When Harriet Sperling married Peter Phillips on June 6, royal watchers were eagerly awaiting to see what her bridal look would be like (and whether or not she’d wear a tiara). Princess Anne’s new daughter-in-law was a vision in white lace Emilia Wickstead, and in her first interview, Harriet shared the behind-the-scenes process in designing her “romantic, soft” wedding dress.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Harriet shared the details of her big day, admitting, “It’s pretty emotional looking back at it.”

Princess Kate has long been a fan of Emilia Wickstead’s beautifully tailored dresses, and the New Zealand-born designer is who Harriet turned to for her wedding. "She is amazing and we became close during the process,” Harriet said of Wickstead. “She realized a dream for me, and I was so thrilled with it.”

The former NHS pediatric nurse walked down the aisle in a fitted, square-necked column dress, but like Princess Kate, her gown was covered in an intricate lace overlay with a high neck. The dress was inspired by 19th-century designs, as Wickstead told British Vogue, and also featured a nearly 10-foot train.

Harriet, who grew up not far from Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, England, said that she drew inspiration from the area for her gown. “The lace was inspired by flowers you might find locally,” she said.

The new Mrs. Phillips is mom to a 14-year-old daughter, Georgina, from her first marriage, and stepmother to Peter’s two daughters, Savannah and Isla, whose mother is his first wife, Autumn Kelly. Harriet said that she kept the fact that it was a second marriage in mind when considering her “timeless” gown.

“The fit and cut of the dress had more to do with the fact that it was a second wedding,” she said. “It had a romantic, soft look about it.”

Harriet got ready for the ceremony with her daughter and stepdaughters, sharing, "It was quite wet as it had rained that morning, but the girls kept my train completely white and immaculate. They did a really good job."

When Harriet Sperling started dating Peter Phillips, royal watchers couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the NHS nurse and Princess Kate in terms of her fashion. But in her first-ever interview, the newest member of the Royal family told Hello! magazine that the “open hearted" Princess of Wales also serves as a source of inspiration and advice.

Sperling married Princess Anne’s son on June 6, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, and a number of other royals in attendance. When asked about the first time meeting the Wales family, Harriet said, “I've had an incredible experience being welcomed in.”

"I can look to Catherine for advice and guidance,” she said. “She's very open-hearted, and I would always feel comfortable asking her if I needed advice about something."

Harriet and Peter “happened to be on holiday at the same place in the Scilly Isles” as William and his family when they met, and they enjoyed a relaxed time together with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

“It was great because the children were all jumping into the water at the same time,” she said. “It was very casual but there is a clear level of respect there.”

While Harriet worked as an NHS nurse for more than 20 years, she has now moved onto the next chapter in her life, and her new work follows in the footsteps of the Princess of Wales.

Kate has put the early years of childhood as the major focus of her royal work, and now Harriet has announced that she’s become the new patron of Home-Start Cotswolds, a charity that gives vital support to parents facing challenges.

Harriet said that leaving her nursing career "feels like a natural step, rather than a complete change of direction" as she was already familiar with the charity through her work with the NHS.

Harriet and Kate agree on one key statement, with the former pediatric nurse telling Hello!, “If we can support parents with young children and help with a stable base in those early years, people have better outcomes in life."

Princess Kate and Prince William regularly take their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—on vacation. However, according to several sources, the Prince and Princess of Wales might have been "forced to cancel" their annual trip to one particular destination.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Kate and William reportedly have "a standing invitation to spend their family holidays at a spectacular seaside palace belonging to Jordan's King Abdullah II." But the outlet suggested that for 2026, the Prince and Princess of Wales have opted to stay in the United Kingdom, where they will be welcoming Prince George back from boarding school at Eton College.

A source told the publication, "In Jordan, there's always chatter around this time of year that the Prince and Princess of Wales will come to stay. They are considered regulars here in Jordan."

The source continued, "But they can hardly come here for water sports and jet skiing when there is the threat of...missiles. It can't be a coincidence if an autumn return to Jordan wasn't on their radar this year."

The Mail on Sunday noted that Kate and William have allegedly vacationed "as guests of [King Abdullah] and Queen Rania" in the past, both as a couple and as a family. The outlet suggested that, as well as taking their children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—to Jordan, they've also traveled there with Princess Kate's mom and dad, Carole and Michael Middleton.

One source called the palace in Jordan a "personal first-class Club Med for royals with almost every conceivable luxury," while revealing, "I bet William and Kate are incredibly sad not to be going this year."

The source further "believes the growing threat posed by missiles and drones in the wider Middle East will have made the family's holiday arrangements there too risky to consider this year."

Unfortunately, it seems as though security concerns might have postponed any future trips to the region for Princess Kate and Prince William.

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While King Charles's popularity is reportedly waning, according to a recent poll, there's one member of the Royal Family who is being celebrated. In fact, Princess Kate's closest ally has been called the "most well-behaved royal," with one expert celebrating their wide-ranging reach.

Laura Windsor, who is the founder of an etiquette academy, told Hello! magazine that Duchess Sophie, Prince Edward's wife, is the "most well-behaved royal."

Windsor shared, "She is becoming the secret weapon of the Royal Family because she represents The King abroad."

The etiquette expert continued, "She's never done anything wrong, and she should get all the media attention because she is the epitome of polite behavior. And it's not about her."

Notably, much of Duchess Sophie's work appears to take place behind the scenes, but truly deserves to be celebrated.

"She helps a lot of organizations, mainly women in distress situations, and there's not enough media attention on her," Windsor explained.

The expert continued, "Even she says, no one knows about me, in a sort of non-arrogant way, as if to say, you know, maybe people do need to know what I'm doing, and she is highly admired by The King."

Windsor also suggested that Duchess Sophie is highly "emotionally intelligent," and possesses the ability to "understand the old way things were done."

It appears as though Duchess Sophie is the perfect person for Princess Kate to rely upon.

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As the future King and Queen, Prince William and Princess Kate's behavior is constantly scrutinized. In particular, onlookers are curious about the changes the Prince and Princess of Wales might implement once they're in power. According to several sources, the pair have already started ditching one aspect of Royal Family life.

According to a new article, Princess Kate and Prince William's new approach to the monarchy has already been unveiled in some respects.

"[T]hey're upping their game, as William and Kate continue to seek new and authentic ways to connect with people—from appearing on Travis and Jason Kelce's podcast to adopting a strategy of controlled openness as opposed to institutional secrecy that has guided the Firm's PR outreach," the Daily Mail reported.

The outlet also referred to a speech given by William about Sir Kevin Sinfield, a rugby coach whose charitable endeavors have had an extremely wide reach. According to the Daily Mail, the prince's own words about Sinfield could also be applied to the royal himself.

In a BBC documentary about Sinfield called Thank You Sir Kev, Prince William shared, "That lack of ego is really important in a world that everyone wants to show how amazing they all are...I think Kevin does it very quietly, very subtly and just doesn't want to be the center of attention but ultimately has a huge impact."

Prince William continued, "I think that's a really important lesson for the world to realize: you don't have to be all social media everywhere, loud, whatever. There are a lot of ways you can show leadership that still delivers the important things we care about."

The Daily Mail also highlighted the ways in which Prince William has reached out to the general public, from appearing in the AppleTV+ series The Reluctant Traveler to appearing on The Graham Norton Show.

"[O]ne of the things that William seems determined to change is the palace's figurehead reputation by rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck into the work he believes in," the publication explained.

In spite of any reluctance to be in the spotlight, Kate and William are slowly changing their approach to the monarchy and it shows.

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Just last week, Princess Kate and Prince William posted a previously unseen photo of their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—in honor of Mountain Rescue Awareness Day. For Halloween, the Prince and Princess of Wales decided to release another unseen snap, this time of a baby Prince Louis visiting a pumpkin patch for Halloween.

Kate and William shared the photo on Instagram on October 31, along with the caption, "Happy Halloween!" The caption continued, "Prince Louis, aged 1, photographed by the Princess of Wales." In the photo, little Louis can be seen reaching down to pick up a pumpkin, which is much bigger than he is.

The sweet snap immediately delighted royal fans, who took to the comments to discuss the photo.

"This is such an adorable photo and what a precious memory to treasure," one fan shared. "Happy Halloween to all of you!" another user wrote. "Thank you for sharing this picture of your cute little pumpkin."

One royal fan commented, "Adorable! Wow looks so much like George here!" Someone else noted, "What an amazing surprise! Thank you for sharing." Basically, Prince Louis's throwback Halloween snap has been a resounding success.

Prince Louis is now 8 years old, meaning that Princess Kate's sweet Halloween picture was captured seven years ago. While the prince is a lot older now, he has retained his cheeky demeanor and is known for delivering mischievous moments at royal engagements.

Previous reports have suggested that Princess Kate likes to take George, Charlotte, and Louis trick-or-treating for Halloween, so perhaps the royals will be busy dressing up for the occasion.

