess Diana in that moment. She allegedly "wept, knowing the gesture was both loving and futile". It's a promise that Prince William has tragically never been able to keep, as his mother died just over a year later.

His thoughtfulness clearly meant a lot to Diana in the aftermath of her divorce and losing her HRH style, though it's also something William could actually have done for her. The monarch can remove or bestow HRH style, like King Charles did by signing Letters Patent to strip Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's last year.

So Prince William could have given his mother's HRH style back to her when he ascended the throne and fulfilled his teenage promise. Whether the Princess would've wanted this at that point, we'll never know, but her brother Earl Spencer alleges he turned down Queen Elizabeth's offer to restore it after her death.

In his controversial memoir, Swan Song, Charles Spencer describes the moment he was informed about this and writes, "She had been dreadfully hurt by the removal of that title as she exited her marriage. It had seemed so petty and vindictive. While she was no longer to be married to one future king, she would always be mother to another."

After thinking about it, he says he "knew in [his] bones" how his sister would see "this posthumous award" and turned it down. The Earl later claims he "had no doubt that the consolation prize was hollow, however well-meaning the Queen's gesture". In his view, it should never have been removed so shouldn't have needed to be offered.

Prince William hasn't publicly commented on his uncle's book, though Buckingham Palace released a statement ahead of its release, declaring, "His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."

There are, of course, many royals who either don't have or use an HRH title, including Prince Harry and Meghan who gave up using theirs in 2020. Prince William could also still technically restore his mother's HRH style in the future, though after so many years since his promise, he might find other ways to honour her instead when he's King.

Although the late Queen always had people on hand to help her, she still liked doing certain things herself. She was often spotted behind the wheel of her land rover and apparently did the washing up after BBQs at Balmoral Castle, however there was one other everyday thing she "never" did, whether on holiday or not.

Washing your hair is part of most people's routine but Queen Elizabeth relied on a professional to keep her iconic curls clean and coiffured. In our centenary issue, woman&home magazine's Royal Editor Emily Andrews spoke with Her Majesty's former hairstylist, Ian Carmichael, who viewed his role as a huge privilege.

"It was a very intimate job and there probably weren't many people who could touch her in such a normal way, as you just didn't touch the Queen," he explained. "I enjoyed being with her and it was always an honour, but I knew my place."

According to Ian, Queen Elizabeth placed a "huge amount of trust" in him and although his remarks might sound surprising at first, it makes sense given how few people were actually in that kind of contact with her. Touching her hair or even getting that up close and personal isn't something just anyone could've done.

Traditionally, etiquette dictates that people shouldn't initiate any sort of contact with the Royal Family and keep a respectful distance. Handshakes and even hugs have been normalised by the Prince and Princess of Wales, but this wasn't always the case and with the monarch you also have to consider security even more.

Ian's role was very unique and he worked for her for 25 years, which shows how much Queen Elizabeth valued and trusted him. He used to shampoo her hair, then perm it with rollers and set it.

Apart from the "occasional silver rinse for a bit of shine", that was it - and she's not the only royal who relied on someone else to do her hair. Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell has previously claimed she had her blonde tresses washed and blow-dried every weekday.

Apparently, she described this as her "one trust extravagance". The Princess of Wales likely has hairstylists on hand to do hers for major occasions now too, but she's one Queen-to-be who has definitely washed and styled her own hair plenty of times before.

There's always going to be a public side of the royals and only certain people in "intimate job[s]" like Ian's will get a glimpse of them behind the scenes.

Queen Elizabeth was skilled at not letting her true feelings show and artist Chris Levine previously told woman&home how "surreal" this was.

"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," he said.

However, by the second sitting for her portrait, Equanimity, they connected more and when he worked on Lightness of Being, he really got to see the woman behind the crown.

"She said she was going to Balmoral the next day and really looking forward to it, and that was her meditation, gardening there. I realised that there was a real down-to-earth side of her," Chris shared.

Prince William and Princess Catherine have reportedly let go of any anger and hurt towards Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and the myriad claims made against them in interviews and memoirs.

Instead, royal sources have reportedly shared that the pair are taking a “very old-school royal approach” and will simply focus on getting the job done, perhaps an indication of their leadership style when it comes time for them to be King and Queen.

Per the Express, a royal writer for People has been told by Palace insiders that the couple have decided to "take a very old-school royal approach to Harry and Meghan's return: ‘Keep calm, carry on, do the job’".

The source continues that, as of right now, Harry and Meghan are "not a priority" and the Prince and Princess of Wales are "very much looking to the future".

In support of this claim, Omid Scobie, a royal author who has written books including Finding Freedom about the Sussexes and the Royal Family, has suggested that Kate in particular has taken a step back when it comes to handling the feud between the princes.

"There’s always this talk of Kate potentially being the peacekeeper, the one that could bring the two brothers together," he said in a new interview for the IMPACT x Nightline documentary, Harry & Meghan: The Return of the Prince.

He added, "If I’ve learned anything over the years from covering them, it’s that Kate has very little to do with that relationship between the brothers".

Previously, in a piece published by The Sunday Times, sources close to William have added that he has indeed decided to focus on bigger priorities, with Harry occupying less space in his mind.

A friend of William's reportedly told the outlet, "What has struck me the most recently is that he just doesn’t mention it at all. It used to be that the family stuff was taking up a lot of space in his head; it was a very close relationship, and he was very upset.

"But he’s not letting it get to him at all anymore. It is a change. It’s sad, but it’s a much healthier space for him to be at".

Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, a former private secretary to William, Kate and Harry hailed this as a sign of William’s leadership ability, also telling the outlet, "I think it has demonstrated William’s character and his courage - he’s had to take the whole thing in his stride and shown that he won’t be pushed around."

William and Kate’s stance is aligned with lessons they no doubt observed from the late Queen Elizabeth’s historic 70-year reign. Famous for her commitment to duty above all, the late monarch would rarely respond to rumours and headlines.

In the book My Mother and I, there are even suggestions the ability to compartmentalise personal emotions was something she had "trained" herself to do.

Former politician Douglas Hurd told Ingrid Seward, the author of the book, "The Queen trained feelings out of herself in order to avoid any confrontation."

Ingrid also wrote in the book, "The Queen's former press secretary, the late, enigmatic Martin Charteris, who started working for her when she was Princess Elizabeth, agreed" with his suggestion.

Martin told her, "The Queen is not good at showing affection. She'd always be doing her duty."

The Princess Royal isn't about to swap her trusty riding boots for running trainers anytime soon - and she didn't hold back with her feelings about this high-speed sport. The no-nonsense royal gave her verdict on running after meeting with former rugby player, Sir Kevin Sinfield, ahead of his attempt to run seven ultra-marathons in seven days to raise money for charity.

When discussing his incredible challenge, Sir Kevin said that people mistake it for a "fun run" when they see it on the television. Princess Anne isn't going to make that same error, quipping, "Fun run is a contradiction in terms".

The Princess Royal added, "I can run, but I don’t do it for [fun]…no, I’m past that stage" and was polite but firm when Kevin told her she was "welcome to join".

"No thank you! I will stick to horses," she quipped in typical *her* fashion. So we don't imagine Princess Anne joining the Princess of Wales for a brisk run anytime soon.

According to reports, Kate used to run frequently as part of her fitness routine and built up quite a reputation for her skill within the Royal Family. During an appearance on the House of Rugby podcast, Mike Tindall previously revealed Kate would be on his "dream team" because she could "run all day" and described her as an "engine".

The Princess of Wales's fitness runs are a very different prospect compared to Sir Kevin's endeavour. His involves running the seven ultra marathons (races that are longer than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles) to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charities and keeping well-fuelled is key.

Princess Anne showed genuine curiosity, or concern, asking Kevin how he was finding time to eat. He explained that he gets supplied with sports drinks during the marathons, and that he had been filling up on bacon sandwiches for fuel.

Joking that he might not be able to resist if someone put a bowl of pasta in front of him, Anne replied with a smile, "Stick to the bacon butties."

Princess Anne’s interest in his marathon was later praised by former England Rugby Captain Lewis Moody, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2025. He is a friend and former teammate of Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall, and said, "She was really knowledgeable... We were just chatting, talking about the space itself and the energy that has been brought to it by the individual that Kev is."

He added, "Princess Anne is an incredible spirit in her own right and I think kindred spirit recognised kindred spirit and I think she sees that in Kev. To have her energy and presence here today is just a fantastic thing for this community. To be able to have someone of her stature... to recognise the work they are doing, because it is tough at times."

The Princess has been patron of the MND Association since 2008. She thanked Sir Kevin for his work for the charities, telling him, "This research is so important. We've never had funding to do that. When I first joined, there was no research.

"Thank you. A lot of people have been doing this for a long time but people like you have made such a difference."

The Duchess of Sussex is getting into the festive spirit early this year with her latest launch, As Ever's first ever Holiday Advent Calendar, but it's got me thinking of something other than Christmas. It made me wonder if the Sussexes' UK move wasn't actually being planned for that long before the world heard about it.

The new calendar is created in collaboration with LA chocolatier Compartes and is the shape of Harry and Meghan's Montecito home, complete with illustrations of their chickens. The goodies inside are inspired by the house and garden too.

Everything about the launch screams California and yet I can only imagine the interest if she'd leaned into a "UK Christmas" idea and worked with a British brand on British flavours. It would've tied in with her and Harry's move and the clips we've already seen of them embracing their new countryside life.

Depending on whether the Duke and Duchess fly back to spend Christmas with her mother Doria in the US, this year could be their first festive season in the UK since 2019. An advent calendar focused on her new stage of life and new home would've stood out amongst her best-selling California-inspired products.

Clearly, this calendar was in the works for a long time and maybe Meghan just wanted to stay on-brand with the Montecito theme. However, it's also potentially possible that she started planning this long before they ever considered moving back to the UK and that this decision was actually more recent than we thought.

There are other hints too, including that the family visited King Charles and Queen Camilla in July and apparently didn't mention it. When the news broke in August, it was reported that the King was told about the move only a few days earlier.

