Duchess Sophie is one of the hardest-working members of the Royal Family, and on Monday, August 10 it was announced that she’s been named the new patron of a charity that ties heavily into one of Prince Harry’s greatest passions.

Sophie will now be working with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST), and she hit the indoor slopes at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, England to celebrate the news. The organization uses snow sports to accelerate the physical and emotional recovery of wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans.

Through adaptive sports like snowboarding, alpine and nordic skiing, the AFPST helps gives participants “a renewed sense of purpose and independence as they work towards individual and shared goals”—a very similar mission as Prince Harry’s Invictus Games.

The Duchess of Edinburgh looked in her element as she skied alongside AFPST participants and learned more about how the organization has given military personnel and veterans an increased sense of community and purpose.

Prince Harry has been carrying out the same work through the Invictus Games, which will take place in Birmingham, England in July 2027. Although the U.K. will host a summer games, the organization held its first Invictus Winter Games in 2025, and with Sophie’s new role, it opens the opportunity for her to attend a future winter event.

The duchess's husband, Prince Edward, also has a strong interest in para sports as the patron of the British Paralympic Association, a role he's held for more than 20 years. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have taken part in many of the Paralympic Games and traveled to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, giving Sophie the opportunity to meet ParalympicsGB athletes ahead of her new role.

As for whether any members of the Royal Family attend Invictus 2027, watch this space.

As King Charles’ right-hand man prepares to leave the palace, Prince Harry could see a door left open on his way out. After 20 years working with The King and Queen Camilla, Sir Clive Alderton has announced he is stepping down from his role as principal private secretary. He will stay in post until his 60th birthday in May 2027.

To announce his retirement, Alderton wrote a letter to the royal staff, stating, "It has been the greatest imaginable honor to serve the King and Queen in my present role through such historic times and with unforgettable humor along the way. That support will continue, in a less formal capacity, for all of my life."

According to his 2023 memoir Spare, Harry believed three royal staffers to be working against him, with many suspecting Alderton to be the staffer Harry referenced as “the Wasp.” In Spare, Prince Harry first commended the “charming” and “jazzy energy" of "The Wasp," before turning the tables to call him “arrogant.”

"He was great at pretending to be polite, even servile,” Harry wrote. “You'd assert a fact, something seemingly incontrovertible—I believe the sun rises in the mornings —and he'd stammer that perchance you might consider for a comment the possibility that you'd been misinformed: Well, heh-heh, I don't know about that, Your Royal Highness, you see, it all depends what you mean by mornings, sir.'"

Harry went on to describe "the Wasp" as “weedy” and “so self-effacing,” adding, “You might be tempted to push back, insist on your point, and that was when he’d put you on his list. A short time later, without warning, he’d give you such a stab with his outsized stinger that you’d cry in confusion. 'Where the f--- did that come from?'"

Not only could Alderton’s retirement potentially affect King Charles’ relationship with his estranged son, it may also impact the Duke of Sussex’s chances to regain police protection in his home country. The secretary sits on RAVEC, a committee that determines official protective security for public figures in the U.K. Alderton's replacement will also take his spot on the board, leaving Harry’s request in a new pair of hands.

Despite living in a literal palace, Queen Elizabeth was famously frugal. Former royal staff members have frequently commented on her humble tastes and dislike of anything that could be viewed as excess, especially when it came to wasting food. And although King Charles is known for being an environmentalist, the late Queen also had one eco-friendly pet peeve at Buckingham Palace.

In his book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, Gyles Brandreth shared that Queen Elizabeth was very much a product of the World War II generation when it came to being thrifty. Decades after rationing and energy usage restrictions had ended, she still didn’t like to use the heat at Buckingham Palace.

“Elizabeth II could not abide empty rooms being heated unnecessarily and preferred her rooms heated with electric fires where she could turn on just one or two bars of the fire as required,” Brandreth wrote.

The late Queen thought that younger people who hadn’t been through the war “were very profligate with their use of fuel,” former Prime Minister Edward Heath told the author. That being said, Queen Elizabeth took matters into her own hands when her family didn't cooperate.

During a conversation with Brandreth in the ‘80s, the late Queen told him that she spent “an awful lot of time going from room to room turning off the lights” when her children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward were young.

“It really annoys me when people leave the lights on,” she told Brandreth. “It’s just so wasteful.”

It seems her habits trickled down to King Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry. In the BBC documentary Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, Harry and William admitted that they take after their father when it comes to turning off the lights.

“He's a stickler for turning lights off and that’s now something that I’m obsessed with,” Prince Harry said, with Prince William chiming in, “I know, I’ve got serious OCD with light switches now, which is terrible.” The Duke of Sussex said that his wife, Meghan Markle, was puzzled by his lights obsession, with Harry stating she'd say, “Well, why turn the lights off? You know, it’s dark.”

It seems she has Queen Elizabeth to thank.

Now that Wimbledon is over and school is out, Prince William and his family will be enjoying time at their country home, Anmer Hall, and heading to Balmoral for their annual summer break. But when he was younger, the Prince of Wales had another summer tradition with Prince Harry and their cousins, as former royal butler Grant Harrold recently shared.

Speaking to Coffee Friend, Harrold—who worked for King Charles at his country retreat, Highgrove House—said that summer meant plenty of al fresco dining at the Gloucestershire estate. “The royals definitely do have barbecues over weekend periods,” Harrold said. “I remember Prince William and Harry having their cousins over and having barbecues, and they would go swimming.”

The laid-back parties were a rare time when Harrold and the rest of The King’s Highgrove employees didn’t serve the royals. “We wouldn’t get involved, and the staff didn’t have to cook,” he shared, adding that William, Harry and the rest of their guests “would do it all themselves.”

Harry and William's BBQs follow in the footsteps of Prince Phillip, who was famous for his prowess with a grill, especially at Balmoral. Picnics at the Scottish estate were another time when the staff wouldn't be on serving duty, although the royal kitchen did prepare their food, as Harrold previously shared.

As for King Charles, Harrold said that his former boss “always likes to have breakfast outside in the warm weather” when he’s at Highgrove. “There’s like a little sundial garden, and there's a table, so it's quite nice that they get to utilize the garden,” he said. “I also recall some evenings where they would also enjoy their dinners outside if it was nice weather.”

King Charles has a reputation as a workaholic, but during the summer months, Harrold said The King keeps his routine a little more laid back.

“The King also works outside, so quite often be on a chair outside Highgrove with his phone and his paperwork and he’ll work away in the sunshine,” he shared.

Princess Diana became known for many things throughout her life, such as her much-envied sense of style and her adoration of her children, Prince Harry and Prince William. According to one of the late princess's former staff members, Diana even prioritized her sons when it came to managing her closet and her bank account.

In his book, A Royal Duty, former royal butler Paul Burrell shared, "Some dresses were never destined for auctions or museums." Instead, some of Princess Diana's designer items were taken to thrift "stores in Knightsbridge or Chelsea [in London] where they would be handed over in exchange for cash when sold."

According to Burrell, it was entirely Diana's decision to sell some pieces of clothing, in order "to raise spending money for her because royals rarely carry hard currency." Basically, Princess Diana reportedly wanted to have a means of income, which wasn't necessarily tracked alongside her regular credit card spending.

"By generating cash, she could spend it as she wished without trace, and take William and Harry to the cinema or to McDonald's," Burrell wrote.

Burrell also elaborated on witnessing Harry and William learning about money as children.

"In the biggest paradox of their opulent royal life, the young princes were fascinated by money and how The Queen's face adorned every note of every denomination," the former royal butler shared.

He continued, "A £10 note was a 'brown Granny' and a £50 note was a 'pink Granny.' When the princess handed out money, it was a joy to watch the boys jumping up and down, clutching the notes, invariably a 'pink Granny.'"

Seemingly, Princess Diana was happy to sell her old clothing if it meant she could spoil William and Harry.

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Prince Harry’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, met with grandfather King Charles for the first in four years this month—but when it comes to reuniting with their uncle, Prince William, it seems that’s not in the cards just yet.

The Duke of Sussex traveled to the U.K. earlier this month to meet with charities close to his heart and take part in events related to the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham, England next July. Along with his much-discussed security squabbles, there was a back-and-forth narrative of whether or not he’d be bringing wife Meghan Markle and their kids Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5—and if they’d see King Charles at all.

Ultimately, his wife and children joined Prince Harry briefly at the end of his trip and spent time with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove House, The King’s country estate. No photos or details have been released from their meeting, which happened on July 10, the same day the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Royal Charity Polo Cup.

However, when it comes to Prince William, sources close to the Royal Family say there was never a chance of him attending the get-together with Harry.

A source close to both William and Harry told People that Charles and Diana’s sons continue to be estranged. “I thought it would have perhaps eased a little bit by now, to be honest,” the source said of the tension between the brothers. “But there has been no movement, especially on William’s side. There is no contact.”

Another insider added that Harry and William’s relationship is “so broken.”

The brothers were last seen engaging with each other in public in September 2022, when Harry and William did a joint walkabout with Meghan and Kate to meet fans who had gathered outside Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth's death.

Despite losing his privacy case against Associated Newspapers earlier this week, Prince Harry is ensuring his visit to the U.K. is extremely productive and positive. On July 9, the Duke of Sussex made a trip to Birmingham Children's Hospital in honor of a specialist nursing program launched 20 years ago by the charity WellChild.

Prince Harry met with patients and their families, and he even opened up about his son, 7-year-old Prince Archie, who wasn't able to join him for the U.K. trip due to security concerns.

Per Hello! magazine, during a particularly memorable moment, Harry spoke to 12-year-old patient Alec Hill, saying, "Do you know who's obsessed with Lego? My son Archie—and he's a master builder."