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Since acceding the throne following his mother's death in 2022, King Charles has carved out a role all of his own. The King is currently on a royal tour of the Bahamas, but according to a new poll, his popularity might be waning. Meanwhile, two royal relatives continue to score highly with the general public.

According to YouGov's Royal Family favorability tracker for October 2026, King Charles seems to have lost some fans. "58 percent of Britons have a positive opinion of King Charles, the lowest level since he ascended to the throne," YouGov explained.

While King Charles's rating is "his lowest since he became King," two of his relatives continue to dominate the chart.

According to YouGov, "The Prince and Princess of Wales remain the most popular royals, with 72 [to] 74 percent of Britons having a positive opinion of them."

Surprisingly, Prince William received the most votes, with 74 percent of voters having a positive opinion of the future King; his wife, Princess Kate, had a 72 percent positivity rating with voters.

After Kate, 68 percent of voters said they had a positive opinion of Princess Anne. King Charles followed his sister with just 58 percent of voters feeling positively about the monarch. Unfortunately, Queen Camilla only scored a 42 percent positive rating with voters, while Prince Edward and his wife Duchess Sophie both received a 51 percent positivity rating.

Hopefully this is just a random dip for King Charles's rating and he'll recover some of his lost popularity in a future poll. As for Prince William and Princess Kate, judging by the general public's opinions, they appear to be well placed to take over the Royal Family in the future.

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When it comes to style, Princess Kate continues to influence royal fans worldwide. Kate's mom, Carole Middleton, also remains a style icon, whose fashion choices often prove to be just as popular. Case in point: her Royal Ascot bag just got a seriously regal update.

When Carole attended Ladies Day at Royal Ascot on June 18, 2026, she wore a stylish light blue coat dress, while carrying an Emmy London bag. The Mabel Bag retails for $945 and is available in a variety of shades and materials. For Ascot, Carole opted for the Natural Raffia version of Emmy London's Mabel Bag.

While a raffia bag was ideal for an event taking place during the summer months, the colder weather likely requires a slightly different style. Enter Emmy London's Mabel Bag in a Brown Tweed colorway.

Per the designer's website, the new version of the classic bag is constructed from a "tonal camel brown and pale blue houndstooth tweed," which has been "woven in Somerset [in England] by a renowned British mill."

Princess Kate has worn tweed clothing on numerous occasions, making the new Emmy London bag a very welcome, regal update.

Once again, Princess Kate and mom Carole have given royal fans the ideal bag to carry throughout the fall and winter months in 2026.

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Princess Kate has always been clear that her family comes first, but according to historian Kate Williams, “royal mother” isn’t an archetype that princesses and queens before her have always been able to choose.

Williams explores the stories of everyone from Grace Kelly to Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, in her new book, Regina: A New History of Royal Women and Power. The professor and author tells Marie Claire that like “the OG” of brand-building, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Kate also “has used image very effectively and very strategically.”

“I think Kate chose quite sort of early on to occupy the role of royal mother,” Williams says of the mom of three, adding that role “has always been something that royal women have wanted to occupy, but often they're not allowed.”

She points to Queen Marie Antoinette of France, who “wasn't allowed to be seen as the good royal mother” by the public. Williams shares that Marie Antoinette, who was beheaded during the French Revolution, “tried to present herself as the loving mother and no one would have it.”

“They wanted the lascivious, spendthrift woman who was, you know, lacking in morality,” Williams continued. “So Kate, I think quite brilliantly occupies [the role of royal mother] because I think we think, ‘Oh yes, she's a mother, she's being a mom,’ but it's often quite difficult.”

The historian adds that the image of royal mother “is not always one that's kind of easy to present” due to the unique situation women like the Princess of Wales are in. “No matter what they say, you’re not like the average mother in most countries, you know, rushing between work and home or or trying to make ends meet.”

Even when the Princess Kate isn't with her own children, the royal has been able to continue projecting her motherly image through her work with young people and early childhood development, often visiting with schools and children's hospices.

Queen Victoria was another royal woman who was able to effectively present herself in the mother role, Williams says. "Victoria used photography and portraiture to really create this image of the domestic goddess Queen who was totally happy at home as opposed to, you know, she and Albert battling for power," the Regina author tells Marie Claire.

"The image that she created was of the ideal middle-class woman, which both coincided with her power base but also with the sort of allowance in Victorian times that women—middle-class women—could work if it was sort of service and duty and if it was helping others and philanthropy," she adds.

King Charles kicked off a major royal tour on October 27, arriving solo in the Bahamas before Queen Camilla joins him in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 through 4. Their Majesties’ trip is centered around their attendance at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, but when Prince William takes the throne, he might not be the one leading the Commonwealth of Nations.

During his 2022 royal tour of the Caribbean, the Prince of Wales stated that he didn’t necessarily assume he’d become head of the Commonwealth like his father and grandmother. “Who the Commonwealth chooses to lead its family in the future isn’t what is on my mind,” he said at the time.

With all eyes on The King and his nine-day tour this week, the Times reported that King Charles is traveling “almost certainly, as the last royal head of the Commonwealth.” When approaching sources close to the Prince of Wales to ask if his stance had shifted since 2022, insiders confirmed that William’s "position hasn’t changed."

Queen Elizabeth's father, King George VI, was the first head of the Commonwealth, appointed in 1949, and was succeeded by Elizabeth after his death in 1952. But the post isn't hereditary, and there was some controversy over whether King Charles should have taken on the role versus a more neutral elected head.

Even though it was decided during the 2018 CHOGM that the then-Prince Charles would become head of the Commonwealth upon the late Queen's death, it's never been confirmed that Prince William will take the reins one day.

With King Charles facing increasing calls for reparations and apologies for slavery in the Commonwealth countries he's visiting this week, he has a tough diplomatic mission at hand. However, a palace aide told the Times that King Charles was up for the challenge.

“He knows what is expected of him, he knows how to read that room and land a message, he’s a very safe pair of hands,” the palace source said. “He has been given all the briefing he needs to help him navigate difficult interactions. He also knows that the issue of apologies and reparations is for government.”

As Prince William and Princess Kate prepare themselves for a future on the throne, their royal roles have become more important than ever. When the Royal Family welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman for an official state visit on October 20, the Princess of Wales showed how soft diplomacy is done—and one royal biographer says that her upbringing plays a “key” role.

Wearing a floaty new Elie Saab gown with her go-to Lover’s Knot Tiara, Kate not only brought royal glamour to the state banquet on October 20, but she helped Windsor Castle’s guests feel at home.

"Catherine gets it right every time—she’s always on her A-game,” royal biographer and journalist Robert Jobson told Hello! magazine. “She had clearly done her homework and she looked magnificent.”

Jobson continued that Kate, who sparkled in Queen Elizabeth’s Greville Chandelier Earrings, “looked every inch a future Queen” at the sumptuous banquet.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said that the Princess of Wales also plays an important role in developing international relations.

"Catherine is absolutely key to these visits,” Seward said. “She’s able to deal with almost anyone, and I think that’s because her parents instilled in her the importance of good manners. She’s become the golden key, if you like."

Body language expert Darren Stanton recently told Marie Claire that Princess Kate's quiet ability to make “people feel at ease” is her royal superpower.

Speaking on behalf of UK online slots provider Betfair Casino, Stanton says that the “ability to read a situation is a real strength of Catherine’s.”

"She understands that, while this is a very formal state occasion, there are people there who may feel a little nervous or intimidated by the setting," he said. "She does not need to dominate the interaction or draw attention to herself; instead, she uses her warmth, confidence and ability to read people to make everyone around her feel comfortable."

Earlier this year, Princess Kate embarked upon the Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where she received cancer treatment. Now, the Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a new photo taken after Kate completed the physical test, which shows their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—looking more grown up then ever.

Sharing the post on Instagram, the caption drew attention to Mountain Rescue Awareness Day and all of the people that keep climbers and hikers safe.

In the photo, Princess Kate and Prince William posed with a large team of people, as well as their three children, in front of a lush green landscape. In the picture, George, Charlotte, and Louis proudly posed with their mom, while twinning in matching jeans and sneakers.

The caption shared, "On Mountain Rescue Awareness Day, we send our heartfelt thanks to all those who volunteer their time and expertize to keep people safe in some of our most beautiful but challenging landscapes."

The post continued, "Meeting local mountain rescue teams during the Three Peaks Challenge this summer was an opportunity to say thank you in person for the vital role they play in keeping walkers and climbers safe on the mountains all year round."

Furthermore, Kate and William said they were "incredibly proud to support the extraordinary volunteers" who work diligently to help anyone who finds themselves in distress while on the mountains.

They completed the statement by writing, "To everyone across the mountain rescue community, thank you for your unwavering commitment, courage and service. W & C."

Notably, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis appeared to be quite emotional after reuniting with their mom following her exhausting excursion. And as the new group photo shows, all three children are growing up so fast, but they're not against wearing matching outfits just yet.

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Queen Camilla supports a plethora of charitable causes in her role within the Royal Family, and she's also been outspoken about violence endured by women. On October 23, The Queen made an appearance at a summit hosted by the organization Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) Wiltshire, which took place at Princess Kate's alma mater, Marlborough College.