Then there's the matter of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's British school. The children were initially enrolled at one school before being pulled out a few days in and started at another. It's understood that the family's private security team had concerns about how the distance and heavy traffic on the original school run route could affect keeping them secure.

The security team had apparently practiced the route in the summer holidays but ITV's Royal Editor Chris Ship claimed in September, "The decision to relocate was taken so quickly last month, no one had experienced the real-life school run."

Unless the Duke and Duchess publicly reveal when they started preparing for the move we'll never know for sure but these factors could all suggest it was the work of a few months rather than, say, half a year or more.

They've still got their Montecito home too and perhaps the advent calendar is also a sign that Meghan's heart is in California. A source close to the Sussexes previously claimed to the Sunday Times that they believed the return will be an "extended period of time" rather than forever.

However, Prince Harry recently said, "It's been great. It's been great to be back on British soil. The kids are happy in school and it gives me a chance to be able to really focus on the [2027] Invictus Games."

Perhaps if Meghan releases another As Ever advent calendar next year it will be a British home themed one to go alongside her 2026 one.

I never thought I'd be wanting it to get cold but now we're in October I'm longing to incorporate more coats and jackets into my autumn outfit ideas. Outerwear is a staple in anyone's wardrobe and as well as being practical, they can also add elegance.

The Princess of Wales's coat collection ticks that box and she seized the opportunity to wear a gorgeous grey one in Sussex on 30th September. This Maxi City Coat by British clothing brand Jigsaw is back this season in khaki and navy, and is made from wool.

Just like linen and cotton in summer, wool is a very breathable material and it's perfect for keeping you warm without overheating. Kate usually wears crisp, tailored designs but this piece is a little more relaxed and it balanced her smart outfit underneath.

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The deep charcoal colour would go with pretty much any other shade and it's a softer alternative to a black coat. Chocolate brown has a similar feel and is still an autumn/winter fashion colour trend for this year if you prefer warmer undertones.

The future Queen has been loving grey a lot more in recent years and her Reiss silk blouse and Ralph Lauren trousers were very on-theme. Her trousers almost exactly matched the coat whilst the shirt was a softer, silvery hue. Everything about this ensemble was cohesive and although Kate's outerwear had formal details like the notched lapels and flap pockets it wasn't fitted.

She also chose to wear it unbuttoned and this gave it a more low-key edge. A coat with this kind of silhouette is so versatile as it's smart enough to go with tailoring and dresses and can also be paired with jeans and jumpers.

Although the Princess of Wales's signature style tends to be more elevated, for certain engagements she often adjusts this to avoid looking too corporate or unapproachable. Kate was in Sussex to visit the volunteer-led West Sussex Minibus service and spent time with the volunteers and attendees at their weekly lunch club at Pulborough Village Hall before travelling in the minibus herself.

She learnt more about how small everyday gestures can help build more connected communities and her outfit for the day was the perfect mix of chic and understated. The Princess will have thought about it carefully and royal author Ingrid Seward believes Kate's coats "are her armour, her shorthand, her fashion weapon".

Writing in Catherine & Diana she said the royal wears, "Crisp military lines for solemnity, sweeping capes for ceremony, mannish double-breasted cuts for brisk walkabouts in unforgiving weather."

The Princess of Wales wasn't battling "unforgiving" conditions in Sussex but it has started to get colder and since a coat dominates autumn/winter outfits it makes sense to have one in a neutral colour like hers that you can get plenty of use out of.

Kate was first seen wearing her Jigsaw coat last autumn when she and Prince William visited Southport and she'll likely style it again over the coming months.

Prince William and Harry's royal upbringing couldn't have been more different to their father's experience, despite being high up in the line of succession too. King Charles was raised in an era where royal nannies were relied upon and traditions dominated, but Princess Diana took steps to change things when they became parents.

Her modern approach involved giving their sons treats like trips to theme parks or McDonald's, but it sometimes sparked disagreements with Charles. According to royal author Ingrid Seward, the monarch "did not like" William and Harry to watch TV whenever they liked.

"Being exposed to their parents' marital disharmony, even if they didn't witness the actual disagreements, affected both boys," she claims in Catherine & Diana. "Charles, for instance, did not like his sons watching television during the day."

Princess Diana seemingly didn't share her husband's view and Ingrid goes on to allege she "would let them sneak up the back stairs to watch in her bedroom" instead. Whilst young William and Harry might've enjoyed sneakily watching their favourite programmes, Diana's actions supposedly "only added to the arguments" between their mother and father.

The expert describes the quarrels concerning "such trivial things as what to eat and where" too. Perhaps the King wanted his sons to be playing or exploring outdoors more during the day, but it was surely inevitable that William and Harry would want to watch TV like other children their age.

Princess Diana's reaction helped encourage this down-to-earth approach and even though the Prince and Princess of Wales are strict about their kids' screen time, we know they watch things together. The sporty family tunes into football and rugby matches from home and at the BAFTAs this year Kate said films can provide a way into discussing certain topics.

"The children are starting to get interested in films and it's a really great way to have some of the hard conversations with them," she explained.

This is something they can all do as a family and the couple have admitted they're "strict" about their children's screentime and about them not having mobiles. Now George is at boarding school, he reportedly doesn't have unlimited access to screens there either.

As reported by The Telegraph, research by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has revealed that Eton College has provided new guidance to parents of first-year students. This apparently states the boys can only use a "specially designed safe browser" on iPads to access approved sites.

Even so, George, Charlotte and Louis are clearly allowed to watch some TV in the daytime and there are other parenting traditions Princess Diana has inspired.

William and Kate are also hands-on with school drop-offs and pick-ups, and he has spoken about how his early childhood and his parents' divorce later on has shaped his approach as a dad.

"I think it's really important that that atmosphere is created at home, you have to have that feeling of warmth, security, love that all has to be there," he said on The Reluctant Traveler. "And that was certainly part of my childhood. My parents got divorced at 8, so that lasted a short period of time but you take that and you learn from it, and you try not to do the same mistakes as your parents. I think we all try to do that."

When she's not dressing for formal occasions the Princess of Wales loves keeping her outfits simple and that includes her jewellery. She usually only wears one or two pieces besides her wedding ring stack for engagements and for her visit to the home of Leeds Rhinos rugby team on 29th September, she chose earrings with a special link to Princess Charlotte.

Kate's most-worn earrings throughout the past few years have been her Cartier Trinity ones but she's been mixing things up recently and chose her Empress Diamond Drops. These have been in her collection for a lot longer and the first time we ever saw the Princess wearing them was back in 2015 for Charlotte's christening.

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They were made by British jewellers Mappin & Webb and the floral-like cut-out design takes inspiration from the brand's archives. The future Queen also owns the matching necklace and she wore the pair for her daughter's christening but just the earrings at AMT Headingley Stadium.

This makes sense as the rest of her outfit was minimal and the occasion was poignant, as she and Prince William learnt about how the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and club are changing lives through sport. The full set might've been a bit much, though the drops added some subtle sparkle and acted as a sweet reminder of Charlotte.

Given that the eleven-year-old's christening wasn't exactly a quiet family event and was heavily photographed, it won't have passed Kate by that these earrings have a strong connection to her daughter's big day.

Perhaps she even draws comfort from having this small link to Charlotte with her, as the Princess also wore the Empress earrings when she visited The Royal Marsden Hospital earlier in September. On that occasion she was there to see how efforts through her National Three Peaks Challenge help with cancer for cancer patients.

The Princess raised money and awareness for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with the challenge and was spotted wearing what looks like a friendship bracelet - which Charlotte is known to make for her family - when she completed it.

During important discussions or deeply meaningful visits she often incorporates jewellery that links to her children or Prince William like this, so I wouldn't be surprised if that crossed her mind when she was picking her outfit for her time in Leeds.

It also doesn't hurt that the gorgeous white gold and diamond design works beautifully with a huge variety of tones and doesn't overpower an outfit. Kate re-styled her Ralph Lauren green blazer from the Wales family's day at the Commonwealth Games in August and paired it with plain black wide-leg trousers and a black top.

If you're never quite sure how to style bold colours like emerald, I'd recommend following in the Princess of Wales's footsteps and going all-neutral with the rest of your look. It balances everything out and lets the statement shade to do all the talking.

Although Kate wore all-black with her green blazer, you could also go for more of her favourite hues like charcoal or chocolate, which is a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend. Other colours like camel or cream would also look stunning with a vibrant blazer, jumper or accessories.

The most versatile autumn outfit ideas blend relaxed elements with elevated pieces and Zara Tindall is an expert at smart-casual styling. She relies on tailoring just like the Princess of Wales and Duchess Sophie, but tends to give her blazers and trousers a more wearable twist - just like she did on day one of the Laver Cup on 25th September.

The King's niece stepped out in a navy pinstriped suit with a silky shirt and comfy trainers to dress things down a little. Blazers and tailored trousers are perfect for occasions where you want to feel polished and put-together, with minimal fuss.

You already know the two pieces go together as they're part of a co-ord and it's amazing how different tops and shoes can dramatically change the look. Zara Tindall's elegant striped suit was a contrast against her chunky white trainers which looked like they could have a platform.

Recreate Zara's Autumn Outfit

The casualness of her trainers helped to balance out the structured sophistication of her blazer and trousers, and made the whole outfit feel a bit more fashion-forward. This is why they work so well together as a smart-casual combination and Zara's choice of colours was clever too.

You can't go wrong with a pair of classic white trainers as they go with everything and it just makes styling easier. The royal went for a deep navy suit and although you might think pinstripes would be more corporate, the print tied in with the colour of her shoes and added visual interest.

Plain black or navy suits can sometimes feel too business-like, though it's still worth going for something relatively understated. Chocolate, earthy green and berry are big autumn/winter fashion colour trends for 2026 and are also beautiful with other neutrals.

Zara Tindall chose a powder blue satin shirt which complemented the co-ord and carried her beloved Aspinal Lottie bag in navy. This ensemble was minimal for the Laver Cup and you can adapt tailoring and trainers for colder weather too.

