The Royal Family has found themselves incredibly busy recently, with high-profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Garter Day, and Royal Ascot taking place within days of each other. But on Sunday, June 21, Princess Kate and her children—Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince Louis—took some time out from their hectic schedules to pay tribute to the future King himself, Prince William.

The Prince and Princess of Wales's official Instagram account shared the special message honoring William on June 21, which marks both Father's Day and his 44th birthday. For the occasion, the royals shared a previously unseen photo of William posing with daughter Princess Charlotte, which was taken on the same day as Trooping the Colour by royal photographer Matt Porteous.

"Happy birthday and Father's Day to the best Papa in the World! We love you very much," the caption said. It was signed off simply with the initials of Princess Kate and their three children: "C, G, C & L."

As well as attending all of the aforementioned royal events this week, Prince William also paid a visit to carbon-negative farm the Apricot Centre in Totnes, Devon, to learn about their farming practices.

During the visit, he spoke to managing director Rachel Phillips about his three children—George, Charlotte, and Louis. "[William] was quite impressed with our strawberries and was telling me in Norfolk his children grow strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce and have a small kitchen garden," she explained, via Hello! magazine.

Phillips continued, "He was asking me how we grew them, and we talked about how we stop our children eating them all."

While Prince William jokes about his children's cheeky habits, it's clear that George, Charlotte, and Louis are very grateful for their father, who just so happens to be the heir apparent.

Prince William and Princess Kate seemingly have their work cut out for them raising three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently moved into their "forever home," Forest Lodge, and they also have a country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk. During a recent royal engagement, Prince William opened up about one particular thing he has to stop his children from doing at home.

On Thursday, June 18, Prince William made a solo visit to carbon-negative farm the Apricot Centre in Totnes, Devon, where he met with managing director Rachel Phillips.

Phillips said following the visit, "[William] was quite impressed with our strawberries and was telling me in Norfolk his children grow strawberries, raspberries, and lettuce and have a small kitchen garden," as reported by Hello! magazine.

Phillips continued, "He was asking me how we grew them, and we talked about how we stop our children eating them all."

Clearly, Prince William can't seem to stop George, Charlotte, and Louis from eating all of the fruit before it even makes it indoors.

According to its website, "The Apricot Centre grows biodynamic food which nurtures local people and communities. We offer regenerative farming support, consultancy for land-based businesses, and nature-based wellbeing therapies."

The Apricot Centre also hosts regular events and courses, and offers a range of fresh produce in its farm store.

As for whether or not Prince William will ever be successful in stopping George, Charlotte, and Louis from eating all of the fruit from the garden remains unclear. Still, at least the royal kids seem to have an appetite for healthy and fresh food.

Prince George will be turning 13 in July and heading off to boarding school in September, and with some big milestones ahead for the Wales family, one former butler is weighing in on how they might take a U-turn from previous royals.

Speaking to Select Car Leasing, Harrold—who served King Charles at Highgrove House from 2004 to 2011—says that learning to drive “is a huge thing for the royals as so many of their homes are in the middle of nowhere.” Even though George and his siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are years away from hitting the road, Harrold explains the process that goes behind young royals learning to drive—and why Princess Kate and Prince William could potentially switch things up.

He says that like any other member of the public, members of the Royal Family have to pass a driving test to get their license—except for the monarch. “They have to do the same theory and practical tests, and have to do all the revision and practice that comes with them,” Harrold shares.

Members of the Royal Family will use a private driving instructor, with Harrold noting, “The chosen instructor would have gone through security checks, but apart from that it’s not much different to how normal teens learn.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales have raised their children in a much different way than previous royals, and Harrold notes that they could choose to teach their kids in a more “hands-on” way.

“When it comes to teaching George, Charlotte and Louis how to drive, I wonder if Kate and William might take a more hands-on approach as they do with so much of their private lives,” he says.

Harrold adds he “could imagine Kate getting behind the wheel and teaching them herself when they’re old enough,” as the Princess of Wales is ”a very calm person” and “would make a great teacher.”

Circle back in 2030 when it's time for 17-year-old George to get behind the wheel.

Following the confirmation that Prince George is set to attend Eton College later this year, it's being reported that the young royal will need to follow numerous rules at the institution. As Eton is his dad Prince William's alma mater, George has likely had a head start regarding some of the most surprising rules and traditions. However, it's clear that the future King will also have a lot of learning to do in September.

As reported by Hello! magazine, Eton College is stepped in history, meaning it "has as much in common with Hogwarts as the real world." The outlet continued, "Eton has accrued so many traditions since it was founded in 1440 that it has its own lexicon of rewards and punishments that give the impression of an impenetrable club."

Calling some of the school's rules "arcane," the publication discussed the "colors test," which Prince George would need to complete upon arrival. The test will require the future monarch to "memorize the location of school buildings and the official colors of each of its 25 boarding houses," Hello! shared.

As for the rules Prince George will need to abide by, there will be a plethora to remember. For instance, if George is late to class, he will be forced to write his name in something called the "Tardy Book," presumably to highlight his lack of appropriate timekeeping.

Per Hello!, "Other Eton punishments include Lines (copying out 100 hexameters of Latin poetry), a Georgic (copying 500 hexameters), and Chores, a form of unpaid labor such as weeding a housemaster's garden."

Basically, it seems as though Prince George will have his work cut out for him at Eton College, despite his status as the heir apparent.

It seems like just yesterday that Prince William and Princess Kate stepped out onto the Lindo Wing steps with their little bundle of royal joy, Prince George. Speculation has been mounting over the last few years over where Prince George will attend secondary school. After four years at Lambrook School with his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, Prince George is setting off on his own for the next stage of his education at his dad’s alma mater, Eton College.

Kensington Palace announced that Prince George will attend Eton College in September, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William, and Uncle Prince Harry. Prince George’s ‘gran gran,’ Queen Elizabeth II, was also educated at Eton through private tutoring since the iconic British institution is famously an all-male school. Despite being a very short drive from the Prince and Princess of Wales’s family home, Forest Lodge, Prince George is expected to board while at Eton.

Speculation went wild over the last several months, as major private schools like Marlborough College—Princess Kate’s former boarding school—and Oundle were expected to be Prince George’s top choices. The single-sex education set up at Eton means that Princess Charlotte will have to attend a different school, although Prince Louis may join his older brother in a few years’ time.

When Prince William started at Eton College in 1995, his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, accompanied him on his first day and stood by his side as he signed the school's historical pupil registration book.

Prince George will follow in the tradition, arriving in his classic Eton uniform consisting of “a black tailcoat (jacket), a black single-breasted waistcoat, pinstriped trousers, and a stiff, starched white collar” to sign the registration book. His parents, Prince William and Princess Kate, are expected to join him for the historic occasion. His name will be recorded alongside his dad, uncle, great-uncle Earl Spencer, and 20 former prime ministers.

Every year, members of the Royal Family gather at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, which commemorates the monarch's unofficial birthday. This year, Princess Kate and Prince William were in attendance, along with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. As usual, the royal children did not disappoint.

For 2026, Princess Kate made sure that her kids wore the perfect outfits, which included creating an adorable twinning moment. Upon their arrival at the event, Prince George and Prince Louis were seen wearing a baby blue tie, which coordinated with their mom's coat dress, creating the ideal matching opportunity.

Notably, Princess Kate's coat dress, which features white accents, is from one of her favorite designers—Catherine Walker. Kate's late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, often wore Catherine Walker designs. Kate's Trooping the Colour 2026 outfit appears to reference one of Diana's Catherine Walker coat dresses, worn in 1987, making the choice extremely intentional.

In 2025, Prince George and Prince Louis rode together in a carriage at the start of Trooping the Colour, and they certainly seemed to be having a ball. Kate and William's two sons were spotted laughing, chatting, and generally enjoying the regal celebration.

Of course, Prince Louis has become known for making cheeky facial expressions during important Royal Family events.

Rather than making their kids behave in an overtly serious way, Kate and William are often seen laughing along with their kids—especially Prince Louis—when one of them inevitably creates a new meme on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Prince William and Princess Kate are extremely dedicated parents, often shaping their work schedules around school pick ups and soccer games. When it comes to childhood, they want their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—to have as normal a childhood as possible. While Princess Kate grew up in a normal, middle class suburb with picnics and at home birthday parties, Prince William grew up with the enormous pressure that he would one day be King.

That pressure of Prince William’s future must have only bred tension between him and his brother, Prince Harry. Famously known as ‘the heir and the spare,’ Prince Harry was clearly upset by the comparisons—so much so that he titled his memoir Spare, a sniping comment towards his role within the Royal Family. Global parenting expert Jo Frost, famously known as the Supernanny, suspects Prince William and Princess Kate will raise their children in a different way.

"I think William and Catherine understand the importance of nurturing the sibling relationships between the three of them,” Frost told Hello. Prince William and Princess Kate have already emphasized the importance of treating their children equally, doing as much as possible to give each child equal attention and importance when they are in public. “Dare I say it, in their family, it would never be the 'heir and spare'. It would be about the importance of all of them.”

"The understanding that it really takes a team, with the important roles in upholding the crown and the monarchy,” Frost said of the future of the British Royal Family. When Prince George is eventually King, he will want his brother and sister at his side carrying on as working members of the Royal Family. “We're seeing these very early seeds now, with respect to what it means to support each other and to nurture together."

Jo Frost believes that their home life is key to nurturing those relationships. "They have a lovely balance of that and behind closed doors, no doubt they're playing games and winding each other up as siblings do, teasing each other, having fun and baking cookies and being out in nature,” Frost said. This image of a happy, messy, normal home life was recently echoed by Katie Nicholl, who wrote “We can just imagine that Forest Lodge will be a home with muddy boots outside, dogs and kids running in and out of the garden, something lovely cooking on the stove.”