During the event, Queen Camilla addressed attendees, saying (via the Express), "Talking is what we have to do."

The Queen continued, "Domestic abuse was a taboo subject that nobody talked about, it was hush-hush, but now everybody is getting up there and talking about it. And hopefully, if we keep on talking and having gatherings like this we will, I don't know how many years, but we might be able to put an end to it forever."

As well as sharing her hope for the future, Queen Camilla praised other speakers and attendees at the event.

"I would just say that there are so many heroes here," The Queen told the audience. She also noted that, after speaking to survivors of domestic violence via the charity and her patronage, SafeLives, she "realized the depth of the horror" some people experience, via the Express.

Notably, Queen Camilla highlighted a woman named Diana Parkes, who became an advocate following the murder of her daughter Joanna Simpson.

"She lost her beloved daughter and a lot of people would have hidden away, shut the door just, you know, buried themselves forever," Queen Camilla explained. "But she got up, she got out there, and she spoke to people."

Camilla's continued advocacy has already likely had a huge impact on the world. Meanwhile, her commitment to speaking out on behalf of women is a testament to character.

My editor and I were just chatting about our favorite charity shop finds this morning, and it seems Princess Kate is one of us when it comes to a great bargain find. While visiting the café and shop that raises money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) on October 22, the Princess of Wales couldn't resist but peek at one woman's purchases.

In an Instagram Reel shared by a fan account and captioned "She’s just a girl 🤭," the princess is walking through Café 98, the not-for-profit store and community hub that supports EACH. As she waves to some women sitting at tables in the coffee shop, one of them calls out, "Want to see my purchases?"

"Oh, yes please!" Kate exclaims, making a beeline to the customers, causing them to burst into laughter.

"Do you come in here quite a bit?" Kate asked, with the woman explaining that they actually live in England's Lake District—quite a long drive from Café 98, located in Hoveton.

"Let's see what you have got," the Princess of Wales said, holding a box of cups. "Are these for yourself or are they a gift?" After the woman tells her the cups were a gift, Kate called them "very nice."

In a longer video of the interaction shared by Hello! magazine, Kate says "you never know what you're going to find" when it comes to visiting a charity shop. She told the ladies she "loves going around" bargain hunting herself and there were "lots of charity shops" she'd visit while attending the University of St Andrews with Prince William.

This isn't Kate's first royal foray into charity shops while on duty this year. In February, the Princess of Wales made an unexpected stop into the Tŷ Hafan shop in Wales when she realized the store was located close to her other planned events. The princess serves as patron of the Tŷ Hafan children's hospice, and she made a surprise visit into the store that supports the charity, taking time to hug one volunteer and meet with shoppers.

Princess Kate visited one of the first charities she supported after marrying Prince William in 2011, returning to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and its Treehouse hospice on Thursday, October 22. The organization supports young people facing life-limiting conditions and their families, and while meeting with volunteers as the organization’s café and shop, the Princess of Wales gave an update on her own children.

“My kids are looking forward to it, and my parents as well,” Kate told a volunteer in an Instagram Reel shared by Hello! magazine, speaking about the upcoming half-term school break in the U.K. “Half-term is a good time to catch up again on family life.”

It's no wonder the Wales family (and Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton) are excited about the school vacation. Prince George headed off to boarding school at Eton College in September, and while Eton had a short weekend break earlier in October, this will be the longest time the 13-year-old has been home in nearly two months.

"She said she's looking forward to George coming home—she's missed him,” Denise Ashton, who met the princess, told journalists, per Hello! “They may be going somewhere [during the break]," Ashton added.

When a boy told the Princess of Wales that Thursday was his last day of school before half-term, Kate shared her own excitement about the time off. "My children break up tomorrow and I can't wait to have them all home," she shared.

Although Eton College is a short drive from Prince William and Princess Kate's Windsor home, Forest Lodge, George is living in a completely different world as a full-time boarder. Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8, still attend Lambrook School as day students.

During her visit to The Treehouse, Princess Kate donned a hard hat and high-visibility vest to view construction on the hospice's expansion, which will allow the facility to provide even more treatments and services to families. A new kitchen and dining area, expanded treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool and a dedicated area for teenagers will be complete in 2028.

The princess also took part in sensory and music therapy sessions with children and their families before heading to EACH's dedicated café and shop, which raises money for the network of three children's hospices.

Princess Kate delivered royal glamour in a new Elie Saab gown and Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara at a state banquet on October 20, but two days later, she traded her dress for a trouser suit and high-visibility vest as she visited East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

The Princess of Wales serves as royal patron of EACH, where she delivered her first public speech in 2012, and she visited its Treehouse children’s hospice on Thursday, October 22, to meet patients and see the construction underway for its expansion.

The hospice, which serves young people and their families with life-limiting diseases, is building a larger space including a hydrotherapy pool, a dedicated area for teenagers, more therapy suites, a larger kitchen and dining space and an extra bedroom.

Construction on the facility is due to be completed in 2028, and Kevin Clements, chief executive of EACH, told People that Kate "was pleased to see we are in a position where we are now able to expand the hospice."

"She obviously has a special connection with us and particularly at the Treehouse, that was clear," he added.

The princess also took part in sensory play and music therapy sessions, visiting a special light sensory room and watching children like Charlotte Freegard sing and play the piano.

After leaving The Treehouse, Princess Kate traveled roughly an hour away to Wroxham, where EACH operates the nonprofit Café 98. Profits from the café and shop, which opened in 2024, support EACH's fundraising operation while also providing a community hub for residents.

The Princess of Wales's appearance Thursday follows a busy week for the Royal Family. Kate joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William to welcome the sultan of Oman on Tuesday afternoon, taking part in an official ceremony at Windsor Castle and attending a glamorous state dinner that evening. Yesterday, the princess stayed home while the Prince of Wales joined his father and stepmother for a poignant visit to Aberfan, Wales, but Kate's signature was present on a wreath William laid in honor of the victims of the village's devastating mining tragedy 60 years ago.

Princess Kate has rarely deviated from her favorite tiara since marrying Prince William in 2011. Even though royal watchers hoped to see a new-to-her design come out of the royal vaults, the Princess of Wales returned to Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara at the Omani state banquet—and there could be a very sensible reason why.

The Royal Family welcomed the sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, for an official visit to Britain on October 20—the first time an Omani ruler has visited the U.K. in 44 years. Following a day of welcome events at Windsor Castle, King Charles hosted a glamorous state banquet, with Kate wearing a new Elie Saab gown and her go-to tiara.

While a number of comments on social media lamented the fact that Princess Kate was wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara yet again, former royal butler Grant Harrold says that there’s likely multiple factors at play. Speaking on behalf of CanadaCasino, Harrold says the diamond and pearl design “suits her, and she probably feels good wearing it.”

The tiara became famous as a favorite of Princess Diana’s, but it dates back to 1913 when Queen Elizabeth’s grandmother, Queen Mary, commissioned the piece by royal-favorite jeweler Garrard. The historic headpiece features 19 baroque pearls hanging from heart-shaped diamond knots, and the teardrop pearls move with the wearer.

“The Lover’s Knot Tiara is a true expression of Garrard’s design language, where romantic symbolism meets exquisite craftsmanship, says Sara Prentice, Chief Creative Officer of Garrard. “The suspended baroque pearls bring the piece to life, giving it movement and grace.”

Princess Kate has only worn five tiaras in her royal career: the Cartier Halo Tiara—which she wore on her wedding day—the Lotus Flower Tiara, the Lover’s Knot Tiara, the Strathmore Rose Tiara, and Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet. Aside from the Lotus Flower Tiara, which she’s worn three times, the Princess of Wales has never repeated her other headpieces, but has worn the Lover’s Knot 15 times.

Adding that he’s “sure The King and Queen would be more than happy for her to wear whatever she wanted,” Harrold says that the Princess of Wales is likely aware of the optics surrounding royal jewelry.

“Royal women always have favorites that they will re-wear regularly, but we are seeing this one piece time after time after time,” he notes. “I wonder if it’s maybe a conscious decision from Kate to not be constantly seen wearing different pieces of priceless bling.”

Prince William has been clear that he wants to make changes when he’s King, pointing out that he likes the idea of a "smaller r in the royal." Harrold says that sticking with one tiara could be part of the future Queen “showing signs of a more modern monarchy, which we know is what William and Kate will be working towards.”

“They don’t want to be flashing wealth and tiaras constantly, it is not what the public want to see,” he adds.

Princess Kate made a statement in a floaty yellow gown at the Omani state banquet on October 20, but her dramatic cape nearly got her into a major “predicament,” as fans pointed out online.

The Princess of Wales wore a pastel Elie Saab dress with cutout detail and a subtle leopard print at Windsor Castle on Tuesday night, adding her go-to tiara, the Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot. While dining alongside the sultan of Oman and members of the Royal Family, Kate sat down at the lavishly decorated banquet table—and in the process, got her long cape stuck under the leg of her chair.