It seems that both Prince Archie and Prince George enjoy building Lego sets. In January, Prince William visited the University of Bristol where he gifted "three small Lego figures of engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel for his children," per Hello!magazine.

At the time, the University of Bristol's vice-chancellor and president, Evelyn Welch, said 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!"

Prince Harry's hospital visit is especially important as the royal serves as a patron of WellChild, and was instrumental in helping launch the charity's nursing program.

As Prince Harry told staff members at the hospital, "I don’t know if you hear it enough, the difference that you make every single day is quite literally changing daily lives."

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Prince Harry is visiting the U.K. week this week to support the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year, and although he originally planned to bring his family for a reunion with King Charles, the meeting is now up in the air.

Earlier reports indicated that the Duke of Sussex was scheduled to bring wife Meghan Markle and kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet along with him, but security squabbles have resulted in Harry arriving to London alone. On July 7, Prince Harry learned that he’d lost his privacy case against Associated Newspapers, and after delivering a blistering statement that put The King in a compromising position, former royal butler Grant Harrold tells Marie Claire that he thinks a royal reunion is looking more uncertain than ever.

While royal sources have suggested that The King is still trying to arrange a meeting with his grandchildren, whom he hasn’t seen since 2022, Harrold says he doesn’t anticipate it being “happy families for a very, very long time.”

Prince Harry and six other claimants accused the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking. In a joint statement released on Tuesday with fellow claimant Baroness Doreen Lawrence, the Duke of Sussex and the baroness said, “We came to Court seeking justice and accountability. But we have received neither.”

“It is a complete and obvious whitewash, but sadly not altogether unexpected,” they added. “However, the lengths to which the Court has gone to exonerate the Mail is as shocking as it is totally unwarranted.”

The attack on His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service puts King Charles in an awkward position, with Harrold, speaking on behalf of Action Network, noting, “With everything that's happened over the last 48 hours, I'd say it's highly unlikely we're going to see any sort of reconciliation anytime soon.”

Of course, The King still may arrange a meeting with his youngest son and grandchildren, should the duke choose to bring them to Britain later this week. But as Harrold adds, “I just don't quite see how The King can come back from what's happened, and equally, I can't see how Harry can either. The gulf between them now seems deeper than ever.”

“To me, it feels as though the ship has sailed,” The King's former butler adds.

A lack of official police security has caused Harry to keep his children away from the U.K., but a source has told the Mirror that he's “frantically” trying to arrange a way to get his kids over safely. The insider added that Charles “would not pass up the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and if there is a way of making it possible, he will do it.”

Only time will tell whether Meghan and the children make it back to Harry's homeland, but the Duke of Sussex will be in Birmingham either way as he supports the events surrounding the 2027 Invictus Games.

As for a reconciliation with the Royal Family, the Duke of Sussex told the BBC last year that he would “love” that, but acknowledges forgiveness might never happen with certain people. “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things,” he said.

Prince Harry arrived in London on Monday, July 6 amid the ongoing drama surrounding his accommodations at Buckingham Palace, and on July 7, he received the news that he’d lost his High Court privacy case against Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.

The Duke of Sussex was joined by six other claimants in the suit, including Sir Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley, and all 97 allegations made against Associated Newspapers were dismissed. Prince Harry appeared in court in January during the trial, during which the duke and his fellow claimants accused the publisher of unlawful information gathering from 1993 to 2011.

Harry and the other claimants alleged that the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday had used tactics such as phone hacking and bugging vehicles and homes in order to gain information for stories.

Per the Daily Mail, the judge’s ruling included comments on Prince Harry’s testimony, with Justice Nicklin stating, “it was apparent that he wished the court to understand the personal impact of the matters in issue. At times, this led him beyond giving factual evidence into advancing arguments on the issues.”

“As I indicated to Prince Harry at the time, that is not uncommon: many litigants feel a strong instinct to argue their case themselves,” the judge added. “Overall, this did not affect the quality of Prince Harry’s evidence, which I accept. As with each of the claimants, Prince Harry has limited evidence to give on the contentious matters in dispute.”

While speaking during an Invictus Games event at Chatham House shortly after the verdict was issued, the Duke of Sussex appeared upbeat as he joked about air conditioning and praised the “unconquered spirit” of Invictus athletes in a video shared by People's Simon Perry. Prince Harry will head to Birmingham, England later this week to celebrate one year until the 2027 games, which will be held in the city.

A statement from Associated Newspapers called the victory “a magnificent vindication of the Daily Mail’s journalism” and “an overwhelming victory for the Daily Mail and its journalists, and for a free press generally.” The Duke of Sussex's team has yet to issue a statement.

If royal watchers (and the media) are feeling confused over Prince Harry’s visit to the U.K., it’s no wonder. First, representatives confirmed that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were coming to see King Charles for the first time since 2022. Then they weren't, and now the children may or may not come to Britain later this week. Regarding where Harry was planning to stay, Buckingham Palace has presented a different version of events than the Duke of Sussex’s representative—and as Queen Elizabeth once famously stated, it appears “recollections may vary” about the accommodation offered to the royal.

On Monday, July 6, multiple outlets reported that Prince Harry had accepted his father King Charles’s offer to stay at Buckingham Palace while visiting London this week, with Prince Harry’s spokesperson claiming that The King’s offer had been withdrawn after he had confirmed he’d be staying at the royal residence.

But sources at Buckingham Palace say that Prince Harry didn’t respond to the invitation by the deadline he was given, meaning they weren’t able to accommodate him with such little notice. As the Telegraph’s royal editor, Hannah Furness, wrote, “Buckingham Palace is not available on lastminute.com.”

It's understood that the Duke of Sussex rejected his father's office to stay at Buckingham Palace on Saturday after back-and-forth about security concerns, but then, as Furness put it, “changed his mind” before arriving in London on July 6.

Staffing requests had not been arranged in anticipation of Harry staying at the palace, with the royal editor noting, “The lack of courtesy to staff making such arrangements has raised eyebrows, as has the continued impression that the Duke considers the palace unsuitable for his needs.”

A court ruling about Prince Harry's privacy lawsuit is due to arrive Tuesday, presenting a tricky constitutional situation for The King, since he can't appear to be compromised in the litigation. The Duke of Sussex is understood to have secured his own security arrangements for his family during the trip after his request was denied by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures.

Prince Harry is visiting London ahead of his visit to Birmingham for the One Year to Go celebrations surrounding the Invictus Games, and is reported to meeting with various charities close to his heart.

Marie Claire has reached out to representatives for The King and the Duke of Sussex for comment.

Prince Harry is set to return to the U.K. this week, one year ahead of the launch of the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July 2027. During the trip, he will allegedly meet with members of the Royal Family, and it was previously thought that Meghan Markle and their children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—would be joining him. Apparently, that's no longer the case.

According to a new report in Hello! magazine, "The Duke of Sussex will make his highly-anticipated return to the U.K. next week, but his wife and children will not join him in London." While Prince Harry will visit London from July 7 until July 11, Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet allegedly won't be present.

However, Harry's decision to travel to London solo doesn't necessarily preclude Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet from joining him in the U.K. outside of the city. Hello! reported that "no decision has been made as to the rest of the week yet and whether Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet will join Harry for other parts of the trip."

Still, royal fans will likely be disappointed that Archie and Lilibet won't be attending any public engagements alongside their dad.

Prince Harry underwent a long legal battle regarding the removal of his state-funded police protection.

Just days ago, the British government refused to provide police protection for Harry and his family in the U.K., unless they're inside one of the Royal Family's properties. As a source told the Guardian, "[Harry's] looking at every option to try and get the family here safely and keep them safe when they're on the ground. If he can find a way to do that he will."

The source continued, "The hope is they can meet their grandfather, but there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane. He won't put his children through that."

Prince Harry will soon be heading to the U.K. to mark one year until the Invictus Games in Birmingham, and the Duke of Sussex is hoping to bring his kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with him, pending his ongoing security issues. But once upon a time Harry was a young boy himself, and Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, has shared a sweet story about the royal’s childhood—and how he differs from brother Prince William.

“My fondest memory of Harry is when he used to build snowmen in the gardens of Windsor and Highgrove with my boys,” Burrell, who shares sons Alexander and Nicholas with his ex-wife, Maria Cosgrove, shares.

Speaking on behalf of Casino.org, the former butler describes Prince Harry as being “a generous and sensitive boy,” recalling that the “kind” prince used to share his wealth with the boys.

“He would like nothing better than to give my boys a ‘Pink Granny’ or a ‘Blue Granny,’” Burrell says of Prince Harry, explaining that the nicknames were what Harry called bank notes since they featured Queen Elizabeth’s image on them.

“Now you’d prefer a pink granny, because that was a £50 note and that’s what he called it—it had his Granny’s face on it,” Burrell says. “So now if anyone ever offers you a pink or a blue granny, definitely take the pink granny.”

The Royal Insider author continues that Harry “used to give out notes to my boys so they could save for a PlayStation or something. He was very kind.” However, Burrell claims that Prince Harry’s big brother, Prince William, wasn’t quite as generous as his little brother.

“William wouldn’t have done that, because William would be saving his money for something important,” he shares.

Princess Diana tried to raise her boys as equals, but as the “spare,” Prince Harry was able to get away with more than the future King. Burrell notes the differences between the two as children, sharing, “I remember Harry riding his chopper bike through the estate at Highgrove, coming down to play football with my boys, and William arriving in his model Aston Martin car. Harry would have holes in his jeans, and William would be immaculately dressed.”

Prince Harry is scheduled to return to the U.K. in early July for the Invictus Games One Year to Go event, but a reunion with Prince William will likely not be on his schedule. The brothers are understood not to have spoken since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, but when they were growing up, Princess Diana tried to raise them exactly the same. According to the late royal’s former butler, Paul Burrell, one decision was especially tough because of the implications it would have on her children.

