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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shop Zara's Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Complete The Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Complete The Look

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recreate Queen Mary's Outfit

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shop Duchess Sophie's Outfit

Shop More Cord Skirts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to move back to the UK this month has sparked a flurry of questions and the biggest one is where will they live? They used to be based at Frogmore Cottage but fully vacated the property in 2023 and I suspect returning to the Windsor estate would feel a little too much like stepping back into their old lives.

Anyway, we understand that the Sussexes won't be living at a royal residence, but at a private home outside of London. As soon as I saw this, one location sprung to mind as my best guest - Northamptonshire and perhaps more specifically, a property on or owned by the Althorp Estate.

The 90-bedroom Althorp House nestled in the 13,000 acre estate is where Princess Diana grew up and it's currently owned by her brother Charles, Earl Spencer. The Estate is vast and the Sussexes visited it in July and paid their respects at Diana's grave.

The Duchess of Sussex shared a snap of her children and husband in what's widely thought to be the Althorp grounds, with Archie and Harry both carrying huge bouquets of flowers. It's been suggested by the BBC that the children loved spending time with the Spencer family and the trip to Europe was what made a move to the UK a "firm decision".

Apparently, Harry and Meghan's choice was driven by a desire to educate their kids in the UK and to spend time nearer his family. Another picture included in the Duchess's holiday round-up looks like it features Earl Spencer lying on a sun lounger by a pool, which suggests that Harry has maintained a very close bond with his uncle.

Harry and Meghan also managed to visit Althorp with Archie and Lili without being spotted and living in Northamptonshire would give them a level of privacy they wouldn't get in London. It's close enough to the capital for them to travel down to see King Charles easily too.

The monarch was reportedly told about the move on 16th August and welcomes the opportunity to spend more time with the Sussexes. His grandchildren are said to be enrolled in a British school to start in September and it might make the move easier for them if they're nearby to family they've already spent time with recently.

Northamptonshire also has a lot of beautiful countryside and space for the children to enjoy time outdoors and for the family pets. All of these details have made me think this could be where Prince Harry and Meghan will settle when they move back.

Alternatively, Gloucestershire is where King Charles's Highgrove House is and it's also where Princess Anne, her two children and their families live. This county could provide another family base, though it's been alleged that Harry isn't as close to his cousins as he used to be.

Of course, we'll find out soon enough anyway, as there are just a few weeks left of August and most British schools start in early September. Wherever they end up living, the Duchess of Sussex will likely share glimpses of it on her Instagram like she's done with their California home.

It'll also be very interesting to see whether the Sussexes will start attending a few more family events, such as Christmas with the royals at Sandringham.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning another trip to the UK this month - and this time, they're reportedly here to stay. A month after their reunion with the King at Highgrove and six years after stepping back as working royals, it's believed Harry and Meghan are moving to Britain with Prince Archie (7) and Princess Lilibet (5).

According to the BBC, the Sussexes have enrolled their children to start in a British school from September and they'll be living outside of London in a non-royal residence. At the moment there's no suggestion that Prince Harry or Meghan will resume royal duties.

This has come as a surprise to many, but perhaps we should've taken Prince Harry's hint last year more seriously. The Duke of Sussex praised this "wonderful" aspect of British life to singer Joss Stone and it was why she was "drawn to come back" herself.

Joss and her family used to live in the US and spoke to Hello! in September 2025 about a conversation she and Harry recently had at the WellChild Awards about schools.

"He was saying how wonderful the schools are here and how important community is for children," she alleged. "It was nice to share that with him because it's exactly why we felt drawn to come back - for the kids to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and a strong sense of belonging and most importantly in a safe environment."

According to Joss, the King's youngest son was "genuinely interested" in her move and asked how they were "settling back in" to life in the UK. In light of the new reports of Harry and Meghan relocating, maybe this was his way of getting some advice and a feel for what it might be like.

It's possible that the Sussexes were already considering the idea of moving back then and this would make sense as it can take months to enroll a child in school. It would've required a lot of pre-planning to put the wheels of a transatlantic move in motion.

Back then Joss wondered, "Maybe Harry will move back too. That would be nice", and now it looks like she predicted it perfectly.

The timing of their choice is particularly interesting, as reports claim that King Charles was told on Sunday, 16th August and not in July at Highgrove. For all we know, Archie and Lilibet were enrolled in schools in the UK and US just to be safe and the meeting with the King and time in the UK were the deciding factor for their parents.

The BBC understands that His Majesty "welcomes the opportunity" to see more of the Sussexes "in a private and personal capacity". Harry and Meghan's Europe trip in July is said to have helped cement the decision to move.

In an interview, also last September, the Duke of Sussex was open about how he wanted to focus on spending time with King Charles. He said that over the coming year "the focus really has to be on my dad", months after he was heavily criticised for saying he doesn't know "how much longer" the monarch has, but reaffirmed his love for a royal reconciliation.

Living back in Britain, closer to his family, will surely be a positive step in this direction for Harry and Meghan.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was incredibly close to her late mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth, so it might come as a surprise to learn that she was once told to leave the table at a dinner in Scotland. However, the reason for Her Majesty's suggestion makes all the difference, as it turns out Sophie was actually desperate to leave.

Telling the hilarious anecdote on BBC 5 Live Sport, the Duchess revealed she was at Balmoral with the Queen and Prince Philip when Team GB played in the 2016 Women's Hockey Olympic final. An avid fan, she'd been sending messages to them "all the way through" the matches but the evening of the final the time difference put her in a tricky position.

"That evening, of course, it was a completely different time zone and so I started off watching the match and then I had to go into dinner," she said, adding that she was "twitching by the end".

Throughout the meal, Sophie was kept updated on the score by someone helping at the table. When they had finished eating, she sat there wondering what was happening and was so obviously eager to find out that Queen Elizabeth stepped in.

"Eventually Her Majesty sat there and said, 'Oh, for goodness sake, just go!'," Sophie shared. "So I ran through to the library and I was watching it and my father-in-law, the late Duke of Edinburgh, came through and he loved good sport and he sat down and was watching it with me."

Laughing, the senior royal admitted that Philip had probably been "watching [her] reaction more than he was watching the television" because she was "living and breathing every moment".

We're used to hearing stories about the Princess of Wales being super competitive, but Duchess Sophie was being so enthusiastic that the Queen came next door too.

After seeing her daughter-in-law "leaping up and screaming", Her Majesty stood in the doorway but could only watch for a short time before "she had to take herself away again". Apparently, the pressure of watching Team GB in the penalty shoot out was too much for the Queen.

Meanwhile, Prince Philip was "laughing" at Sophie's response and the team eventually won Olympic gold in brilliant style. The Duchess of Edinburgh recalled her experience watching it on the BBC 5 Live Sport programme that airs on BBC Sounds on 19th August - exactly ten years after the victory in Rio.

Queen Elizabeth's telling Sophie to "just go" and watch after spotting her eagerness was a kind move and it's funny to think that she couldn't bear to watch herself. When her granddaughter Zara Tindall was competing at the London 2012 Olympics, the Queen reportedly suggested going for a picnic at Balmoral because she was "so nervous" on this occasion too.

Former royal protection officer Richard Griffin told Sky News in 2022 that he radioed in and found out Zara had won a team silver medal, before telling her delighted granny.

"I remember the Queen just grabbed me and we were dancing around in circles on this hill in Scotland,' Griffin claimed. "That's a memory that will stay with me for evermore."

The Queen has shared a poignant insight into what it was like knowing her husband was battling cancer but keeping it private throughout an engagement close to her heart. King Charles made his diagnosis public on 5th February and a few days earlier, Her Majesty opened a new Maggie's cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital.

In a new video marking the 30th anniversary of Maggie's cancer charity, Queen Camilla recalled how tough it was to not say anything about the King's health during this visit. She explained, "Nobody could say anything at the time, that was quite difficult."

"I almost said something but, you know, I felt that it wasn't the time to say," she told Dame Laura Lee, the chief executive of Maggie's, before admitting, "I was just longing to let it out, but obviously I couldn't."

Dame Laura remarked upon the "courage that must have taken" for the Queen to undertake this particular engagement on 31st January, knowing what her husband was going through. Camilla admitted that she was "almost questioning" the families she met that day but "didn't want to pry too deeply".

"But normally when I went in, I was just talking to them, but I don't know, I felt it was much more deep," she said in the seven-minute film, which was recorded at her and King Charles's Clarence House home.

The Queen continued, "I looked at everybody who was suffering and all the relations and I think it made me realise even more how important these places were."

King Charles later made his diagnosis public and his wife remarked upon how "nothing stopped him". His approach was to say, "This is my way. I'm going to cope with it". His Majesty continues to undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer and in December he shared a candid health update as part of Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer campaign.

He said that "thanks to early diagnosis, effective interventions and adherence to 'doctors' orders', [his] own schedule of cancer treatment [could] be reduced in the New Year." He called this milestone a "personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances" in cancer care.

Since being diagnosed, the King has advocated for the importance of screenings and Maggie's says his public announcement prompted a 12% increase in men contacting them with a cancer diagnosis. The positive impact his openness has had means a lot to Charles, who went on to release another message in February 2024.

"It is equally heartening to hear how sharing my own diagnosis has helped promote public understanding and shine a light on the work of all those organisations which support cancer patients and their families across the UK and wider world," he declared.

King Charles became Patron of Cancer Research UK in April 2024 and Queen Camilla has been President of Maggie's since 2008. Just after the King's diagnosis was made public, Dame Laura told BBC Breakfast about how the Queen was at the opening of the new centre in January 2024.

"We know this information about King Charles after that visit, but during it she sat down, as she does in all of our centres, with a group of people affected by cancer, who talked about their own stories, about how they had navigated the challenges of cancer, and how important support was for them," she said.

The royals are known for their love of vibrant colours but in recent years we've seen many of them going for neutrals a lot more - including Harriet Phillips. Princess Anne's daughter-in-law is a fan of understated styling and her chocolate brown floral frock from 2024 is an autumn outfit idea I can't stop thinking about.

Harriet wore this to the September book launch of Tom Parker Bowles's Cooking and the Crown, paired with classic trainers and a textured crossbody bag. The dress itself was by British clothing brand, Beulah London, and had long sleeves and a vintage-style lapel collar.