“Somebody, please save Princess Catherine from her chair-on-dress predicament 🥹💔🙏,” one fan posted on X, sharing a photo of the problem in question. “Someone was not paying attention when they helped to seat her,” a fellow royal watcher added.

Another X account also shared the picture, writing, "Nooooooo the 🪑 on the dress 😢," with a follower commenting, "If she gets up. Chaos will follow 😂😂."

Fortunately, no such "chaos" appeared to ensue during the event, which was held to honor the historic visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to the United Kingdom. The last time an Omani ruler was welcomed for an official state visit was 44 years ago, and the Princess of Wales brought out some favorite diamond pieces from the royal vaults for the occasion.

Along with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara, famously associated with Princess Diana, Kate wore Queen Mary's diamond choker bracelet and the Greville Chandelier Earrings, a pair of statement diamonds beloved by Queen Elizabeth.

Princess Kate joined the Royal Family to welcome Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman for a state visit on October 20, taking part in an official ceremony at Windsor Castle along with a glamorous state banquet. Whether it was riding in a carriage procession with their guests or making them feel welcome at dinner, the Princess of Wales played a key role in the diplomatic visit “without having to take center stage,” says body language expert Darren Stanton.

Speaking on behalf of UK online slots provider Betfair Casino, Stanton says that the “ability to read a situation is a real strength of Catherine’s.” In photos from the day’s events, the princess is pictured throwing her head back in laughter with a soldier and leaning forward to point things out to guests at the state banquet, displaying her ability to “put them at ease.”

“She understands that, while this is a very formal state occasion, there are people there who may feel a little nervous or intimidated by the setting,” Stanton shares. “By taking the time to chat with the soldiers and share a laugh, she subtly helps to put them at ease. It is a small gesture, but these are the sorts of things that make a real difference to how an engagement feels.”

The Princess of Wales swapped her forest green Alexander McQueen coat and sparkling jewelry for a pale yellow Elie Saab gown and Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara on Tuesday night. Despite her formalwear and historic jewels, Kate managed to keep the event friendly and "approachable" while being "able to maintain the authority and composure expected of her position," Stanton says.

"That is not always an easy balance to strike, but Catherine manages it exceptionally well," he adds.

Earlier in the day, the Princess of Wales joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie to view special items from the Royal Collection related to Oman—including a stunning tiara once presented to Queen Victoria—while making their royal guests feel at home.

‘This was a good example of how you can be the star of the show without having to take center stage," Stanton says of the Princess of Wales. "She does not need to dominate the interaction or draw attention to herself; instead, she uses her warmth, confidence and ability to read people to make everyone around her feel comfortable."

As usual, the fashion predictions came rolling in ahead of the October 20 state banquet at Windsor Castle in honor of the sultan of Oman. When Princess Kate arrived at the official welcome ceremony on Tuesday morning, she wore a head-to-toe green outfit in tribute of one of the colors of the Omani flag. With the rest of the flag made up of red and white, royal watchers were largely expecting a gown—most likely a repeat—in one of those shades. But I can assure you, pale yellow leopard print was not floating around in my mind this evening.

The Princess of Wales arrived at Windsor Castle in a flowing Elie Saab dress featuring a dramatic cape and braided detail along the neckline, and at first glance, the pastel gown is standard royal fare. Zoom in and you'll see that the dress actually has an animal print design—a rather unexpected detail for a state banquet gown.

Did I Google "Does Oman have leopards?" Yes. And in fact, the country is home to a group of critically endangered Arabian leopards. With fewer than 200 in the wild and roughly 50 of them living in Oman, the country boasts one of the largest populations of the species.

Whether this is Kate's subtle nod to Oman, or she just felt like wearing a summery leopard-print dress, we'll probably never know. However, diplomatic dressing is one of the Princess of Wales's style strengths, and rarely is anything a coincidence in the world of royal fashion.

The Princess of Wales paired her new Elie Saab gown with an old standard, wearing the Lover's Knot Tiara frequently worn by Princess Diana.

Although her diamond and pearl tiara—which Princess Kate has worn numerous times during her royal career—delivers plenty of sparkle, she paired it with Queen Elizabeth's Greville Diamond Chandelier Earrings for some extra glam factor.

The Princess of Wales completed her outfit with a bedazzled clutch and Queen Mary's diamond choker bracelet, adding the blue sash that she received in 2019 as a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the highest ranking of chivalry personally awarded by Queen Elizabeth at the time.

She topped off her sash with the Royal Family Order of King Charles III, which features a painted portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and a crown, set against a pale blue ribbon created by designer Philip Treacy.

The Royal Family welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman for a state visit at Windsor Castle on October 20, and Princess Kate brought out some symbolic jewelry for the historic occasion.

Wearing a green Alexander McQueen coat that nodded to one of the colors of Oman’s flag, the Princess of Wales joined King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William to kick off the first Omani state visit in 44 years. She kept the green theme going with her jewelry, going for a meaningful piece from the royal vaults combined with a brand-new design.

Kate chose the Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch, a piece that “brings a real sense of royal history to Kate’s look,” says Justin Daughters, managing director at antique and vintage jeweler Berganza.

"Also known as the Ladies of North Wales Brooch, it was presented to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863 as a wedding gift from a committee of women from North Wales, following her marriage to the future King Edward VII," Daughters says of the diamond brooch with a cabochon emerald drop.

Interestingly, although the piece was originally a brooch, it was converted into a pendant and worn as a necklace by Princess Diana on several occasions, since like Princess Alexandra, she was also the Princess of Wales. When Queen Camilla married King Charles in 2005, she was never officially given the Princess of Wales title, but she made the at-the-time controversial move of converting Diana's necklace back into its original brooch form.

"When Kate wears it today, it creates a visible connection between generations of women who have held the title," Daughters shares. "It’s a wonderful example of how royal jewelry can preserve history while remaining relevant to a contemporary look.”

Instead of choosing another piece of historic royal jewelry like she typically does, Kate opted for a modern design, debuting a pair of gold Cassandra Goad earrings with sparkling green chrome diopside drops.

Chrome diopside isn't as widely known as the emerald, but is considered a more affordable alternative that keeps the same rich green color. Kate's earrings—which are sold without the hoops she wore them on—were designed to mimic the acai berries designer Cassandra Goad saw on a trip to Brazil.

“What makes this particular look so effective is the way Kate has brought together different elements," Daughters says. "Rather than choosing pieces that match exactly, Kate has brought together different eras through considered styling.”

While her brooch nods to a long history of the princesses of Wales before her, the new earrings show that Kate is also her own woman. “From a jewelry perspective, pairing historic pieces with contemporary designs is an effective way to create individuality," Daughters says.

"Different designs can sit comfortably together when their proportions, colors and overall aesthetic complement one another, allowing each piece to retain its own character," he adds.

Sartorial diplomacy is nothing new for Princess Kate, and she honored Oman with a green outfit as the Royal Family welcomed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik for a state visit at Windsor Castle on October 20.

Oman’s flag features shades of green, white and red, and although the country’s green is a much brighter color, the Princess of Wales wore an old favorite Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen coat in a rich forest hue Tuesday.

Burton, who designed Kate’s wedding dress, is now creative director at Givenchy, and the Princess of Wales continues to wear her old McQueen pieces such as her fitted coat with flap pockets.

Underneath, the Princess of Wales wore a lace turtleneck dress or top, but once inside the castle, she swapped it for a simple dark green turtleneck dress by Norma Kamali featuring a leather belt wrapped multiple times around her waist.

For the welcome ceremony and carriage procession through Windsor, Kate accessorized with a Juliette Botterill hat that matched her coat, a symbolic emerald and diamond brooch and a pair of new earrings that fit into her green theme.

The Princess of Wales added a touch of British history with the Prince of Wales Feathers Brooch, a diamond and emerald piece that was given to Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863 as a wedding gift when she married the future King Edward VII. But in her terms of her earrings Kate went with something new, debuting a pair of $5,397 chrome diopside drops by Cassandra Goad.

Kate finished off her outfit with green velvet Manolo Blahnik pumps and a classic flap bag by Chanel.

This evening, Princess Kate and the rest of the senior Royal Family will welcome the sultan to a glittering state banquet at Windsor Castle—and that means tiaras are just hours away.

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Prince William and King Charles might have different approaches to royal life, but there’s one sweet thing they share in common. King Charles has been married to Queen Camilla for 21 years, while the Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated their 15th anniversary this year. But although their marriages might be quite different, The Queen and Princess Kate have the same influence on their husbands in a way that Princess Diana didn't.

"William definitely visibly relaxes when Catherine is near, and you see a similar thing with Charles and Camilla, actually," Simon Vigar, author of The Four Wives of Windsor, told Hello! magazine.

The royal biographer added that King Charles used to get jealous when crowds favored Princess Diana at royal events, but he’s more than happy to let Queen Camilla take the lead, just like Prince William does with Kate.