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis only make a few public appearances a year, but when they do, there’s one member of Prince William and Princess Kate’s family who keeps everyone in check. Princess Charlotte, 11, has been spotted correcting her brothers’ behavior on several occasions, and Supernanny star Jo Frost says the princess is a pro at reminding her siblings of the proper etiquette.

“Charlotte knows the rules. She's the one in the middle,” Frost told Hello! in a new interview. “She knows how to keep everyone in good stead.” During Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, Charlotte gently nudged Prince George when he put his hand up, and she appeared to tell Prince Louis to put his arms down as she repeatedly tapped him during Trooping the Colour 2024.

The childhood behavior expert noted that Princess Charlotte’s big brother might not love her corrections at times, even if he’s ultimately “grateful” for the help.

“There are moments when I've watched George and he's looked over at his sister, and he's probably annoyed with her one minute and then grateful that she's there being able to remind him of things, when he's taking it all in as well,” Frost said.

She added that when it comes to etiquette, the Wales children have been “raised with an understanding of royal procedures and protocols” as well as understanding “there's a time and a place” for certain behaviors.

Charlotte, in particular, seems to take after her mother when it comes to royal protocol, but Frost said that kids being kids at events is “relatable to any family.”

“For example, there's a wedding or a christening coming up and we know that it would be good manners and etiquette to be quiet while the choir is singing and the service is happening,” she said. “That, to me, is just responsible parenting, and we see that.”

Where Prince George will attend high school has been the topic of much discussion in recent months. While many royal experts believed Princess Kate and Prince William's eldest son would attend Eton College—just like his father did—visits to alternate boarding schools have only increased speculation. Now, one royal expert is suggesting that Kate and William will be hoping to "avoid awkward opportunities" with Prince George's school choice.

During an episode of the Daily Mail's "Palace Confidential," royal biographer Andrew Morton said, "George is looking every inch a very handsome young man, and the big debate is now: where are they going to send him to school?"

Princess Diana's biographer continued, "My guess is Oundle. They have already been there to have a look round. Maybe that's going to be the school for [Princess] Charlotte too. They could decide to send all three of them to the same school, and a mixed private school would fit the bill."

However, attending a boys only school like Eton College could eliminate some potential problems, says royal expert Richard Kay.

"An all boys school avoids those awkward opportunities for someone to get a photograph of him perhaps having his first snog with a girl and the explosion of interest that would create," Kay explained during "Palace Confidential."

Kay continued, "The other thing to remember is that the Waleses live literally on top of Eton College. It was also where William went to school. He had very happy school days there."

For now, it remains unclear where Kate and William are planning to send Prince George to school. However, any eventual choice is sure to create a lot of speculation.

Prince William and his kids showed they were certified Swifties after attending the Eras Tour in London, and in a new interview on the U.K.’s Heart Radio “Heart Breakfast” show, he insinuated that he might be heading to the celebrity wedding of the year.

When asked by co-hosts Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden if he had “got an invite” to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s upcoming nuptials, the Prince of Wales gave a cheeky “no comment” response that made the radio personalities gasp.

“I’m hoping and I’m sure there might be an invitation around, but we’ll see," Prince William added. He went on to dedicate a song to his daughter, with Thurston saying, “This is for Charlotte, we know she's listening in the car on the school run.”

The Prince of Wales said that Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis were both big fans of Swift, but that Charlotte especially was “obsessed” with the pop star. “We went to see her on her Eras Tour and it was amazing,” he said.

“It was at Wembley, so we had a box, so we were watching from up there, which is quite a long way from the actual action’s happening, but the atmosphere was so incredible,” Prince William said. “You could actually feel the floors shaking when they were all dancing, so it was brilliant.”

Prince George also came along for the family’s big night out, but Princess Kate had to miss the concert while she was recovering from cancer treatment.

If there was one song he could listen to for the rest of his life, William said he couldn’t pick, but said he likes “dance songs” and “motivational” music. And as for the Princess of Wales’s favorite songs, William revealed that she’s a fan of Raye and requested her hit “Where Is My Husband.”

“Love a bit of Raye. Where's my husband?” the Prince of Wales said. “As my wife calls, keeps asking, ‘Where IS my husband?’”

Prince George is wrapping up his final year at Lambrook School this summer before heading to his next adventure, and during a rare interview, Prince William revealed that his eldest son, 12, has already got started on one aspect of boarding school life.

While speaking to Heart Radio hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston, the Prince of Wales was asked to give a shout-out to his kids, who were getting ready for their school day. But in the process, he revealed that Prince George is already spending some nights away at school.

“Charlotte and Louis—because George is boarding last night—Charlotte and Louis, if you're listening, make sure you're on time, please, make sure you're not fighting over who listens to what, this morning,” he said.

Lambrook School, where all three Wales children attend, offers flexible boarding, meaning day students can choose to sleep over occasionally. It seems that George isn't the only one who sometimes chooses to stay overnight at school, with Prince William discussing their busy mornings on the radio show.

When asked if it was “chaotic” getting Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis out the door, the future King said, “It can be. It depends if there is a guitar lesson or a music lesson, you have to get the guitar in the car, no we aren’t taking the car, are we boarding are we not? Are we seeing friends or are we not? All of that going on in the morning.”

Prince William and Princess Kate will likely be announcing George's secondary school choice soon, as his last day of school at Lambrook is in early July. While the Prince of Wales's alma mater, Eton College, was widely assumed to be where George would attend, Oundle School in Northamptonshire is now considered to be in the running.

William and Kate were spotted bringing Charlotte for a tour of the boarding school earlier this month, with sources telling Marie Claire that they're considering enrolling all three children at the prep school.

Aston Villa defeated SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League Final 2026 match, and for Prince William, good times never seemed so good. In a clip shared on Instagram, the Prince of Wales burst into song (and dance), joining the crowd in Istanbul for a spirited rendition of “Sweet Caroline.” But one devoted Aston Villa fan was missing from the memorable evening.

Prince George, 12, often accompanies his father to Villa matches, but this time, he stayed at home for the international trip. Given the game was held on a Wednesday night during the school year, it’s unsurprising that Prince William chose to leave George behind with his siblings, instead attending the Europa League finals with some of his lifelong friends.

The Prince of Wales was spotted cheering alongside some of his best friends, including Ben Dawes, Thomas van Straubenzee, Edward van Cutsem and Edward’s teenage son, Jake.

Football fans couldn’t get enough of William’s singing, like one who commented on the Reel, “So great to see the future king so happy. It’s wonderful to have a royal so passionate about football too, I don’t think it’s happened before. The working man’s sport. 👏.”

“Not a Villa fan but well done ❤️ just here for Prince Williams reactions... amazing,” another commented, while a third Instagram user added, “William looks so happy it's lovely seeing him be just normal and enjoying himself❤️.”

Although Prince George missed the big match, he's joined his dad at other Villa games during the school breaks, like last year, when he traveled to Paris with Prince William during their Easter holiday to watch the UEFA Champions League quarter final.

But Prince George's big chance to watch some international soccer could be coming up this summer when the World Cup heads to North America. The Prince of Wales is said to be planning to attend a match in the United States, so perhaps George should start practicing his "Sweet Caroline" moves.

Princess Kate is currently in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where she is continuing her research into early years development. During the trip, the Princess of Wales has gotten her hands dirty, but also delighted royal fans with her outfits. Although this marks Princess Kate's first solo trip abroad since her cancer diagnosis, the royal is keeping reminders of home close to her heart with a unique bracelet.

On the second day of her trip, Princess Kate was spotted wearing an eye-catching fabric bracelet, featuring a floral deisgn and several gold charms, which she wore alongside her Cartier Ballon Bleu Watch. Sharing details of the jewelry commission on Instagram, the label explained, "Atelier Molayem is deeply honored that HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales, chose to wear our 9kt yellow gold cube initials bracelet from the 'ABC' collection."

The caption continued, "Crafted in collaboration with @relaisroncolo1888 and paired with original Liberty fabric, the jewel celebrates the people we hold closest to our hearts, those we wish to carry with us always."

While examining wildlife during her visit to Scuola dell'infanzia ("Salvador Allende"), the bracelet was visible on Princess Kate's wrist. Reminiscent of Princess Charlotte's adorable friendship bracelets, which she lovingly gifted to family members, Princess Kate's new piece of jewelry is an important memento referencing all three of her children.

Discussing Princess Kate's trip to Italy, one source told People, "She's looking forward to being here, she's energized, she's enthused, she's excited to see Reggio Emilia in action and meet the people here too."

Despite being so far from home, Princess Kate is likely comforted by her new bracelet containing her children's initials, which makes the new piece of jewelry even more special.

Princess Kate’s first day in Italy has been an action-packed one, meeting with enormous crowds of fans, visiting a local school and getting her hands dirty at an immersive workshop. While Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis didn’t join their mother on her two-day visit to Reggio Emilia, Italy, Kate revealed some of the activities she found to keep them busy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Princess of Wales is visiting the city to learn more about the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education, which focuses on self-directed, experiential learning. While visiting the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre—a meeting place for international researchers, teachers, and families—the Princess of Wales participated in one of the center’s specialist atelier’s, a clay modeling workshop.

Per the Telegraph’s “Your Royal Appointment” newsletter, royal editor Hannah Furness noted that the princess had no problem with mess during the event. “Don’t worry! I have children—I’m used to it,” she said. Princess Kate then shared some of the hands-on activities she found to do at home with her three children.

Instead of relying on screens, Kate said she tried to keep their curiosity alive with hands-on crafts.