The dark brown colour was perfect for autumn and it's equally as on-trend for the season this year. Cocoa shades are a softer alternative to black which makes them incredibly versatile.

Recreate Harriet's Look

They look great with hues like burgundy and olive green, though they are also stunning with light colours when you don't want a stark contrast.

Harriet Phillips' frock had a floral pattern running all over it and because it was cream rather than bright white, this tied in especially beautifully with brown. Floral dresses tend to be most popular in spring/summer though going for a moodier colourway like this one immediately gives them an autumnal twist.

On a colder day we might've seen the NHS nurse styling her dress with matching brown boots and a coat, but for the book launch she went for lace-up white trainers instead.

Trainers and longer dresses are a timeless smart-casual duo that ticks boxes for elegance and comfort. To master this combination, I'd recommend picking more streamlined plimsoll-esque trainers over chunky, sporty designs.

This way, the shoes are more minimal and the sleek shape tends to complement a flowing dress best without overshadowing it. If you have a dress that might feel too formal for a particular occasion, pairing it with trainers is a clever way to add a contemporary, relaxed edge.

Harriet struck a good balance at the book launch and finished off her ensemble with some delicate gold jewellery and an Aspinal handbag. Although she's started wearing structured, top-handle bags a bit more since marrying Peter Phillips, Harriet is a big fan of crossbody styles and I personally think they're a brilliant option.

They allow you to be hands-free when you want and tend to be daintier, meaning they work well for events and evenings out whilst still having room for essentials. The royal's bag was made from quilted canvas with tan leather details and brought some textural contrast.

The colours tied in with her dress and trainers, giving her outfit a sense of cohesion. Harriet Phillips might have worn this to a book event, but it would work just as easily for a casual walk or Sunday Roast outing with friends.

Late summer and early autumn can often be quite mild and whilst we have months of knitwear and boots to look forward to, there's still time to enjoy dresses and trainers like Harriet's for a while longer.

Princess Eugenie's royal name announcement for her daughter Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank looks pretty traditional at first glance. However, there's something missing from the mum-of-three's statement that I noticed straight away.

The Princess said that Adelaide was named after "three people" she and Jack Brooksbank "love and admire past and present". The only one she specifically mentioned was Queen Elizabeth and no other members of Eugenie's family were obviously honoured.

This is a massive shift for the Princess, as she proudly detailed all the royal, Ferguson and Brooksbank relatives who inspired both her sons' names. It seems that this time around, Eugenie has subtly distanced herself and Adelaide from similar connections…

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's eldest child is August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, who was named for Prince Philip. Eugenie said in the Prince Philip: The Royal Family Remembers documentary, "I brought little August to come and meet him. I told him that we'd named him after him. It was such a lovely moment.

When she became a mum for the second time in 2023, she announced her son Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank was named after several relatives. George was after his great, great, great grandfather King George V (as well as Jack's dad) and Ronnie was a tribute to Eugenie's maternal grandfather, Ronald Ferguson.

Given how much detail she went into both these times, Adelaide's name announcement is surprising. Apart from the reference to Queen Elizabeth, the Princess just added that her daughter's name is "part of English and Portuguese history, two places we love and call home."

There was a Queen Adelaide of Portugal, wife of King Miguel, as well as a Queen Adelaide of the UK who married King William IV. It was this second Adelaide that the Prince and Princess of Wales's former home, Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor was named after.

Windsor Castle and estate held a special place in Queen Elizabeth's heart and Adelaide is a German name, so this also honours the Royal Family's German heritage. It's interesting that Eugenie focused on historical connections and generally steered away from modern family links - for example, including Sarah or Beatrice as nods to her mum and sister.

Perhaps this was to be expected after the scandals that have surrounded Eugenie's parents. Her dad Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his princely title last year and was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office in February.

He denies all allegations of wrongdoing against him, though his former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein continues to be the focus of headlines. Eugenie's mum Sarah also knew Epstein and has been keeping a very low profile for months now.

Calling her daughter Adelaide Elizabeth strengthened the baby's royal links from a distance and although Annina could've been after one of her family members, this wasn't explicitly stated. It's possible Annina was chosen in honour of Jack's relatives.

This ambiguity keeps us guessing, but in keeping the other two people who inspired the baby's name private, Eugenie is drawing a line she hasn't before and not inviting further scrutiny involving her parents or their wider family.

Baby Adelaide Brooksbank might not have been born with a title like her mother, but her name strongly honours her royal heritage. On 17th August, Eugenie finally announced her daughter's highly-anticipated fully moniker - Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank.

The Princess confirmed that her little girl was "named after three people we love and admire past and present, including her Great-Grandmother who we hold close in our hearts". The late Queen Elizabeth was the only one of the three to get a shout-out and "Elizabeth" upholds a special naming tradition started by Eugenie's cousin Peter Phillips and abandoned by Prince Harry.

Peter was the first of Queen Elizabeth's grandchildren to become a parent and his younger daughter is Isla Elizabeth Phillips. Following in his footsteps almost all his cousins and his sister Zara Tindall have used Elizabeth as a middle name for one of their daughters so far.

Zara's second child is Lena Elizabeth Tindall, Prince William's daughter is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, and both of Princess Beatrice's daughters, Sienna and Athena, have Elizabeth as a middle name too. Now Adelaide has joined the Elizabeth club.

Queen Elizabeth had close relationships with her grandchildren and it's so special that each of them chose to name their daughters in her honour and keep up this tradition. Prince Harry took a different approach when he and Meghan welcomed Lilibet in 2021.

Her middle name is Diana and Lilibet was the late Queen's childhood nickname. It was picked as a different form of tribute, though there have been mixed reports about how this went down.

The Sussexes' spokesperson said at the time that Queen Elizabeth was the "first family member" Harry called before making the announcement. They added, "During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name."

In contrast, author Robert Jobson wrote in The Windsor Legacy that a palace source alleged when the Queen first heard about Lili's name she was "so incensed" that "she threw the paper to the floor".

However she truly felt about Lilibet's moniker, Her Majesty was surely very touched by how each of her grandchildren thought about including her in their children's names. Princess Eugenie made the connection very clear in her message, which was shared two weeks after she announced her daughter’s birth.

The mum-of-three described how they've been enjoying "the most special, cosy and love-filled time" and said August and Ernest are the "best big brothers" already. Alongside the solo picture of her daughter, Eugenie also gave fans an adorable glimpse at all of her kids together.

Out of the three Brooksbank children, only August (born February 2021) got to meet their great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

Princess Eugenie wrote an essay for The Spectator ahead of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in which she revealed her hope for August to inherit her grannie's "patience, her calmness and her kindness while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye".

Anyone might find an invitation to a historic royal residence intimidating - never mind a teenager. But that’s exactly the scenario a 14-year-old Tanya Rose found herself in when fellow Gordonstoun pupil, Prince Edward, invited her to Sandringham House.

The pair became friends at the Scottish boarding school which Edward's father Prince Philip had also attended. Recalling the memory of her visit in a recent podcast appearance, Tanya - now a PR expert - described the "terrifying" first night when she found herself alone with the royal women.

Fortunately, the late Queen Elizabeth showed her motherly instincts and immediately helped put her at ease, with Tanya praising her as "divine".

Speaking on Amanda Wakeley’s Style DNA podcast, Tanya explained, "I was 14, and Edward invited me to Sandringham just after Christmas, so it was just me who was not family".

On the first night with the Royal Family, she was separated from Edward when the “ladies [went] into another room" after dinner. Finding herself alone with Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, the Queen Mother and Princess Diana, Tanya was - understandably - "absolutely terrified".

However, "the Queen was so divine because she knew I was nervous,” Tanya continued. "So she started doing impressions of her groom and just being so sweet to me. She was lovely."

Even before Tanya made it to Sandringham, she was aware that things were going to be quite different. She chatted about the detailed dress code that was required, and how it led to her father questioning why they even sent her to Gordonstoun at all.

She said, "I remember it was four days I was there. Four long dresses, four outfits for breakfast, four outfits for tea, shooting things, Barbours, Wellington boots. And I didn't grow up like that. I mean, I did not have that wardrobe, so we had to go out and buy everything."

But this led to a sweet moment, where Tanya got to show off her mother’s "pride and joy", and it seemingly gained the approval of the Queen Mother.

"My mother lent me this pearl fake necklace of hers that she had bought in Fenwick. It was her pride and joy. And the first night, I remember the Queen Mother saying to me, "Is that a family heirloom? And I said, 'Well, my mummy did give it to me', but I didn't say it's from Fenwick".

Queen Elizabeth, who was praised throughout her historic 70-year reign for putting people at ease, might have instinctively looked out for the teen, but Tanya alleges that someone else noticed an awkward gaffe. She remembers being seated with King Charles on one side of her and Prince Philip on the other.

"Everyone had a pot of coffee in front of them and I wanted some sugar. And we all had a little salt thing in front of us and I thought it was sugar," she said. "So I put two things in my cup. And Charles said, 'What an extraordinary thing to do… You just put salt in.'"

Zara Tindall had a weekend worth remembering as she claimed one of the most coveted eventing titles on British soil.

In her first major individual title win since 2006, Zara won gold at the prestigious British Eventing Open Championship, contested within Hartpury’s international NAF CCI4*-S. Zara, who was riding the 17-year-old Class Affair, won a total prize pot of £5,000.

The royal said the victory felt "amazing" and she was "super happy" in a post-win interview with British Eventing - and her victory had to have felt extra special considering it fell on her mother, Princess Anne’s birthday.

Princess Anne turned 76 on Saturday, August 15, the same weekend her daughter achieved one of her best sporting outings in two decades. Zara's gold is the first major title she has won since 2007, when she won as part of a team at the 2007 European Eventing Championship.

Her last individual title win was in 2006, when she competed at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, riding her horse Toytown. True to form, Zara was a gracious victor, making sure plenty of glory was passed around.

In an interview with British Eventing, Zara made sure to share the credit, praising the horse for being “super” and doing an “amazing job”. She also made sure to highlight the work of those responsible for the ground and the event maintenance, crediting their hard work in making sure the ground was watered and up to standards despite the intense heatwaves that the UK has been experiencing.

Zara also poked fun at the fact that she's never been able to win the championship when it took place at Gatcombe, the private estate owned by her mother.