"William is very happy for Catherine to take the spotlight in a way that back in the day Charles wasn't with Diana, of course, but he is now with Camilla,” Vigar said. "They are clearly a double act.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales took on a secret visit to Cornwall last week on the same day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to public events, but the Waleses took their "double act" to Northern Ireland for a series of royal engagements on October 9.

Vigar noted that when it comes to royal duties, William and Kate are "even stronger" together.

"It's very hard to do that job on your own, and I think we'll see an even stronger double act when the time comes, when William becomes King," Vigar said, adding that the Princess of Wales is "obviously very, very important to him personally and publicly."

Princess Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall, is celebrating his 48th birthday on October 19, and Zara Tindall’s husband might not have a royal title, but he’s a firm favorite amongst the Wales family. Mike, who formerly played rugby for England’s national team, shares the same competitive spirit as Prince William and Princess Kate, but one thing he knows all too well is that winning doesn’t teach you as much as losing—and he’s reportedly passed that knowledge on to Prince George.

Mike married the Princess Royal’s daughter, Zara Phillips, in 2011, and over the years, he’s become close with Zara’s cousin, Prince William. In 2025, a source claimed that the Prince of Wales views Mike as a brother figure “and someone he can always rely on,” per Woman's Day (via the Express).

Zara and Mike’s three children are also close with the Waleses, and Princess Charlotte is said to consider Mia Tindall her royal BFF. Given their warm relationship, it’s no wonder that Mike is said to be a source of inspiration for 13-year-old Prince George, who is Zara's godson.

This summer, royal biographer Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail that Mike speaks with the future King about “the one subject nobody else raises.”

As a former pro rugby player, Mike knows a thing or two about winning and losing, and Jobson claimed that George has benefited from speaking with his godmother’s husband on the topic.

“He talks to him about losing, the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning,” Jobson said. “Mike has lost in front of eighty thousand people. He can be funny about it the next morning.”

Jobson added that Mike serves as an uncle figure in George’s life. “You see it in the photographs. An arm round George's shoulders, leaning in, saying something. No airs and graces about the man, and the child worked that out years ago.”

Princess Kate is known for her ability to inspire royal admirers to copy her clothing choices. While items she's worn regularly sell out—on account of the so-called "Kate effect"—her hair and beauty also inspire onlookers. And according to one celebrity stylist, the Princess of Wales will regularly "make a statement" with her hair and beauty techniques.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, celebrity hairstylist Tess Boyle explained, "I think what is lovely about Kate is that she always seems to put thought into the smallest details, and her hair is no exception."

Referencing some of the more complicated hair styles Princess Kate has worn, such as the Celtic knot, Boyle shared, "[Her hair] looks soft and elegant rather than too structured or overdone. That is something Kate gets right time and time again."

Importantly, Boyle believes that Princess Kate repeatedly shows how "hair can make a statement without being too obvious."

Boyle continued, "What I find interesting is how she changes her hair depending on the occasion. For more formal engagements, she often wears it up in a beautiful, classic style, whereas for more relaxed occasions she tends to go for those lovely soft waves we all associate with her."

As for Princess Kate's decision to trial blonder highlights throughout 2026, Boyle noted, "I always think there is something about going a little lighter with your hair that makes you feel refreshed."

The celebrity hairdresser continued, "Clients often want a change when they are entering a new chapter in their lives, and it does not necessarily have to be anything dramatic...Of course, we do not know whether Kate saw it as a fresh start herself, but I can certainly understand why people made that connection."

One thing remains clear. Whether she's trying out new hairstyles or wearing unexpected outfits, Princess Kate is an inspiration to people all around the globe.

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Like most women, I rarely get my makeup professionally done, reserving the pros for events like my wedding or a big black tie gala. But when it came to the most monumental day of Queen Elizabeth’s life, she opted to do her own makeup—even though her cosmetician was widely credited with the look.

In Gyles Brandreth’s book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, the royal biographer detailed the preparations for Queen Elizabeth’s June 2, 1953 coronation, including her makeup. An Australian woman named Thelma Besant was appointed as her “Cosmetician and Beauty Adviser” after she turned 18, and it was Besant who worked with Elizabeth on makeup for her wedding, coronation and other events.

Brandreth wrote that the young Queen enjoyed working with “no-nonsense” Besant, who worked for British cosmetic company Cyclax. Even though the beauty pro worked closely with Elizabeth’s team on a color scheme for her coronation makeup, the new Queen decided to skip the experts on her big day.

Besant kept a “secret for the rest of her days,” Brandreth wrote, revealing that the makeup artist wasn’t actually responsible for doing Queen Elizabeth’s makeup on the coronation day.

“She wanted Thelma on hand at the Palace in case anything should go wrong, but she asked her cosmetic adviser if she thought she would be capable of doing it on her own, because it was such a significant day in her life she felt she wanted to be alone with her thoughts at the start of it,” the biographer wrote.

It was an approach that fans were led to believe Kate Middleton followed on her April 29, 2011 wedding day. Over the years, it was widely publicized that Kate had done her own makeup using Bobbi Brown products, but in 2025, Brown debunked that rumor.

Speaking on the "Breaking Beauty" podcast, Brown said: “I didn’t do her makeup. I wish I did. It was one of my artists, Hannah Martin, who’s become quite a sensation in the U.K.”

Princess Kate has long embraced British countryside dressing, weaving heritage patterns and fabrics into her working wardrobe. For a secret appearance on October 15, the Princess of Wales debuted a Fair Isle sweater by one of her favorite brands, Me+Em, and it’s an editor-approved style that’s also been seen all over the runways this season.

On the same day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to public life with their first joint appearance in the U.K., Prince William and Princess Kate made an under-the-radar appearance in Cornwall, England to announce a new initiative. Kensington Palace released a video and new portraits of the future Queen on Friday, October 16, with Kate sporting an autumnal outfit that embraces this fall’s Fair Isle resurgence.

The Princess of Wales paired Me+Em's alpaca wool blend Fair Isle sweater with another countryside classic, wearing her old favorite Barbour Defence jacket. Underneath her new sweater, you can see a pop of a white floral shirt with a pie crust collar, and Kate accented the look with the pink Missoma charm hoop earrings she's worn for years.

In a video shared on Instagram by a Wales fan page, Kate can be seen wearing a long skirt and a pair of riding boots with the outfit.

Even though Kate's countryside chic sweater feels very on brand for the princess, it's also surprisingly trendy. "The Fair Isle sweater suddenly feels essential again," says Marie Claire's fashion director, Sara Holzman. She points to the design all over the runways for autumn/winter, writing, "the heritage pattern is simply everywhere."

In a video from Kate's October 15 appearance, filmed in Cornwall, the future Queen spoke about the importance of getting children into nature and how it impacts childhood development. The Princess of Wales is launching a new initiative that will use research to determine how nature-based activities can impact lifelong outcomes.

"Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important," she said, adding, "My hope is that through this practical, nature-based research, we can build supportive environments that help make nature more accessible, benefiting babies, young children and their families across the U.K."

As for Kate's sweater, it's already sold out in multiple sizes as I'm writing this, but you'll find some equally cozy alternatives below.

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Prince William and Princess Kate have weathered some tough times in the past two years, whether it was Kate’s cancer diagnosis, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s scandals or King Charles’s own health struggles. But there’s one family member the Prince and Princess of Wales can always lean on, according to royal biographer and journalist Robert Jobson.

Carole Middleton “may not ever hold the title of Queen Mother, but in the future, she will be the Queen’s mother,” Jobson told Hello! magazine, adding that Carole “will be there to help her daughter and the family all the way.”

When both Princess Kate and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer in early 2024, it was Carole who helped babysit, stock her daughter and son-in-law’s freezer and provide a shoulder to cry on for Prince William.

“She was there to support William and was there all the time for the grandchildren. She's been as solid as a rock,” Jobson said of Carole. “When everything was falling apart and he needed someone to talk to, she was the one. She took him out to the pub and they would sit and talk.”

The Windsor Legacy author added that Carole has "been a good sounding-board" and "a wise head" for the future King.

For Prince William, the Middletons also provide him with a sense of normalcy that he didn't experience growing up at Kensington Palace. During his engagement interview, the Prince of Wales praised Kate's family, stating, "Mike and Carole have been really loving and caring and really fun and have been really welcoming towards me, so I've felt a part of the family and I hope that Kate's felt the same with my family."

Queen Elizabeth’s children didn’t have the greatest track records for royal marriages, with three out of her four children winding up divorced. It’s a situation the late Queen is said to have found “deeply upsetting,” but when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton, one aspect of the future Princess of Wales’s life gave William’s grandmother comfort.

“The Queen always wanted her children and grandchildren to be happy, and she recognized what a huge support Carole and Michael Middleton were to William and how they welcomed him with open arms into their family,” Queen Elizabeth’s former press secretary, Ailsa Anderson, told Hello! magazine.

Prince William is famously close to his in-laws, and Anderson added that this gave the late Queen confidence after watching Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor go through divorces.

"It distressed her much more than she let on," royal biographer Robert Hardman wrote in his book Queen of Our Times, adding that Queen Elizabeth was deeply bothered by so many of her children getting divorced.

