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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Duchess of Edinburgh has visited one of the UK's most exclusive locations after taking on a new role with a show that once gave Queen Camilla "withdrawal symptoms". The county of Borsetshire isn't real, but it holds a special place in thousands of people's hearts as it's the wider setting for the world's longest-running continuous drama, The Archers.

Duchess Sophie travelled to Birmingham to record her cameo appearance on the radio show and fans were given a glimpse of her in rehearsal with the cast on 9th July. The episode is centred on the Borchester Show in Borsetshire's county town and Sophie plays herself, in her role as honorary president of Linking Environment and Farming.

Her debut on The Archers is part of the drama's 75th anniversary year celebrations and since it first started in 1951, the show has amassed a cult following. Queen Camilla is one of its super fans and has openly described herself as an "Archers addict".

At a reception at Clarence House to mark The Archers' 70th anniversary she gave a speech and admitted that she's "known to become quite ratty if disturbed between 7pm and 7:15pm" when it airs. Recordings had been disrupted during lockdown and Her Majesty added that she'd "had severe withdrawal symptoms when [the radio drama] all but disappeared".

Queen Camilla sees The Archers as her "faithful companion" for a lot of her life and she's also had a cameo appearance. This episode aired in 2011 and she played herself, in her role as President of the National Osteoporosis Society.

Part of the reason why she - and so many other fans - love the BBC Radio 4 drama is the way it raises awareness of real life issues and of "others' hidden struggles". Although the Queen has already appeared on The Archers herself, perhaps she'll feel a pang of jealousy hearing Duchess Sophie on her favourite show.

It could make Camilla dream of making another cameo, which I can imagine the show's creators would be more than happy for her to do. The rural setting fits in perfectly with the Royal Family's love of the outdoors and Sophie is a long-time fan of the programme and a big supporter of countryside shows.

The Duchess of Edinburgh co-designed the Plants With Purpose Garden for the Royal Windsor Flower Show this year and in an interview with Alan Titchmarsh she spoke about her love for the shows across the UK.

"We're lucky to have these wonderful little shows in villages and towns around our country, and I remember, when I was growing up, taking my boxes of flowers and actually very terrible floral displays for the competitions," she explained in the piece shared with The Telegraph.

Sophie added, "It was the atmosphere. It was a time when we as children were just let off the leash, and walking into that flower show just took me straight back to my childhood."

Now she's been officially welcomed to the fictional Borchester Show too and according to a teaser shared by The Archers beforehand, she definitely "makes [her] mark".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As Prince Harry carries out engagements in the UK the question that we're all still asking ourselves is: will Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet be flying over to join him? The rest of the Sussex family has stayed in California so far but there has been speculation that they might meet up with the Duke once he leaves London.

It would be a huge moment for Archie and Lilibet and Woman's Royal Editor Emily Andrews assumes that the children will see King Charles if they come to the UK. Writing in the latest issue, she also suggests that it will "be interesting to see whether Meghan posts any pictures of that."

Emily adds, "She knows those images could boost the diminishing popularity of the Sussexes stateside and remind everyone of their royal pedigree and reacceptance into the family."

Since the Duchess of Sussex re-joined Instagram we've seen a lot more of seven-year-old Archie and five-year-old Lilibet. They regularly appear in pictures and videos taken either in the garden of the Sussexes' Montecito home, or inside helping Meghan cook.

Their faces are always kept away from the camera to give them more privacy. Even so, photos of a possible reunion with Charles would naturally be met with immense excitement online. He's understood to have only met Lilibet once in person and there were no pictures shared of that.

A snap with both his Sussex grandchildren would be the first of its kind to be shared. Emily believes that Meghan is well aware of the positive response she'd get to sharing a picture like this, but that doesn't necessarily mean she'd ever do it.

Balancing privacy and PR is a tricky thing and royal author Tom Quinn has claimed that Meghan and Harry have argued about this before. In Betrayal, he alleged, "Insiders spoke about tensions between them and arguments about their children. Harry was reportedly irritated that Meghan used their children to promote herself."

The author goes on to suggest that Harry wants Archie and Lilibet to be "shielded from the media" and reportedly "insisted" that they shouldn't be photographed. Tom added, "Meghan argued the opposite. The children, she believed, were important for her brand. She spoke of them living as normal Californian children."

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's spokesperson has responded to Betrayal, expressing their view that "those interested in facts will look elsewhere; those seeking deranged conspiracy and melodrama know exactly where to find [Bower]."

Personally, I believe that if Meghan, Archie and Lilibet do visit the UK and see King Charles, we won't see a picture posted on social media. However, Harry and Meghan might at least confirm the meeting took place to quell the public's curiosity.

This would also remind people of their "royal pedigree and reacceptance into the family". King Charles's schedule is always very busy, but a source has claimed to The Mirror that he "would not pass up the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren."

"If there is a way of making it possible, he will do it," they stated.

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

You know the heatwave has hit hard when the Royal Family are breaking their own traditions to find new ways to keep cool. There are plenty of cooling mistakes we're probably all making at home but Queen Camilla faced the sunshine on Centre Court at Wimbledon on 8th July when she made her first tennis trip of the 2026 tournament.

The royals are all about timelessness, though it wasn't long before she abandoned her trusty folding fan for something surprisingly modern. During the match Her Majesty was pictured using a mini Amazon white handheld fan and as far as I can remember, this is the first time a royal has ever been spotted with one.

Shop Handheld Fans

Shop More Cooling Devices

Zara Tindall and her sister-in-law Harriet Phillips - who were both there that same day - stuck to using Wimbledon-branded concertina fans, which are currently out of stock at The Wimbledon Shop. When the Princess of Wales has needed to create a cooling breeze at the tennis, she's always used this classic style too.

But it seems that Queen Camilla isn't afraid to try something new if it's going to help her battle the UK's soaring temperatures. Seeing the royals using such a trendy, contemporary piece of tech is a bit of a surprise, though woman&home's Homes Ecommerce Editor Laura Honey thinks that handheld fans are more "comfortable".

"Traditional folding fans are a really elegant accessory and they certainly have their place, but they rely on you creating the airflow yourself, which can become tiring when you're using one for long periods," she says.

She adds, "There's also the practical consideration of where you're using it. At an event like a tennis match, for example, constant movement could be distracting. A handheld electric fan gives you a steady breeze at the touch of a button, making it a much more comfortable option for long days out in the heat."

It looks like the Queen was using an affordable TECKNET design but there are so many handheld fans on Amazon, John Lewis and other retailers that we're all spoilt for choice. As Laura mentioned, they aren't as stylish as a concertina fan, but they're low-effort and effective.

She thinks they're "one of the simplest and handiest ways to make hot weather feel much more manageable" as they give a "constant stream of air across your skin".

"This can help your body cool itself more effectively by encouraging sweat to evaporate and moving warm air away from the surface of your skin," Laura continues. "When you're travelling, commuting, or spending time outdoors, having a portable fan that delivers a direct, steady breeze exactly where you need it can make a huge difference."

Her favourite is the premium Shark ChillPill but the Argos handheld fan is "fantastic value" and does what you need it to. For a slightly more chic look, go for a neutral tone like Queen Camilla did and it will be more subtle against your outfit.

Since she's not been seen with a handheld fan before I'll be interested to see if she uses it publicly again. The day after her Wimbledon trip Her Majesty carried a white parasol for a visit to London Zoo which is much more expected for her, though the heatwave isn't over yet.

Zara Tindall knows exactly what outfits are breathable enough to wear in the heat and still look elegant and over the years her Wimbledon style has always included a simple midi dress. This silhouette is her go-to and she reached for it again on 8th July when she and her husband Mike made a low-key appearance at the tennis.

They don't usually sit in the Royal Box and can go under the radar, though Zara's blue and white striped dress caught my eye as she's worn stripes a lot to Wimbledon. It was by Australian designer Rebecca Vallance and had puffed sleeves and a round neckline.

Delicate buttons mean you can adjust the look and the King's niece undid a couple to give her dress a more relaxed feel. If you prefer summer dresses that accentuate your waist then you can't go wrong with a fit-and-flare shape like this.

Shop Zara's Wimbledon Outfit

A flowy skirt that doesn't cling to your legs is also a bonus when it's boiling hot outside and I love the way Zara Tindall's dress had stripes running in several directions. Pastel blue and white is a popular combination and the two colours were a soft contrast.

This helped to make the patterned design subtler. The Princess of Wales is a big fan of polka dots in the summer months and she often goes for black and white or navy and white which are both bolder. Zara has also worn striped frocks in these colours to Wimbledon before, though I do like this lighter, brighter option.

Whatever shades you choose, spots and stripes are very timeless prints that are simple to style. The easiest way is to pick out one of the colours and match your accessories to it. This level of coordination makes an outfit seem very thought-out and polished.

Zara did this at Wimbledon, where she wore white Emmy London court shoes and carried a white and raffia Strathberry bag. Sadly this particular version is out of stock but the brand also makes this piece in tan and raffia.

She removed the longer strap and held it by the top handle one which is another trick the royals use to elevate their looks. Zara finished off her ensemble with her champagne-toned Finlay Tavistock sunglasses.

Pale neutral sunnies are a great alternative to black or brown pairs as they're less stark on the face and complement paler outfits well.

The King's niece has worn hers a lot, including to Royal Ascot this year. In the past she's worn similar colours with her midi dresses and they're perfect for a sunny day. No jacket was needed on Day 10 as she and Mike enjoyed the matches and chatted with former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner who was sitting near them.

The couple weren't the only royals attending the championships, as Queen Camilla and Zara's brother and sister-in-law Peter and Harriet Phillips also enjoyed a day at the tennis.

Carole Middleton's elegant style is made for summer weather and she stepped out in a stunning and simple combination on her second visit to Wimbledon so far this year. After going for a Kate-inspired cobalt blazer and white dress the day before, Carole went for a £275 floral dress with a sunhat, raffia bag and block sandals on 7th July.

The dress was another chic piece from British clothing brand ME+EM and had the perfect silhouette to wear in the heat. The bodice was gently fitted to accentuate the waist and the skirt flared out slightly for a breezy feel.

The puffed shape of the sleeves meant they weren't tight to the top of the arms. Whether you prefer some more coverage in the sun or just don't love baring too much skin, short sleeves like this are an ideal option.

Shop Carole's Wimbledon Outfit

Carole chose to zip up her frock to the top, creating a rounded neckline though the design means you can adjust it to suit you and it looks just as lovely a little undone in a V-neck style. You can't go wrong with white summer dresses and this one was covered in a gorgeous blue and green botanical pattern that made it stand out.

The white background meant it was still very understated and easy to style, though the pops of colour brightened things up. For a sophisticated take on florals, I'd advise copying Carole Middleton's approach at Wimbledon.

She tends to steer away from ditsy florals with a lot of different tones and stark contrasts. Instead, the Princess of Wales's mother goes for these more illustration-esque designs that only feature a few select colours and often have a neutral base.

She's also clever with her fabrics and after wearing a cotton dress on Day 8 of Wimbledon, this one was a linen and viscose blend with a crease-resistant finish. No-one wants to be ironing in this heat and linen has a tendency to crease badly, so a blended fabric can help to minimise this.