A sleek roll neck jumper looks timeless for a date night or you can go for a chunky oversized knit to tie in with the casualness of the trainers. The silhouette of the trousers also has a big impact on the overall feel of an outfit and I personally love wide-leg styles like Zara's.

They're so comfortable to wear and look gorgeous draped over the top of so many different styles of shoes, from trainers to heels. Because they're flowy, they look particularly lovely with a more fitted jacket or top and naturally feel more low-key.

If you prefer tailored trousers to be more fitted then go for straight-leg designs as they still pair well with trainers but are slightly more streamlined. You can also recreate a Zara Tindall-esque autumnal look by wearing just tailored trousers or a blazer with trainers rather than the full suit.

Blazer and jeans outfits are stunning and knitwear and trousers are a cosy duo, so it just depends on what you feel you'll get most wear out of. She'll likely re-wear this particular suit over the next six months, as Zara loves pinstripes and tailoring for Cheltenham Races, though the addition of the white trainers here is especially chic.

Charles Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana, made headlines around the world with the publication of his book, Swan Song and the claims made against the likes of King Charles within.

While the Palace issued a rebuttal and the truth may never be known, the Earl has shifted the attention from what others did to what he might’ve done differently, sharing that he "probably could" have done more for his sister.

In a new interview, he admitted, "Could I have done more to help her with her public life? I probably could. Towards the end of her life, I did help her a bit. I had had some run-ins with the media. I helped her win a big libel case against a British newspaper. I would fight some battles for her quietly."

Speaking to People, the Earl is keen to set the record straight on one of the accusations levelled at him by some - that, despite him pointing the fingers at others, he himself turned Diana away during her time of need.

One persistent rumour claims that Diana came to her brother after she had split from King Charles and that he had refused her request to move into their family estate, Althorp.

Charles told the outlet, "One of the things people are throwing at me totally wrongly is that I wouldn’t give her a home. When she was divorced, she did ask me for the Garden House at the back of the park.

"Diana had loved it because our sister, Jane [Fellowes], lived there with her children, and that was perfect for them."

He adds that Diana was turned down on this request, but there was a reason. He continued, "The local police went around there with me and they said they just couldn’t protect William and Harry.

"She could not have lived at the Garden House. It was not a viable option."

This is not the first time the Earl has put forward his version of events when it comes to this claim. In a BBC Radio 4 interview in 2016, he had repeated this sentiment, adding that he thought Diana “couldn’t see” that it wasn’t the right decision for her.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today, "Diana had a lovely dream that she could live a normal life afterward. But the one house that she set her heart on in the park was three bedrooms and 100 yards from the road. And it was just not possible. The police knew it wouldn’t work.

"I offered every other property that was suitable on the estate. I really felt it was the right decision for her. But she probably couldn’t see it."

In that same interview, he also opened up about still having nightmares about his sister’s funeral.

"It was the most horrifying half an hour of my life. It was just ghastly. And it was far worse than having to deliver a speech at the end of it. It was the worst part of the day by a considerable margin, walking behind, well, my sister’s body, with two boys who were obviously massively grieving their mother.

"The feeling, the sort of crashing tidal wave of grief coming at you as you went down this sort of tunnel of deep emotion, it was really harrowing actually and I still have nightmares about it now."

The news of Prince Harry's birth was met with outpourings of excitement from fans and the waiting press outside St Mary's Hospital in 1984, with his proud father King Charles describing it as "absolutely marvellous". The birth of another son was seemingly a surprise for the monarch, though according to royal author Ingrid Seward, Princess Diana knew it was a boy.

"Oddly, despite the closeness she had felt with Charles before Harry's birth, she never told him she was expecting another boy," the expert alleges in her biography, Catherine & Diana. "She knew he longed for a daughter, and her extreme vulnerability made her keep this piece of intimate information from him."

The suggestion that Princess Diana hadn't felt comfortable sharing their baby's gender with King Charles is heart-breaking. Ingrid writes that Harry's birth "ended one of the brief happy periods" in the couple's marriage and Diana herself spoke about this with Andrew Morton, author of the biography, Diana: In Her Own Words.

As per Today, in recordings made for the book which were included in a documentary, she said the six weeks before Harry was born were the "closest" they'd ever been.

She added, "And then as suddenly as Harry was born, it just went bang, our marriage. The whole thing went down the drain. He wanted two children and he wanted a girl."

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has described a joke his father apparently made about it being "wonderful" Diana gave him an "heir and a spare" after his birth. This could suggest the King was delighted to have a second son to follow him and William in the royal line of succession.

Either way, it was clearly a very difficult time for the couple and Charles has never publicly addressed either of these claims. However, we do know the monarch was especially overjoyed when his first granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, was born in 2015.

At the time The Telegraph reported the King was visiting Poundbury in Dorset when he revealed he'd been "hoping for a girl". He described Charlotte as "beautiful" and said he'd hoped for a granddaughter - "someone to look after [him] when [he is] very old".

The two royals have a close bond, with the King wearing what looked like a homemade friendship bracelet at Trooping the Colour this year. The eleven-year-old has already made Prince William one, so she's likely the one behind her grandfather's sentimental jewellery.

Charlotte's name is also the feminine form of Charles in a sweet nod to her grandfather. Before her older brother George was born, William allegedly also wanted a little girl and was thinking of naming her in honour of Princess Diana.

"William had privately voiced his preference for having a girl, and was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother, most likely in the form of a middle name," claimed royal author Russell Myers in William & Catherine, adding that Kate wanted Alexander or Alexandra instead.

Unlike Princess Diana, the couple hadn't found out the gender in advance and when George was born he got Alexander as a middle name. Two years later, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana arrived and was given a name that celebrates three loved ones.

From the moment Princess Diana became a mother for the first time in June 1981 she was determined to do things differently to other royal parents - particularly Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. According to biographer Ingrid Seward in Catherine & Diana, the late Princess felt that her husband had been negatively affected by how he was raised in the royal household.

"Charles was not short of love, which came from his two nannies, Helen Lightbody and Mabel Anderson, but Diana believed his lack of parental tenderness had rendered him incapable of being emotionally open and honest," she claimed. "He had been deprived of crucial early nurturing by the one parent who really mattered: his mother."

Ingrid went on to defend the late Queen's approach, remarking that it's "not fair to lay the blame at her feet". Charles was only four when his mother became monarch and entered a "man's world where women and women's opinions mattered little".

"Her duties prevented her from being the kind of mother she had so wanted to be," the author adds. Shortly after ascending the throne, the Queen set off on an almost six-month Commonwealth Tour, leaving Charles and Anne at home for most of it.

On top of the couple's busy schedule, the Royal Family also traditionally relied on nannies and had a less hands-on style of parenting. In contrast, Princess Diana wanted Prince William to grow up with the "tenderness" she allegedly felt her husband missed out on and "didn't care how many people she upset or how many toes she trod on".

Ingrid continued, "She was not going to surrender her child to the antiquated royal system her husband had been subjected to."

Prince William and Prince Harry received a totally new type of royal upbringing, complete with trips to theme parks and McDonald's meals. Diana was regularly photographed hugging her sons or holding their hands and taking them to school.

Both of the Princes have followed in their mum's footsteps with their own parenting and are incredibly open with the world about their struggles, more so than any royal generation before. Instead of shying away from the question, William directly addressed how awful 2024 was after his wife and father were diagnosed with cancer.

"It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he explained. "I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal."

Princess Diana would surely be proud of her son's emotional honesty and the Prince and Princess of Wales are focused on giving George, Charlotte and Louis a happy, calm childhood. William has said he knows "drama and stress" when you're young affects you in adulthood and tries to work his duties around family life.

"Most days we're in and out of school doing drop offs and pick ups," he said on The Reluctant Traveler. "Getting the balance of work and family life right is really important, because for me, the most important thing in my life is family."

The Duchess of Edinburgh's sense of style has definitely changed over the years but she's always loved wearing leather pieces this time of year. Her Loewe midi pinafore dress is still one of my favourite autumn items she's ever worn and in her pre-royal days Sophie stepped out in an equally gorgeous brown jacket.

She was pictured arriving at work one cold January day in 1999 wearing this collarless design and, now, 27 years later this silhouette and colour is back on trend. Collarless jackets and chocolate tones are everywhere right now and brown might not be the most exciting colour, but it's easy to incorporate into so many autumn outfit ideas.

Shop Jackets Like Sophie's

Complete Sophie's Style

Back then the Duchess wore her leather jacket fastened to the top over a white polo neck jumper and a pair of tailored black trousers. The design was incredibly simple and the smooth leather and rich tone were the focal point of her entire ensemble.

It fell to just above the hip and cinched in slightly to accentuate the waist which is a flattering detail that a lot of longline pieces have this season. The top of Sophie's white jumper sat neatly above the collarless neckline and the colour highlighted the shape.

Collarless jackets feel very timeless and minimal, making them an elegant alternative to blazers or even trench coats. They're also elevated without being corporate like tailored jackets can sometimes look and the rounded neckline is a little softer.

This makes them especially gorgeous styled with dresses or skirts, though leather jackets are equally great for taking an everyday jeans and jumper outfit into something more special. Sophie could easily have worn this jacket from work in the day to an evening out with Prince Edward and she kept the rest of her outfit very pared-back.

The neutral colours of her jumper, trousers and boots all complemented each other, though chocolate brown is also fabulous with slightly bolder shades. Burgundy, burnt orange, olive and mustard are autumnal and their warm undertones go well with it.

A brown jacket like Duchess Sophie's is one of those trends that is actually incredibly versatile and it makes a softer alternative to a classic, black leather jacket. A brown suede or corduroy jacket are lovely options too and the combination of the rich colour and fabric adds cosiness, whilst leather brings slightly more of an edge.

Incorporating other textures can help to balance this and we usually see the Duchess of Edinburgh styling her leather frock with either jumpers or billowy blouses for some contrast. In the 90s she was dressing for work at her PR firm so Sophie wanted to look polished and keep warm in the January weather.

Minimalism is a huge autumn/winter fashion trend for this year too and since she's still got so many pieces from the past in her wardrobe, I can't help wondering if this brown jacket is still stored away somewhere. We might not see this exact item again but it doesn't stop us taking inspiration from her 90s look when it comes to our 2026 outfits.