A staffer revealed to Hardman that "one shouldn't underestimate the pain she's been through," with the late Queen once exclaiming, "'Three out of four!' in sheer sadness and exasperation."

In the Middletons, however, Queen Elizabeth saw a strong and stable family that would help William and Kate through the tough times. "My family are paramount," Carole Middleton once said. "They come first and that will always be the case, even when I have more 'me time.'"

When Prince William and Kate Middleton got engaged in 2010, rumors buzzed about which designer would get one of the biggest wedding dress commissions of all time. But instead of a member of the Royal Family or a stylist, the future Queen was directed to a different source for advice: the then-editor–in-chief of British Vogue.

"When Catherine and William got engaged, somebody from her office got in touch with me and said she'd love to have a conversation about potential wedding designers," Alexandra Shulman revealed in her new book, Black Coffee and Red Lipstick: Notes on Living.

The former editor-in-chief added that she "was absolutely thrilled to bits” about being a fashion mentor for Kate’s wedding, but wasn’t allowed to reveal her role in the big day at the time.

"I didn't know how designer-literate she was, because at this point she wasn't wearing McQueen or Erdem," she said. "Try as I might, I couldn't find a single picture of a British designer who had a lovely conventional white dress.”

After speaking with Kate, Shulman said the future princess “asked me who I thought would be best." However, the decision involved quite a lot of diplomacy, and Shulman revealed that there actually “wasn’t a surefire person” for the job.

"I thought Vivienne Westwood would be great, but I thought Vivienne's personality might be hard to marry with the formality of dealing with the royal household,” she admitted.

Shulman said other options were turned down because they were so strongly associated with Princess Diana. "There were the whole tranche of designers who would have been the traditional choices, like Bruce Oldfield or Catherine Walker, but I knew they would be associated with her late mother-in-law, so that probably wasn't going to work," she shared.

Eventually, Shulman decided Sarah Burton, who was the creative director for Alexander McQueen at the time, was the best choice "because she was a woman, and she's got a very strong, but a very gentle personality." After delivering her suggestion, Shulman said "Catherine just nodded and said, 'Thank you'"—and the rest was history.

Princess Kate and Prince William have always made it clear that their family comes first. For instance, the couple recently moved into their "forever home," Forest Lodge in Windsor, and seemingly have no intention of moving into Buckingham Palace, even once William is King. So it should come as no surprise that Princess Kate and daughter Princess Charlotte just embarked on a secret day out together in London.

As reported by the Sun, Kate and Charlotte were spotted having "a very ordinary girls' day out to central London this weekend." The mother-daughter duo were spotted by fellow travelers on the Elizabeth Line, which is part of Transport for London's overground and underground rail network.

Per the outlet, "Footage posted online shows Kate—one of the most photographed and recognized people in the world—traveling alongside commuters and day-trippers without being hassled."

Of course, the two royals were accompanied by a "low-key security detail," but they happily "sat down on seats with other members of the public sharing the carriage around them."

One of the people traveling in the same carriage as Charlotte and Kate told the Sun, "It was really unexpected to see the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the Elizabeth Line. It was really so unexpected." They also called the experience "surreal."

The publication also noted, "A spokesman for the Princess of Wales declined to comment on private family time."

Hopefully Charlotte and Kate had a wonderful mother-daughter day out together, regardless of what they did.

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Prince William and Princess Kate probably aren’t planning their Christmas decor just yet, if their visit to a Northern Ireland IKEA is any indication. The Prince and Princess of Wales spent the day in Belfast on October 9 to highlight the work being done to combat youth homelessness in the area, and while visiting IKEA to see a job program in action, they came across a Christmas display.

In a video shared by Hello! magazine on Instagram, the Prince of Wales looks at his watch and exclaims, “October the ninth for a Christmas tree?” after walking past a decorated tree in the store.

A laughing Prince William told employees, “That is getting it in early!” adding, "What!" after one of the store's workers shared an inaudible tidbit with him in the clip.

Although William didn’t elaborate about his own decorating plans, Princess Kate once shared the type of Christmas tree they typically buy while visiting a farm in 2019. “She said that they normally have the Nordmann Fir inside that doesn’t drop the needles,” tree farm owner Roger Brill said at the time, per People.

During their outing at IKEA, the Prince and Princess of Wales met with a young woman who got her job through an initiative created by William’s Homewards organization. Homewards was launched in 2023 by the Royal Foundation and is a five-year program to help make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated, with its jobs initiative being piloted in Northern Ireland.

After meeting with business leaders to talk about expanding the career program, William and Kate got some hands-on training themselves working at cash registers in the store. Needless to say, they didn’t pick up any Christmas decorations, but Kate helped some little girls purchase their candy, reminding them, "Don’t forget these."

Prince William and Princess Kate visited Northern Ireland on Friday, October 9, to highlight the work being done to prevent homelessness, and one of their stops included a Belfast IKEA where shoppers were shocked to be waited on by none other than the future King and Queen.

Prince William’s Homewards program is working with local charities and businesses to recruit young people at risk of homelessness, and along with speaking with an employee who is working at the store through the program, the Waleses got down to work themselves.

Wearing a ruffled blouse and a new green tartan skirt, Kate is pictured working behind a cash register in a video shared by Kate Mansey of the Times on Instagram. Prince William also got in on the action, chatting with shoppers as they checked out of the busy store.

An employee shows Princess Kate how to run a credit card in Mansey's video as a woman and two children checked out, and the royal handed one girl the receipt, saying, “don’t forget these,” pointing at a bag of sweets they’d purchased. “Enjoy your dance lesson!” the princess said with a wave.

While speaking with the young woman employed through the Homewards initiative, Their Royal Highnesses learned how her job and the relationships she's built working at IKEA have helped her build confidence, stability and independence. They also met with other U.K. business leaders while visiting the store to discuss Homewards' plans to expand the Northern Ireland job program pilot.

Although you might not expect royals to shop at IKEA, William and Kate once shared a surprisingly relatable detail about their former home at Kensington Palace. In 2018, they told IKEA's head of design, Marcus Engman, that they used furniture from the brand in Prince George and Princess Charlotte's bedrooms.

"I'm proud that we can suit everybody," Engman said at the time, via Hello! magazine. "That's what we want Ikea to be—for the many people of the world, both royalty and ordinary people."

Prince William and Princess Kate surprised fans with a visit to Northern Ireland on Friday, October 9, and the Princess of Wales managed to wrap four of the season's hottest fall fashion trends into one timeless-looking outfit.

Plaid has always been a fall staple—especially for the royals—but this year it's bigger than ever, and Kate debuted a green tartan midi skirt by one of her favorite brands, Emilia Wickstead, for her trip to Belfast. She paired it with an old favorite ivory blouse by British brand Knatchbull, and its high collar and ruffled front combined two fall trends in one classic top.

She topped off her outfit with a long black coat, a custom piece by Catherine Walker, accessorizing with a black croc Ralph Lauren belt, new black pumps by Gianvito Rossi, her go-to Cartier Trinity Earrings and a perfectly on-trend Mulberry bag.

Top-handled bags feel especially fresh this fall, and the princess carried the Small Amberley Satchel she debuted during a 2022 visit to Boston in an autumnal evergreen shade.

The Princes of Wales has long been a fan of Mulberry, and although this is only the third time she's carried her green bag, she owns at least eight other styles from the British brand ranging from clutches to a sensible work tote.

William and Kate traveled to Belfast to highlight the work of Prince William's Homewards organization. The Prince of Wales is on a mission to prevent homelessness in the U.K., and they met with local charities and young people to see how they're working together to provide pathways to employment, stability and opportunity.

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Prince William and Prince Harry are understood not to have spoken since 2022, but with Harry and wife Meghan Markle now living in the U.K. again, royal insiders have been wondering whether the brothers will reconcile. On October 6, the Express reported that Harry and Meghan were planning to make amends with the Waleses, but a source now tells People that any idea of an apology is off the mark.

"Harry and Meghan have always known since they decided to return to the U.K. that they would need to eat humble pie," a source told the Express. The insider continued that the couple's "one big regret about leaving the Royal Family" involved their controversial Oprah Winfrey interview, especially the revelation about a senior royal commenting about what Prince Archie's skin color might look like.

"Harry was angry with his family at the time, and backed Meghan up, but they now realize what a low blow it was," the source claimed. "They both know they're hot-headed and realize they took things too far."

Prince Harry has publicly stated that he hopes to reconcile with his family, and the media outlet's report continued that Harry and Meghan "really want a sit-down so they can address what they said, and Meghan will apologize."

However, a source close to the Sussexes have reached out to People to say that the report was "nonsense."

Although the brothers remain estranged, Prince Harry and his family did visit with King Charles and Queen Camilla over the summer, and there's hope that the 30th anniversary of Princess Diana's death might bring him back in contact with William.

Per the Daily Mail, a memorial service for the late royal is being considered with both the Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales in attendance. “While the boys seem to have rejected any chance of working together, the religious event might help heal the rift," said columnist Ephraim Hardcastle.