This latest achievement is arguably another peak in Zara’s equestrian career, following her history-making performance in the 2012 Olympics. During the London Games, Zara followed - and surpassed - her mother’s own record.

In 1976, Princess Anne became the first royal to ever take part in the Olympics, competing in the Summer Olympics in Montreal. In 2012, Zara would do one better - she and Team GB won Silver, making her the first royal to win an Olympic medal.

Zara’s latest victory will no doubt be celebrated by others in her family, including Prince William. Not only are the two cousins thought to be very close, William has previously talked about Zara’s past triumphs leaving him “in pieces”.

The future king told podcast The Good, The Bad, And The Rugby - which is co-hosted by Zara’s husband, Mike Tindall - that he cried watching Zara win.

“The only time I’ve ever cried when watching sport was when Zara won, I think it was the European championship,” he said.”I was down in Exmoor at the time camping. We were all huddled around the phone watching it.

“She was there, she was blubbing away, the flag was going up. I was in pieces.”

The Royal Family famously spend time at Balmoral during the summer but the Prince and Princess of Wales don't have to sleep over there if they don't want to. The couple actually have their own home on the estate - Tam-Na-Ghar Cottage - which is believed to have been given to Prince William by the Queen Mother in 2002.

Nestled amongst the gorgeous landscape, it's totally private which is perfect for when they visit Scotland with the children. However, one thing I've never really thought about before is the size.

William and Kate's cottage reportedly has three bedrooms, which means that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis could have a tough choice to make. One of them is going to have to share a room when they're on holiday - the question is, who?

Perhaps 13-year-old Prince George gets to have his own bedroom when they're staying at Tam-Na-Ghar, as he's now a teenager and might want a bit of space away from his energetic younger siblings. It's also possible that since they've been going since before he was born he gets a room of his own because it's always been that way.

Princess Charlotte and Louis have a lot in common and this might make for a smoother sharing experience too. Both love dancing and Prince William said on the Apple Fitness+ Time to Walk podcast in 2021 that Louis used to follow Charlotte around and copy her.

"Charlotte, particularly, is running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything," he shared. "She goes completely crazy with Louis following her around trying to do the same thing. It's a really happy moment where the children just enjoy dancing, messing around, and, and singing."

Prince Louis has also been "perfecting" his handstands, according to Kate, though the youngster said at the Commonwealth Games that Charlotte tells him he's "no good". Even though their hobbies are similar, the Prince and Princess of Wales might think it's their only daughter Charlotte who deserves her own space most.

When he was on Heart Breakfast in May, William jokingly told Charlotte and Louis, "Make sure you're not fighting over who's listening to what this morning". So it seems they do squabble and we know the Prince and Princess have implemented a taking turns policy for choosing music.

Maybe they could do the same with who shares and who gets a room to themselves at Tam-Na-Ghar Cottage. For all we know, the kids could even end up *wanting* to share with one of their siblings and find it fun whilst they're on holiday.

Prince William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis all regularly go up to Scotland at some point during the summer and there's no reason to think they won't this year. Balmoral means a lot to the Royal Family and Prince William has shared his childhood memories of going there.

"My childhood was full of holidays having fun in the fresh air, swimming in lochs, family barbecues with my grandfather in command, and yes the odd midge," he declared in 2021, later adding, "George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both [him and Kate] and they are starting to build their own happy memories here too."

The weather is still warm but autumn outfit ideas are all I keep thinking about and there's an easy way you can dress to suit both seasons. Tones like chocolate brown, burnt orange and olive green are starting to creep into new releases and the Queen of Denmark has embraced this.

She was one of several royals who attended the opening of the 2026 FEI World Championships on 11th August. Queen Mary stepped out for the occasion in a cinnamon-toned Diane von Furstenberg co-ord that could be mistaken for a dress.

The top was halterneck and tucked neatly into the high-rise waistband of the flowing skirt. She cleverly made the join between the two items more discreet by adding a slim belt over the top.

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Polka dots are the Princess of Wales's go-to pattern and Mary's set featured micro white dots all over. The smaller the print, the more subtle the design is, and dots are one of the most classic patterns.

They've also been massively on trend for summer, though we're used to seeing a lot of black and white, navy and white and red and white designs and the Queen chose a more autumnal combination. Orange-brown hues have a rich, warm undertone and are a softer alternative to wearing dark brown right now.

They're also neutral which means they can work with an array of other colours. Back in 2022 the Princess of Wales wore a polka dot dress from Rixo in a very similar tone when she accompanied her children to Lambrook School and she wore brown suede court heels with it.

Queen Mary styled her top and skirt with bronze peep-toe heels and carried a contrasting black mini tote bag. Equestrian events like the FEI World Championships tend to have a smarter dress code and if she'd wanted to make this ensemble more casual, it wouldn't be difficult to do.

White trainers or flat sandals and a raffia bag would've brought a summery edge and coordinated with the white polka dots. When autumn arrives and the weather is cooler you could layer a blazer or denim jacket over the top of a spotty dress depending on the occasion.

Mary carried a black tailored jacket with her just in case but didn't seem to need it in Germany. She's owned her polka dot co-ord since at least 2018 and has worn it styled in a few different ways, including with gold strappy heels during her visit to Brazil in 2024.

The Queen of Denmark usually opts for the set and clearly loves going bold with polka dots. However, you can take inspiration from her outfit and make it more pared-back by selecting a smaller item like a shirt or skirt with an autumnal dot design rather than a full dress, co-ord or jumpsuit.

Olive green, plum and burgundy are all great shades for the next season and if you go for a flowy silhouette and breathable materials like cotton or linen you can start wearing these pieces now without overheating.

What’s in a name? Well, when it came to the spelling of the Princess of Wales’s name, it was enough to leave Prince William "fuming".

In his biography, Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, author Christopher Andersen details an alleged disagreement between the King and Queen after they requested Kate change the spelling of her name.

The reported furore over having too many royal cyphers beginning with the letter C - Charles, Camilla and Catherine - led to the request that the Princess change her spelling to Katherine. A request that William was quick to fire back about.

In his book, Christopher alleges, "Charles and Camilla each had a royal monogram that consisted of interlocking C’s beneath a crown, and they expressed concern that a third royal cypher with a C was overkill".

This led to a strange request. He wrote their majesties asked, "Would Kate mind if she changed the spelling of her full name from ‘Catherine’ to ‘Katherine.'"

He continued, "Offended by yet another command from on high essentially aimed at placating Camilla, a fuming William replied on his wife’s behalf." The Prince of Wales is reported to have called the request "insulting, not only to Kate but to her entire family".

It’s important to note that this is all alleged and the palaces rarely, if ever, comment on claims made in royal books.

The author spoke about the alleged incident in more detail when he appeared on Fox News Digital, where he shared the dispute speaks volumes about how the monarchy treats branding and can often think like a business.

He said, "The entire nature of Charles and Camilla’s request - that Catherine was adding too many C’s to the royal crests - shows just how much image and branding means to members of the royal family. The monarchy really is a giant game of one-upmanship".

He added that this was just one more example where "William has gone to war for Kate", with the royal biographer referencing times the future king has made protecting his wife a priority ever since she joined the Royal Family.

Bringing up the invasion of privacy that saw topless photos of the Princess taken during a holiday in 2012, Christopher said, "He angrily ordered Palace lawyers to sue and even wanted to see those involved prosecuted criminally under French privacy laws.

"When they started a family, it was William who made sure that Kate was not forced to take on too heavy a royal workload if it meant that she would have to spend too much time away from their children.”

As for the family dispute over royal cyphers, things didn’t escalate for the family, who still remain deeply “fond” of one another. Christopher said to Fox, "Besides, it wasn’t long before they were having to deal with their simultaneous cancer diagnoses, which put everything else in stark perspective."

Summer isn't over yet but if - like me - you're already starting to think about autumn outfit ideas then it doesn't come much more chic than the Princess of Wales's knitted co-ord. She wore this cream, ribbed set for a visit to Nottingham Trent University in 2023 and although it quickly sold out, it's been brought back ahead of the new season.

Not only that, but it's also included in Sézane's archive sale in the same light oatmeal shade. Knitted skirts and light knits are a perfect duo for milder days when it's cool but not freezing cold. Kate didn't need a coat or jacket with this co-ord in early October and yet you know that they'll work under thicker layers when the time comes.

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Styled together, the Princess's top and skirt resembled a streamlined jumper dress - but with twice the versatility. Separates can be mixed and matched with a bigger range of pieces than a frock and the more neutral the colour, the easier this becomes.

The future Queen chose the Sézane set in the "natural", which is a light beige. It would complement a massive range of other shades, from chocolate brown to burnt orange or deep red. The jumper was slightly cropped and neatly met the top of the skirt for a seamless, polished finish.

For a more casual look, go for a longline or oversized jumper instead, but I'd recommend sticking to a sleeker skirt with it and balance it out rather than a flared design.

Kate's skirt fell to just below the knee and was a subtle A-line shape, with a comfortable elasticated waist. The ribbed detailing running all over both pieces - and the buttons on the sleeve cuffs - finished them off so elegantly.

She kept the rest of her ensemble simple, pairing the autumnal co-ord with tan Gianvito Rossi heels and a Tusting Mini Holly Bag in taupe. Top handle bags and court shoes are incredibly timeless and they're styles the royals rely on when they want to elevate an outfit.

I'd personally make things a bit more casual and go for white trainers or brown loafers right now, before switching to boots in autumn/winter. Knee-high boots look stunning with longer skirts draped over the top and they create a lovely, leg-elongating effect because both pieces flow into one another.

Knitted skirts like the Princess of Wales's are particularly useful because they aren't as smart as crepe or tailored options and often have a good amount of stretch to them. This makes them an easy piece to throw on with a jumper when you want to feel comfy and still look put-together.

Kate's signature style is smart-casual so her Sézane co-ord fitted this perfectly and she finished off her outfit with pearl drop earrings. The Princess was visiting Nottingham Trent University to learn more about their mental health support system as part of her and Prince William's engagements marking World Mental Health Day.

We've only ever seen her in this knitted set publicly then, but since Kate loves re-wearing items, this could just mean she prefers keeping it for off-duty days.