The King (then Prince Charles) and Princess Diana announced their separation in 1992, and although they initially did not have plans to formally split, their divorce was finalized in 1996.

“Diana struggled with the divorce [from Prince Charles],” Burell says, speaking on behalf of Casino.org. “She didn’t want it; she wanted to stay in the Royal Family, and for her, her struggle was keeping her boys safe and keeping her position.”

The former butler adds that it was “difficult” for Diana “to accept that the boys would grow up differently,” adding, “There was no difference between them in her eyes.” Even if members of the royal household treated Prince William in a more preferential way than Harry, Diana insisted “the boys were always the same.”

Bringing both of her boys up “in a solid family unit” was a high priority for Princess Diana, according to Burrell. “That’s why she resisted the divorce, because she thought that fracture in the family would lead to problems and complications for her boys,” he says.

The former butler and author continues that although they grew up in a “similar world,” royal life wasn’t as easy for Prince Harry as it was for William. “It was a lot easier and plain sailing for William,” Burrell says. “His map was already made, and Harry’s wasn’t. So, it was a complicated relationship, but their childhood was the idyllic part of it.”

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were set to meet their grandpa King Charles for the first time since 2022 next month, but according to the Guardian, a source close to Prince Harry said the Sussex family’s “plans to see family, friends and visit various charitable causes close to the duke’s heart” have been “pulled out from under their feet at the 11th hour.”

Security in the U.K. has long been an issue for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and on Monday, June 29, the couple’s spokesperson issued a statement addressing their concerns for the trip. While accommodation at a royal residence has reportedly been offered to the duke and duchess, the spokesperson stated, “Safe accommodation is only one element of an effective protective security plan because risk follows the person, not the place.”

The rep added, “The issue has never been accommodation. The issue is whether appropriate and proportionate protective security is being provided throughout the entirety of the visit.”

Prince Harry's taxpayer-funded police protection was removed once he stepped down as a senior working royal, and he's been fighting the decision in court ever since.

While the Duke of Sussex awaits a final review of his security status ordered by the U.K.'s royal and VIP executive committee (Ravec), his representative stated, “The independent Risk Management Board that Ravec itself decided was necessary last November has still not taken place. It is therefore difficult to understand how the proportionality of the current arrangements can credibly be maintained without that independent assessment.”

“The duke continues to explore every available option to enable the visit to proceed safely and to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK,” the statement ended.

A source close to Prince Harry told the Guardian that the duke was concerned about his children being followed by photographers without a full security detail in place.

“The hope is they can meet their grandfather, but there is no way that can happen if they are chased by paparazzi wherever they go from the moment they step off the plane,” the source said. “He won’t put his children through that.”

While the Sussexes continues to assess their plans to travel for the Invictus Games One Year to Go Event in Birmingham, the family is currently vacationing in Europe, according to People.

Queen Camilla doesn’t appear to be making room in her calendar for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming visit to the U.K. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are crossing the pond next month to begin the one-year countdown until the 2027 Invictus Games. King Charles might be meeting with his son but it’s unlikely he’ll be accompanied by The Queen.

Camilla is “steering well clear” of the couple during the visit. According to the Daily Express, she is “not going to be around when they arrive.”

The Queen and Harry were never believed to be close. However, they remained civil when she married into the Royal Family in 2005. The tone publicly shifted after Prince Harry bared his true feelings on paper. In his 2023 memoir Spare, he opened about their complicated relationship, even revealing he and Prince William initially begged their father not to marry her.

According to The Times, Camilla still holds animosity for his public revelations. The Queen is “deliberately avoiding them” and has reportedly made plans to stay at her Ray Mill house in Gloucestershire during their time in the country. She is “unlikely to get involved” in any meetings with the couple, according to a source.

Queen Camilla doesn’t appear to be the only one keeping a distance from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex during their return to the U.K. Prince William and Princess Kate are also “incredibly unlikely” to meet with Harry.

King Charles seems to be the only working royal open to the idea of a reunion. Dan Wakeford, the founder of Celebrity Intelligence, told Fox News, "The King is the door that might open.”

Prince Harry has expressed a desire for reconciliation. The expert said, “Harry reportedly wants Charles to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, and he's been pushing for that. And I think that will likely happen from talking to folks in and around this."

Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. is unlikely to be marked with a brotherly reunion. The Duke of Sussex will be making a trip across the pond next month to mark the one-year countdown until the 2027 Invictus Games. He is expected to be accompanied by Meghan Markle and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Although the occasion will be a family affair, there seems to be no set plans for a reunion with his extended loved ones.

According to Dan Wakeford, the founder of Celebrity Intelligence, royal sources believe Harry shouldn’t expect "a complete reconciliation with the family” this time around. He told Fox News, “It's a slight thaw and a good beginning.”

Compared to other members of the Royal Family, Prince William and Princess Kate seem to have not budged. He said, "A William and Catherine meeting is incredibly unlikely…[Harry] is not going to be meeting William. I cannot see that happening at all.”

There have been speculations of a rift between the brothers since 2018. Tensions have seemed to intensify since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals and moved to Montecito, California. It is believed the last time the two spoke to each other was briefly at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.

“The Wales household is completely bolted shut right now,” Wakeford continued. “[William's] stance has not changed, and they would not arrange to see Harry and Meghan outside an official public engagement. And I don't even think that is going to happen.”

While hopes for a William and Harry reunion are low, there seems to be a more of a chance for a meeting between the Duke of Sussex and his father King Charles.

"The King is the door that might open,” the expert shared. Prince Harry seems to be focused on that prospect, especially since he will be accompanied by his children. He said, “Harry reportedly wants Charles to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, and he's been pushing for that. And I think that will likely happen from talking to folks in and around this."

Princess Diana still remains the first royal Prince Harry and Meghan Markle look to for guidance.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to return to the U.K. next month with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, marking the first time the entire family has returned since 2022. During their trip across the pond for Harry’s Invictus Games, there seems to be plans to stay in familial quarters.

Althorp House, Princess Diana's childhood home and where she is buried, is closed to visitors on July 10 and 11, leaving many to believe Harry, his wife and kids will be making time to visit his late mother.

Harry and Meghan last visited Diana's burial site on the 25th anniversary of her death. In his memoir Spare, he recalled rowing out on a boat to the island. After mentioning “no visit to this place was ever easy,” he emphasized the significance of that occasion. The Duke of Sussex wrote, “At long last, I was bringing the girl of my dreams home to meet mum."

“We hesitated, hugging, and then I went first. I placed flowers on the grave,” he continued. “Meg gave me a moment, and I spoke to my mother in my head, told her I missed her, asked her for guidance and clarity.”

Afterwards, Harry gave his wife a moment alone with his mother. After taking a walk, he noticed the actress in the midst of a prayer. He remembered, “When I came back, Meg was kneeling, eyes shut, palms against the stone."

Once they departed, Prince Harry couldn’t help but wonder how Meghan's first time speaking with Diana went. He then learned his wife had a similar conversation with his mother.

"I asked, as we walked back to the boat, what she’d prayed for,” Harry added. “Clarity, she said. And guidance."

It was finally announced that Prince George will be heading to Eton College in September, and as the soon-to-be teenager grows up, he has one trusted friend of the Royal Family (and Old Etonian) in his corner. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton worked as the principal private secretary to Prince William and Prince Harry from 2005 to 2013, and he was so beloved by the Prince and Princess of Wales that he was named as one of Prince George’s godparents. In a new interview with the Times, Lowther-Pinkerton shared some memories of his time with the royals—and one special assignment with Prince George.

Although he retired from royal service ahead of George’s July 2013 birth, Lowther-Pinkerton said he was “hauled out of retirement to be the herder of cats” for King Charles’s 2023 coronation.

The cats in question? Prince George and his fellow coronation pages, including Queen Camilla’s twin grandsons, Gus and Louis Lopes, her eldest grandson, Freddy Parker Bowles, and her great nephew, Arthur Elliot, among family friends and cousins of The King.

“We spent a week together,” Lowther-Pinkerton, known as "JLP" to the royals, told the outlet. “We had such fun because we had to do our business, but then we went and looked at the Imperial War Museum. They were charming boys, all of them, really charming. So well behaved, totally different from what I was like, you know. I’ve been sort of a scallywag.”

The former royal aide and SAS soldier was tasked with everything from managing the military careers of both Prince William and Prince Harry to helping plan William and Kate's 2011 wedding. As a trusted friend to the Royal Family, he didn't have much to say when asked about the rift between the brothers.

“Do you know what?” he said. “I think I’d better steer clear of that Harry issue.” However, Lowther-Pinkerton added, “What I would say is that I was and am very fond of him. He has huge redeeming features and I’m a perennial optimist.”

Now that George is about to turn 13, Lowther-Pinkerton says he's “going to be a better godfather.”

“It sounds awful,” Lowther-Pinkerton shared. “But I’m a better godfather when it comes time to have a bit of fun. I’ve got other godchildren and I have huge fun with them when they reach a certain point, so hopefully that’ll be the time when JLP comes out of the chrysalis.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have closely guarded their children’s privacy for many years. From clever crops, back-of-the-head shots, and creative posing, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have managed to share some photos of their children without ever really showing the world what Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet look like.

While some argue that any photos of their children are still a privacy concern, the truth remains that no one outside of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s inner circle really knows what Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet look like. After over six years of limiting their public exposure, all of that is about to change as Prince Harry is reportedly returning to the United Kingdom with Meghan Markle, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet in tow.

Prince Harry confirmed his plans to return to the U.K. with his family in July, to mark the 1-year countdown to the Invictus Games in Birmingham. The pre-tournament events have been a driving force in creating excitement and publicity for the big games, which take place July 10-17, 2027. While there is no word if Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will spend any time with grandfather King Charles, or Uncle Prince William and Aunt Princess Kate—much less their only three cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—any Royal Family reunions are likely to be private and closely guarded.