Prince William headed to Ilminster, England to highlight the impact of extreme weather on local communities, and during his day out, he tried to get actor Ross Kemp to spill some spoilers about The Traitors.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are both fans of the reality show, and Kemp—who rose to fame with his role in soap opera EastEnders—is taking part in the new Celebrity Traitors season in the U.K. Kemp serves as an ambassador for the National Emergencies Trust, while Prince William is the charity’s royal patron, and they teamed up for an event unveiling a new emergency kit for local residents.

While joining the Ilminster Under 16s football club to chat about how they can take action against flooding, the topic of who might win Celebrity Traitors came up.

“I’ll get Ross to tell me the answer about what happens. Spoiler alert!” Prince William exclaimed, per the Sun, but Kemp remained tight-lipped about the outcome of the show. “I am a faithful,” was all he’d tell the group.

The Ilminster area was impacted by both severe flooding and wildfires in the past year, and Kemp joined Prince William in training exercises designed to help residents prepare for severe weather.

As for Celebrity Traitors, Kemp didn’t seem surprised that the royals were into the show. Speaking about William and Kate watching at home, Kemp said: “That’s great. Them and the rest of the country. I’ve been on the TV for 43 years but I’ve never known anything like this.”

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are here, and as a royal editor, I’m always on the lookout for Princess Kate-approved steals in the sale. Whether you’re looking for her rumored favorite mascara or a pair of her beloved sunglasses, this week’s sale has got you covered.

The Princess of Wales is a big fan of Ray-Ban’s classic styles and has worn four different pairs through the years. Other than her Folding Wayfarers, my favorite pair of Kate’s Ray-Bans is the Chris style— and they happen to be majorly marked down for Prime Big Deal Days.

The square-shaped frames typically retail for $197, but they’re $148 in the sale, along with an added bonus gift. The sunglasses come with not only the usual Ray-Ban case, but the brand’s official care kit including lens spray, a cleaning cloth, and a tiny screwdriver for any adjustments.

While I own plenty of statement sunglasses, they can admittedly get a bit heavy when you’re wearing them for long periods of time. But Kate’s frames with metal temples are super light and comfortable on your ears, even after long days at the beach or sightseeing.

The Princess of Wales has worn her Ray-Ban Chris sunglasses for everything from an official trip to Belize to a casual park outing with local mothers after debuting the shades at the 2018 Wimbledon championships.

Along with my personal favorite Ray-Bans, Amazon is also offering a deal on the Folding Wayfarers the Princess of Wales has worn numerous times. The clever style is hinged at the bridge to let them fold in half and the arms also fold up, allowing them to form a neat little bundle to pop in your purse or pocket.

If you're in the market for some royally-approved sunnies, these deals won't last for long. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days are October 6 and 7 this year, and at midnight on the 8th, the savings will be gone (until the next Prime Day, at least).

Carole Middleton has been a strong sense of support not only for her daughter, Princess Kate, but for Prince William, too. The 71-year-old mother of the future Queen has proven to be a trusted member in royal circles, and based on her affectionate outing with Queen Camilla and Princess Anne in March, she’s a true part of the family. It’s a stark contrast to the relationship Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, had with Queen Elizabeth, and royal author Ingrid Seward says there’s a key reason why.

In Seward’s new book, Catherine & Diana, the Majesty magazine editor-in-chief wrote that Middleton used a tactic that was very different from Princess Diana’s mother.

"Put simply, Carole used her head, not her heart, when dealing with the phenomenon of becoming mother-in-law to the Prince of Wales,” Seward explained.

"Carole's wiliness was in her silence—it's what has made a woman from truly humble beginnings such a successful royal mother-in-law,” the author added.

Frances Shand Kydd, on the other hand, was the “opposite” of Middleton, per Seward, and her public comments about Diana didn’t go over well with the late Queen. "The Queen liked Carole very much; she didn't like Frances,” Seward wrote.

Earlier this year, royal author and journalist Robert Jobson told Hello! that Carole’s discretion earned her a spot in the inner circle. “Trust is the thing with Carole,” Jobson said. “She has been inside this world since William and Catherine first got together, and nothing has ever come out: not a conversation, not a confidence, not a whisper.”

“The Middletons aren’t guests any more,” he added. “They stopped being guests a long time ago. They’re family.”

Princess Kate is known for her ability to make items of clothing sell out almost immediately whenever she wears them. But the "Kate effect" seriously worried one fashion designer, who couldn't believe what happened when the Princess of Wales wore their brand.

British designer Jade Holland Cooper, who runs Princess Kate-approved brand Holland Cooper, revealed what happened when the royal endorsed her label during an appearance on the "Olivia's House" podcast.

"The first time she wore it, it was just like amazing," Cooper explained (via People). "She's probably the only person globally you can't pay to wear something...so when she wears something, you know, she likes it, [and] she's picked it organically."

The designer continued, "I remember looking down at my phone, and I had like 200 missed calls, and I thought, 'Oh my god, someone's died! What's happening?'"

When Princess Kate wore two outfits from the designer on the same day in May 2021, Cooper was pretty overwhelmed.

"She wore our double-breasted blazer in the morning, and then she wore our trench coat on the red carpet in the evening, and it was just like this...supersonic day where the globe goes green, everyone's shopping all over the world," Cooper explained.

The designer continued, "You're on every press article, every news coverage, there's 500 million fan accounts, like, it's crazy."

As Cooper noted, "They call it the 'Kate effect' for a reason." Basically, the Princess of Wales can completely alter the trajectory of any brand, which is more than a little impressive.

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Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis might be members of the Royal Family, but their mother still has to nag them to remember one important task. Princess Kate was visiting with senior citizens in Pulborough, England, and when she boarded the West Sussex Minibus, she joked about forgetting her purse and telling her kids to buckle up.

After guiding 94-year-old Stella Drewett from her house to the bus, the Princess of Wales shared, "everyone always runs after me [shouting] ‘you forgot your handbag!'"

“I have to remind my children to put their seatbelts on too,” she added.

Prince William and Princess Kate drive their kids to school themselves each day (minus Prince George, who is now away at boarding school), so they’ve had plenty of experience with seatbelt reminders. Earlier this year, William spoke about their occasionally chaotic morning routine when he spoke to Britain’s Heart Radio.

“It depends if there’s a guitar lesson going on in the morning, a music lesson,” he shared. “You’ve got to get the guitar in the car? No, we’re not taking the guitar; we need the bag for school. Are we boarding? No, we're not. Are we seeing friends? No, we’re not. So there’s all that going on in the morning."

“There’s a lot of jam sandwiches taken in the car usually," Prince William admitted. "Louis will leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful."

During Kate's visit to Pulborough on Wednesday, she also visited a weekly lunch club for seniors, and she opened up about how she enjoys washing dishes, just like Queen Elizabeth used to do.

“I love washing up. I really do,” she told the group. When someone asked if the Prince of Wales also got involved with washing dishes, she shared that “he does the drying. We are a good double act,” adding that they also “get the children involved.”

After wearing a sleek white Dior suit to meet with Pope Leo earlier this week, Princess Charlene of Monaco opted to wear a similarly angelic outfit for another special occasion.

On September 30, Princess Charlene joined her husband, Prince Albert, for a reception celebrating the arrival of the 10,000th Monégasque citizen. The event took place at Monaco City Hall, where Charlene and Albert met baby Anna, whose birth took Monaco's citizenship to 10,000 individuals.

Charlene demonstrated the skills she's acquired as the mother of twins—11 year olds Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella—by holding Anna and effortlessly making the baby smile.

For the adorable occasion, Princess Charlene opted for a celestial white dress from Carolina Herrera. The Jacquard A-Line Midi Dress features a fitted bodice and a flared skirt with pockets, and retails for $1230.

The former Olympian accessorized the stunning dress with a pair of heels from a Princess Kate-approved designer. Charlene wore Jimmy Choo's Love 85 Slingback Pumps in Chai, which typically retail for $875.

The royal family's official Instagram account shared photos taken by Frédéric Nebinger, with the caption, "Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene attended, this Wednesday, September 30, the reception organized in honor of the 10,000th Monégasque, which was held at Monaco City Hall."

The caption continued, "This figure, highly symbolic, testifies to the remarkable evolution of the national community, which, despite the necessity of the territory, tripled in a few decades...The Monégasques have been thus, for several years, the first community of the Principality."

Finally, the caption revealed, "This reception took place in the presence of the family of the young Monégasque named Anna, born last June, whose birth allowed the Principality to reach this historic path."

Luckily, Princess Charlene had the ideal angelic dress on hand for such a special reception.

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Following Queen Elizabeth II's death on September 8, 2022, Prince William and Princess Kate started to take on an even more central role within the Royal Family. Now that King Charles is on the throne, William is the heir apparent and is likely preparing for his own reign. And according to a body language expert, Princess Kate is well equipped to become Queen, having learned one special skill from Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Body language expert Darren Stanton weighed in on the Princess of Wales's recent royal appearances, telling BetFair Casino, "With Kate, we've got somebody who comes across as incredibly internally confident."