Carole brought practical yet chic accessories to watch the tennis too. She was pictured arriving at the All England Lawn Tennis & Crochet club with her husband Michael carrying a wide-brimmed sunhat with a neutral band.

During the match she popped this on and it complemented her raffia Longchamp Le Roseau bag too. The future Queen's mum clearly loves this style as she's already worn the tan leather version to Wimbledon.

She removed the long adjustable strap and carried it by the top handle instead which tends to look more formal than wearing bags crossbody.

Her shoes were an old favourite pair from Russell & Bromley and if you're looking to add some heeled sandals to your summer capsule wardrobe then block heels with ankle straps like this offer extra sturdiness. Carole's sandals were a soft blush pink colour and she completed the ensemble with Longchamp sunglasses.

These shades were the same ones she wore the day before when she watched the tennis with her younger daughter Pippa. Two trips in two days isn't unusual for Carole, who is just as much of a fan of the sport as the Princess of Wales, who's Patron of the club.

It had been a few years since Carole and Pippa Middleton last enjoyed a mother-daughter Wimbledon day and they were probably very careful not to breach the rules when they arrived to watch the tennis on 6th July. The Princess of Wales's mother and sister cheered the players on from the Royal Box where only invitees are allowed.

They've sat there before, but this wasn't the case in 2017 after Carole and Pippa were allegedly denied entry over an awkward mistake. According to Hello!, they arrived late to watch Andy Murray's match against Benoit Paire and so had to take standard seats.

Punctuality is seemingly key if you're sitting in the Royal Box, though Carole and Pippa didn't let the new seating arrangements dampen their spirits. Both looked to be having a great time and if they really were late, I wouldn't expect this to happen again.

It's a valuable lesson learned and since an invite to the Royal Box is so exclusive, they might allow even more contingency time now to avoid repeating this mistake. This year Carole and Pippa clearly arrived bang on time and they got to watch another British player, Arthur Fery, win.

They were seated just behind another tennis icon, Roger Federer, and I'm sure this won't have gone by unnoticed by Carole. The Princess of Wales called the eight-time Wimbledon champion "my mother's heartthrob" in the Sue Barker: Our Wimbledon documentary, adding that she didn't think Carole would mind her revealing it and "he probably knows that too".

Roger has met Kate and her family multiple times and he and his wife Mirka were even invited to Pippa's wedding in 2017, so sitting near each other at Wimbledon might have given them some time to catch up in between the matches.

He's also made a faux pas at the tennis before, though it was royal etiquette not Royal Box rules that he broke. Roger greeted the Princess when she arrived to watch Wimbledon in 2023 and was pictured lightly touching her back as he took his seat.

It's generally understood that you shouldn't be the one to initiate physical contact with a member of the Royal Family like a hug or handshake. If they move to do so then that's ok and although the retired tennis star's approach might not have strictly followed this, the future Queen smiled and nodded warmly in response.

She didn't seem to mind and knew him quite well by that point. Kate's entire family share a love of tennis and she said in the 2017 documentary that watching Wimbledon was "very much part of [her] growing up".

"It's such a quintessential part of the English summer, and I think it really inspires youngsters, myself, it inspired me when I was younger to get involved in the game," she shared. "It hasn't changed either, I think that's what's so wonderful."

The Princess is a keen tennis player and she revealed at a Garden Party in May that she's taken up padel too. The game is a mix of tennis and squash and she plays it with her parents, Carole and Michael, who went to Wimbledon together a day after Carole and Pippa's day trip.

Prince Harry's much-talked about trip to the UK this month has got off to a rather confusing start amid reports that he would, and then wouldn't, be staying at Buckingham Palace during his time in London. Initially, Meghan and their children were expected to accompany him but now we know they won't visit the capital.

There's still some hope that the Duchess, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet could reunite with Harry when he's in Birmingham later on. If they do come, a meet-up with King Charles might still be on the cards.

However, according to a friend of the Duke and Duchess, Archie and Lilibet aren't really aware of their relatives' position and status. Speaking to Hello!, the friend claimed, "The truth is they don't really have any concept about who they [the Royal Family] are."

They added that Harry and Meghan "are very good at keeping them away from it all so they live as normal little kids". According to the publication, they're "excited" to potentially see King Charles, though it seems they view him simply as their grandfather and not as King.

In contrast, their cousins George, Charlotte and Louis have grown up very aware of their grandpa's role. They see the crowds that line the streets for events like Trooping the Colour and they've all been gently introduced to public life.

Prince Archie and Lilibet haven't had any of these high-profile royal experiences and so their understanding of the Royal Family as an institution will naturally be different anyway. If their parents do keep them "away from it all" then this will be even more so.

Seven-year-old Archie does know that King Charles lives in a rather unusual residence, though. Royal expert and author Tom Quinn previously claimed to The Mirror that he "loves the idea that his grandad lives in a castle" and "many of Archie's books are about kings, princesses and castles".

King Charles actually lives at Clarence House but does have the right to live at many other royal residences, including Windsor Castle and Balmoral Castle. These places will sound particularly grand to Archie and Lili, who were born without titles.

The Sussex siblings were last in the UK during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and this is understood to be the first and only time Lilibet was introduced to the King.

"The [King and Queen] were absolutely thrilled to see them. He hadn't met Lili, his granddaughter, and so to meet her was very emotional, a very, very wonderful thing," a source claimed at the time, alleging that it was "very special" to see Archie again too.

Prince Harry has said openly that he misses parts of the UK and would "love" a reconciliation with his family. A source close to him has also told The Telegraph that he "just wants his kids to see their grandfather".

The Duke of Sussex will undertake a week of engagements and we'll soon know whether Meghan, Archie and Lilibet are going to make the trip over or if there's no chance of an in-person meeting with the King this time.

Carole Middleton's signature style is every bit as elegant as her daughter's and she graced Wimbledon's exclusive Royal Box on 6th July wearing a very Kate-esque outfit. Deciding what to wear in a heatwave is always tricky, let alone when you're dressing for a special occasion, and she chose a summer classic - a little white dress.

Carole and Kate are both big supporters of British clothing brands and her Wimbledon frock was the cotton fit-and-flare maxi dress by ME+EM. It's one of those designs that's so simple yet effortlessly elegant. The short sleeves cover the shoulders in the sun and it has a sweeping V-neckline and shirred panels underneath the arms.

Shop Carole's Outfit

These accentuate the contoured silhouette whilst adding stretch for comfort. A plain white summer dress might not be the most exciting purchase you'll make this season, but it's one of the most versatile.

Carole Middleton could re-wear this ME+EM frock in so many different ways, dressing it down with white trainers or flat strappy sandals, or making it even more formal with court shoes and plenty of jewellery. For her day at the tennis she took a leaf out of the Princess of Wales's style book and added a pop of colour and some extra structure.

Carole's linen blazer is startlingly similar to Kate's sapphire-blue trouser suit jacket from Wimbledon Day 4. Hers is an oldie but a goodie from Catherine Walker that she's owned since at least 2015 and it's single-breasted with a notched lapel collar, flap pockets and delicate buttons.

She left it open over her ME+EM dress which was a more relaxed way to style it. The blazer still brought tailored crispness to the ensemble but without being too business-like. This is also how the future Queen wore her Gabriela Hearst jacket.

The contrast of the blue and white was beautiful and the Princess of Wales's mum chose to keep the rest of her look pretty much to this minimal colour palette. The only exception was her Longchamp handbag which was made from caramel-toned leather.

Carole removed the longer strap and carried it by the top handles which always looks very polished. Her shoes were white raffia slingbacks by Emmy London and she completed the Wimbledon outfit with Longchamp sunglasses and a gold and lapis lazuli necklace that tied in with her blue blazer.

It's the kind of look that you can easily imagine the Princess of Wales herself wearing, perhaps with high heeled slingbacks instead. Each of the items is so classic and Carole also thought carefully about fabrics, picking out a cotton dress and linen-blend blazer.

Natural materials like these are so breathable and mean you can wear layers in the sun like Kate and Carole without totally overheating. Both women kept their blue blazers on all the time as they watched the tennis, despite the sunshine.

Carole Middleton was joined by her younger daughter Pippa in the Royal Box on Day 8 and the pair sat behind tennis icon Roger Federer. Carole often attends multiple days of the championships so this white dress and blue blazer might not be the last 2026 Wimbledon outfit from her.

The Prince of Wales's holiday plans with the family are always kept private but there could be a much more high-profile trip on the horizon this summer. Prince William has revealed that he'll be jetting off if the England Football Team is in the World Cup Final.

As President of the Football Association and a huge fan of the sport he wouldn't want to miss it, and he said as much on Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast. Recorded before England's remarkable win against Mexico to reach the final 16, the hosts asked William if he would travel over if the squad makes the finals.

He responded, "Definitely. If we're in the finals", but there's one royal who won't be heading to North America with him. King Charles and Prince William have a lot in common but father and son agree to disagree when it comes to football.

Although the Royal Family is famously sporty, the King doesn't share William's passion for football and had no involvement in his son supporting Aston Villa in the Premier League. The Prince was asked directly about this, as it's common for younger generations to support the same team as their dads.

"Absolutely not," William replied, laughing. "My father hates football. My family [hasn't] got a particularly long history with football. There are a few of us who support teams."

He might not have grown up attending matches with King Charles, but William has introduced Prince George to the wonderful game. The 12-year-old is every bit as into football as the Prince of Wales and also proudly supports Aston Villa.

Prince William has been open about not wanting to influence his children's choice of teams and is actually happy for them to support opposing sides.

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

Regardless of what Premier League team Prince George, Charlotte and Louis support, they can all join their father in getting behind England in the World Cup. They're now on summer break from school which also means they're free to travel too.

It's unlikely he'd bring all three with him if England makes it to the final as he would be there as FA President, but Prince George has been to two Euros finals with the Prince of Wales and I can imagine him going to the World Cup.

At the Euros in 2021 he matched William in a suit and royal expert Duncan Larcombe claimed to OK! that he wanted to emulate his "absolute hero".

"William would never have normally taken him to the football because it was an official outing in his role as president of the FA, but George absolutely begged to be allowed to come along," he added.

He's old enough to entertain himself whilst William is chatting to others and as he's set to be King one day, he's used to meeting officials too. Of course, Prince William's remark on the podcast suggests a trip will only happen if England is in the final and there's still a long way to go.

Pippa Middleton just gave us the perfect demonstration of what to wear in the heat when you want to feel put-together and sophisticated. She joined her mum Carole for a day at Wimbledon on 6th July and came prepared for the scorching sunshine with her gorgeous flowy midi dress and summer accessories.

It's rare to see the Princess of Wales's sister wearing something that's still in stock but her £278 Reformation Naira dress is still available in this exact colourway and several others. The design features feminine puffed sleeves and a sweeping V-neckline.

The bodice is fitted to accentuate the waist and then the skirt flares down in a timeless A-line shape to just above the ankles. Breezy summer dresses you can throw on easily and feel fabulous in are a must for anyone's capsule wardrobe and going for something with a timeless silhouette and print helps to elevate the look.

Shop Pippa's Wimbledon Outfit

Shop Dress Alternatives

If you don't love baring the tops of your arms or your shoulders, puffed sleeves like the ones on Pippa's dress or angel sleeves are a great option. That way you won't feel constricted or overheat as easily, but will still have a lovely amount of coverage.