Animal print is back in a big way as an autumn/winter fashion trend but if you want a similar feel with a touch more elegance then look no further than polka dots. They're the Princess of Wales's favourite print and Queen Mary of Denmark adores them too.

She presented the 2026 Teaching Award in Copenhagen on 22nd September and brought back a monochrome midi dress she's owned since at least 2021. This Prada piece has elbow-length fitted sleeves, a rounded neckline and a fit-and-flare shape that ties in beautifully with the vintage feel of the pattern.

The white polka dots really stand out against the black background and the trim and gold buttons add extra definition and structure. Mary let the frock do all the talking and finished off her outfit for the awards with a simple pair of beige heels.

Shop Polka Dots

Every time we've seen Her Majesty wear this dress in the past she's also kept the rest of her ensemble minimal and showcased the print. Polka dots are one of the most timeless patterns and because they typically involve only two colours (unlike cheetah print for example), they're actually very simple to style.

The smaller the spots, the more understated the design, and going for black and white polka dots like Queen Mary means there are so many styling possibilities open to you. These neutral colours look sleek and sophisticated with black or white matching accessories or you can have fun and incorporate a pop of colour like red or pink, knowing it won't overpower everything else.

Navy and white polka dots are equally popular and right now chocolate tones are still a fashion colour trend so there are some stunning brown and tan pieces out there too.

A spotty dress makes more of a statement than smaller items, so it's worth considering what clothing would work best with your most-worn clothes.

If you're always reaching for jeans and white trainers then a top might be a lovely way to add some polka dots into your everyday looks. Smart-casual fans could enjoy pairing tailored spotty trousers with a relaxed long-sleeved T-shirt and anyone who wants a date night staple might prefer a frock.

The Queen of Denmark regularly dresses up for formal occasions like this so she's got a lot of use out of her Prada frock over the years. Mary knows exactly how she likes to wear it - with neutral court heels - and confidently repeats that formula.

One of the best things about polka dots is that they will never go out of fashion so you know you can reach for your pieces time and time again without worrying about trends. For the Teaching Award presentation Queen Mary added some gold and pearl jewellery for a touch of sparkle and the pearls echoed the polka dots and made everything feel extra cohesive.

She was there to help present the prize which is awarded annually by the Ministry of Research, Education and Digitalisation and recognises the importance of inspiring, dedicated teachers.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have proved the old adage 'actions speak louder than words' as the bitter feud with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex enters a new phase.

The Prince and Princess of Wales carried out their first joint engagement since the summer break to mark World Suicide Prevention Day at the home of Everton Football Club in Liverpool.

The visit caught attention for a number of reasons - not least because Kate decided to join her husband at what was expected to be a solo outing for the prince.

While to many casual onlookers this may have been interpreted as just another official engagement carried out by the two most popular members of the Royal Family, in reality this was the regal equivalent of flexing their combined muscles in a show of solidarity that sent a message to the Sussexes.

William and Kate clearly want to ensure they take centre stage as they brace for Harry and Meghan to make their next move.

By joining her husband at the event, Kate was in effect throwing down the gauntlet to her brother- and sister-in-law, now that they have returned to the UK.

It is often the subtle signs that count for so much when observing the actions and behaviour of members of the Royal Family. And on this occasion there is little doubt that the couple were determined to make a statement.

Kate is rumoured to be accompanying William to Mumbai in November for The Earthshot Prize ceremony, a trip that would mark their first significant joint overseas official engagement in four years.

It's another sign of a strategy that appears to signal the next stage in the war of the Windsors.

So far William and Kate have avoided saying anything publicly about the years-long feud with the Sussexes. But they are clearly keen to meet the challenge posed by Harry and Meghan head-on.

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

You might think that Queen Elizabeth would've seen it all as a mother-of-four but there were apparently still some parts of parenthood that surprised her. In-keeping with tradition, the late monarch was the first to be informed about Prince George's birth in July 2013 and two days later she visited him at the Prince and Princess of Wales's Kensington Palace home.

However, according to royal expert Ingrid Seward, baby George wasn't exactly on his best behaviour for his great-granny. In her new biography, Catherine & Diana, the author revealed that he was crying the whole time, much to Queen Elizabeth's dismay.

"When the Queen came to inspect her great-grandchild for the first time he managed to scream throughout her visit, which was not something the monarch was used to or enjoyed," she alleged.

Ingrid reflected that "the world had changed and childcare had changed with it". A long time had passed since Queen Elizabeth last became a mum in 1964 and the author suggests that she "was not used to babies being fed on demand".

According to her, the Queen just "couldn't understand the infant George's displeasure at having to wait" to be fed. Her Majesty's children were born at a time when experts recommended feeding babies in line with a strict schedule and not when they cried.

She also had a lot of help on hand and so might not have had to get used to screaming babies as they adjusted to the schedule. In contrast, in the early days the Prince and Princess of Wales didn't have a full-time nanny and even now, the children's nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo doesn't live with them at Forest Lodge.

However, whilst Ingrid claimed Queen Elizabeth didn't "understand" her great-grandson's crying, she was still something of a royal rule-breaker as a parent. When she was pregnant with Prince Edward she asked for Prince Philip to be in the room when she gave birth.

Nowadays this is the norm but Philip hadn't been with her for Charles, Anne or Andrew's births so this was a major turning point. Ingrid previously detailed this in her biography, My Husband and I: The Inside Story Of 70 Years Of Royal Marriage and alleged Philip was "actually holding his wife's hand" as Edward came into the world.

"The Queen, by then aged 37, had asked him to be there; she'd been keenly reading women's magazines that stressed the importance of involving fathers in childbirth and had become fascinated by the idea," she continued.

King Charles was there for Prince William's birth in 1982 and he was in turn there to support Kate in 2013. She has been very open about what it was like to become a mum and then have to face the world's press outside the hospital with baby George.

"It was slightly terrifying, I'm not going to lie," the Princess declared on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast. "Everyone had been so supportive and both William and I were really conscious that this was something that everyone was excited about and, you know, we're hugely grateful for the support that the public had shown us, and actually for us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public, I felt was really important."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a collision course with the Palace after telling friends they have no intention of being 'private citizens'.

While, so far, neither Prince Harry nor Meghan Markle has done anything on a large scale (beyond Meghan's Instagram video showing the couple and their children enjoying life in the British countryside), there is growing concern that plans are underway.

There has been a lot of speculation about an Oprah-style interview in the UK, but I think it is unlikely and, instead, the Firm is more nervous about what Harry and Meghan could do to overshadow the working royals' important campaigns.

Even stepping out on the same day as, say, Kate and William at a separate event will cause a headache for those behind the scenes at the Palace, with (no doubt uncomfortable) stories suggesting they are competing for attention.

It's not beyond the realms of possibility that they might decide to do a chat with their journalist friend Tom Bradby, where even five minutes on the sidelines of an event would make waves around the world.

There is also speculation that Harry could release a second autobiography, as he has previously said that his first book, Spare, was double the size initially, or that he and Meghan could even consider doing an interview with a glossy magazine.

Then there are concerns about what the King might have to do around Christmas - invite them with the rest of the family and potentially cause difficulty for William and Kate, or avoid an invitation and inevitably get a backlash from their supporters.

Either way, the Palace is in turmoil over what to do next, as the royals essentially sit and wait for the Sussexes' next move.

Since returning to the UK last month, Harry has already taken part in a public engagement in London and announced a number of other events on both sides of the Atlantic.

In one, he will appear alongside Bill and Hillary Clinton at their annual Global Initiative meeting in New York. Other commitments include the WellChild Awards - Harry is a long-time patron - and the Invictus Spirit Awards. This, perhaps, is what symbolises the Palace's worst fears.

This latest turn of events erupted after the King's unprecedented letter, which spelt out that his second son and his daughter-in-law cannot be 'half in, half out' members of the Royal Family.

The letter - which, according to reports, blindsided the Sussexes - was a deliberate move by Charles to remind all concerned that the terms of the so-called 'Sandringham Summit' of 2020 remain in place. That was when the late Queen made it clear that Harry had to choose between being a full-time working royal and being a private citizen.

But in the years since Her Majesty's decree, the Sussexes have flouted the agreement, while living in California, by positioning themselves as public figures. This has meant official visits in support of hand-picked causes, as well as high-profile overseas tours that appeared remarkably similar to the kind of work they were supposed to have turned their back on.

The Sussexes will still not be able to use the titles of His and Her Royal Highness, and they remain private citizens, says the letter sent on behalf of the King by the Lord Chamberlain, a top Palace official.

Harry's own spokesperson responded to the letter by claiming he and Meghan were not consulted in advance, and it's believed they only had an hour's notice before the letter was widely circulated. The spokesperson added that the couple 'were a little surprised not to have been told about this in advance'.

One source close to them went further, telling me that the Sussexes have 'no intention' of fading into obscurity now they are back in Britain. A warning to the Firm that more brickbats may well be thrown.

The insider said, 'It is their [Harry and Meghan's] belief that they have a great deal to offer charities and good causes that could benefit from their support. If the King thought that issuing the letter would simply make them fade away, he will be deeply disappointed.

There is no way, for example, that Harry will turn his back on the WellChild charity or walk away from his Invictus Games initiative. It is no exaggeration that this is likely to put them on a collision course with the Palace'.

There is no doubt that Harry and Meghan are in demand from organisations that would welcome their support and the attention it would generate. From Harry's point of view, he has an obligation to those causes he has supported and there is every likelihood he will accept further offers should they arise.

Prince William remains angry with his brother, in a feud that has now spanned more than six years. It's not known whether he was instrumental in the decision to issue the letter but my source said that it bore the hallmarks of the Prince of Wales, who is also thought to be seriously considering stripping the Sussexes of their royal titles once he is King.

The source continued, 'The problem is that people may not see the difference between official royal engagements and any events Harry and Meghan choose to attend'.

Among those who received the letter were senior military officials, in what was clearly a sign that the Palace hoped to stop Harry should he attempt to resume work with members of the Armed Forces.