Stanton continued, "She's very humble and respectful of other people, so she's extremely socially aware in her non-verbal communication, but she also has this quiet confidence in the way she carries herself."

Most importantly, Princess Kate appears to be following in Queen Elizabeth's footsteps in an important way.

As the body language expert noted, "Kate is developing a skill and ability that the late Queen had. She's an expert at showing people that, although she's a princess, she's also a human being who is genuinely interested in connecting with the people around her."

Stanton continued, "Whether that's through a conversation, a photograph or another interaction, she appears very comfortable making that connection, and I think that's becoming a real strength in her body language."

Analyzing Princess Kate's walk, Stanton suggested that she "has quite a big stride, almost like she's marching."

Alongside her confident stride, the body language expert said, "Unlike some public figures, who can display signs of nervousness in these situations, Kate appears very at ease. There's a natural sense of purpose in the way she moves and interacts with people."

Furthermore, Princess Kate appears to have "an unparalleled ability to build connections and establish rapport," according to Stanton.

"We also see a lot of mirroring, where she naturally adopts some of the other person's body language or gestures," the expert explained. "That's an important social behavior because it shows a desire to connect and establish deeper rapport."

Basically, it sounds as though Princess Kate is on her way to replicating some of the magic once exhibited by Queen Elizabeth II.

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Princess Kate was out and about for the second day in a row on Wednesday, September 30, and she surprised seniors in Pulborough, England who are taking part in activities to combat loneliness. Wearing her hair in a bouncy ponytail, the Princess of Wales joined in some lively conversations during a lunch club at the local village hall, and she even snagged a potato chip from them.

In a video shared by the Daily Mail’s Rebecca English on Instagram, Kate shares some laughs with a group of women at the lunch club, with one participant pointing out “it makes a lot of difference” to get out and see people. “You must all love coming together,” the princess said.

After laughing about having a few “crisps” or potato chips, the princess is seen popping one in her mouth later in the Reel.

For the outing, the Princess of Wales went for a monochrome look, wearing a new gray pussybow blouse by Reiss with matching gray trousers and a repeat Jigsaw coat. She accessorized with burgundy Gianvitto Rossi pumps, a matching Victoria Beckham belt and a new (but past-season) maroon Smythson bag, adding her Kiki McDonough hoops with dangling pearl charms by Annoushka.

During her day in Pulborough, Kate climbed aboard the West Sussex Minibus, a community-run transportation option for citizens who can’t otherwise get around. The service is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and along with taking a ride, the princess helped people from their homes onto the bus and met with volunteers who make sure that local residents can continue to participate in community life.

Per Kensington Palace, the Princess of Wales hopes to “underscore how a culture of care can be created anywhere, with small, everyday gestures helping to build stronger, more connected communities.”

Princess Kate has been a longtime fan of Aspinal of London’s classic British designs, but she’s not the only royal who loves the brand. Everyone from Queen Camilla to Zara Tindall has carried Aspinal’s luxurious handbags, and now Kate’s favorite design is offered in some rich new fall colors.

Titled "Crossing Paths," Aspinal’s fall/winter 2026 collection was designed to mark “the quiet connections that bring us together,” and there’s one style that the Princess of Wales has relied on time and time again.

Kate owns the brand’s celebrity-loved Midi Mayfair bag—carried by everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Selena Gomez—in black croc and a pale lilac. This season, fashion fans can grab it in fall colors ranging from chocolate croc to a deep evergreen that matches the blazer Princess Kate wore for her most recent appearance.

“The Mayfair Bag is the epitome of a classic top handle leather handbag—a style loved not only for its elegance, but also for its versatility,” Monica Marriott-Mills previously told Marie Claire.

“The bag is a trusted silhouette no matter what engagement she's attending,” Monica added, explaining that leaning on a familiar silhouette "is is also something we saw the late Queen do with Launer bags."

Along with her Midi Mayfair styles, Princess Kate also owns two Aspinal clutches, but with everything from equestrian-inspired hobos to sleek croc-print phone cases available this season, it wouldn't be surprising if she added to her collection.

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Prince William and Princess Kate’s last joint appearance was full of red carpet glamour, but the royals traded formal wear for business casual as they celebrated the healing power of sports and surprised a special friend on Tuesday, September 29.

The Princess of Wales recycled the green Ralph Lauren blazer she debuted at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in August, swapping out her summery striped top and white skirt for a more autumnal pair of black trousers and a simple black top.

Kate's double-breasted cashmere jacket is no longer available in the deep green color she owns, but the $2,490 style is available in navy, black or cream this season.

She kept the focus firmly on the event at hand, choosing old favorite accessories including classic black pumps and her Mappin & Webb Empress diamond drop earrings.

Along with visiting Headingley Rugby Stadium in Leeds, England, the Prince and Princess of Wales stopped by DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield for an important milestone. Former rugby player and coach Kevin Sinfield has been taking on running seven ultramarathons in seven days to raise awareness for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in honor of the late rugby player Rob Burrow, and the royals surprised him at the finish line as he completed day three.

On September 28, Princess Anne did the honors, greeting Sinfield as he finished his second ultramarathon. However, she joked that she’ll “stick to horses” when he asked her to join in him for a race.

Sinfield became emotional when addressing the crowd at the stadium, calling William and Kate’s support “incredible.”

“Prince William, Prince Catherine, you’ve been such big supporters of the work we’ve tried to do,” he said, per the Yorkshire Evening Post. “You’ve been such big supporters of Rob, Lindsey and the full Burrow family.”

“To have you here today is incredible and brings real credibility and awareness to the MND community,” he continued. “With that credibility, we can do even more.”

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Princess Lilibet now resides in the U.K., alongside her brother Prince Archie, and their parents, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. In an adorable photo shared on Duchess Meghan's Instagram account, it became apparent that Lilibet shares a sentimental hobby with her aunt, Princess Kate.

In a photograph shared in an Instagram montage, which paid tribute to Prince Harry on his birthday, Princess Lilibet could be seen using a Polaroid camera. In the sweet picture, the little royal snapped a photo of her dad while he was wearing a straw hat.

Although Lilibet's face was hidden in the photo, she appeared to be wearing a floral dress and her long red hair was worn down around her shoulders. Prince Harry seemed to be having fun, too, while striking a pose in his big hat.

Princess Kate is known to take a lot of photographs of her family, many of which have been shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales's official Instagram account.

In May 2020, the princess revealed that she had been spending her time teaching herself photography.

As Kate told This Morning (via Hello! magazine), "Well I am very much an amateur photographer. I've sort of learned along the way, but during this time I've spent lots of time picking up my camera and taking photographs of the children because they are always around us when we are doing stuff together, which has been great."

Princess Kate further explained, "One of the fantastic things about photography is really capturing that moment so it's not staged, it's not clearing your house so you have that perfect studio set up. It's really capturing those moments that feel real to you."

Clearly, Lilibet and Kate are both very creative and have a lot in common.

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As senior members of the Royal Family, both Queen Camilla and Princess Kate are required to attend important events throughout the year. One such event is the Order of the Garter service, which takes place annually at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. When the pair attended the service together in 2019, Camilla reportedly had to "step in" when Kate got "distracted."

On June 17, 2019, Queen Camilla and the Princess of Wales both supported their husbands at the Order of the Garter service, where they were joined by European royals including Queen Letizia of Spain and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands.

According to Hello! magazine, a small problem arose during 2019's Order of the Garter ceremony when Queen Máxima of Spain "proved a bit of a distraction for Kate."

Per the outlet, "The two ladies got caught up in their conversation and almost missed an important part of the procession."

The outlet revealed, "Camilla was there to step in, and tapped Máxima on the shoulder to remind the pair to face forwards as they parade passed by."

According to Hello! magazine, it was Queen Camilla's quick thinking that saved the day, as she was able to direct Kate and Máxima's attention back to the ceremony at hand.

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Prince William and Princess Kate first met when they both started attending the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001. After tying the knot in 2011, the pair went on to have three children together—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Reflecting on the start of the Prince and Princess of Wales's romance, one royal expert opened up about the "handsome boyfriend" Princess Kate had when she initially met William.

During a live episode of Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," royal expert and author Ingrid Seward shared, "[S]he and William were very good friends before they became lovers."

Seward continued, "She was, in a way, his sounding board. During, I think it was their first vacation from university, [William] drove to take Catherine out. He drove to her house in Bucklebury [in England] and he took her to the local pub, and they had a long, long chat."

Seward explained, "[T]hey were very good friends, and she listened to him and she advised him, and she said, 'Look, if you're not happy doing History of Art, you know, try to do something else. Do Geography or something,' which is what he did. She was such a good friend."

And according to Seward, William had some competition for Kate's affections.

"At the time [Kate] had a very handsome boyfriend," the royal expert shared. "So, it was very gradual, and I think that was what has really stuck them together. I think she just helped him hugely and, in turn, much later, he was able to help her."

Clearly, the couple's bond was undeniable.

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