After weeks of wearing nothing but summer dresses and sandals we're forecast to finally enjoy a break from the heat and I'm already thinking of autumn outfit ideas. The one wardrobe staple I've really missed wearing the most is jackets and Princess Anne has reminded us all that trenches are a brilliant transitional option.

We tend to think of them as a spring style, though they work for late summer/early autumn too and she wore hers in Scotland on 5th August. The Princess Royal, who's celebrating her 76th birthday on 15th, stepped out for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo rehearsal in a light beige trench that fell to hip-length.

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Longer trench coats give a gorgeous frame-elongating effect but cropped styles like this are a lovely alternative. Anne went traditional in Edinburgh and paired her coat with a knee-length tartan skirt, navy loafers and a jumper and shirt combination.

This was a quintessential *her* ensemble and it won't be for everyone, though the Princess Royal's coat was incredibly classic. Shorter trenches are a little lighter than full-length designs and tend to feel more casual too.

This length looks especially flattering when draped over trousers and jeans, which naturally draw the eye downwards, compared to midi hemlines that can cut off at a tricky point under a shorter coat. Princess Anne has probably had her trench for years like so many of her staples and the stone-beige tone is classic.

Black trenches are equally easy to style, but light neutral ones are less of a stark contrast against pastels and pale tones. This makes them more versatile for spring and late summer when a lot of us are wearing these kinds of hues.

When autumn arrives, beige trenches look great with rich colours like chocolate brown, olive green and burgundy and are softer than black. The King's sister clearly likes the combination of a light trench with navy blue too.

Her coat was double-breasted and had tortoiseshell buttons and a notched lapel collar. She fastened it up to the top, though a trench coat that's left open looks more relaxed so it's a clever way to dress them down. If you love the formal, military-esque trench look then go for a design which has the signature epaulettes, storm flap and belt.

Anne's had belted cuffs but was otherwise more pared-back. She also owns a mac-trench hybrid coat she's worn a lot and this doesn't have a waist belt either, so the Princess seems to prefer a less structured fit.

As she's famously quoted as saying there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing, both of these coats could have an extra practical feature. Trenches are often shower resistant or water repellent to some degree and this is another reason why they're such a useful piece for the transition between seasons.

So far the summer has featured one heatwave after another but Scotland has had some rain recently so I wouldn't put it past Princess Anne to come prepared. She's the Patron of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and met with the military personnel, crew and international cast who were bringing it to life.

Is Prince Harry happy? That's what I get asked the most - and of course, it's the million-dollar question.

He may live in a palatial Californian mansion, be free of the shackles (as he sees it) of royal duty and have a gorgeous wife, Meghan Markle, and children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. But is Harry really happy?

Certainly, for much of the past six years since Megxit, he's looked angry, stressed and emotional. Last month was a case in point.

As soon as he arrived in the UK, he learned he'd comprehensively lost his privacy case against the Daily Mail. Appearing onstage for what should have been a celebratory Invictus event, he looked nervous and slightly stunned.

Given Associated Newspapers Limited, the Mail's publishers, are seeking costs against him (and others including Sir Elton John and Liz Hurley) in the region of £35 million - which could potentially bankrupt him - you can understand his anxiety.

There was all that drama about was he coming/was he not coming (when he didn't get the security and gun cops he wanted), his family weren't coming (due to the security), then his family DID come (except we never saw them - proving conclusively that it IS possible for them to come safely to the UK, despite Harry's many and varied protestations that it's not safe enough here).

Even at Birmingham's NEC, when he was about to go to Highgrove for that much longed-for tea with his kids and the King, he looked (and sounded) somewhat flat.

For me, Harry looks as if he's a man without a purpose.

I wrote last week about the shock bombshell that the Sussexes are considering moving back to the UK - and at the very least spending more time over here.

Harry misses his family and his pals. Yet he's waged continual war on the British establishment - the government, the press, the judiciary and the monarchy itself.

I thought it was instrumental that when he was visiting last month, he appeared on Joe Marler's podcast and gave his occupation as 'Full-time dad. British Army veteran. Prince of England. Duke'.

We'll leave aside the historical inaccuracy (there's been no Prince or indeed King of England since the United Kingdom union in 1707), but it's the apparent yearning that gets me. He doesn't seem to know who or what he is.

So is he happy? I don't think he truly is - but the sadness for Harry is that he's searching for something he's not going to find. So I'm not sure he ever will be.

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

Princess Anne is one of King Charles's most loyal supporters and he could choose a particularly special gift for her 76th birthday on 15th August. The siblings are less than two years apart in age and former royal butler Grand Harrold believes that although they've "always" been close, their bond strengthened after losing their mother in 2022.

"In my view, they've become even closer since the death of Queen Elizabeth," he claimed. "They were both with their mother during her final days, and they've shared the enormous responsibility of carrying on her legacy. Charles clearly values Anne's loyalty and unwavering support."

Grant highlights how King Charles gave his sister the special role of "Gold Stick in Waiting", making her his ceremonial personal bodyguard.

He also took steps to have Anne and Prince Edward made extra Counsellors of State, given they are too low down in the line of succession to automatically take on these roles. The King and Princess Royal saw their mother's dedication to duty first-hand and are both utterly focused on their jobs too.

Although His Majesty could definitely buy his sister a luxurious birthday gift this year, the former butler thinks he'll choose something "personal" instead.

He told Heart Bingo, "I could certainly imagine the King choosing something thoughtful rather than extravagant. They both have a genuine love of the countryside, gardening and the outdoors, so a gift for Anne's garden would feel incredibly personal and meaningful."

However, there's another possible present and it would honour their family and their joint passion for re-using and re-cycling rather than buying new. Grant suggested that King Charles could give the Princess Royal a piece of jewellery that used to belong to Queen Elizabeth.

He noted that the King has inherited a lot of their mother's personal possessions, adding that "we have seen members of the Royal Family pass sentimental items between generations".

"A gift like that would carry enormous emotional significance and would be a lovely way of honouring both their mother and Anne's special place within the family," he added.

Princess Anne often spends her birthday in Scotland so if King Charles and Queen Camilla have headed up to Balmoral for their break, they could celebrate together. However, the no-nonsense Princess isn't a fan of a lot of fuss for her birthdays and it's possible she'll mark turning 76 with just her husband Sir Timothy Laurence.

According to The Sunday Times's Royal Editor Roya Nikkah, Princess Anne apparently has a rule when it comes to which birthdays to mark.

"Anne's policy is 'I will do things for my birthdays that have a zero, but I won't do things for my birthdays that have a five'," the expert previously claimed on the Royals with Roya and Kate podcast.

Even so, the siblings will likely reunite at some point during the August break. As well as being their go-to holiday home, Balmoral Castle is where Queen Elizabeth passed away and so it now holds even more significance for the Royal Family.

Princess Anne has said she's "fortunate" to have shared the last 24 hours of her mother's life and in a forward for a Balmoral guidebook, King Charles wrote the castle "continues to hold a uniquely special place in the hearts of my family and myself."

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh's 18-year-old son James generally stays out of the spotlight, but Buckingham Palace have now shared a rather significant life update for him. The Earl of Wessex has "achieved the grades he needed" at A-Level and will be starting at the Royal Agricultural University in the autumn "without taking a year out".

In contrast to his sister Lady Louise, who recently graduated from St Andrews with an English Literature degree, James will be studying Rural Land & Property Management. He's already been throwing himself into rural work ahead of this big move too.

According to The Sun, the teenager has been helping out at Sandringham and an estate worker was rather surprised to see him, claiming, "Everyone is so used to only seeing James smartly turned out with his family at functions at Christmas and Easter so I had to do a double take."

"He might be the King's nephew but he is more than happy to get his hands dirty and muck in," they went on. "Driving tractors around Sandringham is not an easy task and it can mean long hours. But it doesn't matter how rich you are, learning a good work ethic at a young age can always help."

The King's Sandringham estate in Norfolk is around 20,000 acres and James Wessex is clearly eager to get some on-the-job experience of land management before starting his course.

His parents Sophie and Edward will be proud of him and they've been clear with James and Louise that they shouldn't expect to have royal careers. In an interview with The Times in 2020 the Duchess explained, "We try to educate them with the understanding that they will most likely have to work for a living. That is why we made the decision not to use HRH titles."

For years we've heard reports that King Charles and Prince William are both keen on a slimmed-down monarchy so adding two new working royals to the payroll probably isn't going to happen. Like his sister, James seems to be forging his own separate path and his degree will open up multiple career opportunities for him.

James Wessex will probably still make certain royal appearances going forwards, though they will be limited and likely just family occasions. The Earl of Wessex is 17th in the royal line of succession and was last seen with Prince Edward at the Easter Sunday service at Windsor.

He's the youngest of that royal generation by a long way, with the eldest cousin, Peter Phillips, being 30 years his senior. The age difference makes James's involvement in their vigil for Queen Elizabeth in 2022 all the more moving. Last year the Duchess of Edinburgh said part of her was initially unsure about it because he was 14 then, "but he was really keen to do it."

"I was slightly holding my breath, wanting them to feel that they'd done it well more than anything else. I wasn't worried about anything happening; it was more that I wanted them to feel that they'd done their bit for their grandmother. It was incredibly moving, and lovely to see her surrounded by them," she said.

The King's youngest brother, Prince Edward, reportedly once expressed his wish to have two wives "in a perfect world". Opening up in her memoir, The Showgirl and the Prince, which reflects on the pair’s relationship between 1988 and 1993, his ex-partner Ruthie Henshall described his confession and detailed the reason for it.

According to the West End star, Edward said he’d have two wives - "one for the job, and one for the woman you loved". Ruthie added that this was "because you wouldn’t want the woman you love [to go] through the job", alluding to the harsh reality behind the idea of a fairytale-esque royal romance.

The Duke of Edinburgh is a working royal and putting duties first is something this job often demands.

Speaking to HELLO’s A Right Royal Podcast, Ruthie stated she knew that she couldn’t be Prince Edward’s wife and continue to be a West End star. Explaining she "was born to sing, dance and act", she went on, "if I'd have given it up, I would have been miserable. It's not my kind of life."

Prince Edward began dating his now-wife, Sophie, not long after he and Ruthie split up in 1993. At the time Sophie worked in PR and their romance perhaps proves Ruthie’s point, as the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped down from her PR firm in 2001.

She and Edward then both permanently gave up their private business roles to become full-time working royals in 2002.