The Reformation dress has won over woman&home Fashion Ecommerce Editor Caroline Parr already and she believes it will fly off the shelves in this hot weather.

"The bar was already high thanks to her sister's appearance at SW19 last week, but I think Pippa Middleton has just worn the best outfit I've seen so far this year at Wimbledon," she says. "The V-neckline is perfectly balanced out by the longer length of the dress, plus the puff sleeves and fitted bodice make it incredibly flattering."

Caroline adds, "The rose print is a sweet nod to her daughter's name, and actually I think this dress looks far more expensive than £278. It will sell out soon, mark my words!"

Although the Naira dress comes in various different colours and patterns, Pippa chose this one with tiny scarlet roses on the white base tone. As Caroline mentions, this could be a nod to her younger daughter Rose's name and there is another potential hidden meaning.

Red roses are the floral emblem of England and patriotic Pippa Middleton will no doubt be eager to support Great Britain's Arthur Fery against Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov. The championships are also held at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club so she's very much on-theme.

I love a floral dress which is primarily white or black as it makes the pattern stand out and the neutral background also balances it. The print doesn't overwhelm the design and you have more options for accessories which makes the dress more versatile.

The Princess of Wales's sister carried a scalloped cream Panama hat by Lock & Co and her old J. Crew rattan clutch bag. Her court shoes were white suede and she also sported a pair of dark, square sunglasses.

Keeping your accessories neutral or matching them to your dress is a simple trick Pippa uses a lot to add a sense of elegance. Raffia is a seasonal favourite and if you want to make an outfit like this more comfortable, swap heels for white trainers, sandals or wedges.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fashion lovers and royal fans alike, rejoice. A stunning new exhibition honouring the late Princess Diana will become one of London’s hottest tickets later this year.

Fleurs de Villes, an international flower show known for its floral installations with past works including tributes to everything from The Gilded Age and Wicked to Maria Callas, will stage the exhibition at Somerset House in London in support of The Diana Award, the charity established in her memory in 1999.

The exhibition will feature 15 spectacular fresh floral mannequins inspired by some of Princess Diana’s most iconic looks, all created by London’s leading floral designers.

A fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Diana’s charity and humanitarian work, the 15 mannequins will each represent a moment the late Princess supported a cause close to her heart.

These recreations will span everything from her ground-breaking advocacy for HIV/AIDS and the empathy she showed patients at a tough time, to her defiant walk through an active minefield in support of the HALO Trust - a charity that her youngest son, Prince Harry, continues to support.

The late Princess Diana - who died aged 36 in 1997 - would’ve turned 65 with this birthday, but she remains a popular presence, with her fashion still inspiring the different generations - including the new Princess of Wales, Princess Catherine.

But beyond fashion, Diana's often rule-breaking approach to royal life and her pioneering humanitarian efforts have made her a constant source of fascination and inspiration.

One of the founders of the flower show, Karen Marshall, said in a statement, “Diana’s enduring influence was never simply about what she wore, but what she stood for. We are retelling the stories of the causes she championed and the people whose lives she touched through compassion, courage, and human connection.”

The show will run from September 16 through October 6, and tickets are available now - first going on release on July 1, what would have been her 65th birthday. A portion of every ticket sold will help support The Diana Award, the charity legacy established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Inspired by the Princess’s belief that young people have the power to change the world, the award empowers young people to create positive change in their communities and beyond.

The event organisers will be hoping to recreate the demand that's been shown for the Royal Collection Trust's exhibition in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, on display at The King's Gallery near Buckingham Palace, offers the largest and most comprehensive collection of the late monarch's outfits across her historic 70 year reign.

The demand for tickets has seen the exhibition extended until April 2027, after being slated to close in October 2026.

While taking place just in London for now, it has been reported that the Fleurs de Villes Diana exhibition will go on a wider tour in 2027. Per Town & Country, the exhibition is expected to travel to more locations across the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States.

The late Princess Diana was subjected to endless headlines and tabloid gossip, so one might imagine she wouldn’t have the time of day for them. However, she would reportedly ask for some mags to be "smuggled" into the palace.

Proof that even royalty couldn’t resist the allure of a bit of scandal and tabloid fun, one of Princess Diana’s former hairdressers revealed that she would ask for them to be brought in on the sly.

Richard Dalton, who worked with Diana between 1981 and 1990, told People, "She used to say, ‘Richard, can you bring them in for me?’ Nobody questioned it because nobody knew. Once I’d got through security and into the pantry, it was all plain sailing from there."

He added, "She wasn’t allowed to see the tabloid newspapers" but once they’d been "smuggled" in, the Princess would flick through, only to find herself getting annoyed by the coverage.

He said, "I’d be doing her hair, she’d be flipping through the pages, and she’d go, ‘Ugh… Then another one comes along and then [she'd go], ‘Oh’”. He added that most of the time, despite asking to see them, it would end with Diana throwing them to the side.

While she would find herself the subject of much press attention, there was always one rumour that would affect her the most, according to Richard. And that was questions of Prince Harry’s paternity.

Tabloids were known for running stories insinuating - without merit or credit - that Diana’s youngest son might have actually been the child of Major James Hewitt. One of the reasons for this baseless rumour was Harry’s hair colour - red, like Major Hewitt’s.

However, Richard is quick to add that, having been a hairdresser to other members of Diana’s family, red hair was, indeed, a Spencer trait.

"Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, when I used to cut his hair, his hair was bright red," Dalton remembers. "Lady Sarah, also red," he notes, referencing Diana’s oldest sister. "The Spencers definitely had red hair. But at that time, I wasn't in a position to actually say, ‘Hello, Charles Spencer’s hair was red.'"

For Richard, the answer was definitive. "They always [went] on about, ‘Is Charles the father of Harry?’ Of course he is."

Diana’s reported love of tabloids fits with the picture of the Princess her close friends have painted over the years - a very modern-thinking, social person who loved the trends of the day and a good gossip.

Elton John, a close pal of the late Princess, remembered her as "blessed with social ease" in his 2019 memoir, Me. "She was fabulous company, the best dinner party guest, incredibly indiscreet, a real gossip: you could ask her anything and she'd tell you."

Prince Harry is desperate for a royal reunion, I understand. Sources tell me he would love nothing better than an invitation from his father, so Charles can see his Sussex grandchildren for the first time in four years.

This July would prove the perfect opportunity as Harry, possibly with Meghan, Archie, seven, and Lili, five, is visiting the UK for the ‘one year to go’ until the Invictus Games in Birmingham.

But there’s one problem: Queen Camilla. It’s thought that she has never really forgiven Harry, 41, for effectively throwing her under the bus in his autobiography Spare and in the TV interviews he gave to publicise it.

Harry described Camilla as ‘the villain’ and the ‘third person’ in his parents’ marriage. He accused her of being ‘dangerous’ and of launching a campaign at his expense to rehabilitate her image in the British tabloids, after Princess Diana appeared to expose her affair with the then Prince Charles.

Harry revealed that he and Prince William pleaded with their father not to marry Camilla, fearing it would cause ‘more harm than good’.

He described, in excruciating detail, the horror he felt in seeing ‘the other woman’ on his own, likening their initial meeting to having an ‘injection’ and writing, ‘Close your eyes, over before you know it.’

Moreover, he accused Camilla of leaking stories about him to the press to smooth her path to becoming queen consort. He claimed she ‘sacrificed me on her personal PR altar’ and ‘left bodies in the street’ by trading stories to secure positive headlines. Ouch! No wonder she doesn’t want to see him.

Indeed, I’m told Camilla joked ‘over my dead body’ to inviting Harry and Meghan to stay with her and the King at Sandringham or Balmoral. It may be a joke (and we now know the King has offered an olive branch in the form of a royal residence for them to stay in) but the sentiment is thought to be real!

Camilla may not, understandably, be keen. If she was to push back, which she won’t because she wants harmony for her husband, it would be yet another new fall-out that no one needs.

When Harry flew to London in February 2024, after the King announced that he was being treated for cancer, I gather he hoped to accompany his father to Sandringham, but it was made very clear that the King and Queen were taking the helicopter to Norfolk without him.

Of course, Charles could decide to see Harry (and Meghan plus the kids if they come) on his own. After Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, they both stayed with Charles at the Castle of Mey (Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother’s favourite home in the far north of Scotland), where Harry later wrote that, in hope of conceiving their first child, he sang to the Scottish mermaids, in the form of seals, on the Caithness coast. (I’m not joking - he did actually write that and, thinking it was a ‘good omen’, he jumped in the sea to swim with them!)

I understand that Camilla, by that point, had tried to befriend Meghan but had been rebuffed (like Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh) so she chose to stay in Gloucestershire.

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

A friend told me, ‘The Queen has always appreciated how hard it has been for William and Harry after the death of their mother. She never sought to take her place, and has always tried to remain sensitive. But she has kept her counsel, despite the many slings and arrows of public acrimony, to protect the monarchy. So she found Meghan and Harry’s public rejection and criticism, which caused so much damage, unforgivable.’

I am told Harry is now particularly keen for his children to spend time with King Charles during his July visit. Since Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California in spring 2020, the monarch has had only limited opportunities to see his Sussex grandchildren.

Charles has met Lilibet only once, during the Sussexes’ visit to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. That same trip also marked the last time that he saw Archie, who was then three years old.

Having the King meet the children would not only allow them to spend time with their grandfather but could also serve as a strategic move for Harry, who has previously raised concerns about not receiving the level of security he feels is necessary.

But the Queen is very protective of her husband and does not want to see him hurt – or used. So despite the reports that Harry and his family have been offered a private residence by the King, I highly doubt Camilla will be anywhere near.

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

There was cause for massive celebrations this week as Lady Louise Windsor graduated from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English.

Lady Louise, who was announced as Louise Mountbatten-Windsor as she walked across the stage to collect her degree per HELLO, is not the first royal to graduate from the institution based in Fife, Scotland - both Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attended the university (and, indeed, it’s where their love story began).

Posing with their newly graduated daughter in photos shared by the palace, Duchess Sophie - showcasing her new short bob - and Prince Edward beamed with pride. But it’s the subtle touch of Prince Edward choosing to wear the same tie that he wore when taking Louise home from the hospital as a baby that really tugged at our heartstrings.

It would appear that, like his sister Princess Anne who has made quite a trend of re-wearing pieces from decades ago, Prince Edward also holds on to his clothes for plenty of sustainable re-wear potential. The fact that he chose to wear the same green patterned tie is just such a quietly thoughtful gesture.

In the graduation photo, it also appears that mother and daughter did some subtle co-ordination. Sophie’s blue patterned dress and navy jacket matches with her daughter’s blue drop earrings.

Lady Louise started at university in September 2022, and her time there has been kept private, as it was for Prince William. Now it’s being reported by several outlets that the young royal will take a gap year - as many new graduates do.

If graduating wasn’t enough of a milestone for Lady Louise, this week she’ll also collect another accolade - and this one has sweet connections to her grandfather, Prince Philip who she shared a close relationship with, especially bonding over their love of carriage driving.

Lady Louise is set to accept her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from her father, the current Duke of Edinburgh, during a Gold Award bash at the Palace of the Holyroodhouse, King Charles' official royal residence in Scotland, during Royal Week.

Prince Philp founded the Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 1956, initially to encourage personal development for young men before entering National Service. With societal changes, this soon expanded and included young women.