Harry was stripped of his military titles when he stepped down as a working royal, something that was a particularly bitter blow to the former soldier and Afghanistan veteran. As one of the few royals in living memory to have served on the front line, Harry felt he had a duty to maintain a close relationship with the military.

But the letter has already led to one country pulling out of the Invictus Games in a show of support for King Charles. The head of the Ugandan military, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, issued a statement that said, 'In order not to be construed as being opposed to His Majesty King Charles III... whom we deeply revere, Uganda hereby withdraws from the Invictus Games. We shall not participate in anything that does not have His Majesty's approval'.

If other countries follow suit, Harry's hopes of staging the Games in Birmingham next year could be badly affected. So what might the collision course with the Palace look like?

Clearly, the King and William will be keeping a very close eye on the moves Harry makes next. Their biggest fear would be for him to fight back publicly by agreeing to an interview citing his frustration.

Any comments from the 42-year-old duke would inevitably infuriate the Palace, given the lengths they have gone to to try and stop Harry continuing as he did across the pond, with those pseudo-royal tours. Only time will tell whether the King's efforts to draw a line in the sand will have the desired effect.

But of all the things Harry and Meghan are known for, staying quiet is not among them...

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

Boots are my favourite type of footwear so I've been struggling on what shoes to wear in this mild September weather. White trainers are a staple but they're not right for every occasion and so I can't help admiring the Princess of Wales's gorgeous loafers.

They've become a go-to autumn shoe for the future Queen and she's been swapping her court shoes for flats a lot more often in recent years. We first saw her wear the Nya Penny Loafers in February and she just styled them for a visit to The Forward Trust to mark Addiction Awareness Week.

The exact oxblood colour Kate owns isn't still available but we can always rely on this British clothing brand to bring back classic designs and the £119 brown leather versions are very similar. They're flat and have a scalloped detail on the vent.

Shop Kate's Boden Loafers

Complete The Look

Otherwise they're very minimal and this makes them especially versatile. The Princess of Wales tends to wear loafers with tailored trousers and she did that at The Forward Trust, wearing a dark cocoa-brown straight-leg style by Joseph.

She paired them with a matching dark brown knit and added a monochrome houndstooth blazer over the top. The pattern added some contrast and definition to the pared-back ensemble. It was a more relaxed take on her favourite suits and the knitwear and flats softened it even more.

This is exactly what she wanted, as she was outside for a lot of the visit and got stuck in with planting as part of a gardening session. Kate is Patron of The Forward Trust, which supports people as they recover from addiction and helps them rebuild their lives.

Going too formal would've been impractical and looked out of place. The beauty of loafers is that they are naturally quite smart with their structured design but because they're flat they're never going to look too corporate.

The first time we saw the Princess wearing these specific loafers was when she went to Castle Hill Academy to mark Children's Mental Health Week in February when the weather was rather autumnal. She's also worn a different pair of tan suede loafers by Pretty Ballerinas to visit the Natural History Museum in September last year.

Both times, she stepped out in cigarette trousers, a shirt and a neutral blazer. This is a winning style formula, though I think loafers work just as well with dresses or skirts, or with jeans for a smart-casual look.

They can be sleek so they don't stand out too much with feminine, flowy silhouettes but if you want an edgy feel with dresses then go for chunkier styles. Either way they're a flat shoe that works for the daytime or evening and I think Kate's been very clever with her choice of colours.

The loafers we've seen her wear are a very dark oxblood colour that looks brown in a lot of lights, and tan. Chocolate tones are a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend for 2026 and brown shoes are also slightly easier to style with a wider range of items compared to plain black shoes.

Black loafers, especially smooth leather ones, can look quite stark against blue jeans or lighter trousers or skirts. Brown and tan are a bit gentler and not as much of a contrast.

Even before Princess Diana married King Charles, the Spencer family had plenty of other royal connections but her brother ended up "being retired" from a prestigious role assisting Queen Elizabeth. The wording used by Earl Spencer in his controversial memoir, Swan Song, suggests that the decision was made for him and he claims it was for a surprising reason.

He once served as Page of Honour to the late Queen at ceremonial occasions and even attended the State Opening of Parliament twice. However, this role was short-lived.

"From the age of twelve to fourteen, I had been a Page of Honour to the Queen, twice helping to carry her train at the State Opening of Parliament, before being retired early, because my height had made the petite Queen look small," Charles Spencer alleges.

Although Queen Elizabeth never publicly confirmed her height, it's widely believed that she was roughly 5ft 4. The Earl doesn't specify how tall he was when he "retired" but he'd seemingly had a growth spurt and it's intriguing to think that the height difference apparently mattered this much.

Perhaps it was felt that having shorter Pages would make the Queen look more imposing and regal at big events, as Pages of Honour are called upon to carry the trains and robes of the monarch at ceremonial occasions. We saw Prince George taking on this role for King Charles at his coronation alongside three other boys, aged between 12 and 13.

Members of the Royal Family don't typically remain Pages of Honour for the full term so George's experience was likely a one-off. Some of the King's other Pages have gone on to attend the State Opening of Parliament so it is possible we'll see them again.

They all usually have some sort of aristocratic connections and Queen Elizabeth was Charles Spencer's godmother, so this was likely a big factor. As the Earl notes in his memoir, Princess Diana was actually the only one of his siblings who didn't have a royal godparent.

"Inexplicably there had been no such royal link for Diana," he says, acknowledging, "But, well, she certainly made up for that."

Charles's link to the Queen supposedly didn't help him retain his Page role when he got too tall, but it didn't seem to bother him too much as he explains, "My ADHD made lengthy official functions challenging ordeals for me".

The late monarch was very used to attending long events like the State Opening of Parliament - after all, her own coronation was almost three hours long. She frequently wore the Imperial State Crown to the Openings, like she did on her coronation day, and faced a unique kind of challenge in getting used to the hefty weight of it.

Her approach was to practice as much as she could before the coronation and, as per the BBC, King Charles vividly remembers this and spoke about it on the documentary, Coronation Girls.

"I remember it all so well then, because I remember my sister and I had bath time in the evening," he said. "My mama used to come up at bath time wearing the crown to practise. You have to get used to how heavy [it] is."

Prince William's frosty relationship with Prince Harry is currently showing no signs of thawing and the distance between them has affected his bonds with his nephew Prince Archie and niece Princess Lilibet too. It's believed the Prince of Wales hasn't actually met five-year-old Lili yet and he hasn't seen seven-year-old Archie since 2019.

They might reunite now the Sussexes are living in the UK again but however things play out, Prince William will still have final say over one of the Sussex children's biggest life milestones. Everyone loves a royal wedding but if Archie and Lilibet want to get married during William's reign - which is more likely given how young they are now - they'll have to get their uncle's permission first.

When the Prince of Wales becomes King everyone will move up one place in the royal line of succession, making Prince Archie fifth and Princess Lilibet sixth. Since the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, the top six royals in line to the British throne have to receive the monarch's formal consent to get married.

Prince Harry explained this in Spare and described how he approached Queen Elizabeth in 2017 to get her permission to marry Meghan. In his view, it "didn't make any sense" that a grown man had to do this, but he followed the rules.

"I've been told that I have to ask your permission before I can propose," he began, to which she replied, "You have to?", then added, "Well then, I suppose I have to say yes."

Harry was confused at first, writing, "I didn't get it. Was she being sarcastic? Ironic? Deliberately cryptic? Was she indulging in a bit of wordplay? I'd never known Granny to do any wordplay and this would be a surpassingly bizarre moment (not to mention widely inconvenient) for her to start, but maybe she just saw the chance to play off my unfortunate use of the word 'have'."

The Duke of Sussex then realised the Queen had said "yes" and he later went on to propose to Meghan. One day his children will probably have to ask William for consent to marry and if Harry thought it made no sense to ask his grandmother, just imagine how he might feel about Archie and Lili approaching his brother for permission.

Although it's unlikely that Prince William would say no to them, he'll still technically have the power to make that call. If a royal marries without the monarch's consent then they and their descendants are removed from the succession altogether.

This would be quite a shake-up and it's also been suggested that Prince William could be willing to strip Archie and Lili's titles when he's King. They're the children of non-working royals and are unlikely to ever work for The Firm themselves, so their titles aren't exactly crucial to their roles and some have even suggested Harry and Meghan's titles might be at risk too.

Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe previously claimed in Woman that losing his title would be a "bitter blow" for Harry and suggested Archie and Lilibet "could become the innocent victims of any move by William to disassociate himself from his brother".

Whatever happens, their titles will likely be, like the children's future marriages, left in William's hands.

Prince Harry’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, might be half-American and have lived in Montecito for most of their lives, but he’s making sure some British customs are passed down. Since their return to the UK this August, the Sussex children have now embraced one of their dad's favourite snacks - and it’s not for everyone.

Speaking to Hello! at the WellChild Awards in his role as Patron, Prince Harry was asked what some of the most British things he’s done with the family since they swapped California for the UK. As well as explaining that they’ve been on lots of walks around the idyllic countryside, he added, "Now the kids are eating Marmite on crumpets, which is a big moment for me."

"Please tell me that is a British thing, because it has always been in my life," he added.

The Duke of Sussex even revealed that his children weren't impressed when they first tried it - and still aren't fans of another British staple.

"They used to diss me for having Marmite in the house but now we are in the UK that’s kind of like water under the bridge, so it’s good," Harry shared. "I already tried beans on toast in California. That was years ago. It didn't go down very well at all."

Harry might be having more luck convincing them to try British snacks when they’re living back in England, but both Archie and Lilibet have shown strong links their heritage in the past. During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2025, Meghan Markle revealed that, with certain words, Archie and Lilibet would surprise her with British pronunciations.

The Duchess was asked, "What's your favourite thing that you see in your kids that you go, 'Oh, that's their dad'?” and replied, "Oh, some of the words that they still say with a British accent. "So they'll say, 'Zebra,'" [pronounced like zeb-ra, compared to zeeb-ra, the typical American pronunciation]."

Meghan added, "They have these little moments where it comes out. They have very American accents, but they say words that are just like him, and I think it's adorable."