“We tried to find as many objects in the house as we could with as many colors in the rainbow as possible,” the Princess of Wales told the group.

This tactic was visible when Prince Louis showed off his messy, paint-covered hands in his second birthday photo. The prince, who turned two in 2020, created a handprint painting with the primary colors, showing Kate’s dedication to sensory-based projects.

After her visit to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, the Princess of Wales visited a local school that uses the Reggio Emilia approach, Scuola Comunale d'Infanzia Anna Frank.

Students formed a line to hug the princess in one adorable moment shared by Chris Ship of ITV on Instagram, and if Wednesday was any indication, the Princess of Wales is in for many more hugs on the final day of her trip over the next day.

Prince George will become King one day, but Prince William and Princess Kate have been careful to give him as normal of a childhood as possible. Whether it’s playing with his dogs, Orla and Otto, or taking part in school sports, 12-year-old George has experienced a much different childhood than his grandfather, King Charles. However, royal biographer Robert Jobson has shared that the preteen prince still has to get used to one aspect of being a royal.

In an interview with Hello! magazine to mark Princess Charlotte’s 11th birthday, Jobson said that Charlotte and George share a sweet bond. He points to the viral moment when royal mega fan John Loughrey greeted the future King on Christmas morning 2025. “George, I've got something to say to you. Granny Diana would be ever so proud of you,” Loughrey, who has been a supporter of the Royal Family for decades, said in a clip shared on TikTok.

Prince George looked slightly uncomfortable during the interaction, but said a polite “Thank you” to the fan as Princess Charlotte placed a supportive hand on his back. Jobson said that little sister Charlotte’s move was “an instinctive gesture of support in an unusual situation.”

“George is a little bit reticent about [royal superfans],” Jobson added. “When she put her hand on his back, I think that's natural. There's no training. They learn by observation.”

At the time of the interaction, royal fans were quick to voice their opinions on social media, with some calling the Diana comment “disrespectful” to George and his family.

One user wrote on X, “This is appropriate for immediate family but not for general public. It's so disrespectful and to be fair [he] doesn't know anything about Diana and what would have made her proud.”

While Prince George might not be the most comfortable with interacting with fans just yet, he's only 12, after all. Emily Nash, Hello!'s royal editor, says that Princess Charlotte, however, is more confident with the public.

“Even as a little girl visiting a newborn Prince Louis for the first time, she had a ready wave," she said. “Her parents are introducing their children to the spotlight in a careful and controlled way, and she seems to be taking these occasional forays into public life in her stride so far.”

King Charles might be a workaholic, but when it comes to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, he shows his softer side. Charlotte, who turned 11 on May 2, is growing in confidence as she prepares to follow in her big brother’s footsteps at boarding school. The princess was spotted touring Oundle School with Prince William and Princess Kate earlier this month, but for the next two years, she’s got plenty of time to enjoy being a kid—including rare quiet moments with her grandpa.

In an exclusive interview with Hello! magazine, royal biographer Robert Jobson said that Charlotte “enjoys a close relationship” with King Charles. “He totally adores her,” the author said. “She loves it when he reads to her in his funny voices.”

It seems to be a special talent of The King, as in 2017, Queen Camilla revealed her husband’s “brilliant” ability to imitate voices when reading to her own grandkids. "Sometimes, when we are with my husband in Scotland, he reads them Harry Potter," she told the Daily Mail. “And he does all the voices, because he is a brilliant mimic.”

“I always think they are going to be wriggling around in the bed, but they sit spellbound,” Queen Camilla added.

As for the Wales children, Jobson shared that unlike Queen Elizabeth, who called her grandfather King George V “Grandpa England,” George, Charlotte and Louis have a different nickname for The King.

“They don't call him Grandpa King, they call him Grandpa Wales,” Jobson said.

Grandpa Wales, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte had one particularly sweet interaction on Easter Sunday. After Louis, 8, told his grandfather "Happy Easter," The King reached out and affectionately patted his grandson's cheek before giving Charlotte a gentle poke on the shoulder.

There’s a new frontrunner in the battle of the boarding schools, with Prince George suspected to be attending Oundle School in Northamptonshire, England. Prince William and Princess Kate also toured the school with Princess Charlotte earlier this month, as Marie Claire exclusively reported. While the Wales family prepares to take their next educational step, there’s three important principles Kate hopes they take with them.

In a 2017 speech the princess gave at the Place2Be Big Assembly for Children's Mental Health Week, she reflected on the values her parents instilled in her and how she applies them to her own kids. Prince Louis wasn’t born at the time, but she said that for George and Charlotte, academic success wasn’t everything.

“My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect, and honesty, and I realize how central values like these have been to me throughout my life,” Princess Kate said. “That is why William and I want to teach our little children, George and Charlotte, just how important these things are as they grow up.”

The Princess of Wales holds these values so dear that she added her childrens' moral characters were equally important as getting good grades. “In my view it is just as important as excelling at maths or sport,” she said.

“I think that every child should have people around them to show them love, and to show them kindness, and nurture them as they grow,” the princess added.

Prince George will finish his time at Lambrook School in July before he moves on to secondary school, and Charlotte, 11, will follow in his footsteps when she turns 13. While 8-year-old Prince Louis is still a bit young to be thinking about boarding school, a source recently told Marie Claire that Prince William and Princess Kate visited Oundle School and “were enquiring about boarding all three of them, but this was a tour with Charlotte for this time.”

Princess Kate and Prince William are known to love dogs and they recently included their two pups—Orla and Otto—in a new family portrait. Now, the Princess of Wales has opened up about how her kids—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—have adjusted to caring for their newest pet.

While attending a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8, Princess Kate reportedly shared (via Hello! magazine), "[Otto] chewed quite a lot the other day." The Princess of Wales continued, "You have to keep them busy. The first thing we do in the morning is check, 'Has anyone taken Otto out?'"

On May 1, 2026, Princess Kate and Prince William celebrated Otto's first birthday and introduced the pup to royal fans in a social media post. "Welcome to the family, Otto!" the caption explained. "1 today."

In February, Princess Kate revealed that the family had decided to keep one of their older dog Orla's puppies. "You are lovely!" she told a cocker spaniel during a visit to Wales. "We have the same breed of dog." Confirming details about the Wales family's two dogs, Kate told royal fans, "So we've got a little puppy, he's only 8 months, and Orla's 5."

While attending the Buckingham Palace garden party on May 8, Princess Kate also revealed why her children—George, Louis, and Charlotte—"make so much noise" at home.

Per GB News, the Princess of Wales shared that George, Charlotte, and Louis are all permitted to watch soccer matches with their dad, Prince William. "They all make so much noise, even Louis," Princess Kate explained. "They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it."

As for early mornings, it seems that George, Charlotte, and Louis all help out with their new puppy, Otto.

Prince William and Princess Kate recently started a new chapter when they moved their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—out of Adelaide Cottage in Windsor and into their "forever home," Forest Lodge. Amid news Princess Charlotte toured a boarding school in Northampton, Princess Kate has revealed why all three of her children "make so much noise" at home.

While attending a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 8, Princess Kate made a sweet revelation about parenting. As reported by GB News, the Princess of Wales reportedly explained that George, Charlotte, and Louis are all permitted to watch soccer matches with their dad, Prince William, even if it means staying up past their respective bedtimes.

"They all make so much noise, even Louis," Princess Kate explained. "They wanted to go to the match but we let them stay up and watch it." Meanwhile, Prince William—a known Aston Villa supporter—claimed to have "bags under the eyes" from watching his team's latest soccer match.

While attending the garden party, Princess Kate also opened up about her love of a fast-growing sport, which she enjoys playing with her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. Per the outlet, Princess Kate shared, "Have you adopted padel? I love padel, it's such a good game, such a great leveler for those who don't play tennis."

For the chic event, Princess Kate wore a vintage-inspired Self-Portrait cream dress consisting of a wool jacket and a pleated chiffon skirt featuring a polka-dot design.

While Princess Kate always looks regal at official royal events, it's nice to learn that she's just a normal mom when she's at home with three boisterous kids.

SHOP OUTFITS INSPIRED BY PRINCESS KATE

An exclusive report in the Sun indicated that Prince William and Princess Kate were spotted at Oundle School recently as rumors about where Prince George will attend secondary school continue to swirl. But a source tells Marie Claire that the Wales family were actually at the Northamptonshire, England boarding school with Princess Charlotte, not Prince George, on Friday, May 1.

“It was actually Charlotte that they are looking to enroll here,” says an Oundle resident. “They visited the headmaster’s home next door to me." The source adds that Prince William, Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte were seen touring the school and having lunch at Dryden House, a girl’s boarding house at the school for ages 13 through 18.

George’s decision would have been made some time ago, as he’ll be finishing his last year at Lambrook School this July and heading to secondary school in September. However, an insider reveals that the Prince and Princess of Wales “were enquiring about boarding all three of them, but this was a tour with Charlotte for this time.”

Another source adds, “parents have been told it’s probably happening” regarding George attending the school.

Prince William and Princess Kate were spotted outside Cobthorne, the 17th-century property that is home to the school’s headmaster and sits along a public street. The Princess of Wales is seen waving in one photo taken by fan Avvie Cunnington, wearing a beige Reiss blazer with the same Veronica Beard striped top she wore in her 15th anniversary photo with Prince William and their kids.

She completed the outfit with straight-legged trousers, pointed-toe Boden flats and what appears to be her Daniella Draper “G,C,L” necklace with her kids’ initials.

Oundle School is located just about two hours away from the Wales family’s home, Forest Lodge, in Windsor Great Park. While it’s been rumored that Prince George will head to Eton College like his father, Oundle has long been considered a dark horse contender in the battle of the boarding schools.