The Gold Award is the highest achievement of the award, and includes the participant completing five key sections, Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential (Gold only). Both Prince Edward and Princess Catherine have previously earned the Gold Award.

After Louise’s gap year, it’s not known if she’ll join her parents as a working royal. Louise and her brother, James, Earl of Wessex, are currently not working members and haven’t taken any HRH titles that are available to them.

Discussing the matter with The Times in 2020, Duchess Sophie said, “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”

The Royal Family learn from a young age how to be diplomatic - dealing with world leaders and titans of business - but they also develop a knack for putting everyone they meet at ease.

For many people, meeting people like Prince William or Catherine, Princess of Wales, can be an overwhelming experience. And that’s why they often pick up skills to help make it easier for people - and William displayed how he uses humour to do so. Something he likely learnt from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

During a recent outing as part of his Homewards Initiative, the good-spirited Prince reportedly wasted no time in poking fun at himself and his hair loss, quipping, "Some of us don’t need hairdryers" after being handed one by one of the housing association staff.

In clips posted to social media, William's unexpected joke at his own expense was followed by a good-hearted grin. Those around him can be heard laughing too, with the Prince immediately helping put the room in a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

While this might not seem anything out of the ordinary for many of us, the fact that William - the future King - is shrewd enough to know how to level the playing field, as it were, and create a relaxed atmosphere where even he is the butt of the joke shows great empathy.

It is also something the late Queen Elizabeth II was celebrated for doing - perhaps aware that, having been such a prominent figure for the majority of her life, people would find it hard to relax around her.

Celebrated for her dry wit behind the stoic public persona, one of her former guards revealed all.

Keith Hanson, a former Yeoman of the Guard, previously told the BBC how he saw first hand the Queen’s "wonderful" ability to put people at ease.

He said, "People would freeze or be unable to speak. They'd be quivering wrecks. But the Queen was always very good at recognising that. She would very quickly make people feel welcome.

"She realised the effect she could have on people and made a real effort to reassure them".

Prince William’s latest example proving he had picked up the trait came as he was on hand to help staff at Langstane Housing Association arrange welcome packs for new tenants.

This was part of his Homewards Initiative, which aims ‘to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated’.

While he was there, William was seen chatting with the resident before carrying chairs upstairs and also delivering a welcome package. This was packed with household essentials such as cleaning products.

Prince William has made tackling homelessness one of his key issues, something that connects him to his late mother, Princess Diana.

For the 2024 ITV documentary, Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, he said, “My mother took me to The Passage. She took Harry and I both there. I must have been about 11. I’d never been to anything like that before. And I was a bit anxious as to what to expect.”

He also added, “When I was very small, my mother started talking about homelessness, much like I do now with my children on the school run.”

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

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

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

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

Recreate Kate's style

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prince William has shared rare recollections of spending time with his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, away from the public eye, when she was "completely at ease" and "off duty".

The Prince’s personal recollections come as part of a new digital memorial honouring the monarch, which is available online now, featuring tributes from both the public and those who knew her best.

As well as revealing more details about "a side of Granny the world didn’t often see", William shared that she fostered in him a love of tea time, something he still appreciates "to this day".

In his moving message, the future King recalls "many a quiet afternoon" with the Queen and the late Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. He said, "Whilst I had the privilege to know the late Queen better than most, some of my fondest memories of my grandmother are from here in Windsor.

"I remember many a quiet afternoon having tea with her and my grandfather at the castle, chatting, sharing stories, and seeing how completely at ease she was here, surrounded by family and her much-loved dogs and horses.

"To this day, she’s given me a love of teatime that I never knew I needed.

"Watching her ride her horses in the Great Park, even well into her later years, showed a side of Granny the world didn’t often see - off duty, relaxed and utterly at home. These moments with my grandmother are ones I’ll always hold dear."

The late Queen’s love for afternoon tea has been discussed before, with former Royal chef Darren McGrady revealing all about the traditions she would always follow and just exactly what was on the menu.

Speaking to Coffee Friend in the past, Darren revealed, "The Queen loved afternoon tea, I would say it’s probably one of her favourite meals."

He added that there always had to be two sandwiches on the menu and the scones had to alternate flavours each day. "It was really important the way they alternated. So much so, that the chefs at Buckingham Palace would ring Windsor Castle on a Monday morning and ask what flavour scones the Queen had the day before, just to be sure we didn’t serve the same.

"I’m not sure what would have happened if we did, but we always checked."

Touchingly, and perhaps why William continues to love teatime to this day, the Queen always made sure to have her grandson’s favourite on the menu.

Darren explained, “If she had Prince William coming for afternoon tea, she knew her grandson loved chocolate biscuit cake, so she’d write that in and put a number two. That told us there were two for tea”.

It's not just the Duke of Sussex's relationship with his father and brother that's suffered since he and Meghan moved to California. According to royal expert Duncan Larcombe, rumours are that Harry has "barely spoken" with Zara Tindall in recent years.

Writing in Woman magazine, Duncan revealed that "sources say the Duke of Sussex has all but lost touch with his one-time playmate Zara". The pair used to be incredibly close and it was partly thanks to Harry that Zara met her husband Mike during the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

"I understand they have barely spoken in the years since the prince, 41, met and married Meghan," the expert said. "Not only are they said to have drifted apart, but the old close friendship they once enjoyed has, I understand, almost entirely evaporated."

Prince Harry and Zara haven't been seen in public together since King Charles's coronation and then only briefly. Meanwhile Mike spoke about how his cousin-in-law had changed at the 2026 Hay Festival during a talk with his The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast co-hosts.

As they joked about people embarrassing themselves at the Tindalls' wedding he quipped, "A lot of other people managed that way better than you – [like] Harry, when he was fun".

It doesn't just seem to be Zara who Harry has drifted apart from. He was the only cousin not at Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling's wedding on 6th June apart from Lady Louise Windsor, who's studying in her final year at university. We don't know whether Prince Harry and Meghan were invited or if they didn't make the guest list.

In an episode of her and Reverend Richard Coles' podcast Keeping Up With The Royals, woman&home royal correspondent Emily Andrews speculated that Peter thought it would be tricky if he asked them.

"The Sussex's team wouldn't be drawn on whether Harry and Meghan were invited or not," she said. "I suspect that Peter probably didn't invite Harry and Meghan because it's too problematic."

Reports have also alleged that they hadn't spoken for a while either, though he also used to be close with Harry. He was with him and William at Balmoral when they were told Princess Diana had died and royal biographer Hugo Vickers has said Peter Phillips was a "huge help".

It was interesting to see that whilst Harry and Meghan weren't at his wedding, possibly because it would be "problematic", Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice were.

This was their first public appearance since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest in February. They've not been personally accused of anything and their father continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing, but there's been a lot of scrutiny of them by association.

Clearly, they are still quite close to Peter and he wanted them there regardless. It's sad to see how Prince Harry's relationship with his cousins appears to have also been affected by everything in recent years.

"I think it's not just William who is upset by what Harry's done," Emily Andrews said, adding. "Let's not forget that [Harry's] talked a lot about how he has felt let down in the royal machinery… I think there are many other members of the family who felt that Harry has behaved badly".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whether you're not sure what to wear to Wimbledon or want some style inspiration for elegant summer outfits in general, Zara Tindall's outfit from the 2024 championships is one that's worth reminding yourself about. She styled the ME+EM Shadow Berry maxi dress with a woven clutch and wedges to create a sophisticated ensemble that didn't feel too formal for the daytime.

The frock was covered with the most delicate botanical print, featuring green watercolour-esque leaves and tiny pink and yellow blooms that brightened up the white base fabric. If you're going to wear a patterned design, I'd advise going for something mostly neutral like this as it balances everything out and makes accessorising a lot simpler.

Recreate Zara's Wimbledon Outfit

The subtle colour contrast in Zara's dress meant it had an understated feel and the silhouette was incredibly timeless. The fitted bodice accentuated the waist, the skirt fell to just above her ankles and puffed sleeves brought a feminine flourish.

Maxi dresses can sometimes look a little too much for daytime events but Zara Tindall knows the design details to look out for to avoid this. Her dress had an A-line skirt shape which meant it was more streamlined and didn't risk going into gown territory.

The material also helped increase the versatility of this ME+EM summer dress. It wasn't super heavy or lightweight and didn't have a sheen in the same way as silk and satin or the volume of tulle, which can easily make a dress look far more evening-appropriate.

Personally, I'd advise opting for cotton or linen frocks (or options with a blend including them) which are super breathable to wear in the heat. The royal didn't need to worry about this quite so much in July 2024 and draped a white blazer over her shoulders.

She wore white open-toe wedges by YSL and carried a green Anya Hindmarch woven leather bag. Both colours coordinated with her dress and added a sense of cohesion, even though they didn't match each other.

Zara's shoes and bag were a wonderful choice and were more relaxed than a structured top handle bag and heels would've been. Wedges also offer a level of stability that you often don't get from stilettos and whether you're enjoying a day at the tennis, or a family BBQ or outing, you don't want to risk getting stuck in grass or being uncomfortable.

Neutral framed Zahra sunglasses by SOEK completed Zara Tindall's Wimbledon outfit and were a nice contemporary touch in an otherwise very classic look. This was the last time that she and Mike went to the championships, having given the London-based tournament a miss in 2025.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons that this look particularly stands out to me but it's also just incredibly chic and easy to replicate. After all, you can't really go wrong with a floral dress, espadrilles and a woven bag - and you can adjust the combination to suit your own signature style.

Prince William moves in royal circles and many of his closest friends come from his time at Eton College and St Andrews University. However, during the course of his work he's made a fair few celebrity connections too, including a surprising friendship with 22-year-old Robert Irwin.

Robert, whose late father was the famous conservationist Steve Irwin, recently appeared on ITV's This Morning where he spoke about the "privilege" of striking up an unlikely friendship with Prince William.

Hailing the future King as one of the “greatest environmentalists that we have on the planet”, Robert was also prompted by Ben to reveal more about the fact that he’s “become best mates with our future King”.

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

The 22-year-old went on, "They sit me down, and they go, 'Apparently, there's a really important call coming through.' And there he is on the laptop.

"There's Prince William. And I'm just like, 'Oh, hey, mate. Thank you so much. This is awesome.' So he is just a down to Earth human being and someone who knows the importance of conservation reaching different audiences."

Robert was the first to admit that the friendship had taken him by surprise, telling Ben that it "was not on [his] bingo card, but honestly, it’s such a privilege". The pair also share a dedicated approach to conservation and Robert was quick to share his admiration for the Prince of Wales's personal efforts.

"He is a passionate individual. When I am around other people who share that passion for conservation, it gets me so excited. And he truly is, I think, one of the greatest environmentalists that we have on the planet. He's amazing," he said.

Reflecting on their joint work, Robert continued, "His Royal Highness Prince William has become someone that I work with quite a lot through the Earthshot Prize, which is, of course, his amazing global initiative to award the biggest and brightest solutions in environmental issues."

Australian-born Robert Irwin was in the UK as part of London Climate Action Week 2026, where he joined William riding London’s 3000th electric bus. The dynamic duo “spent the day talking about climate change, and all sorts".