Despite years of protecting Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s privacy, and ensuring they are safe and protected, a return to the U.K. creates an unprecedented public experience for the two young American royals. Given the high publicity of the pre-tournament Invictus Games events, and the excitement of seeing Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet back in the United Kingdom, it seems inevitable that photos of their little faces will emerge—whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle want them to, or not.

Having rumors printed about you in the media is par for the course when it comes to being a member of the Royal Family, as everyone from Princess Diana to Meghan Markle has discovered over the years. Multiple stories about Prince Philip's alleged infidelities were printed throughout his marriage to Queen Elizabeth, but unlike Prince William or Prince Harry, he opted to stick by the old “never complain, never explain” motto.

Author Gyles Brandreth, who once worked alongside Prince Philip at one of his patronages, wrote about the late duke at length in his book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait. The biographer noted that although Philip “was never accused of sexual assault in the way that Prince Andrew was by Virginia Roberts Giuffre,” Queen Elizabeth’s husband was often accused of infidelity.

As Brandreth wrote, Prince Philip “was subjected to a steady stream of newspaper and magazine stories about his supposed extra-marital love life” over the years. The rumors, which were addressed on The Crown, included multiple women, including his close friend, Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma.

However, unlike Prince Harry and Prince William, who have both taken legal action against the press, Philip chose a different approach. “As he saw it, suing the newspapers was not the answer,” Brandreth wrote, adding that Philip himself called it “a cumbersome and costly process” that “gives more coverage to the libel.”

“Queen’s husband in court—oh, yes? No smoke without fire…” Prince Philip added.

Philip died in 2021, so he never got to see his grandson Harry appear at the Royal Courts of Justice in his high-profile libel case, or for his ongoing security battle. But it's safe to say the late duke wouldn't have been thrilled about the resulting press.

Discussing the accusations made against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Brandreth wrote that Prince Philip once said to him, “Appearing in court as a member of the Royal Family simply isn't on.”

While members of the Royal Family gathered at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, Prince Harry took part in an important event to deliver a surprise message. Captured on a big screen during the Invictus Germany Sports Festival 2026, Prince Harry addressed athletes taking part in this year's event.

The Invictus Games encourages injured and disabled servicepeople to take part in sporting events, and it remains one of Prince Harry's most important endeavors. In a video shared on Saturday, June 13 on the official Invictus Games Foundation YouTube channel, the Duke of Sussex appeared in a video message, where he discussed the importance of supporting one another.

"Thank you for your service," Harry told participants. "Have a fantastic time in Düsseldorf. Lean on those when you need to and celebrate everything you have achieved and, most importantly, have fun."

Per the event's official website, "The Invictus Germany Sports Festival 2026 continues the legacy of the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023." The event, which is taking place at Castello Düsseldorf, invites "veterans, deployed soldiers, their families, and international guests...to compete in four sports and experience community."

The website further explained, "In addition to the competitions, the focus will be on topics such as inclusion, rehabilitation, and social recognition. The aim of the festival is to visibly place veterans at the center of society...The 2026 festival thus sends a strong signal for respect, cohesion, and sustainable responsibility."

Despite missing this year's Trooping the Colour, it's clear that the Duke of Sussex is still hard at work when it comes to charitable endeavors. And in 2027, the Invictus Games is set to take place in Birmingham, England, giving Prince Harry the opportunity to return home.

Everyone from King Charles to Princess Beatrice turned out to witness Peter Phillips marry Harriet Sperling on Saturday, June 6, but two members of the Royal Family were conspicuously absent. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly not invited to Harry’s cousin’s wedding, and former royal butler Grant Harrold says the move “was the right decision.”

Although Prince William didn’t attend his cousin’s first wedding to Autumn Kelly, he joined Princess Kate and the rest of the Royal Family for Saturday’s wedding. But Harry, who was always close with Peter and was there to support Phillips at his 2008 nuptials, didn’t attend this time.

“I’m not surprised that we didn’t see Harry and Meghan there, but it’s still quite sad,” Harrold, said, speaking on behalf of CasinoHawks. “It really does highlight how much things have changed in the last five years.”

“Peter and Harry haven’t spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn’t been invited,” a friend of Peter and Harriet's told Hello!

Harrold, who served King Charles at Highgrove for nearly a decade, was there to witness the interactions between Charles’s boys and their cousins over the years, and notes that “Peter and Harry were really close.”

Phillips does not hold a royal title and lives a relatively low-key life out of the spotlight, usually only joining the Royal Family at large events like weddings, funerals, Jubilees or The King’s coronation. And with Prince Harry living in California, there have been few opportunities for the two to interact.

Harrold continues, “Peter is such a diplomatic person that I think he would have called Harry to discuss it.” However, even if such a conversation didn’t take place, the fact remains that Prince Harry and Meghan would have become “the main story of the day” if they had been invited, as Harrold shares.

“It would have completely overshadowed the whole wedding, and everyone knows a wedding should be about the bride. Despite everything that’s happened, Harry really cares about Peter and he wouldn’t want to ruin his day,” the former royal butler says.

“While it’s still very sad and it shows there is a long way to go before Harry is welcomed back into the fold, I think it was the right decision,” he adds. “He’s considering their feelings, which is good.”

Princess Lilibet is celebrating her fifth birthday on Thursday, June 4, and Meghan Markle shared two new pictures on Instagram to celebrate her “dream girl.” Along with showing off her red hair, Lili wore an adorable designer sundress in the adorable birthday photos.

The Duchess of Sussex has long been a fan of Cult Gaia, and Lilibet took in her mom’s footsteps by wearing a cream-colored embroidered dress by the designer. The smocked, spaghetti strapped is a children’s version of Cult Gaia’s Lola dress, and the little princess first wore it in a photo shared on Meghan’s Instagram account in March.

Meghan has worn Cult Gaia on several occasions over the years, including a strapless teal dress she wore to the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany and one of the brand’s clutches, which she carried for her 42nd birthday dinner.

As for Lili's birthday pictures, Prince Harry holds his barefoot daughter in the first photo—captioned “Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili 🤍.” In the pic, proud mom Meghan smiles at her daughter, with Lilibet’s face obscured by her long hair. A second image shows Lili turned to the side as she admires a flower at her family’s Montecito, California home.

Last month, the Sussex family headed on a trip to Disneyland for an early birthday celebration with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. A source told People that Meghan and Harry decided to have a joint birthday celebration for Lilibet and her big brother, Prince Archie, who turned 7 on May 6.

“The kids did lots of rides, and it was a special way to extend Mother's Day for Meghan and her mom,” the insider said.

It’s not often that members of the Royal Family publicly bring up Prince Harry or Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but Mike Tindall made a rare comment about some of his wife’s family members while attending the Hay Literary Festival in Wales this week.

The “Good, The Bad and The Rugby” podcaster—who married Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara Tindall, in 2011—attended the event with his co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne. During their live conversation, the trio, who are all former professional rugby players, reminisced on Mike and Zara’s royal wedding.

According to Hello! magazine, Mike noted that he was shocked that Haskell, in particular, hadn’t humiliated himself at the wedding. “A lot of other people managed that way better than you—[like] Harry, when he was fun,” he quipped.

The former England rugby player didn’t elaborate on what kind of antics Harry got up to at his wedding reception, which was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh following a ceremony at Canongate Kirk.

The Tindalls are not known to be close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their move to California. They do, however, spend time with Prince William and his family, with Princess Charlotte and Mike and Zara's daughter, Mia Tindall, dubbed as being “double trouble.”

In addition to referencing Prince Harry, Mike also made a comment about the former Duke of York. When Payne made a joke about his friend having a “bedroom at Buckingham Palace,” Mike quipped, “Opposite end to Andrew though.”

Per Hello! , the remark was made before Thames Valley police issued an update about their investigation on Andrew, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February. Detectives said they're looking into potential sexual offenses after the BBC reported that Jeffrey Epstein allegedly sent a woman in her twenties to Windsor to have sex with Andrew in 2010.

Although King Charles reunited with Prince Harry in September 2025 when the Duke of Sussex was visiting London, it’s understood that Prince William has not spoken to his brother since Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022. Prince Harry, who is celebrating his eighth wedding anniversary on May 19, has publicly stated that he’s open to reconciliation, but at the moment, the brothers remain estranged. However, according to one royal expert, there’s one unlikely person who might be able to get William and Harry in the same room.

Charlotte Griffiths, editor-in-large at the Mail on Sunday, shared that new royal aide Theo Rycroft has “become this great white hope for King Charles.” Rycroft formerly served as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Paris, and the “incredibly talented diplomat” is being looked at as the one person who could intervene in the Harry/William fallout.

Noting that it was Rycroft who was responsible for King Charles and Donald Trump “getting along so well during the U.S. state visit,” Griffiths added that people in the royal household think that the new aide is a “diplomatic genius.”

Rycroft left Paris in January 2025, and has since gone on to earn a stellar impression inside the palace. Griffiths said that “the current rumor doing the rounds at the palace is that maybe Theo can smooth the way between William and Harry and get them to shake hands.”

She added that “there never may be any more than a handshake” and that it would be great to “get them in a room together, vaguely being civilized with one another for the sake of King Charles, who has, after all, got cancer and is going through a lot at the moment.”

In his role as deputy private secretary, Rycroft is one of The King’s most senior and influential staff members, and as such, serves as a gatekeeper of sorts to the monarch. Griffiths says that Rycroft considers it “his duty to help The King and help make The King’s life less stressful,” and one of his biggest stressors these days is the relationship with his youngest son.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary today, which is traditionally the “bronze” wedding anniversary. Prince Harry presented his wife with a recreation of their Violet Cakes lemon and elderflower wedding cake, as Princess Lilibet sang a rendition of 'happy anniversary to you.' Along with the romantic bakery treat, Prince Harry surprised Meghan Markle with a very sentimental bronze gift to commemorate their wedding anniversary.