“They are considering other schools but people in Oundle have their fingers crossed that George will be starting here in September,” an insider told the Sun. “The town would be proud as punch if he attends school here.”

Prince William and Princess Kate won’t be announcing Prince George’s secondary school choice just yet, but the end of his final year at Lambrook School is in close sight. George, who will turn 13 this summer, will wrap up his education at the Berkshire, England prep school on July 4. From there, it’s anyone’s guess where the future King will head in September, but according to a new report in the Sun, another contender could be in the mix.

It’s been widely assumed that George will follow in his father’s footsteps and attend Eton College, just a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle. But the family was spotted visiting Princess Kate’s alma mater, Marlborough College, and Wellington College has also been thrown out as a possibility for the prince.

Multiple royal commentators have also speculated whether Oundle School in Northamptonshire might be an option, and per the Sun, the Wales family have paid the boarding school a visit. “William and Kate’s visit was terribly exciting," a source told the outlet.

“They are considering other schools but people in Oundle have their fingers crossed that George will be starting here in September,” the insider added. “The town would be proud as punch if he attends school here.”

It seems unlikely that George was making his first visit to Oundle in recent days, considering school decisions would have been made some time ago. Whether the family was there for a follow-up meeting or another reason remains unknown.

In 2024, the Telegraph spoke to an alumnus of the boarding school, who told the outlet that George would likely flourish in the unpretentious environment. The former student claimed that there aren't as many “elitist types” at Oundle as other famous boarding schools like Eton, with a number of students coming from more middle-class backgrounds.

“When I compare us to other schools, you’re far less likely to find a braying Oundelian than elitist types at more traditional schools, where the striving for top exam results or high status can impinge on your character,” the alumnus added.

Oundle is also co-ed, so George, Charlotte and Louis could all attend the same school. One downside? Oundle is nearly a two-hour drive from the Wales family's Forest Lodge home in Windsor Great Park as opposed to nearby Eton or Wellington.

The Prince and Princess of Wales declined to comment on their visit, but with summer break around the corner, it won't be long until George's big decision is announced.

Prince George hasn’t been to Australia since he was a baby, but now the 12-year-old has a good reason to return after Robert Irwin announced that the future King and his siblings have helped him out with a major task. On May 7, the wildlife conservationist, who is the son of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin, says that Prince William and Princess Kate’s children helped him name Australia Zoo’s newest addition, a baby kangaroo—and they chose to honor Wales with her moniker.

The joey’s name is Cwtch (pronounced “kutch”) and means “cuddle” in Welsh. “I absolutely love the name ‘Cwtch’—it couldn’t be more perfect for this little joey,” Irwin said in a news release. “I am so thankful to have received special assistance from Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with the naming.”

In an Instagram Reel, Irwin, who is an ambassador for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, added that the name Cwtch fits perfectly because she spends so much time cuddling inside her mom's pouch. He then thanked George, Charlotte and Louis again for the “brilliant name.”

At the end of the day, Robert said “it's all about making sure we give back to the wildlife and the wild places where they live.”

Echoing that sentiment, Irwin works closely with the Prince of Wales on the Earthshot Prize, including projects focused on protecting and restoring nature. The pair have become so friendly that Prince William made a special video call to support Robert when he was competing in the most recent season of Dancing With the Stars.

Fans hoping to meet Baby Cwtch can visit her at Australia Zoo, located in the Queensland suburb of Beerwah.

A beige trouser suit has become a wardrobe staple for Princess Kate, and she once again stepped out in a neutral blazer and trousers as she launched a new early childhood development resource on May 6. The Princess of Wales is passionate about educating the public on the importance of the first five years of life, and she kept her own kids close to her heart with her accessories on Wednesday.

Princess Kate returned to a favorite Roland Mouret suit to visit the University of East London, where she launched Foundations for Life: A Guide to Social and Emotional Development. Although her outfit was all business, she added a sentimental shout-out to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis with a special Daniella Draper necklace.

The jeweler’s fixed alphabet necklace is customizable with up to three charms, and Kate’s frequently worn design features “G,C,L” to honor her children. She also gave a subtle nod to George, 12, Charlotte, 11, and Louis, 8, with her $1,700 Daniella Draper heart earrings, which feature three engraved diamond starbursts on them.

“While our society often focuses on academic or physical milestones, research consistently shows that it is our earliest relationships, experiences and environments which lay the foundations for our future health and happiness,” the Princess of Wales wrote in the new guide.

“The quality of our connections—with ourselves, with others and with the world around us – shapes how safe we feel, how we relate, and how we process experiences throughout our lives,” she continued.

On May 6, Kensington Palace also announced that Princess Kate will be exploring a somewhat controversial early childhood educational method next week, traveling to Reggio Emilia, Italy, to learn about the child-centered philosophy named after the city. Keep your eye out for Italian designers—a Dolce and Gabbana suit, perhaps?

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It’s hard to believe 15 years have passed since Prince William married Kate Middleton, but the couple shared an adorable family photo to mark their wedding anniversary on Wednesday, April 29. The Waleses coordinated in casual shorts and tees in their sunny new portrait—and Princess Charlotte, 10, made her trendiest style statement yet in the picture.

Ocean-inspired manicures like aqua and teal are right on trend for the season, and although the royals typically stick to nude nails or barely-there pinks, Charlotte sported a baby blue manicure for her parents’ anniversary photo. Her nails coordinated with her aqua T-shirt and navy shorts with pom-pom detail, although the princess skipped a pedicure for the picture.

This isn’t the first time Princess Charlotte has worn nail polish. While attending the Wimbledon championships in July 2025, she showed off a bubblegum pink manicure—a first for the young royal.

Princess Kate wore cream jeans and a short-sleeved, striped Veronica Beard sweater in the sweet portrait, holding hands with Prince Louis, who turned eight last week.

Unlike Princess Charlotte, Kate went with her usual bare nails in the anniversary photo, which was taken by royal-favorite photographer Matt Porteous during the Wales family’s recent family vacation to Cornwall, England.

Prince Louis’s 8th birthday photos were also taken during the trip, and if previous years are any indication, we’ll be seeing several more shots released for other milestones throughout the year. With Princess Charlotte's 11th birthday approaching in May, perhaps we'll get a closer look at her colorful nails.

He may be nearly a teenager and heading off to secondary school, but Prince George was once the cutest little prince in gingham pajamas. In a memorable meeting between the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, and President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Prince George snuck out past his bedtime to meet the historic president.

President Obama and his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, visited the UK during their final year in office to celebrate the strong relationship between the US and the UK. Among the special events included in the trip was a private dinner at Kensington Palace, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s family home at the time. President Obama’s photographer, Pete Souza, was on-hand to document the evening and the adorable, unexpected meeting of icons. Years later, Souza has revealed what it was like behind palace walls documenting that historic bedtime routine.

“Ten years ago today, President Obama met Prince George at Kensington Palace in London,” Pete Souza wrote on Instagram on April 22. The Obamas famously gifted the little prince a beautifully carved and painted rocking horse, which Prince George cheerfully tried out for the President and First Lady. “Many thanks to the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for allowing me access to capture these moments.”

Princess Charlotte was still an infant, and likely had an earlier bedtime than her brother, who was allowed to stay up late for the special visit. Dressed in a gingham-trimmed bathrobe, blue gingham pajamas, and navy slippers with red embroidered London buses, the little prince delighted everyone in the room—and around the world.

Pete Souza confirmed the delightfulness in his post, sharing Prince George’s darling farewell. Souza wrote, “Later, when his nanny was carrying him to his bedroom, Prince George in his delightful British accent said to me, ‘Thank you very much’.”

She may have access to the world’s finest brands and luxury designers, but Princess Kate is a down-to-earth woman at heart, juggling work, family, school drop offs, and sports events. When she isn’t donning a tiara for a State Banquet, she’s playing outside with her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

As one of the most photographed women in the world, she can’t exactly pop out to the store for some new summer clothes for her kids, so she relies on online orders at her favorite brands—and almost every British mum, including the Princess of Wales, shops at Boden.

In Prince Louis's 8th birthday photo, the youngest prince looked cool and cozy in a knit half-zip sweater from Boden. Prince George has a very similar style from the brand in a bold red. In almost every family photo, you can find a Boden piece on either Prince George, Princess Charlotte, or Prince Louis. The Princess of Wales obviously depends on the brand for classically cute styles for her children.

Boden is a British high street brand—meaning, you’ll often find their shops on High Streets throughout the UK—founded in 1991. They are known for bright, colorful designs in comfortable fabrics. Famed for their quality and hand-me-down-worthy longevity, the brand is very popular with parents for growing, rough-and-tumble kids.

Princess Kate also appears to regularly add a little something for herself to the cart. The Princess of Wales often turns to Boden for simple knitwear classics, like cashmere t-shirts and crew neck sweaters. As she has recently shifted into more flat shoes for official engagements, the princess has turned to Boden styles again and again. From flirty floral dresses to frilly-collared blouses, Princess Kate loves the Boden aesthetic for her own wardrobe.

While she could have the finest ateliers crafting her clothing, the Princess of Wales knows the value of super-soft Boden classics for herself and for her children. It helps that Boden flies the flag for UK fashion, and always feels quintessentially British.

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Princess Kate has a big life change on the horizon, and royal author Robert Jobson shared that this “emotional time” will be incredibly difficult for their family. Prince George, who turns thirteen in July, will be going to secondary school and if the rumors are true, he’ll be flying the nest. Traditionally, royal children go to boarding school—many royals historically have started this tradition as young as eight-years-old—and Prince George is rumored to be attending one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the country.