Edward isn’t the only royal to have a keen awareness of the demands that marrying into his family brings. His nephew Prince William revealed that he waited to propose to Kate so that she still had a chance to "back out" of royal life before it "got too much".

During the Prince and Princess of Wales’s engagement interview in 2010, William shared, "Her and her family, I really want to make sure that they have the best guidance and chance to see what life has been like - or what life is like - in the family.

"That’s kind of almost why I’ve been waiting this long is that I wanted to give her a chance to see and to back out if she needed to before it all got too much… I just wanted to give her the best chance to settle in and see what happens the other side."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made similar statements in their own engagement interview with the BBC in 2017. The Duke of Sussex revealed, "I tried to warn [her] as much as possible. But I think both of us were totally surprised by the reaction after the first five or six months that we had to ourselves, of what actually happened from then."

Meghan added, "There's a misconception that because I've worked in the entertainment industry that this would be something I'm familiar with… But I've never been part of tabloid culture, I've never been in pop culture to that degree, and lived a relatively quiet life.

"So that was a really stark difference out of the gate. And I think we were just hit so hard at the beginning with a lot of mistruths that I made the choice to not read anything - positive or negative, it just didn't make sense."

The British monarchy wouldn't be the same without Princess Anne and yet despite being one of the most hard-working royals, she's just been pushed down the line of succession yet again. On 4th August Princess Eugenie became a mum for the third time and the arrival of her daughter means Anne is now 19th in line.

Meanwhile, the baby's grandfather Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains higher than both Anne and Prince Edward who are working royals. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond finds this "preposterous" and thinks the succession "should be revised and shortened".

"There's something rather ridiculous about the hard-working and popular Duke of Edinburgh being knocked down the succession line to make way for Eugenie's third baby," she told the Mirror. "And it's preposterous to think that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is still eighth."

His place in the succession also makes him technically one of the King's Counsellors of State which many people wouldn't be happy about. Jennie believes "the heir and their children should be enough" but "perhaps, for safety, just make it the first five".

That would mean just Prince William, George, Charlotte, Louis and Prince Harry if it was capped to five right now. Although this wouldn't make any difference to the Princess Royal or Prince Edward it seems to make more sense to Jennie than having a list of mainly non-working royals.

Andrew isn't even a prince any longer, as he was stripped of his title last year. He vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing against him but his connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein continues to land him in headlines.

Earlier this year, Jennie also suggested that Andrew's daughters and grandchildren should be removed from the succession along with the Sussexes to streamline things.

"Personally, I think they should also remove Harry and his children, plus Beatrice, Eugenie and their children from the line of succession," she said.

This would be a radical change and the removal process is complex. An Act of Parliament would have to be passed and legislation would also require the approval of every other Commonwealth Realm where King Charles is Head of State.

However, some shifts are easier. Princess Anne has been bumped down six places since 2020, but the reason she's so low in the first place is due to an old rule.

The line of succession has existed for over three centuries and until the Succession to the Crown Act 2013, older sisters were leapfrogged by younger brothers. The Act retrospectively applies to royals born after 28th October 2011, so it didn't help Anne but it was a huge step.

According to royal author Russell Myers, Prince William "raised the issue" with Queen Elizabeth "in the lead-up to his wedding". In William & Catherine, he explained, "If they were to have a daughter, he believed that she should maintain the right to become Queen if he and Catherine then went on to have any sons."

Their firstborn ended up being a son, but this Act is why Charlotte will always come before Louis. The Princess Royal will continue to be pushed lower and although being 19th in line might seem "ridiculous" for someone as senior as her, Anne is the kind of royal who isn't too fussed about these sorts of things and focuses on the job instead.

The King is about to begin his annual summer break, swapping sweltering London for the slightly cooler conditions of Balmoral in Scotland. However, he's reportedly also stepped up amid this time of drought to help a struggling British tradition and donated an entire field's worth of wheat to artisan hat maker Emily Hurst.

The milliner specialises in crafting beautiful, high-end straw hats and relies on Maris Widgeon, a heritage wheat variety. Poor harvests and changeable weather has led to a national shortage and she told BBC Radio 4 that could "potentially create hundreds of hats" from King Charles's generous donation.

"We've got a whole field's worth here," she claimed, admitting that the royal offer was "quite hard to imagine if I'm honest, it's still quite surreal, it's still sinking in."

Emily explained the problems she was having in sourcing the much-needed straw and King Charles's wheat allegedly came from his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. He's a big champion of heritage crafts and the milliner already has a special royal connection.

In June last year she became the first ever winner of a £10,000 bursary, awarded by Ascot Racecourse in partnership with the Chanel & The King's Foundation Métiers d'Art Millinery Fellowship. The programme helps the next generation of hat makers and TKF's director of education, Daniel McAuliffe, said it was the "perfect fit" for King Charles.

"[W]e're definitely a country of hat wearers, we're probably the biggest hat wearers in the world, especially during Ascot week," he told The Telegraph. "The Royal family are instrumental in keeping hats relevant, we'll see that in the coming weeks when there will be lots of hats in the newspapers."

At Royal Ascot the royal men all wear top hats, though women regularly wear sculptural headpieces to a huge array of formal occasions. We've seen Zara Tindall wearing straw hats in public several times and earlier this year the Princess of Wales wore a houndstooth straw boater for the installation of Dame Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.

They'll probably be very supportive of His Majesty's supposed straw donation and amid the heatwave it would certainly be a lifeline for Emily and her straw hat creations. Over half of England and the whole of Wales are in drought right now, though Scotland is currently slightly cooler and has had some rain.

The King and Queen are expected to head north very soon if they haven't already, as Balmoral Castle officially closed to visitors on 9th August. The couple have their own home, Birkhall, on the estate, though it's traditional for the monarch to host their family at the castle in the summer.

Balmoral was one of the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite residences and it's also where she passed away in 2022. In a foreword for a 2026 Balmoral guidebook, Charles described it as the "cherished Scottish home of [his] family".

"With its buildings of startling individuality, which never fail to fascinate, and its precious, almost sacred, surrounding landscape, it is a place where there is constant change, yet everything remains unaltered, with a sense of timelessness which refreshes the soul," he declared.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are raising their children in a very different way to royal parents before them and Kate's family dynamic has inspired their hands-on approach. She's spoken about her "happy childhood" and how Carole and Michael Middleton "sacrificed" a lot to be there at every sports match cheering her on.

They're also heavily involved in Prince George, Charlotte and Louis's lives and Carole has worked to be this kind of granny. In 2021 she explained, "I have tried hard to be a listening grandmother and mother-in-law. That is why we are all still close, because our relationship has evolved as my children have had children."

"I want to run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel at the playground," Carole said. "As long as I'm able to, that's what I'll be doing. I cook with them, I muck around dancing, we go on bike rides."

She clearly treasures every moment she spends with her family and Kate and William's parenting style closely mirrors her mum's. Last year Prince William revealed that they all sit down and talk as a family and are "strict" about the children having no phones.

Meanwhile, Carole Middleton told The Telegraph in 2018 that she thinks children should be allowed to join the adults at the table "as soon as they can sit up properly".

"As a family, we try to have as many meals together as possible because that's when you talk and have fun," she added.

Royal correspondent and author Simon Vigar believes that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are experiencing a "very similar childhood" to their mum and her siblings. So it's perhaps no surprise that "listening grandmother" Carole could really influence the Royal Family's future.

"I was told by one of my sources that the late Queen, very early on, identified what a good thing Catherine was, and how the absolute backbone was the Middletons. I think the Middleton family will have a huge impact on the future of the monarchy," he claimed on Hello!'s A Right Royal Podcast.

The Middletons are regularly invited to big royal occasions, including the King's coronation which had a scaled-back guest list compared to Queen Elizabeth's. They've clearly developed bonds with the rest of the Royal Family too, as Zara Tindall and Carole were pictured chatting and spending time together at Cheltenham in March.

This reflects how important Carole, Michael, Pippa and James all are in the Waleses' lives and they represent a different path to the upbringing royals traditionally had. Whilst the late Queen reportedly thought of the family as the "backbone", royal author Ingrid Seward has described Carole as the "unflappable mum and grandmother".

Opening up previously to Hello! she also alleged, "The Middletons are a traditional family, which is why William enjoyed being around them so much. When things go wrong, they pull together under Carol's direction. She is the matriarch of this family and they all take her advice because they have great respect for their mum."

When you think of the royals' outfits, comfort doesn't necessarily spring to mind first but Duchess Sophie's off-duty style pairings tend to tick this box more than you think. Although she loves a good pair of stilettos, espadrilles are her go-tos for summer and at the Commonwealth Games she went for flats and cropped trousers.

The Duchess of Edinburgh has owned her TOMS Valenciana flatform espadrilles for several years now and the white ones are her most-worn. They're so neutral they just go with everything and coordinated with her trousers in Glasgow too.

This style has the classic rope detailing and gives some extra elevation without being a full-on wedge or heel. The uppers are made from canvas and espadrille flats are a great alternative to comfortable sandals as they're a little smarter but still relaxed.

Recreate Duchess Sophie's Look

Sophie styled hers with maxi skirts, trousers and dresses before and this time she chose white trousers and a navy jacket that was part of the official Commonwealth Games kit. The trousers fell to her ankles and framed her shoes beautifully.

Slightly cropped styles are a more wearable take on the 2026 capri trend and are another option that's perfect for a summer capsule wardrobe. White jeans can be too much to wear in the heat so it's useful to have a pair of breezy trousers.

Linen and cotton options are the most breathable and popular, though if you want them to be more smart-casual, I'd recommend designs with a bit more structure like pleating or belt loops. The Duchess's trousers were straight and this is a good all-rounder shape that works with flowy or fitted tops and isn't restrictive on the leg.

We didn't get a glimpse at the top Sophie was wearing under her navy jacket but she could've picked any number of colours. The white trousers and espadrilles would complement so many other shades and act as a versatile outfit base.

In the past we've seen the Duchess of Edinburgh pair white trousers with vibrant blouses, however she also loves keeping things pared-back. When she and Prince Edward visited Nepal in 2025 she styled her TOMS flatforms with a subtle pink and white floral maxi skirt, plain white T-shirt and a cropped blazer.