In a video shared on Instagram, Meghan can be seen unveiling her gift: a 20-inch tall statue of two penguins sharing a cuddle. The bronze sculpture was created by Pacific Northwest artist Georgia Gerber and is titled 'Pair of Kings.' The sculpture of the bonded pair of king penguins—who, ironically, don’t mate for more than a single breeding season—was listed for $4,200.

“Oh my gosh!” Meghan gushed as she admired the wedding gift from her husband. While penguins might not instantly bring thoughts of romance to mind, Meghan revealed why the gift was so sentimental. “When we got engaged, we had a party with all of our friends and asked everyone to wear an animal onesie. We were penguins because they’re together for life.”

Meghan shared a printed copy of a selfie featuring Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in head-to-toe penguin onesies. Dressing up in “fancy dress” is a common practice during British hen and stag parties, the equivalent of a bachelor or bachelorette party. Prince Harry showed off his cheeky, good humored nature with the thoughtful gift.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared several videos and photos from their anniversary and their wedding day on Meghan’s Instagram. Earlier in the day, Meghan posted behind-the-scenes photos from the ceremony at St. George’s Cathedral and reception at Frogmore House. Along with a note from Prince Harry addressed to “the one and only,” the penguin sculpture was a fitting and sweet memento for their bronze wedding anniversary.

Aside from the official wedding photographs released by royal couples, it’s not often that fans get to see more private moments from their big days. But on Tuesday, May 19, Meghan Markle shared two carousels of photos to celebrate her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry, including plenty of intimate, never-before-seen snapshots.

Along with quiet moments inside St. George’s Chapel, the Duchess of Sussex posted images from Elton John’s private performance after the wedding, along with a carousel of photos from their first dance and reception. Speaking on behalf of OLBG, King Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, says, “I don’t think we’ve ever seen internal scenes from a senior royal wedding to this degree. It’s unprecedented.”

To date, no one has seen images from Prince William and Princess Kate’s 2011 wedding reception. And Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips—who is due to marry Harriet Sperling on June 6—caused a stir when he sold photos from his first wedding to Hello! in May 2008. The images included a young Kate Middleton partying on the dance floor and relaxed photos of the royals, who had no idea they’d be appearing in a magazine. However, Peter does not hold a title and isn’t a senior member of the Royal Family.

“The royals have strict ‘no camera’ rules at their weddings to stop this kind of happening,” Harrold says. “And it wasn’t just weddings. If we ever caught someone using a camera inside a royal home, we had to take the phone and delete the photos. They were really, really strict about it.”

Of Meghan's anniversary post, he adds, “These are intimate and personal moments, and while they are beautiful photos they’re also very interesting.” For one, the former royal butler noted that the pictures “don’t include any members of the Royal Family.”

Although the back of King Charles is shown on the side of one photo, no other members of the family are seen in the images, minus Prince William and Princess Kate’s nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo.

Harrold says, “I imagine this was intentional and that they were very careful with the images they picked. I don’t think it was a snub or anything like that, but they know there would have been a high chance the palace would ask for them to be removed.”

As for the photos of the couple’s first dance, Harrold says Harry and Meghan “look really happy and in love, which is so nice to see. Harry is being very ‘Harry,’ which is so lovely." The former butler continues that the Duke of Sussex is "very jokey and funny" and a "goofball character," adding, "That’s the Harry I remember from behind the scenes.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May 19, and the Duchess of Sussex surprised fans with some intimate, unseen photos from their 2018 nuptials. Minus an appearance from the back of The King’s head, there aren’t any members of the Royal Family in their photos, but eagle-eyed royal watchers will have spotted one of the most important people in Prince William and Princess Kate’s lives.

In the first three photos in Meghan’s Instagram carousel, Harry and Meghan stand inside the cloisters at St. George’s Chapel, where their ceremony was held, with several of their page boys and tiny bridesmaids clustered behind them. Although Prince George and Princess Charlotte aren’t seen in the pictures, their longtime nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, is visible as she helps to corral the children.

Nanny Maria has been with the Wales family since 2014 and helped look after Prince George, who was four at the time, and Princess Charlotte, then three, at the wedding. In one photo she looks to be having a conversation with Harry as Meghan watches on in her Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy wedding dress.

Although she sometimes wears the uniform from Norland College, the prestigious early childhood education school where she studied, Nanny Maria wore a classic navy dress for the royal wedding.

In addition to the photos from the chapel, Meghan shared some never-before-seen images from their post-wedding celebration, taken by Chris Allerton—including images of Elton John performing. She also posted a second carousel of pictures from their reception set to "Land of 1000 Dances" by Wilson Pickett, the song they selected for their first dance.

"Eight years ago today…🌙" she captioned the dancing photos, swapping out the moon for a sun emoji to share the daytime photos.

Prince Philip officially retired from his public Royal Family role in August 2017. But according to one royal author, the ex-Duke of Edinburgh wasn't necessarily happy about needing to step back from his career.

In her book My Mother and I, royal expert Ingrid Seward revealed that Prince Philip began to reflect on his life and career before he died. In fact, Queen Elizabeth's husband even spoke to some of his family members about his outlook on death.

"Harry had previously spoken to his grandfather about death and Philip had explained to him that although he was no longer capable of 'pursuing his passions,' the one thing he missed most was work," Seward shared.

As recounted by Seward, Philip told Harry, "Without work...everything crumbles."

By the time Prince Philip retired in 2017, he'd carried out a rather impressive 22,219 solo engagements on behalf of the Royal Family, per CNN. After a life of service, it's unsurprising that the duke found himself somewhat bereft in retirement.

Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on April 9, 2021, and he was fondly remembered in obituaries.

As Seward shared, "He was a man of many outstanding qualities: intelligent, dutiful, hardworking, and capable of making a success out of anything he turned his hand to."

The royal author continued, "In many ways, Philip was somewhat the opposite of his wife, being outspoken on various subjects because he wasn't bound by the rules of impartiality. He was always forthright in expressing himself, even on occasions when his own actions might have appeared contrary to his stated views."

Based upon his own words, it's clear that Prince Philip took his role as a senior member of the Royal Family very seriously indeed.

The royal wedding of the year is less than a month away, but when Princess Anne’s son, Peter Phillips, walks down the aisle with NHS nurse Harriet Sperling, three members of the Royal Family reportedly will not be in attendance.

A friend of the couple’s told Hello! magazine that the June 6 wedding—which marks the second marriage for both—will be “an intimate occasion with their close friends and immediate family around them in the Cotswolds.”

However, certain members of the Royal Family have reportedly not made the cut, according to the insider. “When and whether Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson had been invited, it was probably not deemed appropriate to invite them. It’s Peter and Harriet’s special day, and clearly their attendance would cause a distraction to the whole day.”

The Royal Family has been keeping their distance from Andrew following his repeated scandals surrounding the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Edward is the only royal who is known to have visited the ex-Duke of York in recent months following Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Sarah and Andrew aside, there's a third member of the Royal Family who is reportedly not coming to the wedding. According to the couple's friend, Prince Harry will not be at the event.

“Peter and Harry haven’t spoken for several years and have simply lost touch, so he hasn’t been invited,” the source said.

Peter and Harriet will tie the knot at All Saints Church in the village of Kemble, close to Princess Anne's Gatcombe Park estate. Their friend said it's a meaningful location for both of them.

“It’s an area where they grew up and is very special to them both,” the insider said.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry didn't share many glimpses of Prince Archie as a baby, but on Wednesday, May 6, the Duchess of Sussex treated fans to a throwback photo to celebrate Archie's birthday.

"7 years later…happy birthday to our sweet boy 🤍" she wrote, sharing an image of her hand holding a printed photo featuring Prince Harry holding a newborn Archie. In the picture, the Duke of Sussex appears to be propped up in bed with the baby fast asleep under a blanket on his chest.

In a second photo, Prince Archie and his sister, Princess Lilibet, stand with their backs to the camera as they wade in water and take in a stunning mountain view.

While Prince Archie has only attended one public event, joining his parents to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu during their tour of South Africa in 2019, Meghan occasionally shares glimpses of the 7-year-old and his sister on social media now that she's back on Instagram.

The children have starred in videos and photos for Meghan's As ever brand, like a behind-the-scenes Reel she shared in March, and appeared in the Sussex family's California Christmas card in December. They've also helped the duchess make sweet treats to celebrate holidays like Valentine's Day and pitched in at a private volunteering event with Archewell last Thanksgiving.

Archie's birthday also marks another special day on the royal calendar, with King Charles celebrating the third anniversary of his coronation on May 6 with a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

King Charles has long been a champion of organic food and farming, and although he enjoys fine dining, his favorite meal is rather simple. Chef Visen Anenden, who served King Charles and Queen Camilla for nearly a decade, recently shared some of his former boss’s surprising preferences—and a gift Prince Harry once brought to the kitchens.

Speaking on behalf of Heart Bingo, Anenden says that although The King is famously known to love the finer things in life, he's actually similarly inclined to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and her unfussy eating habits.

“I mean, his dream meal would probably be something simple like an omelette,” the former royal chef admitted. “He’s very fond of eggs, so he’d be more than happy with an omelette, or perhaps scrambled eggs, anything along those lines.”

Anenden says that Prince Harry even gave The King a special, enormous egg one time to honor his dad’s love of the breakfast food. “Harry once got him an ostrich egg which he asked me to cook up into scrambled eggs,” the chef said. “It served about 14 people. It had a really gamey smell but he seemed to like it.”

Touching on a longstanding rumor about The King's over-the-top breakfast requests, Anenden says that it's “complete nonsense.”