"George going to secondary school will be an emotional time for them,” Jobson told Hello!. “It's a chance for him to spread his wings and take part in things in the afternoons and evenings instead of going home to Mum and Dad." Prince William and Princess Kate have been fiercely protective of family time, prioritizing the school run over royal duties as much as possible. “You can't just pop home when you want to,” Jobson explained, saying that the shift to boarding school will be huge for Prince William and Princess Kate and their family.

Jobson explained that “it will be like having an empty seat at the table” for the Prince and Princess of Wales as “they are such a tight family unit.” While this change to family life will be difficult, “both of them know what it was like,” the royal author explained. Prince William and Princess Kate “both boarded, so they know how it works.”

A friend of the couple weighed in on the conversation with Hello!, saying "they're a great example of a happy family." The Princess of Wales has been particularly outspoken about the importance of family life and giving her children as normal a childhood as possible. "William has always been intent on achieving that," the friend explained. "Catherine also comes from a near-idyllic family background, what with her two amazing parents and close sibling relationships."

While the Prince and Princess of Wales have done as much as they can to give their children an uncomplicated childhood, sending Prince George to boarding school will undoubtedly complicate that dynamic. With mum and dad far away, Prince George can spread his wings, but also be influenced by others. That’s probably why they’ve decided to skip the smartphone for the young prince—luckily, he will have a brick phone to call home.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis don’t often make public appearances, but they joined the Royal Family for the first time since Christmas on Easter Sunday. Prince George is going to turn 13 this July, and he looked nearly as tall as his mom, Princess Kate, as he walked to St George’s Chapel in Windsor. As George continues to (quite literally) grow into his royal role, royal biographer Robert Jobson commented that some big changes are in store for the future King.

“What we saw on Easter Sunday was the Windsor dynasty 2.0,” Jobson told Hello! “It showed the family as it is now, and they were all rallying to support The King.” This future includes future Kings Prince William and Prince George, as well as the younger Wales children, whose royal futures are less defined.

“Louis, who has entertained us in the past by fooling around and pulling faces at formal events, was the golden boy and on his best behavior,” Jobson said, adding, “George was noticeably taller and Charlotte is a little lady.”

While it’s unknown if Charlotte and Louis will become full-time working royals, George’s path as King has been set since birth. Now that he’s set to become a teenager, he’ll follow in the same path as his father, the Prince of Wales, in his Kingship training.

"George will be spending more time with his grandfather over the next few years, as William did with the late Queen,” Jobson noted. "He used to meet his grandmother for tea regularly at Windsor Castle when he was a pupil at Eton down the road. Now, it's Charles who has experience of being King.”

It’s been widely reported that Prince George will also follow in his father’s Eton footsteps this fall, but it’s just as likely that the future King could attend his mother’s alma mater, Marlborough College. Either way, the Prince and Princess of Wales are ensuring that their son is well prepared as he faces the throne.

In his new biography of Queen Elizabeth, royal author Robert Hardman chronicles her incredible 70-year reign, including the late Queen’s final days. Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96 in September 2022, making her final major public appearance that June during her Platinum Jubilee. Before her health continued to decline, Hardman says the late Queen expressed one last wish for her 12 great-grandchildren.

In an excerpt from the book shared in the Daily Mail, Hardman wrote that the late Queen hoped to gather the Royal Family one last time in Scotland. As was tradition for decades, Queen Elizabeth traveled to Balmoral Castle one last time that summer, and she wanted all 12 of her great-grandkids, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to be there for a “happy” time.

“The Queen wanted all the great-grandchildren to come up to Balmoral at some point over that summer, even if the Sussexes might not be able to make it,” Hardman wrote.

The author continued that a “friend of the family” told him it was important for Queen Elizabeth that her youngest family members could spend time with her before she died. “She wanted to make sure that they all had a really happy memory of her,” he wrote.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold recently shared that “all sorts of crazy fun things used to happen up there” at Balmoral, and the late Queen certainly would have gone out of her way to make sure her family enjoyed their final summer together.

“She'd make sure that every summer they were there, and it was part of the annual break and there were lots of different activities and things going on,” Harrold shared. “There were numerous visits, like Highland Games and the Ghillies balls. It was a real fun time for them to be up there and it went on for certainly for two months—but a bit longer for The King.”

Although Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet weren’t able to make the trip to Scotland with their parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Wales family traveled to Balmoral that summer to spend time with Her Majesty.

Along with George, Charlotte and Louis, the late Queen’s other great-grandchildren included Sienna Mapelli Mozzi (Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s daughter), August Brooksbank (Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s son), Savannah and Isla Phillips (Peter Phillips and ex-wife Autumn Kelly’s kids), and Zara and Mike Tindall’s children, Mia, Lena and Lucas.

Queen Elizabeth gained two more great-grandkids after her death when Beatrice’s youngest daughter, Athena, and Eugenie’s youngest son, Ernest, were born.

Every year, members of the Royal Family attend church on Easter Sunday. On April 5, 2026, Princess Kate accompanied her husband, Prince William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—to the Easter Matins service at St. George's Chapel inside Windsor Castle. While the Princess of Wales's outfit drew much admiration, royal fans were also shocked to see just how tall 12-year-old Prince George is compared to his mom.

Prince George—who will officially become a teenager on July 22, 2013—appears to have undergone a growth spurt ahead of his Easter Sunday appearance. Standing next to his mom Kate, George's increased height was even more obvious, particularly as the princess's Ralph Lauren Celia Pumps boast a four-inch heel. Without her stilettos, Kate is likely a similar height to her eldest son.

Royal fans reacted to Prince George's impressive height on social media. One commenter wrote on X, "The fact that Prince George (not yet 13) is almost as tall as his mom in heels!" Another fan commented, "Look how tall Prince George is?!"

Someone else concurred, writing on X, "Seems Prince George is already taller than Princess Catherine if she's not wearing heels. Of course as both Princess Catherine [and] Prince William are quite tall, it's likely the children will be just as tall, or taller!" Another royal fan expressed their shock, saying, "Wow I can't believe how tall Prince George has gotten."

Basically, no-one was prepared for Prince George's appearance on Easter Sunday in 2026.

For the occasion, Princess Kate rewore a Self-Portrait blazer dress from her closet, which she previously wore to an engagement with Princess Anne in 2022. She accessorized the smart cream dress with a Juliette Botterill Oak Leaf Teardrop Hat in an oyster shade and a $450 DeMellier Nano Montreal Bag in Deep Toffee.

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Prince George has long been suspected to head to his father’s alma mater, Eton College, when he starts secondary school in September. But the soon-to-be 13-year-old has also been rumored to be attending Princess Kate’s old school, Marlborough College, and there’s several other potential options. While George’s choice should be set in stone by now, no official announcement will likely be made until the summer. It will mark an exciting moment for whichever school he chooses, but one expert in British prep schools said that it’ll also be a “burden” for his future headmaster.

Speaking on Hello! Magazine’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, said that children’s prep school choices in the U.K. are typically set by year six. Prince George will finish year eight at Lambrook School in July, but Sanderson said that “the normal rules possibly don’t apply” to the future King.

“It feels as though they may be holding multiple places at different schools,” Sanderson said of Prince William and Princess Kate, adding, “if they’d made a definitive decision, somebody would know and it would be out.”

The educational expert said she thinks Eton will be the ultimate choice for George as the future King, but if the Wales family wants to keep all three of their children together, he could be looking at a different school like Oundle in Northamptonshire or Wellington College, which is very close to Windsor.

No matter where George attends, it will be a double-edged sword for the institution. Noting that although it would be great PR for his school, Sanderson said “it’s a little bit of a poisoned chalice.”

“Theres a lot of extra work and security and attention on your school from the press, for example, that goes hand in hand with that,” she explained. Having the future King attending your school is “a great burden and a huge responsibility for any headmaster or headmistress to carry,” Sanderson added.

When Prince William enrolled at Eton, it was announced in June 1995, just three months before he began his studies. If William and Kate follow precedent, the public will have to wait just a bit longer to find out where George will be heading this fall.

Lindsay Vonn has spoken out for the first time following her shocking crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and she revealed that Prince William reached out to her with a personal letter. The future King and his family are avid skiers and often go to the French Alps on vacation, and Vonn said she extended them a personal invitation to hit the slopes with her one day.

The decorated skier nearly lost her leg after her catastrophic fall at the Winter Olympics in February, but she's now on the road to rehabilitation after multiple surgeries. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Vonn said that she won’t “close the door on anything” in terms of ending her career, going on to share some of the messages of support she received from famous faces in an Instagram post from the magazine.

An image of a letter that the Prince of Wales wrote to Vonn is shown on the screen as the skier read his message, noting that it “took a long time to get to me, because it was actually a letter.”

“I was watching your recent accident in Cortina and wanted to write to send you my very best wishes,” Prince William wrote in his letter. “As you have often said, in downhill skiing, there are just a few inches that can determine the difference between a clean run and a serious crash.”

The future King praised Vonn’s “resilience” in the note, adding, “The way you wrote about stepping into the start gate with courage and no regrets says so much about your resilience, and is one of the many reasons why you have been an inspiration to so many people throughout your illustrious career.”

Vonn said she was shocked to receive the message, admitting, “I didn't expect that Prince William is watching me, let alone taking the time to write me a letter.” Adding that the message “means a lot,” Vonn said she “offered to ski with him and his family if they ever want to.”

“Maybe in a while,” she added with a laugh, “but at some point.”

Now that Prince George is turning 13 in July, he’ll be leaving Lambrook School—which he attends alongside siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—and moving on to a new secondary school. Just as many royal insiders insist that the future King will attend Eton College as those who say he will go to Princess Kate’s alma mater, Marlborough College. But when it comes to Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, one royal expert says that there’s another, lesser-known educational institution that could enter the mix.