It's only been a few weeks since Prince Harry and Meghan moved with their two children back to the UK in what has been reported will be an "extended period" of time. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been enrolled in British schools, while their parents will remain private individuals and non-working members of the Royal Family.

The Princess of Wales picked her outfit for the world premiere of Tom Cruise's new film Digger with the same precision as State Banquets and it was deeply meaningful as well as gorgeous. She walked the red carpet with Prince William wearing a floor-length flowing gown by one of her go-to British clothing brands for events, Jenny Packham.

This deep purple colour isn't something she styles a lot and as berry is a big autumn/winter fashion colour trend, it felt seasonal and was definitely a statement. Purple is associated with royalty and she faced the world on the same day as Earl Spencer's memoir, Swan Song, was published wearing equally regal jewellery.

The Princess often uses her outfits to send a message and she chose Princess Diana's Collingwood Pearl Drop Earrings and the Queen Mother's Amethyst Sautoir Necklace.

Shop Berry Tones For Autumn

The necklace in particular is hard to miss and has a huge heart-shaped amethyst suspended from the chain which has smaller stones set at intervals. We last saw this heirloom piece in public when Queen Camilla wore it to the Skyfall premiere in 2012, creating a strong association between Kate's stepmother-in-law and this item.

The Queen Mother was also incredibly close with King Charles and Their Majesties still live at her former home, Clarence House. She could be seen as the matriarch of the "Old Guard" of the Royal Family and was a stickler for traditional customs and protocol.

Princess Diana couldn't have been more different and helped to usher in a new era for the royals with her hands-on parenting and her down-to-earth style at engagements.

Prince William and Kate have followed in her footsteps and it's now totally normal to see the royals hugging members of the public or signing off messages with just their initials. By wearing Diana's earrings and the Queen Mother's Camilla-linked necklace the Princess of Wales has effectively reunited these two sides of the family and two approaches.

The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Digger premiere to support the Film and TV Charity the day of Swan Song's release and the memoir hasn't painted King Charles in a particularly positive light. Following Earl Spencer's allegation that the monarch told him "we'll forget her soon enough" after the Princess' death the Palace issued a rare response.

"His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss," it declared.

The Prince and Princess of Wales haven't commented on the memoir but Kate's outfit showed her true allegiance, which is ultimately to her husband of 15 years. She honoured both Prince William's parents with her jewellery and to the Royal Family he'll one day lead with the purple.

Given how many options she has in her wardrobe I don't think the final ensemble was a coincidence. The purple is particularly beautiful and something we could perhaps see her wearing more of this autumn. It goes especially well with tan and brown tones which the Princess also loves and would reinforce her message.

The Princess Royal's famous no-nonsense attitude is admired by many, but it didn't go down the best with Princess Diana's brother at a royal dinner. In Earl Spencer's new memoir, Swan Song, he describes the days leading up to Charles and Diana's wedding, including this formal meal held at Buckingham Palace two nights before.

He knew he'd be on Princess Anne's table and then discovered he was sitting next to her. The Earl recalls, "It transpired, to my alarm, that I was actually placed next to Anne, and when she turned my way, I asked, 'And how did your daughter's christening go today, Ma'am?'"

"I expected her to run away with the happy topic of her baby Zara's baptism," Charles alleged. "But instead, she stopped, looked at me witheringly, and asked, "Tell me, how's a christening supposed to go?"

According to Princess Diana's brother, who was only 17 at the time, he blushed bright red and found he didn't have a reply to this. He ended up comparing his awkward interaction with Anne to his brother-in-law Neil making "easy conversation" with the Crown Princess of Japan about rice cultivation on the other side of the room.

Earl Spencer wrote, "It was the luck of the draw that night, whether you were placed next to a royal who was happy to make you feel small, or one that had the grace and manners to look for common ground, wherever it might be found."

This is a rather damning depiction of Princess Anne and seems to be implying that her unwillingness to engage with christening small talk made him "feel small" that night. The Princess is someone who doesn't beat around the bush or gush about things in the same way as other royals, particularly personal matters.

We're now used to seeing the Princess of Wales and Duchess Sophie hugging people or shaking hands at engagements or taking selfies, but this wasn't the old way of doing things and Princess Anne is more restrained when she's out in public.

"We never shook hands. The theory was that you couldn't shake hands with everybody, so don't start. So I kind of stick with that, but I noticed others don't," she's previously said about walkabouts. "It's not for me to say that it's wrong, but I think the initial concept was that it was patently absurd to start shaking hands."

Perhaps Earl Spencer would've been on safer ground if he'd asked the Princess about her royal work or equestrianism, but he wasn't to know at 17. Anne's reaction has clearly stuck with him all these years but she's hardly the only royal to be painted in a less than ideal light in Swan Song.

The Palace has already issued a rare statement responding to Charles's claim that he was told by the King "we'll forget her soon enough", referring to Princess Diana. They declared, "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."

Despite this, in an interview with the BBC, Earl Spencer stood firm on the claims, declaring, "I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said."

The Prince and Princess of Wales haven't been to a premiere together since Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 and tonight they're once again getting glammed up and walking the red carpet in honour of one of Tom Cruise's films. The couple are attending the global premiere of Digger, which highlights the dangers of an environmental disaster, to support the Film and TV Charity.

However, the event falls during yet another turbulent time for the Royal Family and it's possible there could be slightly more behind their decision to go. According to Woman's Guest Royal Editor Duncan Larcombe The Firm is reportedly "nervous" about what Prince Harry and Meghan could do to "overshadow the working royals' important campaigns".

In the latest issue the royal expert also noted, "Even stepping out on the same day as, say, Kate and William at a separate event will cause a headache for those behind the scenes at the Palace, with (no doubt uncomfortable) stories suggesting they are competing for attention."

This is a dilemma for working royals like William and Kate, who are also well aware that Harry and Meghan are fond of attending big events like premieres, galas and awards. Right now, the Prince and Princess of Wales are choosing to carry on with their engagements as normal and haven't commented on the Sussexes' return.

Additional public appearances could be a welcome reminder that they are the working royals and perhaps going forwards it's less likely that Prince Harry and Meghan will end up being invited to big events like this.

Maybe even in the back of their minds there's a concern that if they don't accept, the Sussexes could get asked? We'll never know for sure but Harry and Meghan moving back to the UK has put the Prince and Princess of Wales in an even trickier position when it comes to direct comparisons being made.

Duncan claimed the "Palace is in turmoil over what to do next" as the Royal Family "essentially sit and wait for the Sussexes' next move".

Prince William and Kate attending the Digger premiere not only makes a public statement and supports an important charity, but will give the Royal Family a positive publicity boost on the same day as Earl Spencer's new book came out.

He's said William and Harry "won't be surprised" by the allegations in Swan Song, but it's made serious allegations about their father. This includes the claim that King Charles sounded "giddily elated" when he called after Princess Diana's death in 1997.

Buckingham Palace responded swiftly to extracts, stating, "While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss."

This new wave of coverage in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan's return is putting the royals under pressure and Prince William and Kate are two of the most popular family members. Many fans will be excited to see them at the Digger premiere, reuniting with Tom Cruise.

Alongside meeting with him, the future King and Queen are also being welcomed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and senior representatives from the Film and TV Charity.

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

Talk about a multi-tasker - while supporting the WellChild Awards 2026, Prince Harry might have just set up a comeback gig for his wife, Meghan Markle.

At the awards, Harry spoke with Magic Radio presenter Gaby Roslin. Gaby took it upon herself to offer Harry and Meghan a show on Magic - a radio station the Duchess of Sussex has previously revealed she was a huge fan of - and then the Magic radio boss was roped in on the spot.

Appearing just off-camera, Harry joked that he and Gaby’s boss, Paul, would "have a word" and a "serious conversation" about the possibility of Meghan hosting her own Christmas show for the radio station.

The interview started with Prince Harry showing his playful side and doing his impression of the Magic Radio slogan. After being a good sport, Gaby proposed, “Do you want a show on Magic? Your wife could do a show on Magic. She loves Magic!”

Harry confirmed that Meghan did indeed love the station. When pressed on whether she’d actually want her own show, Harry joked, “We haven’t talked about it, but I can take this back to her.”

Deciding that she should do a Christmas show, Gaby then pointed to her boss who was just off camera, to whom Harry declared, “We’re going to have a word” before adding, “Finally you’ve come, we need to have a serious conversation”.

Could what started out as a joke become something more real?

This is surely great news for fans of the Duchess who has gone on record as being a fan of the station in the past. On the second season of her Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, she told Queer Eye star Tan France that Magic Radio was "one of the things I miss most about the UK".

Magic’s Content Director, Paul Sylvester - likely the same Paul from Gaby Roslin’s video - has reportedly extended an offer to the Duchess in the past. Per The Telegraph, an "offer [was] on the table" before the pair left for Montecito.

He reportedly told a RadioCentre conference, "We had conversations with the Sussex team and if the Duchess would like to add radio presenter to her CV there is an offer on the table."

Now that they’re back in the UK - for however long that will turn out to be - could the stars be aligning for a Merry Meghan Magic radio slot?

Hosting a radio show wouldn't be too far from Meghan's comfort zone. The former Suits star has already fronted two of her own podcasts. As part of their much-publicised Spotify deal, Meghan hosted 12 episodes of the Archetypes podcast in 2022, and she later fronted Confessions of a Female Founder in 2025.

Even before Earl Spencer's controversial new book, Swan Song, was released it was already sparking some strong discussions and so I was expecting a lot more shocking revelations to emerge now it's published. It definitely has those, but it was actually something more subtle that first caught my attention and made me do a double take.

On Page 5 is Charles Spencer's dedication and it's not to Princess Diana who is, after all, the focus of the book. Instead, he writes, "For all those who have lost a sibling."

He was 33 years old when Diana died and much of Swan Song is about their bond and shared experiences. Because of this, the dedication does make sense but I still think it's surprising that he didn't mention her too. It also got me wondering whether he could be hinting at something equally close to home.