“I remember a story going around claiming that Charles had 12 eggs lined up every morning to test which one was best cooked,” he says, adding that “never happened” and he has “no idea where it came from.”

“It wouldn’t fit with him at all, especially given his views on waste,” the chef continues. “He’ll have one egg, simply prepared. He just genuinely enjoys them, and it’s something he often chooses as a starter.”

Another rather basic food that King Charles loves is a baked potato. “If he had been out at something like a film premiere, where food wasn’t part of the occasion, he would prefer to return to a simple cold supper, usually around 10 p.m.,” Anenden says. “He never expected anyone to stay on for it. Instead, he would ask for something prepared in advance, perhaps a pie or quiche with a few salads, along with a jacket potato.”

The King was fond of a super crispy skin on his potatoes, along with “plenty of butter and a pinch of salt,” the former royal chef reveals.

King Charles is celebrating the third anniversary of his coronation on Wednesday, May 6, and looking back at the historic event, lip reading expert Nicola Hickling has shared some behind-the-scenes moments from the ceremony.

Prince Harry attended his father’s coronation without wife Meghan Markle, with the service falling on their son, Prince Archie’s, fourth birthday. As he took his place inside Westminster Abbey next to cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, the Duke of Sussex allegedly made a joke about breaking the seating chart.

Hickling, speaking on behalf of Betfair Casino, claims that Brooksbank told Harry, “I think we need to swap.” Prince Harry replied, “Are you in my place?” and after the two laughed, Hickling says that the Duke of Sussex added, “Let’s stay like this and be placed wrong.”

The Duke of Sussex appeared in high spirits as he chatted with Jack and his cousins inside Westminster Abbey, but flew back to California to be with his family almost immediately after the ceremony, skipping the rest of the royal festivities that weekend.

Observing Princess Anne’s interactions with her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, Hickling says that Sir Timothy acknowledged the emotional background of the day.

After Laurence told the Princess Royal to “push up,” she replied, “Oh, for goodness’ sake, I’m very uncomfortable.” Hickling says that Laurence added, “I can’t imagine how you’re feeling,” before putting on his glasses and reading the program.

“Look at the first verse,” Princess Anne said, with Laurence noting that his brother-in-law “considered it very well.”

Princess Anne joined her brother in marking the third anniversary of his coronation on May 6, watching a 41 Gun Royal Salute in Hyde Park before attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace with The King, Queen Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

Working for King Charles, former butler Grant Harrold got a unique insight into the inner workings of the Royal Family, and this includes their special nicknames. Harrold served The King at Highgrove House between 2004 and 2011, and he says there were three members of the family who insisted on less formal greetings—and others had their own secret code names.

Speaking on behalf of Smooth Spins Casino, Harrold said, “When speaking directly to members of the Royal Family, we used their official titles unless told otherwise. However it was only William, Harry and Kate who wanted the less formal name option.”

The former butler says that the now-Princess of Wales “was always known as Kate” behind the scenes when he worked for King Charles, and that “William always called her Kate.” When Harrold first met Middleton, who was dating Prince William at the time, “she introduced herself to me as Kate—and asked me to call her that,” he says.

“This Catherine thing only began after the wedding,” he added. “I think after their coronation, she will be Queen Catherine. But until then, it was always Kate behind the scenes.”

In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry reflected on the Kate versus Catherine issue, noting he “flinched” when The King called her that in one passage from the book. “I remembered the time he and Camilla wanted Kate to change the spelling of her name, because there were already two royal cyphers with a C and a crown above,” Harry wrote. “Charles and Camilla. It would be too confusing to have another. Make it Katherine with a K, they suggested. I wondered now what came of that suggestion.”

As for King Charles and Queen Camilla, Harrold says they “would call each other ‘Sweetheart’ and ‘Darling’” at home. But when staff were speaking about members of the Royal Family, they used special names to keep things more private.

Harrold says, “We always called King Charles— who was Prince Charles at the time—‘The Boss,’ and it was the same for the late Queen. We referred to Camilla as ‘The Duchess.’ I think it was so when you were out and about in public, you could talk more openly without worrying about people overhearing.”

“However, when Princes William and Harry were around, we just referred to them by their first names. And it was the same with Kate,” he adds.

A Buckingham Palace source has called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s recent visit to Australia “royal-tour choreography.” While the trip was criticized for being extremely royal tour-esque, the palace source has gone one step further and described the trip as “pretty outrageous behaviour.” According to royal editor Emily Andrews, the source said the visit was shocking, “particularly in a realm where the King is Head of State, to drum up all this publicity for their commercial endeavours.”

"The whole point about being a working royal is that they do it for others and for public service, not their bank balance,” the source told Andrews. While Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did carry out paid appearances during their time in Australia, several events spotlighted important organizations and brought attention to valuable causes. While Buckingham Palace insiders might be outraged, it begs the question: does it matter what they think, if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t working royals anymore?

During the Her Best Life retreat, guests paid $2000 for an intimate conversation with Meghan Markle, who was handsomely compensated for the appearance. Two attendees reported that they really enjoyed the event. “I just felt profoundly like, oh, she's the real thing, really warm and really sweet and funny.” one woman said. “She's just a woman who is so polarising it's ridiculous,” said another attendee. “She's not caused famine and wars and, you know, murders and you just go, wow, that's a lot on someone,” they said, weighing in on the criticism that Meghan Markle faces. “I just came away feeling like she's just human.”

Another event where Meghan Markle reportedly earned a fee was her appearance on MasterChef Australia. According to a producer, Meghan Markle was a great guest host and everyone enjoyed having her on set. “She was so great!” one of the show’s producers said. “She was so nice to all the crew, had a good sense of humor, and was just a normal human.”

Ultimately, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry need to make a living. While they are motivated by service to others and bettering the greater good, they have a hefty mortgage payment to think about. At the end of the day, the people who are attending and organizing these paid events hold the opinions that matter. It seems that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying to do good for others and for public service, while keeping the bank balance in check at the same time.

Privacy has always been important to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Meghan’s social media posts show a sliver of their lives at their home in Montecito, but clever crops and poses keep their children’s faces offline and their family life private. While they go out of their way to protect their children’s privacy, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s happiness is their number one priority. Most days, work is scheduled around school pick up and weekends are for spending time together as a family. “Archie and Lilibet are their life,” a staff member shared with People.

At their sprawling home in California, day-to-day life feels fairly normal—there’s no hint of the ongoing family drama that fills endless headlines, or the pressure of their level of fame. “There’s a real warmth and a sense of normalcy,” the staffer said. An insider close to the couple shared that they live their lives like a semi-normal, wealthy, influential couple. “They pay their own bills and make their own money while continuing to support a lot of causes that might otherwise go unseen.”

While weekends are spent having family fun, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle maintain a close group of friends. Prince Harry “really thrives on those friendships and values that sense of connection,” a close source said.“They’re very careful about who they allow into their lives,” a friend shared. “No matter what she has going on, she always makes time for her friends,” Meghan Markle’s close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen said. “She really shows up, and not just when it’s easy.”

“They both try to focus on staying as positive as possible,” a source close to the couple shared. “But people forget they’re human beings, especially Meghan.” Staff, friends, and insiders all agree that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle focus on positivity in everything they do, but Archie and Lili come first. “They wake up every day focused on being the best parents they can be,” an insider shared. “No matter what comes at them, they pick themselves up and keep moving forward.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wrapped up their trip to Australia in Sydney on Friday, April 17, and the couple enjoyed a number of events, including a day on the water with an organization close to Harry's heart. The couple took part in a sailing excursion with members of Invictus Australia in Sydney Harbour, and the Duchess of Sussex leaned into nautical style for the occasion.

Meghan, who is now sharing shoppable links to her outfits on fashion discovery platform OneOff, has been focusing on Australian brands during her trip, and she kept the theme going for Friday's visit to Sydney.

The Duchess of Sussex paired a royal blue striped shirt by sustainably-focused Australian brand Matteau with a pair of khaki-hued, wide-legged sailor jeans by another Australian label, Rolla's.

Meghan wrapped a navy sweater by P. Johnson around her neck as she chatted with fans in Bondi Beach, where the couple met with emergency responders and survivors of the area's recent deadly attack.

She finished off her outfit with a pair of gold drop earrings by Essen, Brochu Walker sunglasses and the same white Freda Salvador d'orsay sneakers she wore earlier in the trip.

Prince Harry launched the Invictus Games in 2014, and this week, Invictus Australia announced a new Invictus Australia Sports Festival that will take place this October. The duke and duchess were able to reconnect with members of the team during their sailing trip on Friday, which brought back memories of a similar outing when they first visited Australia as a couple in 2018.

Although she didn't slip off her sneakers, Meghan was gifted with a custom pair of on-trend flip-flops by Invictus Australia, with the duchess's reading "G'Day" on one shoe and "Megs" on the other, while Harry's said "G'Day Hazza."

In addition to her events with Harry, Meghan also attended the Her Best Life retreat weekend in Sydney, wearing a sleeveless top and matching tan trousers by Scanlan Theodore with Aquazzura pumps while speaking to the "Her Best Life" podcast.

Meghan took part in a live conversation with the podcast's host, Gemma O’Neill, stopping to take a photo with each table who took part in the $2,296 VIP ticket experience.

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Prince Harry shared an insight into his thoughts on parenting while visiting Melbourne, Australia, admitting that he wants Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie to have an “upgrade” of his own experience in life. And speaking of his own parents, King Charles and Princess Diana, the Duke of Sussex said “there's no pointing the finger.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Australia on April 14 for their first visit to the country since 2018, and on day two, Harry spoke candidly about mental health and parenting during an event with Movember.

“I see parenting evolving over time,” Prince Harry said (via the Telegraph). “Our kids are our upgrade. Not to say that I upgraded my dad or that my kids upgraded me, but the kids that we bring up in today’s world need to be upgraded.”