Speaking on Hello! magazine’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of The Good Schools Guide, said that “the Royal Family has really kept us guessing” when it comes to George’s school choice. Along with Marlborough and Eton, she said a third boarding school, Oundle, is a possibility for the future King, as well as a fourth, dark horse choice.

“Only last weekend, I heard from a very reliable source, Wellington College,” Sanderson said, but she pointed out that it would be more likely for Princess Charlotte and Prince George to head to the Berkshire, England prep school.

“If we just look at Wellington, for example, that’s a really, really interesting school because it was turned around some years ago by a very famous educationalist, Sir Anthony Seldon,” Sanderson said. She continued that Seldon “sort of parachuted in and took a very average school and made it absolutely exceptional.”

Wellington emphasizes “strong mental health” and has a “very inclusive, kind culture,” the school expert said, emphasizing that instances of “bullying” are nearly unheard of.

Another plus is the culture of students going home on weekends. “It’s de-facto weekly boarding,” Sanderson explained, saying that most Wellington students live nearby and see their families on the weekend, which would be ideal for Charlotte since Prince Louis won't be off to school for several years after her.

Marlborough, on the other hand, is closer to an hour and a half away from Windsor, making it less possible for the kids to see their parents as often.

Sanderson noted that most students are making their school choice in year six, which is Princess Charlotte's current grade, so the Prince and Princess of Wales will be seriously considering where she's going, if they haven't already decided.

At the end of the day, Sanderson said she still thinks Eton will win in the battle of the boarding schools for Prince George. “My guess at the moment is George to Eton, Charlotte and Louis to a co-ed, possibly Wellington, which would be great because it’s 15, 20 minutes down the road from Windsor Castle,” she said.

When members of the Royal Family learned that Queen Elizabeth was dying on September 8, 2022, they rushed up to Balmoral Castle to be there. While Prince William flew to Scotland with his family, Princess Kate decided to stay home to keep a normal routine for their three children, who had just started their new school. In his new biography of the Prince and Princess of Wales, royal editor Russell Myers reveals who Kate relied on when it came time to break the sad news to George, Charlotte and Louis.

Although Princess Kate wanted to be there for the Royal Family, it was decided she’d stay back since the Wales children were already going through a time of huge change. The family had only just relocated to Windsor that summer and were starting over at Lambrook School after previously living in London their entire lives.

In William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, Myers shared that the decision for Kate be home with the children was “the right one for their family.” Fortunately for Princess Kate, there was one person she could rely on to help console Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

“Catherine called her mother, Carole, and asked her to come over to their Adelaide Cottage home to provide extra support for the children when they returned home from school,” Myers wrote.

“After picking them up herself and excitedly finding out about their first day, Catherine delivered the sad news that their beloved 'Gan-Gan' had passed away peacefully,” he added.

Having their grandmother and mom at home during such a sad time likely provided a great comfort to George, Charlotte and Louis, who were just 9, 7 and 4 at the time. Carole is a hands-on grandmother and spends time with her grandkids as much as possible, cooking with them at home and bringing them to parks and on local shopping trips.

For Prince William, it must have been a relief to know they were in good hands with Carole. According to Myers, the Prince of Wales once told an aide that his in-laws gave him “More room to breathe,” and during a trying time, Carole did just that.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis might be the kids of the future King and Queen, but Prince William and Princess Kate try to give them as many “normal” experiences as possible. Whether it’s driving the kids to school themselves, taking them out shopping or not having live-in staff, the Waleses don’t want George, Charlotte and Louis to live in a bubble like royals of the past. Royal sources have noted that part of this is down to Princess Kate’s middle-class upbringing and the enormous influence Carole and Michael Middleton have had on William, in particular.

In his new biography, William and Catherine, The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, royal editor Russell Myers wrote that the Middletons’ “constant presence” has been a “crucial” part of shaping William and Kate’s parenting style.

“William appreciated their involvement beyond measure, enjoying their company and the normalcy of the environment, whatever the circumstance," Myers wrote.

He added that when the children were small, “Michael and Carole enjoyed visiting the couple in Norfolk and would often stay for weekends, providing much-needed extra support for the young family.”

Prince William is said to especially look up to his mother-in-law Carole, whose steady guidance has been much appreciated for a family living in the public eye. Keen to change the narrative of his own childhood, the Prince of Wales wants his children to have more freedom and privacy than he did growing up.

“Although there are some similarities, George is being raised in a very different way to Prince William,” royal expert Duncan Larcombe told the Daily Mail. “William has based his children's upbringing on the Middleton model–three children, affluent, but hardworking parents and lots of love in the house.”

Although the Wales family has a nanny, Maria Teresa Turrión Borrallo, they take on many of their childcare duties themselves. Grandma Carole also chips in with her grandchildren, telling Good Housekeeping magazine in 2021 that she loves to “cook,” “go on bike rides,” and “muck around dancing” with her grandkids.

“As long as I am able to, that’s what I’ll be doing,” she told the magazine.

Prince William and Princess Kate have relied on their trusted nanny, Maria Teresa Turrión Borrallo, to take care of their three children for the past 12 years. Nanny Maria has been a constant presence in Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’s lives, but with the kids approaching some major milestones, her role in the family could be shifting.

Maria was honored by Prince William at a special investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, March 24, receiving the Royal Victorian Medal in Silver for “services to the Prince and Princess of Wales.” The medal is chosen directly by The King, and some have wondered if the timing of the honor means her service to the Wales family will soon be coming to an end.

The Wales family's nanny was educated at Norland College in Bath, England, where VIP families from around the world find their highly-trained childcare help. But as People noted, Norland nannies typically work with children from birth through the age of eight—and youngest child Prince Louis will be celebrating his eighth birthday in April.

Per the Norland College website, their nannies receive a diploma that prepares them “for all the practical aspects of the care and development of children in the early years.” However, the college writes some of their nannies do “go on to care for older children” in roles like “governesses or teachers.”

Prince George is also growing out of the need for a nanny. The future King, who will be turning 13 this summer, will wrap up his final year with his siblings at Lambrook School in July. In September, he’ll be heading to secondary school, with boarding schools Eton College or Marlborough College widely considered to be the frontrunners.

Although there will still be two children left at Forest Lodge once George moves on to his new school, Prince William and Princess Kate are hands-on with the day-to-day schedules of their children.

They prefer to handle tasks like school pickup on their own, giving their kids a taste of a “normal” childhood, as former royal butler Grant Harrold previously shared with Marie Claire.

But even if they no longer need a full-time nanny, it's likely George, Charlotte and Louis will still consider Maria as part of the family.

Prince Harry was so close to one of his nannies, Tiggy Pettifer, that she was chosen as one of Prince Archie's godmothers, and King Charles's former nanny recently turned 100, when he visited her for a special afternoon tea.

Prince William and Princess Kate strive to be hands-on parents, but when royal duties take them away from home, they have one trusted pair of hands to help out with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Wales family has counted on nanny Maria Teresa Turrión Borrallo since shortly after Prince George was born, and on Tuesday, March 24, she received a special honor that was decided on by King Charles himself.

The Prince of Wales carried out an investiture at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, awarding Maria with the Royal Victorian Medal in Silver for “services to the Prince and Princess of Wales.” The medal is an especially meaningful honor as recipients are chosen directly by The King and reflect a deep personal loyalty to the Royal Family.

Although Prince George, 12, will be heading to secondary school in September and Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, are also growing up, Nanny Maria remains an integral part of their family. The Spanish-born childcare professional was hired in 2014 to help look after a young Prince George, adding Princess Charlotte to her care in 2015 and Prince Louis in 2018.

She was pictured heading to The King’s annual Christmas lunch with William, Kate and their kids in December 2025, and has attended everything from royal weddings to tours abroad.

Maria was educated at Norland College, a prestigious institution in Bath, England that trains nannies for some of the most elite families in the world. Although she normally is seen in everyday clothing, Nanny Maria has worn her signature brown Norland uniform—complete with a Mary Poppins-style hat— to more formal events like Princess Charlotte's christening and Pippa Middleton's wedding.

Although Maria lived with the Wales family when they were based at Kensington Palace, their first home in Windsor, Adelaide Cottage, didn't have space for live-in staff. And when Prince William and Princess Kate moved to their new "forever" home, Forest Lodge, it's understood Nanny Maria didn't go with them.

Even if the kids are growing up, it's likely their beloved nanny will be close to the family for years to come. “Maria loves the children dearly. She can be firm and strict, but she is very loving and soft with them too," a source told People.

Prince William and Princess Kate pride themselves on being hands-on parents, taking part in school activities with their three children and being there for the everyday moments, unlike royals in the past. The couple will plan royal events around the school pickup and dropoff times whenever possible, and former royal butler Grant Harrold said that there’s another reason the future King and Queen want their kids have a “normal” experience.

Speaking to Select Car Leasing, Harrold shared that “William and Kate like doing things for themselves,” and this includes driving Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte to Lambrook School each day.

“Their homes runs with very few staff, and their day-to-day life is far more ‘normal’ than older members of the Royal Family,” he continued. “The school run is part of this. For them, it’s an important part of their children’s daily routine and they want to do it themselves.”

Harrold, who published his memoir The Royal Butler last year, shared that the Prince and Princess of Wales are “well aware” that personally driving their children, instead of relying on a staff member, “brings some normality for George, Charlotte and Louis.”

The Prince of Wales has been frank about his plans for a more accessible and relatable monarchy, and using a driver doesn't fit into that philosophy, Harrold said.