This was a more formal way to wear these shoes and you could also make a date night look out of white trousers and flats by going for a dressier top and a sleek shoulder bag. Duchess Sophie's outing at the Commonwealth Games was official yet low-key, as she met Team England at The Social Hub in Glasgow.

She and Prince Edward attended the Games several times to support the athletes and later on that same day the couple reunited with the Wales family to watch the cycling. By then she'd changed into a denim skirt and blouse, though her other ensemble would've been my first choice due to the comfort level.

There’s a distinctly end-of-term feel about the Royal Family this month. And the King and Queen have now retired to the Scottish Highlands after a jam-packed summer season.

They love this part of the world and their Birkhall home there - so much so, that this is where they spent their honeymoon 21 years ago.

Later this month and next, they will host the wider Royal Family at Balmoral Castle, a short Land Rover ride away.

Kate Middleton, Prince William and the children usually come at the end of August, along with Mike and Zara Tindall with their kids, plus Peter Phillips and his daughters. It’s at the end of the school summer holidays, and all the kids have a great time, I’m told.

Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight, love spending time with Mia, 12, Lena, eight, and Lucas Tindall, five, plus Savannah, 15, and Isla Phillips, 14.

Charles and Camilla finished their official duties by hosting a reception for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - and arriving to open the games in the Doctor Who TARDIS, no less!

Prior to that, they’d been on great form at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show. Camilla got the giggles when she was given a toy radish, while the King was busy dispensing cookery tips - telling a group of schoolchildren to try spinach as it was the ‘best thing in the world!’

The King has been on really good form this year - I’m told his engagements are pretty much back to his pre-cancer levels. Courtiers had saved Fridays for him to rest, ever since his cancer treatment started in February 2024.

But although he’s still receiving treatment (thought to be immunotherapy), doctors are very pleased with his progress.

Besides having a proper holiday in the Highlands (he loves to fish and paint), he will continue with state business. He will host a number of people at Balmoral, including the obligatory weekend with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel.

I’m sure he’ll also fit in a visit to the Castle of Mey, nestled in Caithness at the tip of Scotland - home of his beloved grandmother, the Queen Mother - and perhaps attend the Mey Highland Games. And, certainly, he and Camilla will be at the Braemar Gathering at the Cairngorms National Park, a firm favourite of the late Queen.

Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence will be visiting lighthouses on her annual British cruise, while the Wales family have enjoyed a Mediterranean cruise and time at Anmer Hall, Norfolk.

But for all the Royal Family, it’s the Highlands that have their holiday hearts.

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

It slightly beggars belief after all they have said and done, but… apparently Harry and Meghan are over the American dream and want to return to the UK. Friends are calling it a 'plan to reverse Megxit'.

Whether a crackpot delusion or merely the wish for a fresh start, the Sussexes want to turn around their negative image in the UK. It seems that a return to Britain is being contemplated in some form and that the couple's holiday home in Portugal will be used as a staging post.

I’m told that both Harry and Meghan have started to feel a bit unwelcome in the USA and trying to reconnect with Harry’s English side - for them as well as their two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five - is now a priority.

It would perhaps take Harry standing up to Meghan and pleading, ‘I want to go home,’ but I do think it is something he really wants and something Meghan might be coming round to.

The family meeting at Highgrove House (Harry’s childhood home) with the King and Queen last month was a major step.

But what was at stake wasn't just Charles spending time with his grandchildren - for the first time in four years - or even healing the wounds caused by the Oprah Winfrey interview, Harry's memoir Spare, the series Harry & Meghan on Netflix, the court actions against the Home Office and all the rest of it - the Sussexes are thought to be seeking to reverse Megxit.

The end of their deals with Spotify and Netflix must surely play a part, as must Meghan’s reported fading popularity among her supporters, like Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

A friend says, ‘England is where Harry’s heart has always lain. It is no secret that they went to the States to try and seek their fortune, to try to capitalise on his fame and his royalty to some degree.

‘They have had successes. A $100 million Netflix deal is not nothing… But that American dream is cooling and she perhaps feels an outcast status as well.’

That’s not a permanent or imminent return to our shores, but to hear it being suggested and so deeply wanted by Harry still feels like a bombshell.

Another source, who is less sympathetic to the Sussexes, says they suspect a different kind of change may lie behind the manoeuvres.

The source said, ‘I don’t think Harry has ever wanted to be estranged from his family. I think in the early days he could be blind enough to choose life in the States with Meghan. Now things are different, and the veil is lifting.’

This is not to say they’re splitting up. More that, previously Harry is thought to have done everything she’s wanted to do. Now… not so much.

Yet that meeting with Charles is a major test for the Sussexes.

When they previously introduced Lili to the late Queen in 2022, during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations, I understand that they asked if they could bring a trusted photographer.

A request that was denied.

There has been no briefing from either Team Sussex or Buckingham Palace on what took place at Highgrove over tea – and certainly no photographs.

That will have been the King’s express request - that it should happen completely privately, and stay that way. If anything leaks out, the fragile trust will be rocked once again.

Harry will be back next month for another charity event (and we can expect another father-son meeting then), plus all eyes will be on the Invictus Games in Birmingham next summer.

The Sussexes would like their children to take part in some of the public engagements, plus the King will also be invited.

Meghan’s team let it be known to a friendly US newspaper that she had felt ‘sadness’ at not attending any of the Invictus events last month and the fact that the chaos over their security arrangements was hashed out in public left her feeling ‘humiliated’.

But her visit, with the children, did disprove Harry’s much-repeated complaint that it was too dangerous to bring his family to the UK without the gun-carrying Met officers he so desperately wants.

He is not a working royal - but does he actually want to be one, after all?

Personally, I think he wants the best bits of being royal (popularity, adoration, being able to help) without the onerous duty.

What happens next will be fascinating.

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

Jeans are a wardrobe staple for me all year round but the heatwave has led me to search for lighter options that still give that chic, relaxed look. White trousers are a lovely alternative to denim and although you can easily style them with any other colour, Pippa Middleton made a strong case for keeping things monochrome in 2017.

Back then she was often spotted in London and on one of these occasions in July, Pippa wore white straight-leg trousers, black comfortable sandals and a scalloped white jacket. It was a striking combination and her trousers were the hero item.

Recreate Pippa's Outfit

They were the neutral base she built her look around and the silhouette was breezy enough for warm weather without being super voluminous. Straight-cut trousers and jeans skim the leg and Pippa's had an extra off-duty feel thanks to the turn-up hems.

For an elevated daytime or date night look, I'd recommend tucking in your favourite tops to create a streamlined finish. However, if it's comfort and casualness you're looking for, follow Pippa's example and leave them draped over the top.

The Princess of Wales's sister wore a simple floral cami and layered a Kate Spade tweed jacket over the top. Collarless jackets give a traditional, minimalist edge to an outfit and are particularly striking when they're neutral.

Classic colours accentuate the simplicity of the jacket's design and Pippa's was white with a black scalloped trim. The stark contrast of black and white together draws the eye but isn't going to overpower everything else which is why I personally love monochrome so much.

The tweed fabric softened things and that's an important factor to consider when you're going for black and white outfits. Incorporating different textures softens things and Pippa's jacket complemented her white trousers but still stood out from them.

Her black sandals from LK Bennett matched with the piping and tied the whole ensemble together. If you're more drawn to colourful items in your summer capsule wardrobe then you could easily put your own twist on her style.

White cotton or linen trousers are very breathable and would work with so many different shades, from brights to pastels. This is the kind of versatility you get with jeans, but trousers like Pippa's are just that bit comfier and lighter to wear in the heat.

You can also wear them as the weather gets cooler, paired with different jackets and sturdier footwear like loafers or white trainers. Cropped jackets that fall to the top of the waistband give a neat aesthetic, whilst longline designs elongate your frame.

The Princess of Wales's sister used to love both types, but nowadays we don't tend to see her out and about much in jacket weather. However, Kate tends to stick to longer jackets with her white trousers and the two of them have similar, sophisticated styles.

What a summer Harriet Phillips is having. She officially joined the Royal Family when she married Peter Phillips in June, and since then the newlyweds have attended events such as Royal Ascot, the Championships at Wimbledon and various polo matches.

From her beautiful lace Emilia Wickstead wedding gown to creations by Suzannah London, we certainly know she's got good taste in dresses, and the dress she wore for the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup last month was another triumph.

It's the now sold-out Beulah Aybra Cornflower Linen Dress, which cost £395. The British clothing brand is a favourite of the Princess of Wales, and Harriet added Kiki McDonough green amethyst and diamond earrings, a quirky Anya Hindmarch basket bag and Finlay London sunglasses - all of which are also very Kate Middleton-coded.

Recreate the look

Harriet's dress is the prettiest shade of blue, and I love the flattering sleeves and raffia belt, which picks up on her bag. It's 100% linen, so it's breathable for the last weeks of the summer, and you could really experiment with some of the fashion colour trends 2026.

Chocolate brown paired with pale blue is a particular favourite of mine, or you could even go for something really unexpected, like a pair of leopard print shoes.

You'll notice that a lot of high street stores - like M&S and Phase Eight - are starting to drop their autumn collections this week. But with the sun still shining, Harriet's pretty midi is a reminder that, firstly, I'm not ready to give up summer dresses quite yet, but also that, styled the right way, a dress like this will be incredibly useful into next season.

I can't be the only one who spotted a big difference in how the Palace announced Princess Eugenie's pregnancy in May and the birth of her daughter. On 4th August the Royal Family accounts confirmed, "Their Majesties The King and Queen and other members of The Royal Family were delighted to be informed of the news."

Meanwhile, when Eugenie confirmed she was expecting, the royal statement declared simply, "His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news."

At the time I thought that was interesting and it's even more intriguing to see a return to this more traditional way of ending a royal birth announcement. It's carefully worded and "The Royal Family" is capitalised, which I think makes King Charles's meaning quite clear.

Unlike the pregnancy announcement, this royal birth announcement mentions the wider family and shares not only that they were told, but that they're thrilled with the happy news. It publicly emphasises that Princess Eugenie is still close with the rest of the Royal Family after everything that's happened with her father.

Since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his Prince title and then arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, his daughters have been keeping a low profile. He denies all allegations of wrongdoing but the headlines kept coming and rumours spread that Prince William was distancing himself from his York cousins.