“There’s no judgment, there’s no blame, there’s no pointing the finger,” Harry said. “The reality is that—however you are parenting—that is a personal experience to you, you are going to want to improve on that.”

The Duke of Sussex recently reunited with his father during a September 2025 visit to London, but the two are not expected to meet when The King and Queen travel to the United States later this month.

Reflecting on his own childhood, the Duke said Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet live in a much different world. “Obviously 40 years ago, there wasn’t social media, so that’s just one example of conversations that are now happening in households between kids and parents that never existed between me and my parents.”

Speaking about his experience in therapy, Prince Harry said, “I knew that I had stuff from the past that I needed to deal with.” He continued, “For me, it was a sign of strength rather than a sign of weakness.”

As for being a dad, the duke said it was his “most important transformational role” and gave advice to other new fathers. ”You’re not alone…Yes, it’s messy. You will have a rollercoaster of emotions, and don’t judge yourself.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle received a warm welcome as they kicked off their first trip to Australia in nearly a decade, with the couple touching down in Melbourne on Tuesday, April 14. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are highlighting causes related to mental health, community resilience, and support for veterans and their families—and Meghan made a point to include Australian designers in both of her day-one outfits.

The couple followed in Princess Diana’s footsteps with their first visit of the trip, meeting patients and staff at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. In 1985, Prince Harry’s parents visited the same hospital, and for her first trip to the facility, Meghan chose a new dress by Australian designer Karen Gee.

The sleeveless, belted design featured six gold buttons marching down the front, and the duchess paired it with black Dior pumps and a pair of puffy gold heart studs by Real Fine Studio. Although the small, female-owned jeweler is based in Los Angeles, it's owned by an Australian expat, Eliza O'Connor.

Along with her ever-present Cartier Love bracelet, Meghan added a touch of Diana to her outfit with the late royal's Cartier watch. The Duchess of Sussex went without her engagement ring for the event, wearing her Welsh gold wedding band on its own.

Meghan then headed to a women's shelter, making a quick change into a new khaki-toned outfit before meeting up with Prince Harry at a veteran's museum.

Meghan wore a suede bomber jacket and matching maxi skirt by another Australian brand, St. Agni, for her museum visit, pairing the set with a sleeveless brown sweater by P.Johnson and nude Aquazzura pumps.

She swapped out her heart studs for another pair of Real Fine Studio earrings, choosing the label's lab-grown diamond studs.

During their visit to the museum, Meghan and Harry learned how the organization uses artistic expression as a means of supporting veterans' mental health and wellbeing. The couple both donned aprons as they took part in a model making workshop, speaking to veterans about the role creativity can play in recovery and community building.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be in Australia through Friday, April 17, visiting organizations in Canberra and Sydney after they depart Melbourne.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry just squashed any rumors of Netflix Beef at a tastemakers event promoting the streaming show's second season. Looking every inch the Hollywood star, Duchess Meghan referenced one of Spring 2026's most popular color trends while reaching for her favorite West Coast label.

Harry and Meghan were photographed with Ted Sarandos and his wife, diplomat Nicole Avant, at Netflix's Beef season 2 Montecito Tastemaker event, which took place at a private residence on April 10, 2026.

For the occasion, Meghan wore Heidi Merrick's Gale Gown—which was reissued for the label's 20th anniversary—in Chartreuse, one of Spring 2026's key color trends. Sadly, Meghan's gown, featuring a tiered skirt and a fitted bodice, has already sold out in her on-trend shade, but remains available to shop for $715 in Flame or Noir.

The Duchess of Sussex accessorized her sleek gown with a pair of Jimmy Choo Etana Sandals in Tan/Tortoise.

Even though lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan, isn't returning for a third season, Duchess Meghan clearly maintains a strong relationship with Netflix. And, as ever, her style remains impeccable.

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April 9 marks the fifth anniversary of Prince Philip’s death, with the late Duke of Edinburgh passing away at the age of 99. His small, socially distanced funeral was held amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and looking back at the day, body language expert Judi James said that Princess Kate had to “step up quickly” to support the family.

Prince Philip’s April 17, 2021 funeral at St George’s Chapel was the first time Prince Harry had returned to Britain since he and wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior working royals a year prior. With the service taking place just weeks after his explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, the Duke of Sussex was put in an awkward position for his family reunion, and Princess Kate ended up taking charge.

“When a leader leaves a group it is always time for another leader to step up quickly and help fill the void,” James told the Daily Mail. “The Queen was in deep mourning, and an equally distraught Charles appeared to watch helplessly as his two sons engaged in a civil war that threatened to drive a rift through the entire Royal Family.”

As the family left the church, video footage showed Prince Harry walking between his brother and Princess Kate as they headed back to Windsor Castle. “The world watched as, once the service was over, Kate firstly offered a consoling and supportive hug to the weeping Charles before setting off solo to herd William and Harry together like a royal sheepdog herding two anxious and dithering sheep,” James said.

Adding that it seemed “clear from William and Harry's avoidance rituals that they would have walked apart had Kate not intervened and taken firm charge,” the body language expert noted Kate’s “last move” was “perhaps the most poignant.”

“Having stepped up in a way that would probably have pleased and amused the two prince's late grandfather, Kate steps back to allow them to walk and chat alone, falling in step with a very distraught Sophie instead and finally pulling out a hankie to dab her own tears and allow herself to take a moment of quiet grief,” James said.

Unfortunately, the royal reunion was short-lived, with the brothers avoiding each other during subsequent meetings, including King Charles’s coronation. However, they showed a brief moment of unity days after Queen Elizabeth died, with the Waleses and the Sussexes conducting a joint walkabout to meet members of the public outside Windsor Castle.

Prince Harry attended the IAPP—International Association of Privacy Professionals, an association committed to the protection of data privacy—Global Summit 2026 and gave a keynote speech, where he highlighted the difficult process of change “like turning an oil tanker.”

“I’m assuming most days are hard days,” Prince Harry said in an interview, explaining that people in the sector are “always being kept awake at night because of what you’re seeing, what you know is wrong.” Online privacy and social media reform is one of the key issues in Prince Harry’s post-royal work, after his own experiences with social media attacks and his family’s quest for privacy. “By this point [internet privacy reform] has already taken far too long, but I do feel like we are on the cusp of something transformational."

As Prince Harry looked to support his and his wife’s online privacy, he learned of the dangerous and potentially deadly online world, which sees very little in the form of regulation. "You understand very quickly the preventable suffering and how wide that goes," Harry said, explaining that “it was because of the time spent on social media and the content being pushed their way," referencing children and adolescents who were deeply affected by online bullying, digital information, and harmful algorithms. "The fact that even one child is taking their own life because of the content that is being pushed to them through social media is fundamentally wrong.”

"When I see young people now, they have a different experience of [privacy],” Prince Harry said. Growing up in a completely digital age, where anything can be shared online at any time, Prince Harry feels “they also don't have an option or haven't been given an option.” Based on conversations with young people today, Prince Harry said "I think they care a lot about privacy,” explaining that young people “just haven't had to worry about it before."

Prince Harry shared his hopes that these conversations would push for real reform, and even government regulations, to protect online privacy. "Regulation is part of innovation, but it's uncomfortable,” Prince Harry said. He chastised the companies behind these online spaces, who encourage discourse and discussions without any real change. "It really just creates this public debate,” he said. “And when things are publicly debated, nothing ever actually happens."

On March 31, Buckingham Palace made the long-awaited announcement that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be traveling to the United States for an official state visit in late April. Their Majesties will be guests of President Donald Trump and attend “a beautiful banquet dinner at the White House,” among other events, per the president’s post on X. But even though Prince Harry is based in the United States now, he won’t be meeting with his father, according to a new report.

A source told People magazine that the Duke of Sussex and King Charles won’t have time to spend together during The King and Queen’s busy visit, and it’s not something Prince Harry would want to push.

“When you’re talking about a state visit, every minute is accounted for—especially when it’s the King traveling as the invited guest of a head of state,” an insider told the magazine. “Harry knows how things are and wouldn’t ask for that either under these circumstances.”

The last time The King was able to see his youngest son was in September 2025, when Prince Harry was visiting the U.K. for various charity commitments. They met for afternoon tea at Clarence House for just under an hour, marking the first time they'd seen each other since February 2024.

As for The King and Queen's upcoming visit across the pond, President Trump posted that he was “pleased” about their trip. “I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,” he wrote on X.

United States House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on April 1 that The King will “address a Joint Meeting of Congress” ahead of the White House banquet on the 28th.

“It is my distinct honor and great privilege to invite His Majesty King Charles III, The King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to address a Joint Meeting of Congress,” Johnson wrote on X. “Our two nations share one of the most consequential partnerships in history, and together we will mark the historic milestone of America’s 250th year of independence.”

Princess Diana and King Charles announced their separation in 1992, before finalizing their divorce in 1996. At the time, their two sons—Prince William and Prince Harry—were still young, and likely experienced a difficult transition when their parents split up. According to a new royal biography, Prince William even developed some "protective instincts" while witnessing his parents ending their marriage.

In the new royal biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, royal expert Russell Myers revealed that Princess Diana tried her best to prepare Harry and William for their futures.

"Diana smothered the boys with affection, equipping them with her sense of humor, her appetite for fun, and her appreciation for the privilege she enjoyed—the qualities that she became renowned for throughout the world," Myers explained. "Diana believed this sense of normalness, no matter how small the gestures, would equip these boys for what lay ahead when they became central figures within the institution."

However, the tumultuous nature of Charles and Diana's marriage reportedly influenced Prince William and Prince Harry in a major way.