It won't be long before school's out for the summer in the UK and that means that the Prince and Princess of Wales will be taking a break from royal duties to enjoy quality time with George, Charlotte and Louis. Although they'll probably go and see King Charles at Balmoral during the holidays, I'd imagine the Waleses will also have a sunnier trip planned.

Prince William has spoken about loving the Isles of Scilly and they've been to Mustique and Jordan as a family before too. Wherever they go, they'll stay under the radar and travelling will change in a surprising way for Prince William and George in the future.

These two will be able to avoid the passport line completely one day thanks to a royal privilege King Charles currently has. Unlike everyone else, he doesn't ever have to worry about forgetting his passport - because he doesn't need one.

British passports are issued in the name of the Sovereign and the first page declares, "His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of His Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely".

When Prince William and Prince George each become King, British passports will be issued in their names and they'll no longer need a passport either. Travelling might get even quicker and easier for them as a result, though Kate, Charlotte and Louis would still have to always carry a passport when they're going abroad.

Since the Waleses are so high in the royal line of succession I'd expect travelling to be quicker for them than the average person anyway. Even so, not having a passport means there's one less thing to potentially forget or panic about renewing.

It can surely only make the process smoother for work trips and personal holidays alike when there's already a lot of things to remember. For a start, members of the Royal Family are believed to always pack a black outfit with them in case tragedy strikes.

Queen Elizabeth didn't have one ready during her visit to Kenya when her father King George VI passed away suddenly in 1952. By the time she left the plane in the UK she was dressed respectfully in black, as an outfit was reportedly brought on board for her.

The Prince and Princess of Wales likely also pack appropriate clothes for the activities they all love doing as a family. The children are just as sporty as their parents and on Heart Breakfast in May, William explained what they get up to when they go to the Isles of Scilly.

Calling it a "place like no other" the dad-of-three explained, "I used to come here a lot when I was younger. My parents brought us down here and it is a place like no other. The children can go where they want, it's completely safe. It's beautiful."

Hinting that George, Charlotte and Louis might love going for a swim he added, "The water is crystal clear. There's so much to do down here for a family. It's fantastic."

With so many fond memories of the Isles already, it wouldn't be a shock if William and Kate paid them another visit with the kids this summer.

There was an intriguing story about Frogmore Cottage - which is the former home of the Sussexes - recently.

I remember breaking the exclusive story that the late Queen Elizabeth had given the use of the house to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a wedding present.

Everyone had expected the Sussexes to move into Kensington Palace (a huge building which is split into apartments) as a married couple, upgrading from Harry’s bachelor pad, the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage in the grounds.

But, as I discovered, things had got so bad between Prince William and Harry, neither brother wanted to live next door to each other.

So Frogmore Cottage, which had previously been split into five staff apartments, had £2.4 million spent on it to convert it back to a single home in 2019.

Now, it’s been reported that three years after the Sussexes vacated the property, any trace of them is to be wiped!

The Crown Estate, who own the property on behalf of the monarch, are looking at plans to reverse the revamp and subdivide the house to let it to royal staff.

Harry and Meghan wanted to keep it as their UK home, but were evicted by the King in 2023, just weeks after the publication of Harry’s vitriolic, tell-all book Spare.

King Charles had wanted his brother Andrew to move there, but he opted instead for Sandringham.

I thought it was very strange that having spent all that money renovating Frogmore (which Harry pointedly paid back after he quit as a working royal) the Crown Estate would potentially rip it all out.

I can understand that it’s a bit tricky (and expensive) to let as one property as it’s within the Windsor security cordon, but surely that’s the purpose of advanced security vetting.

What’s even more bizarre is that I’m told Harry and Meghan are really annoyed about it! They have a lovely home in California - why do they care what happens with Frogmore?

But it’s the symbolism, isn't it?

The fact that not just them but even the very memory of them, and their marital home, is being removed.

First of all they were evicted (and Harry really wanted to keep it as his UK base). Now they are being erased.

Sure, it can be dressed up as ‘repurposing’ for staff accommodation. But it’s a virtual expunging from royal history. As if the ‘Harry and Meghan era’ never existed.

And that’s got to hurt.

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

Of all the late Queen’s grandchildren, Prince Harry once seemed to have a particular bond with Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Phillips (now Tindall).

The cousins shared a fun-loving and at times rebellious streak that seemed to set them apart from the more stuffy and formal members of the family.

Never was this more evident than when Zara and Harry celebrated watching the England team win the final of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney back in November 2003.

Then third in line to the throne, Harry was on a gap year in the host country Australia, while Zara was letting her hair down with pals.

They were kindred spirits who seemed to have so much in common. And, of course, it was during that trip that Zara would meet her future hubby, hunky World Cup hero Mike Tindall.

Harry had already started to earn the tag of the partying, carefree prince, while his cousin had grabbed the headlines for having her tongue pierced - something seen as an un-royal act of rebellion at the time.

Paradoxically, the cousins enjoyed a particular bond with the late Queen Elizabeth, who seemed to have an unlikely soft spot for them both.

For Harry, Zara was someone who he could be himself with, a family member who shared the same down-to-earth personality, which made her fun to be with.

And for Zara, Harry was someone who she always seemed to gravitate towards as they endured official family gatherings.

How things have changed. Six years after he fled to America, sources say the Duke of Sussex has all but lost touch with his one-time playmate Zara.

In fact, I understand they have barely spoken in the years since the prince, 41, met and married Meghan.

Not only are they said to have drifted apart, but the old close friendship they once enjoyed has, I understand, almost entirely evaporated.

One of the clearest indications of how hard things have become was served up recently by Zara’s husband. Speaking at an event at Hay Festival with his co-hosts from his rugby podcast, Mike hit the headlines for a throwaway comment he made that seemed to sum up Zara’s revised view of Harry in this post-Megxit era.

The former England centre quipped that he knew Harry ‘when he was fun’ – a remark that brought laughter from his fellow broadcaster James Haskell.

On the surface, it may have seemed a fairly harmless remark from someone who was once a drinking buddy of the spare to the heir. But in reality, it could well have hit a sore spot for Harry – after all, Mike, 47, has first-hand experience of what Harry’s cousins really think of him in recent times.

In my opinion, there is no way Mike would have risked incurring the wrath of his wife by making such a comment in public unless it truly reflected how she herself feels.

It suggested something that royal watchers have suspected for several years – that Harry’s cousins feel he has changed a huge amount, and certainly since moving away.

The fun-loving, beer-swilling royal who always managed to ease the tedium of set-piece occasions with his uniquely devil-may-care attitude towards stuffy family gatherings appears to be a thing of the past.

Instead, Harry has, it seems, become an outcast in his own family, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. Once the life and soul of the party, he is arguably a shadow of his former self.

Zara is probably far too savvy to risk making such a comment in public. But the fact her husband made it perhaps proves how Harry is viewed by the wider family who once adored him.

There is no doubt that Harry will have been made aware of the comment and it is almost impossible to imagine that it wouldn’t have stung.

Until Mike’s remark, the royals have followed a strict policy of not being drawn into tit-for-tat comments about how Harry is viewed these days. A senior royal source told me, ‘It may have been a throwaway remark, but what Mike said would have really upset Harry.'

'He has been at great pains to convince people he is living the dream since quitting life as a full-time working royal. But it perhaps reveals a lot about how Harry is now perceived by his cousin Zara in the years since he and Meghan cut ties with the family.’

Clearly, and maybe unsurprisingly, Zara seems to have lost touch with the cousin who she once shared so much with. What we don’t know is whether her view comes out of loyalty to William and Kate.

Harry will visit the UK next month, but there are currently no plans for him to see any members of his family, including Zara.

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

Despite having a "deep respect" for a centuries-old royal tradition, King Charles has decided to break it. Since Queen Victoria's reign the British monarch's official home has always been Buckingham Palace but the latest royal accounts reveal the King and Queen won't be moving there when the refurbishments are completed next year.

They'll stay at Clarence House and although there are practical reasons that could have made Charles's mind up, I suspect there's also a huge emotional motive for him giving up the tradition instead of his current residence. Clarence House was where the Queen Mother used to live and the King had an incredible relationship with his grandmother.

She looked after him and Princess Anne a lot in Queen Elizabeth's early reign and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes he wants to recreate their "magical" bond with his grandkids.

"When you've had a wonderful experience in life, it's natural to want to replicate it for your children and grandchildren," she previously claimed. "Charles had a magical relationship with his grandmother, the Queen Mother. And I’m sure his dearest wish is to give George – and his other grandchildren – a similar strong and loving relationship."

The King spent a lot of time with her at Clarence House growing up and moved in there in 2003. When he proposed to Queen Camilla he did so with a magnificent emerald-cut diamond ring that used to belong to the Queen Mother too.

Clarence House holds precious memories and associations for King Charles, so it would've been a wrench to give it up on an emotional level. It also makes sense that he and Camilla, both in their 70s, wouldn't want the upheaval of moving themselves and members of staff.

According to the BBC, this is understood to be a reason they're not going to take up residence at Buckingham Palace, as well as allowing the public greater access to the landmark. Though I still think the Queen Mother link will have made this home irreplaceable for Charles.

Even though tradition is being broken, a spokesperson made it clear that the King respects the role this iconic royal home has. They declared, "His Majesty retains huge affection for Buckingham Palace and a deep respect for its role in royal and public life. It will be a buzzing hive of royal activity in every other way".

The public could potentially enjoy having wider access to the palace for longer and His Majesty will continue to host events there. The announcement is featured in accounts after the King became the first British monarch to release their tax payments.

Clarence House is a three minute drive from Buckingham Palace and is just as convenient for King Charles as it was for his grandmother. When she died in 2002 he shared an incredibly moving message, calling her "the original life enhancer, whether publicly or privately" and saying she "meant everything" to him.

"She seemed gloriously unstoppable and, since I was a child, I adored her," King Charles said. "Her houses were always filled with an atmosphere of fun, laughter and affection, and I learnt so much from her of immense value to my life."

"She was quite simply the most magical grandmother you could possibly have, and I was utterly devoted to her," he added.

It’s a question many have been asking for some time, and one that’s more pressing than ever now it’s been reported Prince Harry could return to the UK for a trip soon - can he and Prince William ever truly reconcile?

One of the few people perhaps qualified to speak out on the relationship between the brothers is Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton. He gave decades of service to the royals, as a former secretary to the two princes, and a former equerry to the Queen Mother.

In a revealing new interview with The Times, Jamie shared that he’d "better steer clear of that Harry issue", but he added, "What I would say is that I was, and am, very fond of him. He has huge redeeming features and I’m a perennial optimist."

Jamie has been there for many of the ups and downs of Prince Harry's royal life and referred to both him and his older brother as "brave guys".

"When they were soldiers, it was important that they did it right and properly," he explained. "Harry went on operations in Afghanistan twice and [for William] you can look anybody in the eye if you’re flying a Sea King on a fixed bearing through a force 8, force 9, out in the middle of the Irish Sea or the north Atlantic to pick up a sick crewman or fly up against the cliff face of Snowdonia in gusts."

He always saw Prince William "as the Lion King" - a natural born leader - while he is said to have described Harry as more of a mischievous cub. But the former royal secretary made sure to reiterate, "I loved them both".