The Earl's nephews, Prince William and Prince Harry, were once incredibly close like Charles and Diana were. Whilst they haven't technically "lost" a sibling like their uncle tragically has, they are living very separate lives and have been estranged for years.

In a very different way, they do seem to have lost each other - or at least lost the treasured place they used to have in each other's lives. Although Prince Harry has been open about wanting a "reconciliation" with his family, he and William aren't believed to have met face-to-face since 2024, even though the Sussexes are back living in the UK.

Their frosty relationship has also affected their children, as it's thought that George, Charlotte and Louis haven't even met five-year-old Lilibet yet. Looking at it from the outside you can't help seeing it as a sad situation so imagine what it must be like for the people involved.

Earl Spencer speaks protectively about his nephews throughout Swan Song and in an interview with the BBC ahead of its release he was directly asked about William and Harry. He said that neither of them would be "surprised" by the book claims and refused to pick a "side".

"I think there is a perception in the media that I am on Harry's side," Charles said. "Well, I'm on my deceased sister's sons' side, both of them. And if either of them wanted anything, then I'd be equally there for them."

Given how he wants to be there for William and Harry and support them "equally", it sounds as if he'd be thrilled if the brothers patched things up at some point. Earl Spencer seems to have sympathy for both and this is why I can't help suspecting that there could've been a secondary meaning to his Swan Song dedication.

It's still possible for his nephews to repair their sibling relationship and regain the closeness they've lost in recent years. Whether it will actually happen remains to be seen, though for now Earl Spencer seems to be giving the Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex their space and doesn't "get involved" himself.

"I never get involved in one camp or the other, except as a benign figure, I hope," he told the BBC.

"I certainly don't know what's been done in the finer detail and so I would feel intrusive if I got more involved than to say of course a mother would want her two sons to be happy together and love each other," Charles added.

Earl Spencer hasn't held back with the revelations in his book, Swan Song, and extracts published so far have painted his former brother-in-law King Charles in a damning light. The pair allegedly disagreed over one of the most divisive elements of Princess Diana's funeral, with the Earl writing that he argued his sister wouldn't have wanted her sons to walk behind her coffin.

As we know, this did end up happening, but Charles Spencer has also claimed Prince Philip stepped in and changed his son's plans. Instead of the King being at the centre, Philip firmly believed Diana's family should be in the middle.

"Prince Charles tried to take charge, having seemingly thought hard about the formation that the five of us chief mourners would adopt behind Diana," he recalled in an extract in the Daily Mail.

The Earl continued, "When he said, 'Now, I will walk in the center, with William on my right and Harry on my left,' Prince Philip overruled him, in an even voice that closed down any possible dissent. 'No, that isn't how we will do it.'

"Then, nodding towards me, he continued: 'Charles is representing his sister and their family, so he will walk in the middle, with William and Harry either side of him, and you and I will be on the outside flanks.'"

This placed Princess Diana's brother and sons at the forefront, whilst her ex-husband and ex-father-in-law were on the outside, which makes sense given the divorce. According to Earl Spencer, the King "looked pained" but gave in to Philip's authority "without a word".

What we've read so far from Swan Song is highly critical of the Royal Family, so it's interesting to see the Earl acknowledging Philip advocating for the Spencers on this.

He also describes how the Duke of Edinburgh's "usual gruffness" was "replaced by a calm and quiet kindness".

"He was clearly determined to help his motherless grandsons in their walk to the funeral, and he did so with grace," Charles Spencer claimed.

Prince William was 15 and Prince Harry 12 at the time and the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair's former government relations director, Anji Hunter, has also described how an "anguished" Philip spoke up for his grandsons earlier on.

"We were all talking about how William and Harry should be involved and suddenly came Prince Philip's voice," she previously alleged to the Evening Standard. "We hadn't heard from him before, but he was really anguished. 'It's about the boys,' he cried, 'They've lost their mother.'"

The night before Princess Diana's funeral at dinner, the late Duke is also believed to have told them both, "I'll walk if you walk."

He was entirely focused on supporting his grandsons at one of the darkest times of their lives and walked on the outside beside William in the procession - as he'd apparently stipulated to King Charles. The monarch hasn't responded to these specific allegations, though Buckingham Palace issued a rare statement when the first extract from Swan Song was published.

"While we do not comment on books as a matter of principle, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognise, even many years after such a loss," it declared.

Famous for her withering putdowns and unbreakable stare presiding over The Weakest Link for 11 years, Anne Robinson had a long and celebrated career in television.

As well as presenting the BBC quiz show, she hosted the likes of Watchdog and Countdown, and, in a strange turn of events, this storied showbiz career might have indirectly been a result of Princess Diana and Buckingham Palace.

Before she was on TV, Anne worked as a journalist and an editor. It was a fateful decision to use a provocative front page in the late 1980s implying that Princess Diana had an eating disorder that led to her being dismissed, and as she recalls it, the orders came from “the palace [saying] a head needs to roll”.

Speaking with Lorraine Kelly for the Experience is Everything podcast, Anne recalled how it all came to pass. "I was editing on a Sunday. Diana had gone late to the Albert Hall the night before, after the Queen, unheard of.

"I looked at the pictures, and she was painfully thin. And I called in our wonderful royal correspondent, James Whittaker. And I said, ‘James, this doesn't look right’.

"He said, ‘Give me an hour or two’. And I trusted him completely. And he went away, and he said, ‘She's got an eating disorder'.

Anne’s decision to act on this would lead to serious repercussions. She continued, “So I splashed on it. The Sun [a British tabloid] followed in their second edition. The next week, I looked, and I wasn't on the editing rota

“And I remember going up to the editor. I said, I'm not on the editing rota. He said, ‘You go off and do television, blossom. That's what you're good at.’

"I went home furious. I had a good cry, because you never cried in the office. It took two years for me to find out that the palace said a head needs to roll, and I was the head. I'll never forget it."

Princess Diana, years later, would reclaim the narrative and discuss her eating disorder history on her own terms.

In 1992, Andrew Morton published the book, Diana: Her True Story. The book was sensational for the time as Andrew’s source was Diana herself, who shared with him a series of confessional tapes.

On one, she opened up about her battle with bulimia for the first time. In the book, Andrew wrote that Diana recorded herself saying, "The bulimia started the week after we got engaged and would take nearly a decade to overcome.

"My husband put his hand on my waistline and said: ‘Oh, a bit chubby here, aren’t we?’ and that triggered off something in me - and the Camilla thing."

A few years after the book was published, Diana would once again speak out on the topic, this time allowing viewers to hear it from her own lips. Speaking with Martin Bashir for the famous 1995 Panorama interview, Diana shared, "I had bulimia for a number of years. And that's like a secret disease.

"You inflict it upon yourself because your self-esteem is at a low ebb, and you don't think you're worthy or valuable… You have to know that when you have bulimia you're very ashamed of yourself and you hate yourself - and people think you're wasting food - so you don't discuss it with people".

From the moment he was first introduced to the world's media outside St Mary's Hospital to his first day at Eton earlier this month, most of Prince George's life has been documented. As second in the royal line of succession, he's a public figure in his own right and the responsibility and scrutiny is only going to increase the older he gets.

Former First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has questioned how fair this is and argued that abolishing the British monarchy would help "free" George.

"I would say one of the arguments for getting rid of the monarchy is for the sake of members of the Royal Family, like Prince George, for example," she said on Channel 4's documentary, The Royals: Time To Go. "That kid doesn't know any different."

Nicola continued, "He has a certain life ahead of him that he has no choice over. Is that really fair? And so I actually think it is one of the arguments for getting rid of the monarchy, to free the future members of the Royal Family from carrying that burden."

Whether you agree with the former politician's argument or not, there's no doubt that Prince George has already had a lot of experiences we could only imagine. Like his father before him, he's growing up knowing that he'll be King one day and has been gradually introduced to public appearances by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

We see glimpses of him at occasions like Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon, as well as in birthday photos, but other than that he's given as much privacy as possible.

According to royal biographer Robert Lacey in Battle of Brothers, George was seven when he was told about his future role. He claimed, "Sometime around the boy's seventh birthday in the summer of 2020 it is thought that his parents went into more detail about what the little prince's life of future royal 'service and duty' would particularly involve."

The decision to reportedly tell him later is thought to have been influenced by how William found out and suggests that the Waleses are taking steps to lessen the "burden" on George.

"William struggled with [knowing] when he was a young man and he's very keen George doesn't experience that same sense of burden from an early age," royal expert Katie Nicholl told OK! in 2022. "George understands the order of succession, and he knows that one day he will be king, but he also knows that's a long way in the future. It's not made into a big deal."

He's being raised quite differently to Prince William and King Charles too - and we can't forget about the impact of this. William and Kate personally do school drop-offs and pick-ups and pause royal visits during the school holidays to be there for their children. They're very hands-on and aware of how George, Charlotte and Louis's childhoods could affect how they are as adults.

Speaking to Eugene Levy on The Reluctant Traveler, Prince William said, "If you don't start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you're setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall. So it's about making sure we feel we can look after our family and our children in a way we feel is best for their future."

So many of this year's autumn/winter fashion colour trends are gorgeous, but can you ever really beat the elegance of an all-black outfit? It's a failsafe for so many people and although it sometimes feels like the dull option there's a clever way to elevate it into something a little more special and visually interesting.

Carole Middleton used this to full effect when she attended a charity Christmas carol concert in 2013 and as someone who doesn't often wear head-to-toe neutrals, she nailed this layered look. The Princess of Wales's mum stepped out in a knee-length black coat with a faux fur collar, black patterned tights and matching accessories.

All these different textures brought so much contrast and dimension and it's the key to making an all-black outfit stand out.

Recreate Carole's Outfit

Faux fur collars and scarves are everywhere right now and they bring a luxurious feel and even more cosiness to your autumn outfits. The one on Carole's coat was relatively minimal though you can go bold with a statement faux fur lapel if you really want a sense of vintage glamour.

Underneath she looked like she was wearing just a simple black dress around the same length as her coat and this is ideal for balancing proportions. If you're a fan of midi dresses and skirts I'd recommend investing in a longer coat as shorter ones tend to cut off at an awkward point and don't flow as well with midis.