"The brothers already shared a deep bond, with William forging the protective instincts he would display for decades," Myers wrote. "As an understanding of the slow death of their parents's relationship crept up on them, William made sure he was always accessible to Harry."

After moving to the boarding school Ludgrove School in Berkshire, England, "William would summon that same maturity to protect his younger brother from the realization that, after years of speculation, their parents's marriage was all but over," Myers shared.

According to Myers, "Despite the acrimoniousness of the breakdown, both Charles and Diana attempted to shield their children from the furious rows that were tearing them apart, often with little success."

In an exceedingly difficult situation, Prince William reportedly wanted to ensure his little brother was safe, which led to him developing his keen "protective instincts."

Princess Diana's dedication to her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, is well-documented. For instance, a new royal biography revealed that the former Princess of Wales declared herself to be "a mother first and show pony second." Diana also once shared her belief that Prince William was "capable" and "wise beyond his years." And according to a former royal aide, Princess Diana's parenting choices sometimes drew ire from her husband, King Charles.

In the new book, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, royal expert Russell Myers revealed, "Diana was adamant in her desire to give her boys a more 'normal' upbringing. She took both boys on trips to theme parks, the cinema, and even the fast food restaurant chain McDonald's."

However, King Charles allegedly wasn't best pleased with all of Diana's parenting decisions. "While the British press lapped it up, Charles was horrified," Myers wrote. "He questioned her motives to a former aide, asking, 'Does she do it just to spite me?'"

Per the royal author, "He also believed Diana's displays of normality served to drive a wedge between him and the general public."

Unfortunately, Charles and Diana's differing opinions on parenting allegedly added to their already difficult marriage.

"[Diana's] natural unwillingness to bend to conformity meant she wanted to give her children real life experiences that they might not have received if they'd stayed bound by royal protocol," the royal expert explained. "Visits to hospitals and homeless shelters followed."

According to Myers, "Diana's actions only caused more difficulty in her relationship with Charles, who responded by refusing to involve himself in his children's education, and making references to his wife's 'hysterical' nature."

The challenges within the marriage caused Charles to withdraw even further, according to Myers. "He was at a point where he didn't see the relationship progressing or even surviving," a former royal aide told the author. "So he threw in the towel and allowed Diana to go about her business. If it was going to be a battle of popularity with the public he was astute enough to know he wasn't going to win by taking the boys to fast food restaurants, so he maintained his relationship with them in private."

Still, it's undeniable that Princess Diana's assertion that her children should have as "normal" an upbringing as possible appears to have served both William and Harry well.

The complicated dynamic between the heir and the spare has been seen in royal families for centuries, and for Prince William, it’s a problem he’s especially keen to address with his own kids. At age 12, Prince George already has his future mapped out for him as the future King. But for Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, their lives are a bit more complicated.

In the latest installment of her “Fresh Hell” Substack, royal biographer Tina Brown wrote that breaking cycles with Charlotte and Louis is something William is “preoccupied with”—especially amid the issues that plagued his younger brother, Prince Harry.

“I am told that the heir to the throne, Prince William, is preoccupied with the built-in risk of primogeniture’s cruelty,” Brown wrote in the newsletter, which was focused on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

With fewer working royals to go around, it’s likely that Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will need to pitch in as full-time members of the Firm. However, with Prince William's plans to modernize the monarchy, that might mean his kids take on independent jobs instead.

Looking at Prince Harry, who William apparently thinks was treated unfairly growing up, it’s no wonder the Prince of Wales is concerned about his own “spares.”

“He is determined that his second- and third-born children, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are well-prepared and well-financed for independent lives and will not fall into the same cycle of thwarted freedom,” Brown wrote.

Writing in the iPaper last summer, longtime royal reporter Richard Palmer noted that “it is by no means clear what, if any, official role Charlotte or her younger brother Louis, seven, will have when they grow up in a world in which European monarchies are slimming down to only a handful of working royals.”

This means it's even more important for the Prince and Princess of Wales to prepare their two younger children for a life outside of palace responsibilities. What exactly that means remains to be seen, but as Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, told the iPaper, the Prince and Princess of Wales will be careful to avoid the mistakes the Royal Family made with prior spares.

“William and Catherine, to a certain extent, are going to rip up the rule book and do it their way,” Anderson said.

The status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship with Netflix has been making news after a recent report in Variety, but on Tuesday, March 24, Deadline broke the news that the couple will be venturing into new territory with the streamer. Per the media outlet, Harry and Meghan will co-produce a scripted drama through their company, Archewell Productions, about polo players in “the high-flying equestrian town of Wellington, FL.”

The Duke of Sussex, who is an avid polo player, has competed in Wellington himself and is strongly familiar with the culture surrounding the sport. Archewell Productions also produced a Netflix documentary titled Polo in 2024 that followed players at the U.S. Open Polo Championship, but it struggled with ratings.

Per Deadline, the currently untitled new show will explore “the messy dynamics between two rival teams and the families that lead them.”

Pegged as an “upstairs-downstairs drama,” the program will also be produced by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage’s Fake Empire, in addition to Archewell Productions.

Although Polo failed to be a success for Netflix, the new show will be “widening the scope of what is considered an elitist ‘sport of kings’ beyond the rich owners and players,” per Deadline.

The news comes after Netflix parted ways with Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, and insiders told Variety that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's relationship with the streamer was struggling. “The mood in the building is ‘We’re done,’” one source told the media outlet.

However, as Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, said at an event last week, there are “movies in development” as well as a documentary and other projects in the works with Archewell Productions. “Deals come and go all the time, and we don’t renew so many deals, those just don’t get as much press for obvious reasons. There’s no juicy story there,” Bajaria said.

At one time, Princess Kate and Prince William appeared to be extremely close to Prince Harry. In fact, the trio would regularly conduct official royal engagements together, and Kate's rapport with her brother-in-law seemed clear. However, Harry and William's estrangement allegedly changed the Royal Family's dynamic, and according to one royal author, Princess Kate might have predicted the fallout.

In the new royal biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, royal expert Russell Myers discusses Kate's involvement in Harry and William's sibling relationship. "The true disintegration of William and Harry's bond would not occur until many years later, but Catherine witnessed their competitive nature and often acted as a peacemaker," the author claimed.

According to Myers, Princess Kate's childhood as part of the Middleton family meant she always attempted to keep familial relationships cohesive. "Her upbringing in a close-knit, loving family environment, where supporting each other was almost an unofficial family motto, spurred her actions," Myers claimed.

Myers continued, "Whether counseling William or having a quiet word in Harry's ear, she saw it as her duty to keep the two brothers on the same team, as did their senior aides."

In an interview with Marie Claire's senior royal editor, Kristin Contino, author Myers revealed that Prince William actually questioned the way Prince Harry was treated as a child. "The issue of treating the 'heir and spare' as completely separate entities is something William has always wanted to change," Myers shared.

Myers continued, "It's not how he and Catherine have brought up their own children and William saw fundamental problems with the different treatment he was given as a child to his brother. In his view, it wasn't healthy.”

Perhaps, in the future, Prince William, Prince Harry, and Princess Kate will be able to repair their fractured relationship, after all.

Prince Harry will be returning to the U.K. in 2027 for the Invictus Games, which are set to take place in Birmingham, England. Since the announcement, commentators have questioned whether any members of the Royal Family will be in attendance at the competition, which supports injured and disabled veterans to take part in the international sporting event.

During an appearance on Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," royal editor of the Sun, Matt Wilkinson, weighed in on the topic. "I think Invictus is a big event for Harry," Wilkinson shared.

He continued, "I think there was only one decision. It was going to Birmingham and Harry wanted to bring his whole family down here. He wants to sit there with the Royal Family, in the stands, but that's very optimistic."

As for whether or not any of Prince Harry's relatives will actually attend the Invictus Games in 2027, Wilkinson said, "Who knows what could happen next week? If you want an answer on that, looking at my crystal ball, I don't think The King will go to Invictus next summer."

The royal expert continued, "I might be wrong, but William definitely won't. Camilla definitely won't. You might get the defense secretary there, the prime minister, but you won't get The King."

Royal sources previously suggested that the Duke of Sussex wanted his father to accompany him to the 2027 Invictus Games. "Harry wants it to happen both for the games, and for their relationship," one source told the Sun. "It's his dream to have his father by his side."

For now, it remains unclear whether Prince Harry's hopes for next year's Invictus Games will come to fruition or not.

While pictures of the Royal Family on vacation are few and far between these days, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Prince Charles and Princess Diana used to pose for arranged photoshoots to appease the press. Sadly, Diana was also plagued by paparazzi who were tipped off about her Caribbean beach trips and skiing vacations, but there was one place in Austria that brought her family numerous “wonderful memories.”

Diana brought Prince Harry and Prince William to Hotel Arlberg in Lech, Austria for five years in a row, and owner Hannes Schneider recently told People that her sons were “the center of her universe.”

Harry, in particular, loved Lech so much that he once dreamed of moving there. “For several years I’d talked in all seriousness about working at the ski resort in Lech am Arlberg, where Mummy used to take us,” the Duke of Sussex wrote in his memoir, Spare. “Such wonderful memories.”

Prince Harry enjoyed his trips to Lech that he mentioned becoming a ski instructor to King Charles, who deemed the idea “out of the question.” Speaking of The King's response to Harry’s dream job, Schneider quipped, “Daddy said no.”

Although he never lived out his skiing dream, Harry enjoyed numerous “normal” trips to Austria with his mom and brother. Schneider told People that the boys were “the nucleus of everything during these holidays.”

“All the other issues and whatever you were reading about didn’t influence the holiday experience of them as a family,” he said, adding that Diana “was the caring, loving mother that we all loved.”

The hotel owner stressed that the staff “always tried to create a home away from home” for Diana and her boys. “Something that was very normal for us was a huge privilege for them—to be treated as normal people,” Schneider added.