Fast-forward to summer and Eugenie and Beatrice attended Peter Phillips' wedding and Beatrice was seen being warmly greeted by William.

The reference to "other members of The Royal Family" in the Eugenie statement could be a way of setting any further speculation aside. The use of capital letters also makes it sound very official and makes me think of working royals like the Prince and Princess of Wales, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Andrew has no royal role anymore and isn't even a Prince any longer. That's not to say that he wouldn't have been told or be delighted about his granddaughter's birth, just that the phrasing of the Palace statement subtly seems to exclude him.

It keeps things unified and formal, with no mention of "both families" like we've seen in the past which would've immediately brought Eugenie's dad to mind.

King Charles has given the expected birth announcement in a way that manages to minimise the Andrew link as much as possible.

Since the Royal Family Instagram is an official account, you'd expect the King to be happy with any statement shared there and for it to reflect his views. His newborn great-niece is 15th in the royal line of succession and her name hasn't been shared yet.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's sons August and Ernest each have a middle name with royal connections - Philip and George, respectively. It would be a sweet tribute to King Charles's beloved mother if the couple gave their little girl 'Elizabeth' as one of her middle names and I do think this is highly likely.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are now proud parents to a baby daughter and the new arrival was announced by both her mum and the Royal Family. The royal statement confirmed that the little girl was born at a hospital in Lisbon, Portugal yet neither this or Eugenie's own message said which one it was.

This might not sound unusual, but it's a detail that often gets included in royal birth announcements. When Eugenie's niece Athena was born in 2025, her father Edoardo confirmed that she was born in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and the Palace shared that Eugenie's first son August was born at The Portland Hospital.

It's interesting that this time she chose to keep things private and it ties in with her giving birth outside of the UK. She and Jack have split their time between England and Portugal since 2022 and they could've welcomed her daughter in a London hospital. Instead, they clearly wanted as much privacy as possible.

When August and Ernest Brooksbank were born, the parents were photographed driving home, compared to this time around when the announcement was a surprise. In Portugal the family have more anonymity and perhaps Eugenie didn't want the hospital name released so she could ensure this remains the case.

Throughout her third pregnancy she was dealing with intense media interest in her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The King's brother was stripped of his Princely title last year, though he vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing against him.

His daughters are still Princesses and haven't been accused of anything but it must have taken a huge emotional toll even so. Giving birth outside the UK and keeping the hospital private could show Eugenie's way of limiting interest and intrusion whilst still getting to share her joyful news.

This isn't something she had to consider as much when August and Ernest were born and it suggests that privacy is more important than ever for the Princess and Jack. So far the couple haven't announced the name of their daughter either, however this is more likely to be because they haven't totally decided rather than for privacy.

When Eugenie and Jack became parents for the first time in 2021 they simply revealed they'd welcomed a baby boy. It was another 11 days before they shared August's name.

I imagine they'll post another snap with a name announcement before the end of summer. They've chosen quite traditional names so far and who knows whether they could pick a Portuguese-inspired moniker for their little girl to honour their new home.

The family seems to love their life out there and it's possible that Prince Harry and Meghan narrowly missed out on meeting the royal baby.

The Sussexes spent time in Portugal during their trip to Europe in July and given how close Eugenie and Harry have been, it's possible they met up. Now she's a mum-of-three things are going to be even busier for Eugenie, though she'll surely want to introduce her daughter to the wider Royal Family at some point soon.

We can already see autumn tones beginning to creep into the new-in sections of our favourite brands and one colour that's easy to start styling now is purple. Deep aubergine and royal purple shades are set to be huge next season and one of the Duchess of Edinburgh's favourite summer dresses falls somewhere between the two.

Sophie was first seen wearing it at a joint engagement with Prince William in 2023 and it's by British clothing brand, Erdem. The Roisin dress is midi-length and the ruffles on the shoulders provide a hint of coverage rather than it being totally sleeveless.

It has a pleated skirt and the intricate floral print is a pale pink that stands out against the bold purple. Although this colour could be considered more autumnal, Duchess Sophie's dress had a silhouette that's perfect for wearing in the heat.

Shop Our Purple Favourites

Mixing deeper colours with lightweight fabrics and breezy shapes is a subtle way to mix up your outfits as we edge towards the new season.

"Plum and red-mahogany hues are set to be some of autumn/winter's biggest fashion colour trends for 2026," says woman&home's Digital Fashion Editor Rivkie Baum. "This dark neutral adds a gothic romance that works beautifully against elegant tones of coffee, cream, tan and grey, as well as grounding vibrant pops of pink and olive."

She explains that it's "flattering for all skin tones" and advises, "If you're nervous about injecting it into your wardrobe, a leather handbag in a reddish-brown offers as much longevity as black but is less severe, adding personality and trend-worthiness."

For the private screening of Rhino Man with Prince William, Sophie went for light beige heels and carried a purple wrap and clutch bag to tie in with the dress.

A year later she re-wore her frock to the Paris Olympics and went for white wedges instead. If you're not a fan of wedges or stiletto heels, a pair of comfortable sandals would work just as well with a frock like this and then when the weather gets colder you can switch to ankle boots or knee-highs instead.

A dress is always going to be more of a statement way to wear a colour trend because it's the main outfit element. You can make things more low-key by starting to style purple in late summer with flowy trousers, skirts or tops instead.

Long yet floaty sleeves can make a design particularly versatile, as you can layer over or underneath them more easily when the weather gets colder too. Plum-toned accessories are also lovely with timeless, neutral outfits and can be worn throughout autumn/winter.

The Duchess of Edinburgh loves going all-out with bold shades so it's no wonder she carried a coordinating wrap and bag in 2023. The clutch was slightly darker and mixing different deep purples can add instant dimension and cohesion to a look.

Both times we've seen Sophie step out in this dress have been in the height of summer, so she's really showcased how fabulous plum and berry shades can be this time of year. They're something a little different to pastels or brights like tomato red, and within this autumn trend there's a lot of variation so you can find a purple that suits you and your style.

I've been wearing my summer dresses more than any other item during the heatwave but co-ords are a chic alternative that I shouldn't forget about. They come in various forms and although trouser and top sets are most common, Harriet Phillips wore a stunning skirt and blouse co-ord to Wimbledon last year.

At the time she wasn't a Royal Family member and her style was a little more lowkey, though the colour is something she still wears a lot now. The Wiggy Kit Esti top and skirt were a pale periwinkle blue and had delicate white Broderie Anglaise detailing.

The blouse was slightly longer at the back and the scalloped trim sat perfectly over the skirt's high-rise waistband. If you didn't know it was a matching set it's easy to mistake this for a dress and you might wonder why you'd ever invest in a co-ord instead.

Shop Blue Co-Ord Sets

However, as someone who loves a throw-on frock even I have to admit that separates give you more styling potential. A co-ord like Harriet's can be worn together as one outfit, or paired with your other summer capsule wardrobe favourites.

Her top would work as part of a blue or white jeans outfit, or with light linen trousers. Equally, the skirt could be made more casual by wearing it with a plain white T-shirt or vest top. Wide-leg trouser sets can be just as useful as skirt co-ords too, so if you prefer structured silhouettes you can still enjoy the versatility of a matching set.

Harriet Phillips clearly loves pastel blue so she would've known she'd have items that go with it when she picked up the Esti designs.

Soft blue is gorgeous for the season and even when autumn arrives, it works well with darker hues like chocolate brown or even burnt orange. It's not too bold and adds a hint of colour to an outfit, though if blue isn't for you then look for sets in muted shades.

White, brown and black are a breeze to mix and match with different items so you can get even more wear out of a neutral co-ord. Your choice of fabric is also a key factor. Harriet's set was made from linen which is breathable and quite relaxed.

For a versatile evening-wear combination go for satin or crepe instead and style with heels and plenty of glimmering jewellery. Princess Anne's daughter-in-law accessorised her Wimbledon outfit a bit more simply, with a dainty necklace and a powder blue bag by Aspinal of London.

Her shoes were platform wedges by another British brand, Penelope Chilvers, and the tan suede was a subtle contrast against all the blue.

This is the kind of outfit you can imagine Harriet re-wearing year after year, giving it a slight style update each time by going for different pairings. In July she wore a dress in a very similar blue to the DMMI Royal Charity Polo Cup and the Anya Hindmarch straw tote she carried would look just as summery and chic with her 2025 co-ord.

Unlike his grandson, Prince George, who will be heading off to Eton College this September, King Charles was educated a lot further afield as a teenager. The monarch followed in his father's footsteps and went to Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland.

This made him the first Prince of Wales to be educated at a school rather than by private tutors and the late Prince Philip wanted to send his son a little piece of home to keep with him. Instead of a conventional care package or sentimental photo, the doting dad gave his eldest son something a lot more historic - and unexpected.

It turns out Prince Philip sent King Charles a 12th-century Norman font, to remind him of "English beauty" while he was away.

According to The Independent, this "strange story" has largely gone untold over the years and one of the object’s custodians, William Cash, recently revealed how it all came to be. The late Duke of Edinburgh spotted the Norman font while visiting St Michael’s Church in Shropshire in the 1960s with former MP Ivor Bulmer-Thomas.

He claimed, "They went to see it, and Prince Philip apparently said (of the font), ‘I think that would be really good if it was moved to Gordonstoun, because I want my son to be surrounded by ancient objects of English beauty’."

"I think Philip thought, ‘What a waste to have it just sitting in a storage unit,'" he added. "It’s quite large - how they got it up to Gordonstoun I really do not know. This is a strange story that to this day most people don’t know about."

The font stood in the modern school chapel during King Charles’s time there, but was returned to Shropshire in the 1970s. While it might have seemed like an odd choice of gift for a teenager, there could be special significance behind Philip’s gesture.

Decades later, he would concede that, at times, the relationship between he and his eldest son could sometimes be impacted by their differing personalities. In an interview with biographer Gyles Brandreth, as per OK!, Philip admitted, "[Charles is] a romantic, and I'm a pragmatist. That means we do see things differently and because I don't see things as a romantic would, I'm 'unfeeling.'"

Prince Philip choosing to do something as poetic and romantic as sending something to remind his son about England’s beauty and history might have been his way of connecting to his son on his level.