“I also don’t think William wants the world to see his children being driven to school by a chauffeur, it’s not the image of the monarch he’s trying to project,” he explained.

Harrold shared that when he worked for The King, Charles also enjoyed driving himself—especially in his 1969 Aston Martin convertible.

“All the royals seemed to really enjoy driving,” he recalled. “The King would often prefer to drive himself than using a chauffeur. If he was going to an official engagement he would use a car, but apart from that he would just drive himself wherever he needed to go.”

As for William and Kate's driving duties, they'll have one fewer passenger in the car when Prince George starts secondary school in September. He's currently expected to attend either Eton College or Marlborough College, both of which are boarding schools—all the more reason to soak up every moment, car rides and all.

As a longtime royal photographer for Getty Images, Chris Jackson has learned to expect the unexpected. Between the unpredictable British weather, surprising fan reactions and historic royal moments, Jackson has seen it all. But he tells Marie Claire that one adorable interaction at Princess Charlotte’s christening completely changed his idea of what the standout image of the day would look like.

Jackson, whose latest book, Modern Majesty, was published on March 3, says as a royal photographer, you “start an event with an image in your mind, and sometimes it pans out like that and sometimes it doesn't.”

He points to Charlotte’s 2015 christening as an example, recalling, “When I was preparing for that event, I thought the picture of the day would be Princess Charlotte in her Honiton lace dress on her christening day.” Royal babies dating back to Queen Victoria’s have worn the same English lace christening gown, including Queen Elizabeth, although Charlotte and her siblings have worn a recreation.

While Jackson did take multiple photos of Princess Charlotte in her christening robe, there was another member of the Royal Family who ended up stealing the show.

“The best picture I think from the day, and the one that stands out to me, was Prince George peering into the kind of Victorian-style pram to catch a glimpse of his sister on her christening day,” he says.

In the photo, George, who was just shy of two years old at the time, wears a red-and-white shorts outfit inspired by one Prince William wore as a toddler. He stands on his tiptoes to look into Charlotte’s stroller as his proud parents look on, and Jackson says “it was a lovely little moment.” He continues the sweet, unplanned photo was “the strongest image of the day by far.”

Reflecting on Charlotte's christening day, the photographer tells Marie Claire, “You never quite know what to expect, and that's what I love about royal photography is that sense of not knowing and the anticipation. It's great fun.”

Jackson admits that “for every photo that's gone right, there's been a lot that have gone wrong,” adding, “I always try my hardest and all you can do is prepare in the best possible way.”

Pointing to the historic coronation photo of King Charles and Queen Camilla wearing their crowns on the balcony of Buckingham Palace—which Jackson had special permission to take from behind—he says that he was “very fortunate” having “a front-row seat” to the event.

“It was quite difficult to imagine that picture in real life, because obviously I've never seen two people in crowns on the balcony with the crowds next to them,” he says with a laugh.

“You always feel the weight of history,” Jackson adds. “But a lot of these times you're acting in split seconds and the situation's out of your control.”

Fortunately, he got the shot—and it's now the cover image of Modern Majesty.

In June 2025, sources claimed that Prince George would be following in his father Prince William's footsteps by attending Eton College. However, an official announcement regarding the decision wasn't forthcoming, and by January 2026, rumors alleged that George might not attend his dad's alma mater, after all. A recent sighting at Marlborough College—where Princess Kate attended school—suggests that no firm decision has been made, as yet.

As reported by the Daily Mail, "Speculation about which secondary school William and Kate's children will attend is reaching fever pitch after my spies spotted the royals looking around Marlborough College."

Per the outlet, "William, Kate, George, and Charlotte toured the £60,000 [approximately $80,000] a year school where Kate was a pupil." Meanwhile, a source claimed to the publication that students "were mysteriously ushered out of "court"—the co-educational Wiltshire school's main square—"by a highly stressed teacher who told them to go and sit in the library, or anywhere else, stressing they absolutely could not be outside."

Unfortunately, the teacher's stern instructions only served to "pique the teenagers's curiosity and they crept down one of the library's turrets to get a better look at what was going on below," the Daily Mail reported.

According to the outlet's source, some students caught a glimpse of the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, at the school.

"They were shocked to see Kate and William getting out of a very smart car and walking through court," the insider alleged. "Then it clicked why the school seemed to have put on so many very wholesome extracurricular activities that day, like choir practice and a random art show."

Where Prince George will attend high school remains unclear. Still, his recent visit to Marlborough College might signal that he's going to attend his mom's alma mater, rather than Eton College.

Despite joining the Royal Family, Princess Kate has remained close to her parents and siblings. Kate's mom and dad, Carole and Michael Middleton, are reportedly integral to the lives of their grandchildren—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Now, a new book is suggesting that Carole's "constant presence" is super important to Princess Kate and Prince William's young family.

In his new book, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, Russell Myers suggested that Carole and Michael's close proximity to their daughter's home has been crucial. In fact, the author suggested that Kate's parents would regularly leave their home—Bucklebury Manor in Berkshire—to spend weekends at Kate and William's home—Anmer Hall in Norfolk—instead.

Myers shared (via Hello! magazine), "The Middleton family, who had become a constant presence in their lives, were crucial to this. William appreciated their involvement beyond measure, enjoying their company and the normalcy of the environment, whatever the circumstance. 'More room to breathe,' he once told an aide."

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

Obviously, becoming part of the Royal Family must have been a huge learning curve for the Middletons. As Myers explained, "Of course, William would have to explain why people bowed or curtsied to his grandmother, why on occasion they went to visit her in a castle, or who the men in the front of their cars and outside guarding their houses were, but the time to address George's future certainly wasn't now."

Clearly, Carole and Michael's involvement in the lives of Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis offers the royal children a different, and essential, perspective.

Prince William and Princess Kate made their return to the BAFTAs red carpet on Sunday, February 22, and in the process, the Prince of Wales revealed one of his favorite movies to watch with his kids. It turns out the dad of three is a massive Tom Cruise fan—and apparently, so are Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Prince of Wales was asked about his favorite movies in a clip shared on X, and he admitted that he was “biased” because of his friendship with Tom Cruise.

“I've got to be careful because I'm a little biased to a particular person,” he shared. “But Top Gun 2, for instance, is one of the most incredible films I've watched in a long time.” The Prince of Wales clearly has strong opinions about the 2022 movie, sharing his exasperation at why the movie hadn’t won any awards.

“Highest grossing, so serious about how he takes the action scenes. How it doesn't win anything, ever? That's what I care about. It just doesn't win anything. How could it not win anything?” William wondered. “It's one of the biggest grossing films probably in recent times, and it just needs a mention somewhere, that's all I care about.”

He continued that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis all love Top Gun: Maverick as well, although William didn’t note if Princess Kate was also in their fan club.

“Watching it with my children, they absolutely adore it," he shared. “As much as they love the arty ones…they like the stunts and he takes it so seriously and he cares about cinema.”

The movie has a personal connection to the prince, who attended the Top Gun: Maverick premiere in London alongside the Princess of Wales and Tom Cruise.

As for the Wales family’s other film favorites, the Prince of Wales has previously revealed that George was a huge fan of The Lion King and How to Train Your Dragon, and in 2021, William shared that his own top Christmas movie was Elf.

Meanwhile, during his BAFTAs red carpet moment, the Prince of Wales shared that Kate watched historical tearjerker Hamnet the night before and “was in floods of tears.” The Princess of Wales then admitted that she’d been concerned about having “puffy eyes” on the red carpet because she’d been crying so much. Perhaps she should’ve watched Top Gun, instead.

In his new book, William and Catherine, The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, the Mirror's royal editor, Russell Myers, dives into the behind-the-scenes stories that have shaped Prince William and Princess Kate's relationship. Along with sharing more lighthearted tidibits about baby names and how Queen Elizabeth advised Kate on "headstrong husbands," he reveals how the Wales family reacted when Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer.

The Princess of Wales went public with her diagnosis in an emotional March 2024 video after cancer was discovered during a planned abdominal surgery. "Everyone knew it was a huge moment," Myers writes in his book. "The Princess delivered her message with such grace, perfection and empathy, it was incredibly emotional."

Even though Prince William was "floored" by his wife's diagnosis, it was even more difficult to tell Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis "that Mummy was ill and would have to go back to hospital."

"Everything they live for is for those children; they are their absolute world," Myers continues. "There were a lot of tears from everyone."

When it comes to breaking hard news to his kids, William said being honest is the most important factor. "We choose to communicate a lot more with our children," he told Brazilian journalist Luciano Huck during a trip to South America for the 2025 Earthshot Prize. "Sometimes, you feel like you're oversharing with your children and like you probably shouldn't, but most of the time, hiding stuff from them doesn't work," the Prince of Wales admitted.

A friend of Prince William's told Myers that Kate's diagnosis "was like being hit by a bus" for the Prince of Wales. "One moment, life was normal, and the next, everything changed," the friend told Myers. "He worships her, truly. She's his world, and when the diagnosis came, it was as if the ground beneath him vanished."

William called 2024 "the hardest year I've ever had" when speaking with actor Eugene Levy on Apple TV+'s The Reluctant Traveler, and it's no wonder why. Along with worrying about his wife, the Prince of Wales also had to deal with his father, King Charles's, own cancer diagnosis, which was announced just a month before Kate's news.

Fortunately, the Princess of Wales announced she had completed chemotherapy treatments in September 2024, and by January 2025, she told the public that she was officially in remission.

"It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery," she wrote at the time. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support."

A house with three children is bound to be noisy and full of big feelings, and it seems Forest Lodge is no different. Prince William revealed that he “gets all the details” from his children, who sometimes share “too much” about their day and their feelings. On BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks, Prince William joined a panel to discuss mental health and wellbeing, and his children’s mental health came up in the conversation.