For his efforts, the former aide - who served as a full-time principal private secretary to both princes between 2005 and 2013 - earned the respect of the Duke of Sussex. While Harry's memoir Spare was highly critical of courtiers and palace staff described as "men in grey suits", the royal had plenty of praise for Jamie, who he referred to as JLP.

Harry wrote, "Despite his spit and polish, however, his enamelled exterior, JLP was a force, the product of Britain’s finest military training, which meant, among other things, that he didn’t deal in b*******."

"He didn’t give it, didn’t take it and everyone, far and wide, seemed to know," the Prince continued.

Mr Lowther-Pinkerton also earned the respect and trust of Prince William - so much so that he was tasked with overseeing his 2011 wedding to Catherine. He recalls, "The wedding was great. I was petrified because [William] had said to me early on, 'You’re running it.'"

Now trusted with another generation of royals, albeit in a different capacity, Jamie is looking forward to being "a better godfather" to Prince George now he’s almost a teen.

"I’m a better godfather when it comes time to have a bit of fun. I’ve got other godchildren and I have huge fun with them when they reach a certain point, so hopefully that’ll be the time when JLP comes out of the chrysalis," he said.

For a minute there I was getting worried that the Duchess of Edinburgh was totally switching up her signature style, but after some gorgeous monochrome and neutral looks she returned to her favourite tone for a visit to Jersey. Stepping out in the sunshine to visit both Government House and charity, EYECAN, Sophie wore a pink throw-on midi dress paired with gold mule wedges.

It's a combination I can't get out of my head and it's the perfect outfit to wear in the heat when you still want to feel elegant. This wasn't exactly a holiday as Duchess Sophie was in Jersey for work but the weather was glorious and I can imagine her recreating this for a private trip too.

Recreate Duchess Sophie's Look

The dress was by British clothing brand Lexy London and had puffed sleeves, a V-neckline and a softly tiered skirt. The sorbet-pink and white trellis pattern was so delicate and feminine, with tiny pops of pastel green. Making it even better, this frock is also designed to pull on over your head.

No-one wants to be taking ages over a load of buttons when it's hot and the Duchess's dress also had a drawstring at the waist so she could adjust it to be as fitted or loose as she wanted. It's 100% cotton and when you're shopping for summer dresses, natural fibres like cotton and linen are the best options as they're so breathable.

The short sleeves provided shoulder and upper arm coverage and the gently flared shape meant the bodice wasn't overly fitted and the skirt was flowy.

This kind of silhouette also helps when you want to beat the heat and floaty midi or maxi dresses naturally feel quite elegant too. Pink is something of a signature colour for the Duchess of Edinburgh and it feels particularly summery, mirroring many of the flowers that are in bloom right now.

As bright colours go, it's also quite easy to style. Pair with white, cream, tan and other light neutrals or red for a vibrant contrast. You can also take a leaf out of Sophie's book and go for gold accessories instead.

Metallics are remarkably versatile and their sheen makes any design look a little more special. Duchess Sophie brought back her gold crossover strap mule wedges from Jimmy Choo in Jersey. This is the first time we've seen her wear them this year and they have the classic jute sole we expect from espadrilles and leather uppers.

The woven detailing on wedges brings a relaxed edge to an outfit and this style is a lot sturdier than stilettos and more elevated than plain white trainers. For even more stability I'd go for wedges with an ankle strap that you can adjust to keep them perfectly secure on your feet.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was clearly very comfortable in hers throughout her busy second day in Jersey. She visited Government House and EYECAN - Jersey's only charity supporting those living with sight-impairment. Duchess Sophie chatted with families helped by the charity, helped craft paper roses and was greeted by an adorable guide dog too.

Shorts can be trickier to style than you think and I often find myself choosing something else to wear in the heat because I don't want to be worrying about coverage. Denim shorts in particular tend to be on the shorter side and can bunch up as you walk which isn't ideal.

Not everyone feels comfortable or confident in mini-length designs either but Queen Mary's midi skirt is a stunning alternative that still delivers on the denim. It's the perfect smart-casual piece for summer as the silhouette is very timeless and sleek and the fabric adds a relaxed edge.

We've not seen her wear this past season skirt before but the sunshine in Denmark has meant she's brought it out for 2026. High-waisted and A-line, it's got two pleats that accentuate the flowing shape and Queen Mary went for the Zimmermann skirt in a deep indigo tone.

Recreate Queen Mary's Outfit

Darker blue denim without a lot of variation in the wash naturally feels a bit more elevated than super mottled or light designs. The indigo colour perfectly complemented the elegant style of Mary's skirt and ensured it wasn't too much of a casual contrast against her heeled sandals.

Personally, I'd style a denim skirt like this with flats for maximum comfort, though I love the barely-there feel of her Gianvito Rossi pair. Minimal sandals can help create a leg-elongating effect as there aren't loads of straps cutting off your silhouette at different points.

This is especially great when you're wearing a longer skirt or summer dress as they already have that flowing shape. Espadrilles, ballet flats and strappy sandals would all work with a denim midi skirt for summer and Her Majesty added a white and blue striped blouse to complete the look.

White Broderie Anglaise and embroidered designs are always popular this time of year and hers featured frilled sleeves and blue and red floral motifs. Blue denim goes with pretty much anything but it looks particularly lovely with a pop of scarlet and with white so Mary nailed that combination.

She chose a very feminine flared skirt shape that accentuates the waist and can be balanced out by puffed sleeves or statement shoulder details. Column skirts are more understated and sleek, though they also tend to be more fitted as a result.

If you want maximum breeziness then I'd maybe follow Mary's example. Whatever design you choose, you could easily swap out a shirt for a vest top, camisole or T-shirt to suit different occasions just as you would with a pair of shorts.

Some subtle gold jewellery completed the Queen of Denmark's look and she wore this gorgeous ensemble to her daughter Princess Isabella's school graduation. Even in a heatwave the royals always look put-together and though this wasn't an official engagement, Mary's signature style tends to be on the smarter side.

This makes a denim skirt an ideal option instead of very relaxed, mini denim shorts and I suspect she might get a lot of use out of this if the weather stays warm.

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

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

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

Recreate Kate's Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some swear by a cup of herbal tea. Others might nod off to the radio. For Prince William, it's the thought of making a difference that helps him sleep at night. Speaking candidly at a business forum for The Royal Foundation's United For Wildlife on 22nd June, he spoke about how his work to protect the environment goes some way towards keeping anxiety "at bay".

The event was held as part of London Climate Action Week and the Prince of Wales reflected on the impact of his Earthshot Prize.

"For me, it keeps my environmental anxiety at bay, because I can actually see some of the things we are doing are bringing change," he explained. "We can do this. There are actually tangible benefits, and it helps me sleep at night."

During his talk, he spoke passionately of the environmental award which he launched in 2020 alongside Sir David Attenborough. When the pair first unveiled the initiative, they laid out their mission plan, revealing they would give out £50M across 10 years to inventors and pioneers working to solve environmental issues across the planet.

Now in its sixth year, William touched on the "sweaty nights" that he’ll be having as that first Earthshot decade is nearly up - and what the plan is next. Speaking to former Vice President of the United States (and long time climate campaigner) Al Gore, William also said, "We have some debating to do. It is going to keep us on our toes."

The future King urged business leaders to do more, proving that leadership starts with oneself.

He told a group made up of some of the world’s largest businesses, including Meta and Amazon, "Many of you can be more ambitious and courageous in what you do for the planet and for the environment."

"Be the leader you wanted to be when you were growing up, not the one you are in the business right now. Touch into what you were when you were a child and what you wanted to see in the world, and you know, bring those values to light as a CEO," William continued.

This appeal is something that is incredibly personal to the Prince of Wales, who has previously revealed that he shares messages of hope about changing the planet with Prince George, Charlotte and Louis.

During a conversation with Christiane Amanpour at The Earthshot Prize Impact Assembly in late 2025, William spoke about the importance of positivity. He said, "You have to provide leadership and a vision that there’s good things to come and that it’s not all negative."

"For my children, particularly, knowing the planet’s going to be in a healthier, better state because of the brilliant people in this room is something that I love to tell them when they go to bed," he added.

Prince William's father King Charles has been advocating for the environment for decades - even before it became such a mainstream topic. And it clearly rubbed off on his son, and now, it seems that the future of conservation and environmentalism might just pass down to William’s children, too.

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

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

Shop Kate's Heatwave Saviours

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s a big summer for Prince George – his first as a teenager (he turns 13 at the end of July) and his last before senior school. A huge transition - and allied to that is his further preparation as future King.

For some, the choice of Eton College was distinctively unimaginative. After all, this is a school that has educated the future elite (and indeed Princes William and Harry) for centuries. A rather pithy line in the Good Schools’ Guide says it is ‘a school so good, that many people choose it despite its name, not because of it’.

So it was for the Prince and Princess, who were spotted visiting numerous schools over the last few years – and have studied everything from sports teams to mobile phone policies and pastoral care before reaching a decision.

George will start there in September - with his parents hoping he will make the same discreet, loyal band of friends that they themselves made at boarding school, and still count on today.

The timing of the announcement was entirely the decision of the Prince and Princess.

Although the decision had been taken some time ago, they wanted to wait until George had sat his final exams (Common Entrance) and deter any last-minute applications from royal hangers-on.

It’s a big transition for George - and one that his parents have thought about a huge amount. One of the deciding factors was that Eton is all boys - in the world of smartphones and social media, that gives any nascent teenage angst a little more protection. Another factor was the closeness to the family home of Forest Lodge, set in the environs of Windsor Great Park.

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

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

Through the use of expensive lawyers clamping down on any unauthorised pictures, direct appeals to fellow parents not to take mobile phone pictures of their children and support from the mainstream media, you will never see a ‘candid’ shot.

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

It’s meant that George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, 8, have enjoyed a very normal childhood (as much as it can be normal when you’re heir to the throne).

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

Eagle-eyed royalists may spot the back of one of the royal children in an outdoor lesson, meeting the Lambrook school tortoise Larry or competing in skiing competitions on their school’s website. But in the main, their Berkshire prep school has given them an anonymous and extremely privileged education.

That’s not to say that they are protected from every challenge. At this year’s Trooping the Colour, like last year, Kate and the children were booed as they rode to and from Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn landau carriage.

The pressure group Republic noisily protest at most royal occasions and their yellow placards of ‘Not My King’ are now a familiar sight.

But it was notable that the Princess of Wales fixed the group (mandated by the Metropolitan police to stand in a certain contained area of the Mall) with an icy stare as she passed.

She is more steely than appearances may suggest. And, certainly, will have been less than pleased that her young children were subjected to that, freedom of expression notwithstanding.

The Wales children finish school at the start of July and a summer holiday of sailing, swimming and picnics at Anmer Hall on the Norfolk coast beckon.

Prince William (possibly accompanied by football-mad George and Charlotte) may visit the USA for the football World Cup and celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. But the family will also focus on life in Windsor.

Being the future face of the British monarchy is a lot to expect of the Wales children. But their slow and steady introduction to public life, plus the hugely hands-on parenting and emotional support of their mother and father, stand them in extremely good stead.

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

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

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

Shop Kate's Trainers

Shop More Of Her Fashion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There has been a lot Prince Harry has lost or given up since he moved to the US, including his honorary military roles and HRH title. However, despite all the changes there's one part of himself he's refused to give up. When he was a working royal the Duke of Sussex was Patron of English rugby and was also a huge supporter of the English football team.