Having this reminder might have been a comfort to King Charles, as many reports over the years have alleged he didn't necessarily love his time at the boarding school. However, it went on to become a definite family favourite, as both of his younger brothers Andrew and Edward were educated there.

Later, his nephew Peter Phillips and niece Zara Tindall also attended Gordonstoun and she's spoken about really enjoying their experience.

"I loved school, I loved sport and being with my mates all the time," she said in 2018. "I don’t know how much work I did. You do get homesick, but I had so much fun, and Pete was very protective."

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's summer reunion with King Charles might've surprised some people - particularly because we've seen no photos of the joyful occasion. Instead, all Buckingham Palace did was confirm the Sussexes had met the King and Queen at Highgrove.

However, according to expert and Woman's Royal Editor Emily Andrews, this approach wasn't Harry and Meghan's choice, but Charles's. Writing in the latest issue, she suggested that His Majesty would've wanted everything else to be kept private.

"There has been no briefing from either Team Sussex or Buckingham Palace on what took place at Highgrove over tea - and certainly no photographs," Emily wrote. "That will have been the King's express request - that it should happen completely privately, and stay that way."

She believes that if any details or pictures are leaked the "fragile trust" between King Charles and his son and daughter-in-law "will be rocked once again". Although Meghan shared snapshots from the family's time in Europe on Instagram, she respected the monarch's reported "request" and no pictures of Archie and Lili with the King were included.

This is particularly interesting given what allegedly happened the last time the Sussexes visited the UK as a family in 2022.

The late Queen Elizabeth met Lili for the first time over the Platinum Jubilee weekend and Emily understands that Harry and Meghan asked if they could bring a "trusted photographer" to capture the moment.

Their own request was apparently "denied" and no pictures of the special family meet-up were shared then either.

This time it seems like the Sussexes were totally happy to honour the King's wishes and just enjoy the moment, as there's been no rumours of them asking again. Keeping it private maintains that "fragile trust" and also ensures the reunion remains a private, family matter. Even so, Emily believes Prince William wasn't delighted…

"I understand that William believes the couple should not have been rewarded with a family meeting, however private, with the King," she claimed recently. "His father has gone ahead, while William is the one carrying an ever-growing share of the actual work and popularity of the monarchy."

Balancing his relationships with both sons might prove tricky for King Charles as long as Harry and William's rift continues. In The Windsor Legacy, author Robert Jobson claimed that something the Duke of Sussex said in 2021 "shattered" brotherly trust.

Harry suggested that his older brother was "trapped" in the royal institution and Jobson alleged that the Prince of Wales "was furious" about this.

"William knew and embraced his path, both the burden and the honour. Harry's words cut deep," he wrote, adding that the "brotherly bond was shattered, and trust gone".

Despite this, Harry and Meghan seem to be making every effort to build trust back up with King Charles by keeping the details of the Highgrove meet-up between them. Perhaps, in time, they could have a reunion with the Waleses too, though privacy will be even more crucial there.

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

Each season there are certain pieces we reach for more than others but there are some that work just as well for autumn as they do in a summer capsule wardrobe. Jeans are what many people think of first and yet a denim skirt like Duchess Sophie's midi design is just as versatile.

She debuted it at the Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival in early July, paired with knee-high boots and just re-styled it with a floaty blouse and wedges for the Commonwealth Games a month later. As a big fan of British clothing brands, it's no surprise that this is by one of her favourites - Penelope Chilvers.

The Lancaster skirt is a deep indigo and has pleats and a slightly dropped waist which gives it extra volume. If you prefer streamlined silhouettes, then A-line options are also popular and no matter the shape, denim skirts are an elegant alternative to jeans.

Shop Duchess Sophie's Outfit

They also often have a uniform colour wash which can make them feel smarter. Duchess Sophie went for an elevated casual outfit for the games in Glasgow and tucked in a patterned Soler blouse. The white base shade made the vibrant print pop and this added a summery edge to her look.

Tucking in a top is a simple way to accentuate the waist and the beauty of denim is that it goes with any other colour so you don't have to worry about clashing. The Duchess of Edinburgh's blouse was crafted from breathable silk and featured pops of mustard yellow, blue, green and pale pink.

Keeping the rest of your outfit pared back will help to balance a top as statement as this and Sophie's tan suede wedges were as minimal as her skirt - and also by Penelope Chilvers.

We've seen her wear these a lot this summer, though they weren't the only pair of shoes she brought with her to Scotland. Earlier in the day she and Prince Edward visited Team England and she wore her flatform TOMS espadrilles instead.

These would have worked with her other ensemble too, though comfortable sandals are another failsafe option. If you want to pair trainers with a midi skirt or dress, it's best to go for streamlined shapes as these tie in with their elegance and don't look like too much of a contrast.

In June we saw the Duchess of Edinburgh wearing the same skirt with tan suede knee-high boots and these looked fabulous as well.

Right now it's a bit too hot to try this, but draping a longer skirt over the top of taller boots is a leg-elongating combination. I expect to see Sophie going for this more when the weather cools down and perhaps swapping her blouse for a sleek jumper instead.

Like the Princess of Wales, she regularly re-wears her staples and a denim skirt offers so much styling potential without being too casual. She and Prince Edward were at the Commonwealth Games partly as sports fans and partly as senior royals, with Duchess Sophie presenting the medals for Women's Tandem B 1000m Time Trial.

Last Commonwealth Games it was Princess Charlotte's treat to go with her parents but this time we got to see the whole Wales family enjoying the experience together in Glasgow. Their day out was the first time we've seen Prince Louis since Trooping the Colour and the 8-year-old was in great spirits, providing plenty of cheeky expressions and moments to spot.

He also made an intriguing admission about his relationship with Charlotte - and it sounds about right for the siblings. We know Charlotte is a big gymnastics fan and she's apparently not shy about telling Louis when his skills need some work.

During a visit to Wales House to chat with Team Wales, the Princess of Wales turned to her youngest son and said, "Louis, you're perfecting your handstand at the moment."

According to The Sun, he reportedly responded, "A bit. But Charlotte says I'm no good". His sister is more of a pro, as when asked by twin gymnasts Abigail and Emily Roper if she could do a handstand, Charlotte happily confirmed it.

Her confidence in telling Louis her true thoughts about his handstands isn't all that surprising given how we've seen them be together in public. Charlotte is always quick to correct her mischievous younger brother's behaviour at big royal events like Trooping the Colour and has even been known to do the same for George.

Whilst Louis's handstands might need a little more practice to earn praise from Charlotte, it sounds as if he's surpassed George. When he was asked the same question, the 13-year-old and Kate laughed and he supposedly replied, "I'm rubbish at anything that involves flexibility."

This doesn't sound like it bothers him much and Prince George's favourite sports don't really require this skill.

He's a big fan of football and rugby, with mum Kate admitting earlier this year that now he's older she "do[es] not want to get tackled by him".

In contrast, Prince William told the Welsh athletes that his daughter "loves gymnastics and ballet" and Louis "perfecting" his handstands suggests that he could be adorably wanting to emulate his big sister. The Prince of Wales said on the Apple Fitness + Time to Walk podcast in 2021 that Louis used to follow Charlotte around and copy her.

"Charlotte, particularly, is running around the kitchen in her dresses and ballet stuff and everything," he explained. "She goes completely crazy with Louis following her around trying to do the same thing. It's a really happy moment where the children just enjoy dancing, messing around, and, and singing."

Prince Louis has also started playing touch rugby in recent years and we saw him and Prince George playing cricket on the beach in both their 2026 birthday videos. These were filmed during the family's holiday to Cornwall at Easter so it's a good glimpse at the sports they enjoy together.

At the Glasgow Commonwealth Games the kids looked to be supporting Wales (Louis even wore a themed hat) in cycling and England in their netball semi-final against New Zealand, before taking photos with Team Scotland's netball players. Sadly for Charlotte, they didn't get to see any gymnastics this time!

The Princess of Wales doesn't overcomplicate her outfits and she wore a simple but stunning trio of pieces to the Commonwealth Games on 1st August. The last time we saw her publicly she wore a summer dress at Wimbledon but in Glasgow where things have been slightly cooler, Kate styled a knitted top, pleated skirt and blazer.

This is a tried-and-tested formula for her and it's an easy one to adjust to wear in the heat or in colder weather. The Princess's ivory top was actually sleeveless and had deep navy stripes and a high crew neckline. These kinds of designs can be worn as they are, or layered over blouses and skirts for a preppy, polished look.

Recreate Kate's Outfit

At the Games we didn't really get a glimpse of it, as Kate kept her Ralph Lauren blazer on over the top. This is a new piece for her and the green tone felt very autumnal, though we shouldn't be afraid to start mixing some deeper colours into our late summer outfits.

The trick is to brighten them up with the rest of your clothing and the future Queen did this by reaching for her favourite white pleated skirt. Pleated skirts and blazers are a go-to for her and this skirt looks to be the same one she wore with a mint green jacket to Wimbledon in 2023.

It fell to midi-length and the pleating gave it such a flowy, feminine shape. This contrasted against the very structured, sharp blazer and the light colour balanced out the dark green and made the Princess's ensemble feel more summery.

The white also tied in with her top and her pearl drop earrings. To make a blazer, knit and pleated skirt more cold weather-appropriate you can go for a long-sleeved jumper and thicker fabrics instead. Pleated skirts look wonderful with knee-high boots and create a leg-elongating effect.

Alternatively if it's even hotter than it was in Glasgow, I'd recommend a linen or linen-blend jacket for breathability and a thinner top or cotton vest instead. Kate finished off her own outfit with her neutral slingback heels from Camilla Elphick and a white tote by Anya Hindmarch.

The woven texture of this bag was another nice way she made the outfit more seasonal - and a little more relaxed. She, Prince William and their children attended the Commonwealth Games as sports enthusiasts but they also visited the Team Wales athletes at Wales House, so it wasn't a totally off-duty day for them.

That meant that the entire family dressed smart-casual and the Princess of Wales's blazer, knit and skirt worked perfectly as an elegant, low-key combination. Depending on the colours you're working with you could do the opposite of Kate and wear an autumnal toned skirt with a lighter blazer and the silhouettes can be adapted to suit different signature styles too.

I'm a little surprised that we didn't see the Princess wearing any red in honour of Wales, though green and white also feature prominently on their flag so this could've been a nod to the country.