Roughly matching lengths gives you an elongating effect and looks polished. Carole Middleton often does this and in 2013 she wanted everything else to be seamless as she drew the eye with her tights.

From florals to polka dots and checks, fun tights are such an affordable way to add texture and detail. Hers were floral fishnets and they were so intricate against the plain black coat and dress. The future Queen's mother styled them with low black heels though I suspect that nowadays she'd be more likely to reach for tall boots.

She, Kate and Pippa all love knee-highs and black suede or smooth leather boots would both bring yet more contrast. Her leather gloves and black shoulder bag finished off the ensemble in style and even though Carole wore a specific selection of pieces to the carol concert you can adapt her approach to suit you.

Knitwear and denim, corduroy trousers and a cotton shirt, a leather skirt and satin cami - there are so many possible combinations to introduce textural contrast into an all-black outfit and stop everything blending into each other. Because Carole Middleton was attending a special concert in aid of the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund she went for an elegant, evening look.

Her signature style is quite smart anyway and something like this would be perfect for an autumn or winter date night outfit. The same fashion principles also apply if you're wearing other colours head-to-toe, though an all-black look is so versatile and chic.

I live in comfortable jeans in autumn and even though dark washes like indigo and black are always popular, I can't help feeling a bit rebellious this year. Light denim is my favourite and there are ways to make these tones feel more seasonal.

Even white denim can be incorporated into autumn outfits and Zara Tindall showed us how many years ago. She went to watch the 2013 Celebrity Golf Classic tournament and although this took place in May, we all know that the British weather doesn't always follow the seasons.

Zara was dressed warmly enough for this time of year in white skinny jeans, low-top trainers and a waxed field jacket as she watched her husband Mike Tindall playing. British clothing brands like Barbour and Holland Cooper specialise in these beautifully crafted countryside jackets and so we're always spoilt for choice.

Recreate Zara's Outfit

Even though the equestrian royal's exact jacket isn't available anymore you can get a similar aesthetic at a range of price-points and you don't even have to get a waxed jacket. Barn jackets and utility jackets are everywhere right now and they also add an outdoorsy feel to an outfit and tick boxes for practicality with plenty of pockets.

The waist belt on Zara Tindall's outerwear added extra definition and there was even a hood that would come in handy if it rained. This design was the classic green-brown tone that goes well with so many other shades, particularly neutrals.

It wasn't too much of a stark contrast against her jeans but it balanced out the bright white. To take white denim into the new season, it helps to pair it with tones that we often associate with the colder months. Earthy greens like khaki and olive are an autumn/winter fashion colour trend for 2026 and they're warm and muted.

Zara completed her golf-watching ensemble with what look to be Converse low-top trainers in white. The royals prefer sleek trainers when they're not actually doing sport as they work well with jeans and trousers but also with dresses and skirts.

They're just a bit more elegant and the King's niece picked white trainers that blended in with her jeans to create a leg-elongating effect. To make this outfit more autumnal I would probably swap to brown boots with a sturdy cleated sole to complement the practicality and colour of the jacket.

White jeans don't have the variation in colour that blue denim does so they tend to look smarter and you can lean into this. Zara Tindall is a big fan of blazers and a heritage-style tailored jacket and heeled boots would still give that countryside, autumn feel but in an elevated way.

So many of this year's autumn/winter fashion trends are incredibly wearable (I'm looking at you, minimalism) and Duchess Sophie just showcased two of them to perfection when she met with President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta of Zambia. She's undertaking a six-day visit and she pulled out the fashion stops for this special meeting and wore a silk-blend V-neck midi dress from Veronica Beard.

The scarf print design blended dark navy, olive green and burnt orange with a mix of geometric and floral motifs. It was a moody alternative to Sophie's beloved floral frocks and it ties in with both the 'gothic romance' and 'new boho trends' for 2026.

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The handkerchief hem emphasised the flowy shape and bold patterns we love to see with boho-style dresses and although it wasn't maxi-length, the asymmetric skirt wasn't far off in places. The dark colour palette and silhouette of the Duchess of Edinburgh's dress also ticks off the gothic romance trend in a subtler way.

You could easily take this a step further and go for a primarily black patterned frock instead, perhaps one with pops of burgundy in the design.

Navy is a softer alternative and I particularly love the way this colour looks with tan and brown which is still an autumn/winter fashion colour trend for this year. Sophie didn't need to dress full-on autumn in Zambia as it was so warm and finished off her ensemble with beige heels, a matching clutch and a sprinkling of gold jewellery.

This was beautiful too, but it's easy to imagine how she'd re-wear her frock back home. Printed midi dresses are so useful to have in your collection for occasions where you want to feel elegant and put-together, but don't want to fuss over combinations.

They do all the talking for you and you can keep everything else timeless and neutral. Duchess Sophie and her fellow royals most-worn footwear for the colder months is undoubtedly knee-high boots and they complement midi and maxi hemlines particularly well.

The lengths complement each other and create a flattering frame-elongating effect. Taller boots are also covering most of your legs in material so they tend to be very warm too whilst still looking chic.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has several pairs that she wears on repeat and her tan suede Gianvito Rossi ones would work particularly well with this silk dress for some soft colour contrast.

If you prefer leather then the smooth texture is equally fabulous against a flowy dress and ties in with the 'gothic romance' trend even more. A leather jacket would also be great, though Sophie didn't need another layer in Zambia and kept things smart and sophisticated.

She presented gifts to President Hakainde Hichilema and First Lady Mutinta Hichilema, including a scarf with Scottish cashmere on one side and chitenge fabric on the other. It was made by textile students who are supported by The King's Foundation and she also gave the couple jars of honey made by the bees at royal residences.

Many of us aren't always comfortable with wearing bright colours and embracing this year's autumn/winter fashion trend of scarlet might sound daunting at first. However, this cranberry tone is easier to style than it seems and Harriet Phillips showcased her method at the opening ceremony and reception for the exhibition, Reviving Craft: Reflection of the Mind, at Somerset House on 16th September.

She wore the crimson Nyra dress by British clothing brand Beulah and it actually felt very Princess of Wales-esque to me, with the midi-length, belted waist and high neckline. The long sleeved, fit-and-flare silhouette was refined and pearl buttons on the front exuded elegance.

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Princess Anne's daughter-in-law cleverly picked a frock that was relatively simple and this is key when you're wearing vibrant colours. Timeless cuts and shapes help make the overall look feel balanced and it's just a bit easier than trying to style a bold shade and a statement design at the same time.

Another useful trick is to use the red as the focus of the ensemble and keep everything else quite minimal. Harriet partly did this at Somerset House with her tan suede court heels, though her forest green clutch from Aspinal London brought some contrast.

Red and green is classically festive and it's a combination that works really well if you want your outfit to feel quite seasonal. Navy and red also look great together, though I think the most versatile way to wear cranberry is with warm neutral shades like brown, tan and camel.

Harriet dressed more formally for the reception and a red dress like hers is beautiful for events this time of year. Knitted red dresses are a more casual alternative that you can make more casual with knee-high boots and a chunky coat but for me, it's hard to beat red jumpers.

Sweaters are a more affordable way to start off wearing this trending colour and they're a smaller part of a wider look so the red element is always going to be more minimal. The same is true of red bags or shoes or even jewellery set with red stones.

The NHS nurse wore what looked to be diamond drop earrings and a bracelet with her dress and pearls would have also been beautiful and co-ordinated with the buttons.

I can imagine Harriet re-wearing this dress with tights and metallic accessories in the countdown to Christmas and even potentially for the Royal Family's annual Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.

Since becoming an official member of the Royal Family after marrying Peter Phillips in June, Harriet's style has shifted to become ever slightly more formal at public events. However, I love that she still gravitates towards wearable pieces or outfits that are easy to recreate compared to some of the working royals.

This cranberry-red dress is a prime example, as it's sophisticated and yet the building blocks of this outfit are quite accessible as well as stunning.

Queen Elizabeth was no ordinary granny and one decision she made about Prince William could've changed the course of history. The Prince and Princess of Wales were friends first at university before romance blossomed and according to royal expert Ingrid Seward, the monarch soon found herself facing a "dilemma".

Writing in the Daily Mail, Ingrid suggested the Queen's "own beliefs were firmly anchored in the 'no sex before marriage' ethic", claiming that it "ridiculously, applied only to women". When William and Kate's relationship "deepened" he naturally wanted to live with her and it looked possible she could become his future wife.

"Could [Queen Elizabeth], as head of the Church of England, be seen to be permitting her ultimate heir to break the rules that had existed for centuries?" Ingrid pondered. "There could be no future Queen Catherine without her say-so."

As we know, William and Kate did go on to live together before getting married, first whilst they were at St Andrews University and then later in Anglesey which was their first official home as a couple. The royal expert believes that the Queen gave her grandson her blessing for this.

"In the end, after fighting a battle with herself, the Queen came to a view that altered everything: she sanctioned her grandson to go ahead and 'live in sin', thus allowing him to develop a profound and lasting relationship at his own pace," Ingrid alleged.

This was a very different experience to the one his parents had, as King Charles and Princess Diana had only met around 13 times in person before they tied the knot. This marriage was sadly not a royal success story like William's and Kate's has been and the modern way it began might have played a major part in this.

Unlike Princess Diana, Kate had the chance to really see what life within the Royal Family was like before becoming part of it. The Prince of Wales spoke in their engagement interview about wanting to give her that opportunity.

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

As well as reportedly sanctioning them living together, Queen Elizabeth also gave her official consent to their marriage. To this day the top six royals in the line of succession must receive the monarch's permission to marry - and this included Prince Harry.

In Spare, he recalled his grandmother's memorable response when he asked for her approval to marry Meghan, "Well then, I suppose I have to say yes."

We don't know what she said to Prince William, though she and Kate forged a close bond and the Queen apparently gave her guidance at their first solo meeting in 2010.

Royal author Russell Myers claims in William & Catherine that Queen Elizabeth "looked to comfort the young woman she hoped would successfully shape the institution for the next generation" and "offered words of encouragement to Catherine regarding her future role as a senior member of the family".