This is something he's carried through into his LA life as despite this summer's FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Harry's loyalty to England squad is rock solid. So much so that he's inspiring Prince Archie to support his father's home team too.

We saw the seven-year-old proudly wearing a red, white and blue English football shirt in the Father's Day photo Meghan posted on Instagram this year.

The picture showed both Archie and Lilibet hugging Harry tightly, and we got a good glimpse of the rose design on the Prince's shirt. Some people might've expected Archie to support the US football team since it's a home World Cup for them but clearly Prince Harry stepped in to steer his son in another direction.

Sport is one of the ways the King's younger son can show fierce patriotism for his home country despite not living there anymore. It's a connection to the UK for him and now for Archie too, giving father and son something they can enjoy together like Prince William and George when they go to watch England or Aston Villa play.

Archie is getting into playing too, as Meghan recently shared a spring-to-summer photo round-up which included a sweet snap of him and Harry kicking a giant football.

Football isn't the only game Prince Harry is determined to get Archie involved in, though. The Duke of Sussex used to be Patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League before his patronages were stripped. Rugby is a big passion of his and even when his son was a toddler, Harry had visions of Archie playing it too.

"What I need is a few mini rugby balls that I can then get Archie involved with the game because at the moment it's impossible to find any," he said in summer 2020. "But I've got a little space outside, which I'm fortunate enough to have so I need to get him playing some Rugby League."

Rugby isn't nearly as popular in the US as it is in the UK, so once again this is Harry introducing his son to part of his heritage. Perhaps they'll both be excitedly cheering England on in their matches throughout the World Cup.

As President of FIFA, Prince William could possibly make the trip to America this summer to watch a game in person. Meanwhile, reports have alleged that a UK visit could be on the cards for the entire Sussex family very soon.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet haven't been to the UK since 2022 so this would be a big moment for them. Even though they've spent very little time there, Prince Harry has always tried to give his children an upbringing with British elements.

The Sussex siblings have been raised to call their father "Papa" just like their Wales cousins do, even though "Dad" is far more common, particularly in America. They call Meghan "Mama", though when they've written her a letter before they've addressed it "Mummy". She's said she loves this, adding that it's "very British".

King Charles has experienced plenty of 'firsts' since he ascended the throne but none quite like his latest. It's been confirmed that His Majesty will release his personal tax bill to "encourage wider understanding of our accountability".

This means revealing the total tax payments on any income and personal investments, as well as tax paid on anything made from private estates and holdings, such as the Duchy of Lancaster. Some people might be surprised that this wasn't already happening, but it's actually quite a major announcement.

Revealing the motivation behind the huge change, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson explained, "To put it simply, we continue to modernise and evolve. Our aim is to explain all elements of royal finances in a way that further enhances clarity and accessibility, while also placing it in its historical and constitutional context."

The Palace also confirmed this was an "express wish" of the King himself, a sign that he is walking the walk when it comes to his desires to modernise the monarchy.

The spokesperson shared, "While this is the first time a monarch has shared this personal tax information, you may recall it was similarly released by His Majesty when he was Prince of Wales. The decision to do so as sovereign has come at the express wish of the King himself, as part of the adaptations carried across since accession."

Monarchs are not obliged to pay income tax, inheritance tax on what they receive from a previous monarch or capital gains tax. However, following in his mother’s lead, the King voluntarily pays both income tax and capital gains tax.

Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to voluntarily start paying income tax in 1993, though she never declared a tax bill. The momentous move by Her Majesty came at a time when the royals were under scrutiny by the public for their finances.

Following the fire at Windsor Castle, there were some who were critical of the idea that the taxpayer should shoulder the cost of repairs. In a diplomatic move that proved she could bridge the gap between the monarchy and the people, the Queen chose to start paying income tax each year.

King Charles's desire to revolutionise the royal finances is just one more example of him redefining the role of the monarch and putting his own stamp on things - something which started pretty much as soon as he acceded the throne in 2022.

Trimming down some of the spectacle, his coronation in 2023 had a reported 2000 attendees, compared to the 8000 or so that were invited to Queen Elizabeth’s in 1953.

King Charles has also opened up more of the royal residences to the public. This includes the opening of Queen Elizabeth's former private living quarters at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for the first time ever this year. According to reports this is so that the Royal Family can contribute more in raising funds themselves.

A palace source told Vanity Fair, "The king wants to open more palaces to the public. It's a way of making money for royal charities like the Royal Collection and the King's Foundation while allowing the public to experience something unique."

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

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

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

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

Speaking on ITV's Our Queen at Ninety Kate said, "Everyone feels like they've had some quality time with Her Majesty and, also, a real personal connection and I think that's a real skill."

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

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

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

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

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

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

The sun is out and we're all wondering what to wear in this heat that will help us keep cool as well as looking elegant. Lightweight, flowy dresses that skim your silhouette are perfect and this style is also the go-to for many famous faces in summer.

This includes Pippa Middleton and although she's rarely seen in public nowadays she used to be spotted a lot in the summer and her ravishing red midi dress is still one of my favourites. She wore the Ralph Lauren piece to the French Open in 2018 and we know this style works for hot weather as was very sunny at the tennis that day.

Recreate Pippa's Outfit

When she's not wearing neutrals Pippa often styles bright red and her frock was a vibrant scarlet with a delicate white nautical print of compasses, ships and fish. Red is so bold that having a neutral mixed in with it can help mellow things and also allows the pattern to really stand out.

The Ralph Lauren dress fell to midi-length, providing a lovely amount of leg coverage whilst still being very floaty and breezy for the heat. The short sleeves were also flowy and the bodice had an adjustable wrap design that accentuated the V-neckline.

Versatile dresses like Pippa's are perfect for a summer capsule wardrobe as you can imagine her wearing this with heels to a wedding, as well as to the tennis or day-to-day. The white print made accessorising very easy, as white bags and shoes would tie in effortlessly and look polished.

Her shoes were classic ivory wedges and although she and Kate love wearing British clothing brands a lot, they make an exception with espadrilles. Castañer is their favourite place to shop for them and Pippa Middleton stepped out in the lace-up Carina shoes at the French Open.

Wedges give you a bit more stability than you typically get from stilettos and are easier to walk in on grass too, which is a bonus for a season full of outdoor events. They're a style step up from your favourite white trainers without compromising on comfort.

The woven jute soles coordinated with Pippa's raffia crossbody bag and these textures always bring an extra summery edge. Crossbody bags are also so useful as they leave you hands-free and they can be used to make a more elevated ensemble feel a bit more relaxed.

In contrast, clutches and top handle bags are naturally more structured and formal. Pippa struck a great smart-casual balance in Paris and she finished off her look with black Ray-Ban sunglasses and a white and red fedora hat to protect her from the sun.

On a cooler day you could layer a white cardigan or blazer over the top of an outfit like hers but right now this is definitely not necessary! It clearly wasn't in 2018 either but the future Queen's sister looked chic and comfortable as she enjoyed watching the tennis with her husband James.

The Prince of Wales’s birthday falls on Father’s Day and gives his family the opportunity to share a new photo in celebration of both occasions. Last year they broke tradition and shared a snap of William with their spaniel Orla and her puppies. For 2026 they also did things a little differently and posted a picture of the proud dad with just Princess Charlotte.

Taken by Matt Porteous after Trooping the Colour, it showed them in the Kensington Palace gardens with their arms around each other. The caption was signed with Catherine and all the children’s initials, though the fact that Charlotte was the only one actually in the picture with William is intriguing.

Before becoming a dad he did a lot to change things for a future daughter - and apparently confessed he wanted his first baby to be a little girl.

Writing in William & Catherine, royal author and editor Russell Myers claimed, "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."

He suggested the Princess of Wales "had her heart set on" Alexander for a son and Alexandra for a daughter. The couple hadn't found out the gender of their firstborn in advance and when they welcomed a little boy in 2013, they ended up giving Prince George the middle name Alexander.

When Charlotte was born two years later Prince William finally got his wish and she was given Diana as one of her middle names. Their close father-daughter bond was unmissable in the new picture and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that William might have a particularly special relationship with his daughter.

"I think daughters and dads tend to have a very special relationship - especially when there's only one little girl in the family," she claimed to The Sun in 2024. "And this seems to be true for William. I'm sure he's immensely proud of all three of his children, but there is perhaps a particular place in his heart for his sporty little Charlotte."

He was spotted wearing a friendship bracelet made and given to him by Charlotte during his visit to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize in November. The Prince of Wales also admitted that the first time he'd grown his beard she hadn't liked it…

"Well Charlotte didn't like it the first time. I got floods of tears, so I had to shave it off," he reportedly explained. "And then I grew it back. I thought, hang on a second, and I convinced her it was going to be OK."

Her opinion clearly means a lot to him and before he became a dad William pushed for change to ensure a daughter would stay ahead of a younger brother in the royal line of succession. Russell Myers claimed the Prince "raised the issue" with Queen Elizabeth "in the lead-up" to his and Catherine's wedding.

The law was changed, so Princess Charlotte will always be above Prince Louis in the succession. This was a big moment and William's closeness with his daughter in the new picture shows their incredible relationship and how he's blossomed as a girl dad, championing her within the Royal Family.

If I had to guess what the Duchess of Edinburgh's favourite season to dress for is, it would have to be summer. From her love of floral frocks to her affinity for pastel pink and espadrilles, this time of year suits Sophie's signature style to a tee.

She has so many gorgeous occasionwear looks but if I had to pick my favourite summer outfit she's worn it has to be her Wild Bloom midi dress from British clothing brand ME+EM and her crochet bag. This combination is more understated and she wore it to the Hampton Court Garden Festival last June with white wedges.

The baby blue dress had a high round neckline with a subtle keyhole detail and short puffed sleeves. The bodice was fitted and the skirt was A-line, creating a form-skimming silhouette.

Recreate Duchess Sophie's Look

For Royal Ascot and other big events the Duchess of Edinburgh tends to go for more voluminous floral dresses and I love that this one was streamlined. It still felt elegant but in a slightly more relaxed way. This is why I think a floral dress like Sophie's would be such a useful piece for a summer capsule wardrobe, as it can be made smarter with heels for a summer wedding as well as being styled more casually.

Running all over the frock was delicate orange and pink floral detailing and the final effect was like an illustration. These kinds of intricate patterns add a sophisticated edge compared to ditsy florals which can sometimes be a bit twee, or splashy florals which are more abstract.

Another reason this is my favourite Sophie summer outfit is because of how she brought some fun into it with her bag. She could have gone for a matching blue clutch or a neutral top handle bag but instead she opted for a tan and blue bucket bag.

The Capri design by Sophie Habsburg also features a distinctive gold circular handle and the mix of the raffia and floral crochet materials works perfectly for summer. Worn with her timeless dress, it brought a beachy, playful element.

The blue tied in with the piping on the waistband of her frock and Sophie has worn this crochet bag countless times over the years, including to Peter and Harriet Phillips' wedding in early June. It's her go-to for this time of year and it's amazing how textured accessories like this can change how an outfit feels and make them more low-key.

She finished off her Garden Festival look with white espadrille wedges and the jute sole coordinated with the raffia sections of her handbag. A pairing like this can be styled with so many different looks and there'll be a natural sense of cohesion.