“Do you notice that your children talk openly about their feelings, their day, or how they were feeling about a certain thing?” host Greg James asked the Prince of Wales, to which Prince William replied, “yeah, sometimes too much.” The panel erupted in laughter, as Prince William explained he gets “all the details” on his children’s feelings, “which I love, you know, it's amazing.”

Even Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis bring home big feelings, often from school or social events, and Prince William is on-hand to help them work through those feelings. “Being able to understand it, have time with it, decipher it” is part of the process, the prince said. His role as a parent is equally complex, as Prince William shared that he feels “a sense you need to fix it, and that I find quite difficult.” The Prince of Wales told the panel and radio listeners that “you don’t need to fix everything, but you do need to listen.”

“For the next generation, understanding emotions is okay,” the Prince said, before exploring how previous generations approached mental health and how important it is to “break the cycle.” The Prince of Wales hopes that the next generation, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, can learn to speak openly about their emotions and to take time to understand those complex feelings. Prince William told listeners “it’s important to be okay with those feelings.”

Every couple goes through the first-time-parent experience of choosing the perfect baby name, but very few have the added pressure of naming a future king or queen. Knowing the pressure was on, Prince William and Princess Kate went through several baby names in 2013, before choosing the historically-royal name of Prince George Alexander Louis. According to The Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers, before they settled on Prince George’s historic name there were a few more humorous suggestions along the way.

According to Myers’ upcoming biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, Prince William and Princess Kate had a hard time agreeing on a name, especially when the gender of their first baby was a surprise. “Catherine had her heart set on Alexander for a boy or Alexandra (also Queen Elizabeth’s middle name) for a girl,” Myers revealed in his book. “William had privately voiced his preference for having a girl, and was keen to incorporate a tribute to his late mother, most likely in the form of a middle name.”

Luckily, a friend stepped in with a book of baby names to help with their decision. Russell Myers’ book reveals that the couple “spent hours thumbing through” the many choices listed in the baby name book. “They often ended up in fits of laughter after one or the other had presented a more left-field suggestion,” Myers shared in his book. According to royal sources, Prince William would tease his press team with outlandish name suggestions, joking with them by asking, “what do you think about Rodney for a boy, or maybe Graham?” These not-quite-royal names received laughs all around.

The royal couple eventually settled on a shortlist if the baby were a boy: George or Louis. Those names would eventually be a part of history books, as Prince George was born in 2013 and Prince Louis in 2018.

This year's Lunar New Year celebration is marking the year of the horse, but for Queen Elizabeth, it was always equestrian season. Although her passion for horses (and corgis) is well known, a sentimental letter she wrote as a 10-year-old child shows off a talent that members of today's Royal Family have inherited.

The late Queen was a lifelong horse girl, and now a letter she wrote displaying special sketches of horses and dogs is up for auction. It was penned in 1936 by the then-Princess Elizabeth and sent to Beatrice Stillman, the head housemaid at Royal Lodge—where the princess and her family lived at the time.

Princess Elizabeth was on vacation in Cornwall, England at the time she sent the letter, which reads: "Dear Beatrice, I am sending you some primroses we picked, wild. There are some pale pink ones as well as the yellow. It is very lovely here. We can go down on to the beach from the garden."

The letter is peppered with sketches of dogs, horses and children, including a boy jumping a fence on a horse and another of people playing polo.

"I hope the birds are well, and the gold-fish haven't died. Will you please give Cootie (Miss Coote I mean) and Mrs Wade some of the primroses to share," the note continues. "Jock is very well and happy here. Nanny and Joanna send their love to you."

She signed the letter, "Love from Elizabeth."

The late Queen's talent for sketching was inherited by King Charles, who has been a lifelong art enthusiast. The King specializes in watercolors and has drawn a number of royal residences and scenes from his travels around the world. Meanwhile, Princess Kate is also a keen artist, and Prince George takes in all of their footsteps, with his proud parents displaying his artwork on Instagram.

Queen Elizabeth's rare piece of royal memorabilia will be auctioned off by Kent, England-based Hansons Auctioneers on February 27 and is estimated to sell for between £2,000 to £4,000.

"When I first saw the letter, it gave me goosebumps," said Justin Matthews of Hansons Auctioneers. "Queen Elizabeth II, as we remember her with her love of dogs and horses—is astoundingly evident in this letter penned by her younger self."

In a press release, he added, "From these few lines we understand everything we later know about the late Queen. She is seen to be observant, kind and concerned with others’ wellbeing, just as she was in later years."

For Princess Diana, it was important to give her kids "normal" experiences growing up, so instead of just eating elaborate palace dinners, Prince Harry and Prince William developed a taste for foods like burgers and pizza, too. However, former royal chef Darren McGrady says that Queen Elizabeth didn't share in her grandkids' tastes.

In a 2020 interview with Us Weekly, McGrady, who worked at Buckingham Palace before becoming a chef to Diana and her boys, said that Queen Elizabeth "never had pizza."

"I didn't start cooking pizza until I moved across to Kensington Palace," he added, sharing that he made the dish "all the time for William." The royal chef even invented a special pizza recipe just for the future King.

"In my second cookbook, The Royal Chef at Home, there's a chicken tikka masala pizza because he loves Indian food," McGrady said. "The pizza combined the two."

Today, home chef Princess Kate loves to make pizza at home with her kids George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7.

"I really enjoy making pizza dough with George and Charlotte because they like getting their hands messy," she said during a 2018 royal engagement at a community center. In 2023, William and Kate even picked up pizza from a local food truck themselves when they treated members of a Welsh mountain rescue team to a treat.

As for what Queen Elizabeth did like to eat, McGrady says that she stuck to tried-and-true British classics and French fare. "The Queen never was a foodie," he said on his YouTube channel, noting that her favorite food was a sandwich called a jam penny.

In fact, the late Queen ate it every day of her life since she was five, with the simple meal containing bread topped with strawberry jam and butter. "We’d make the jam at Balmoral Castle with gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens," McGrady added.

Prince William might have been on a diplomatic mission during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, but the Prince of Wales also had time for a bit of fun. On the second day of his trip to the Middle East, William took part in an E-sports tournament with Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, and it's an activity that Prince George seems to be especially into.

As Hello! noted, the Prince of Wales lost both games of Rocket League he played against the Saudi prince on February 10. Although he claimed he had "no idea what I'm doing," his teammate noted that the prince "was very good" at the game.

"He shook my hands afterwards and said 'very nice to play with you,'" 24-year-old Abdullah said. "I am very proud."

Another player taking part on Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud's team, noted, "It was very fun to play with both princes. It wasn’t easy actually, Prince William was a good opponent and it was very close."

The event would likely have been a hit with 12-year-old Prince George.

During a 2022 event at the BAFTA headquarters in London, the Prince of Wales noted that his kids "do definitely like gaming, they're fascinated by that." He added, "George particularly, he’s more interested in it. The other two are a bit too small, but they love the films.”

Although his children are gaming fans, the Prince of Wales also noted the need to keep their screen time to a minimum. "At the moment, it’s trying to regulate the gaming," he said at the time, adding, "monitoring screen time. Got to be careful of that."

Prince William and Princess Kate appear to take great pride in parenting their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—on their own terms. And when it comes to making "dad jokes," the Prince of Wales is basically a professional.

Case in point: during a visit to the University of Bristol in January 2026, Prince William made a brilliant joke about helping son Prince George with his homework.

According to a press release, the prince "toured the Isambard-AI supercomputer and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL), meeting researchers who are tackling some of society's biggest challenges—from modeling the impact of climate change to developing new drugs and supporting an aging population."

During his visit, Prince William was gifted "three small Lego figures of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel for his children," per Hello! magazine.

Discussing the prince's trip, the University of Bristol's vice-chancellor and president, Evelyn Welch, shared on Instagram, "We were really delighted to give Prince William three little Lego models of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to take back home to his children. And he left saying that he knew where to come when George needed help with his homework!"

As noted by an official press release, "Isambard-AI is located at NCC, a wholly owned but independently operated subsidiary of the University of Bristol. It's home to a vast array of trailblazing technologies and bridges the gap between academia and industry, helping companies large and small to capitalize on cutting-edge innovation."

"We were delighted to share with Prince William how this work is already making a real difference to people's lives, and how our teams are striving every day to create positive change for communities here in the U.K. and around the world," Welch explained.

As for the dad jokes, it seems as though Prince William is always ready with the perfect quip, wherever he happens to be.

Rugby is a shared passion for members of Prince William and Princess Kate's household, and this weekend will mark a huge moment for the sporty family. The Six Nations England vs. Wales rugby match will take place at London's Twickenham Stadium on Saturday, February 7—and the Prince and Princess of Wales have been regular attendees at the face-off over the years.

Prince William serves as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, while Princess Kate cheers for England as patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League. But Prince George, 12, is also a huge rugby fan, and with the future King making regular appearances at sporting events lately, it's possible he could tag along with his competitive parents if they attend the big game.

The couple brought Prince George to the February 2022 Six Nations match between the teams, and he also traveled to France with dad William for the Rugby World Cup in 2023.

Both George and his 7-year-old brother Louis play on rugby teams and Princess Charlotte, 10, enjoys playing with her siblings at home, as Princess Kate mentioned during a recent reception with the England women's rugby team.

"Charlotte is playing rugby, but at home with the family, so she isn’t playing yet at school," she told members of the Red Roses, the nickname for England's women's team.

However, Prince George seems to be especially competitive in the game. "George, now, if I play at home, I do not want to get tackled by George!" Princess Kate added at the reception.