Although Duchess Sophie's collection of wedges includes pairs that tie up around your ankles she generally prefers straps which mean she doesn't have to worry about them coming undone. Flat espadrilles, sandals or even white trainers would also work with this kind of outfit depending on the occasion and how much walking you're doing.

Sophie was out for hours, viewing The Community Brain 'Willow Woman' Fashion Garden and a fashion show by Kingston University's graduate students. But she still found time to enjoy an ice cream in the sunshine in this stunning summer look!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Princess of Wales often sends subtle messages through her outfits and Carole Middleton is surely well aware of how fashion can tell a story. I'd imagine she puts just as much thought into what she wears for big occasions so her dress on Day 3 of Royal Ascot caught my attention.

She and her husband Michael enjoyed a day at the races together and Carole wore a knee-length peppermint-green coat and dress by Kate's go-to designer Catherine Walker. It featured neat lapels and darts running down the jacket to give it extra shaping and volume.

The colour is perfect for a summer capsule wardrobe and Carole Middleton has owned it for years. It's actually the same dress she wore to Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018 and it seems to be the first time she's been seen in it since then.

Recreate Carole's Ascot Look

Shop More Mint Favourites

There's no way that Carole didn't think this connection would be spotted given the amount of press coverage Royal Ascot always gets. She still wore the green two-piece and many people might be surprised to see this throwback link to the Sussexes.

Prince Harry has been very open about wanting to reconcile with the Royal Family, however it's thought that he and Prince William haven't seen each other since 2024. As she's the Princess of Wales's mum, it's natural to see Carole as being aligned with the Waleses instead of Harry and Meghan.

However, the Duke and Duchess's wedding day was a joyful occasion, years before they stepped back as working royals. Perhaps wearing this same coat and dress is a way for Carole to nod back to these happier times and mint green is often associated with tranquillity and healing.

There could also be a much simpler explanation for her choice. How many times does someone get to re-wear something as luxurious and formal as a jacket and dress set? It's not like Carole is a royal herself, so she might not have many opportunities to enjoy this design compared to Kate who goes to a lot of big events.

On Day 2 of Ascot she stepped out in the pink Catherine Walker Mother of the Bride coat dress she wore to Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017. Wedding re-wears are sensible if she doesn't want these pieces to stay in storage at home.

I think the Princess of Wales's mum probably has a big collection of wedding outfits, though, so she could still have picked others over the mint green one. Maybe this suggests that Carole chose her style for both practical and meaningful reasons.

The colour of her jacket and matching dress is also beautiful for the heatwave, bringing to mind refreshing mint ice cream. This shade of green works well with white and cream for contrast and you can also lean into the pastels and pair it with blush or lilac.

At Ascot we saw Carole Middleton styling her co-ord with neutral accessories, all from British clothing brands. Her raffia top handle bag and suede slingbacks from Emmy London added texture to the look and she also wore a wide-brimmed cream Catherine Walker hat with a mint green flower decoration.

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

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

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

Now I'd say Kate is very much back!

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

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

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

Claire was crying. She was not the only one.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is there anything more summery than a barbecue? Even the Royal Family like firing up the grill this time of year and according to Mike Tindall, Zara is a bit of an expert. Speaking exclusively to woman&home's royal correspondent Emily Andrews in the July issue, the rugby star confessed his wife is better at barbecuing than he is.

"Zara is competitive in everything!" he said. "I think that's the individual mindset. And she's an amazing cook, better than me 100% and better on the barbecue."

She might be the BBQ pro but Mike still likes to be involved, adding, "I enjoy standing around a barbecue because what man doesn't? It makes you feel even manlier cooking meat! But washing up and clearing up, that's my space."

It seems like Zara Tindall has inherited her love - and skill - at cooking on the barbecue from her late grandfather Prince Philip who was famous for his at-home grills. He might've been the husband of a reigning Queen, but Philip liked a challenge and once he decided to learn how to BBQ he put everything into it.

His BBQs are remembered fondly by his grandchildren and Prince William once explained that when the royals go on barbecues "there's no chef, there's [no-one] else".

"Every barbecue that I've ever been on, the Duke of Edinburgh has been there cooking," he told the BBC documentary, Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers, in 2021, which was filmed both before and after the Duke's death.

William added, "He'd be the first person to say when he started off he hadn't got a clue what he was doing. But such is the way that he is that he tackles a new challenge, and, you know, grapples it and learns as he does it. And he's mastered it."

When Prince Philip passed away Prince Harry even called his grandfather "master of the barbecue" - as well as "legend of banter". Cooking for his family was probably a nice change for Philip and gave them a slice of normal life outside the palace with its chefs.

Duchess Sophie has said before that Prince Edward is also "very good at barbecues" which his own children Louise and James love so those memories of Philip grilling have clearly inspired several generations of his family. I'd love to know if it's Zara or Edward that the royals turn to most now, as they've both nailed this summer skill.

At least Zara Tindall has Mike to clear things up! She might take after Philip with the cooking, but Mike is following in Queen Elizabeth's footsteps with the washing up.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron said in 2022 that it was an "extraordinary treat" to go to Balmoral each year and recalled what it was like eating a meal with the Queen and Prince Philip out on the moor.

"And there at a sort of converted bothy, an old cottage on the hill, would be the Duke of Edinburgh with a barbeque he'd built himself, barbequing grouse for your dinner," he said. "I'm not making this up, you sat down and Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen served your dinner and cleared it away and washed it up while you sat talking with the other guests."

If the rumours are to be believed, it would be bigger than Spare. The ultimate first-hand account, not merely a publishing phenomenon but an extended multi-platform event including interviews, streaming components and global rights deals.

Meghan Markle's autobiography. For years it has been talked about as a potential project, never fully confirmed.

Indeed, buried right at the end of a Vanity Fair piece on the Sussexes last year was a reported rumour that Meghan's team had quietly floated the concept of a post-Harry divorce book to publishers.

The conversations (and, yes, supposedly, there were conversations!) were intended to gauge publisher interest in a hypothetical tell-all in the event of a future split.

Vanity Fair was quick to say that it was all purely exploratory (no manuscript, written proposals or offers) and any discussion was just to assess the appetite for such a memoir.

The appetite would surely be huge, and - given that Prince Harry received a reported £16 million in advance for his autobiography - so would the financial offers!

After all, neither she nor Harry has ever really gone into detail about some of their most damaging claims against the Royal Family, or who or what made Meghan feel suicidal and how she feels about it all now.

But it's widely believed Meghan keeps a diary and detailed records.

According to one publishing insider, 'Voice notes on her phone at 1am. Written journals. Structured reflections. She has been documenting everything since before Megxit.'

Its release would surely be bigger than Harry's Spare, which became the fastest selling non-fiction book of all-time, shifting more than 1.4 million copies on its first day of release in January 2023. By the following year, sales were in excess of six million. Publishing experts say Meghan's book could surpass even those numbers.

Although presumably a Meghan memoir would explore her life prior to joining the Firm - growing up as a child of divorce, struggling to make it in Hollywood before winning the part of Rachel Zane in Suits - it would of course be the past 10 years, since her relationship with Harry became public, that would generate the most headlines.

We already know from the couple's Netflix documentary how deeply hurt Meghan felt by the way she claims she was treated by Harry's family, by the press and by her own father.

Meghan also has a network of powerful Californian friends upon whom to call.

Neighbour Oprah Winfrey was the first to help Meghan and Harry tell their 'truth' on primetime TV - prompting that genius line from the late Queen Elizabeth that 'recollections may vary'.

Watched by 17 million Americans, 11 million Brits and millions more worldwide, the CBS interview in March 2021 was a global cultural event.

Meghan also counts Mellody Hobson as a mentor. Co-chief executive of Ariel Investments and former chair of Starbucks, the 57-year-old is married to Star Wars film-maker George Lucas and is a stellar networker in the world of finance and media. Such is her influence, she can open just about any door in Hollywood.

Another influential pal is Nicole Avant, a former diplomat who is married to the Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

Although the Netflix relationship has cooled - the Sussexes' five-year £74 million deal was only extended in a non-exclusive arrangement and the streamer pulled out of Meghan's As Ever lifestyle business - the personal relationships are still good.

Nicole, 58, has reportedly long been an advocate for Meghan - particularly behind the scenes in the notoriously tricky la-la land of Hollywood.

It's she who is thought to have fostered conversations about how a potential Meghan memoir could be developed in partnership with Netflix.

Meghan reportedly sees the book as an opportunity for a reset, and she would like to highlight what she sees as her success in America, as well as tell her version of events.

But the timing is risky.

Harry is desperately trying to mend his relationship with his father King Charles, and a new Meghan memoir could derail that. Thus, any publication is not believed to be imminent.

Harry wants to stabilise and improve relations with the Royal Family and is said to be pleased that Archie, seven, and Lili, five, have occasional chats and video calls with their grandfather.

So Meghan knows a book is a risk - but it's also leverage.

You can bet your bottom dollar that much of her memoir is already written. It's really just a question of when she'll decide to publish...

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

The newest member of the Royal Family, Mrs Harriet Phillips, made her first post-wedding appearance on 16th June at Royal Ascot. Dressed in a gorgeous dusty blue frock and matching hat, she even got to make a very regal entrance alongside her mother-in-law Princess Anne and husband Peter.

Harriet was all smiles as she rode in the royal procession on Day 1, sitting in pride of place beside Princess Anne in the carriage. She had the traditional name badge pinned to her dress, reading, "Mrs Peter Phillips", and whilst this was to be expected, her subtle tribute to her husband was more of a surprise.

She made the sweet gesture of having her new initials monogrammed on to her matching blue Anya Hindmarch clutch bag.

This touching detail suggests that Harriet has jumped right into her new life as the wife of Peter, considering their wedding took place less than two weeks before Royal Ascot. Harriet and Peter married on 6th June, in a small, private ceremony followed by a reception at Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate.

Harriet’s closeness with her new mother-in-law was also on show at Ascot, with the pair caught laughing and chatting away as they rode in the second carriage of the procession. She was also spotted bonding with her new sister-in-law, Zara Tindall, before she headed to the Royal Box to watch the proceedings.

Even Harriet’s style choices nod to the fact that she’s fitting in well with her new family. Her high-necked blue dress is made by Suzannah London, designed in the Biarritz style and, per the brand’s website, is inspired by the late 1940s vintage tea dress style.

The designer is a go-to for the likes of Duchess Sophie and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Harriet’s matching hat was made by another royal favourite, milliner Jane Taylor London, who also made Kate's sunshine yellow hat from Ascot Day 2.

Staying in that honeymoon bubble, Harriet’s choice of jewellery was a link back to her wedding day too. She wore a set of Pragnell jewels and was loaned the Pragnell Tiara to wear for her nuptials. The Edwardian pearl and diamond design has a deep connection to the family she married into, having been present at the coronations of both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Harriet's wedding tiara also paid subtle tribute to the royals in another way as it's very similar to Princess Anne's Meander Tiara.

The laurel leaves and articulated floral motifs, per the jeweller's website, bear "great resemblance to the tiara owned by The Princess Royal, in the official photograph celebrating her fiftieth birthday in 2000". As well as being worn by Princess Anne often over the years, the Meander Tiara was worn by Zara for her 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall.