While members of the royal family now always pack a smart black outfit whenever they travel, such an important protocol wasn’t always the case. Indeed, it is a measure that was only introduced when Queen Elizabeth found herself without the correct ensemble when news of her father King George VI’s unexpected death reached her during a visit to Kenya in 1952.
HELLO!‘s new special issue, Queen Elizabeth II: A Centenary Tribute, describes how the late monarch had travelled to Africa in place of her 56-year-old father, who had been in poor health for some time. King George VI was battling cancer and four months earlier had undergone an operation to remove part of his lung.
Still, it was a shock to the then-Princess, aged 25, to find out that she had said goodbye to him for the final time. She was staying at the rural Treetops Hotel near the town of Nyeri with her husband Prince Philip when her father died in his sleep in Sandringham.
However, news of the King’s death only reached the couple – who were parents to Prince Charles, three, and two-year-old Princess Anne – when they had moved to Sayana Lodge, beside Mount Kenya. The Prince, then 30, was told of the King’s death, and he passed the heartbreaking message on to his wife.
The Princess immediately prepared to return to the UK early, however, she realised that she had only packed light summer dresses for the trip and no black mourning outfit to wear. Indeed, it is customary for members of the royal family to wear only the dark shade from news of death until shortly after the funeral takes place – as was seen in the days after the Queen’s death at Balmoral almost four years ago.
The then-Princess Elizabeth only had light summer dresses with her in Kenya when she received news of her father’s death in 1952
Quick change
As such, when the young Queen’s plane landed back in London almost exactly 70 years before her own passing, a suitable ensemble was brought to her so that she could change on board before she disembarked. It is a misjudgement that forever reshaped royal protocol, and now all members of the family are certain to pack an appropriate outfit in their luggage just in case.
The new monarch waited to change into a black outfit before disembarking the plane at Heathrow
The Queen, who would officially accede to the throne at her Coronation in 1953, descended the aircraft steps at Heathrow Airport to be greeted by then-Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. She was dressed in a black coat with a matching black hat.
In 1992, the sartorial rule was honoured again when Princess Diana‘s father, Lord Spencer, died while she was away in the Alps skiing with then-husband Prince Charles. On their way back, the royal couple dressed in all-black attire.
HELLO!’s new keepsake special issue, celebrating the late Queen’s centenary, is on sale now
The new keepsake issue, Queen Elizabeth II: A Centenary Tribute, is available to buy now, online or on newsstands. The collector’s edition celebrates the late monarch’s remarkable reign with exclusive features and stunning imagery on what would have been her 100th birthday.
The former Prince Andrew was arrested and held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The arrest Thursday was an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once…
The Princess of Wales was out for Children’s Mental Health Week on Thursday
During her visit, the mother of three, who was wearing a brown trouser suit, met with children and spoke about the importance of expressing their emotions.
The royal donned the ‘Nya’ Penny Loafers by high street favourite Boden, in a striking chocolate brown. Priced at £119/ $190, they also come in navy blue, with a splash of pink and red!
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the the 2026 Sundance Film Festival on Saturday January 24, 2026, for the premiere of Cookie Queens, a documentary that Archewell Productions has executive-produced.
The couple leaned into Sundance’s trademark understated polish with coordinated, low-key looks that felt relaxed yet refined. Meghan opted for a sleek, all-black ensemble, pairing a minimalist knit top with tailored trousers and pointed heels, her hair worn long and glossy for a clean, modern finish. Harry kept things casual-cool in a quilted navy vest layered over a dark long-sleeve top, teamed with olive trousers and suede boots – practical, unfussy and perfectly in step with the festival’s laid-back energy.
The Duke and Duchess with Amy Redford at the premiere of “Cookie Queens” during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
The couple were photographed with Amy Redford, Robert Redford’s daughter, as well as Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, and filmmaker Alysa Nahmias.
The Duke and Duchess with Amy Redford, Eugene Hernandez and Alysa Nahmias
Cookie Queens, by director Alysa Nahmias, follows “Ara, Olive, Nikki, and Shannon Elizabeth: four Girl Scouts with big personalities and big ambitions. The mission? Cookie sales. But their entrepreneurial spirit hints at bright futures ahead – think future Supreme Court justices, CEOs, and beyond.”
Girl Scout’s sell cookies in the Mar Vista neighborhood in 2022
The film highlights the “real financial and time sacrifices” the girls and their families make to hit the goals, as they trade “laid-back weekends for hours outside, wagons full of cookies in tow.”
“As a former Girl Scout myself, with my mom as my troop leader, I have a personal affinity for this film and am proud that all our conversations and collaboration have led to Archewell Productions partnering with this award-winning team to executive produce this incredibly captivating documentary,” Meghan said in a statement in December when the news was announced.
“When we first viewed the early footage of this documentary, it was immediately something we wanted to be involved in. The creative point of view, the edgy yet humanizing tone and tenor of the directing, and the glimpse behind-the-scenes into such a nostalgic and also modern tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible.”
Queen Letizia of Spain‘s sense of style is defined by her love of a left-field silhouette, and her ability to make business attire look incredibly cool, as well as appropriately serious.
As she attended the official opening of the 46th International Tourism Trade Fair at Ifema on 22 January in Madrid, she proved once again that she can look stylish and professional at the same time, without compromising on either.
Queen Letizia of Spain and King Felipe VI of Spain at the official opening of the 46th International Tourism Trade Fair at Ifema on January 22, 2026 in Madrid
The 53-year-old opted for an all-black look, including a button-up shirt, a pair of pleated trousers with a wide-leg silhouette that looked like a slightly more formal take on balloon pants, rounding it all off with a simple belt to break the outfit in two.
Her husband, King Felipe, looked incredibly dapper in a similarly formal ensemble, opting for a grey pinstripe suit over a crisp white shirt and black tie. For an official outing like this, it makes sense for the Spanish royals to avoid donning anything too adventurous, but it’s no surprise to see Queen Letizia putting her own spin on business casual.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Queen Letizia of Spain’s Style Evolution
An expert’s take on Queen Letizia’s look
Queen Letizia certainly has her signature style, her blend of high-street and high-fashion, as well as her love for a slightly stranger silhouette, but this look is actually bang on-trend in the context of wider celebrity style.
We spoke to Orion Scott, HELLO! Fashion‘s Style Editor, who broke down the Spanish Queen’s outfit, and how it fits into the trend cycle. She explained: “Pleated suiting trousers are a hero piece for many fashion obsessives. Not only are they utterly comfortable, but they’re also easy to style up and down for all occasions.
“Letizia’s high-waisted options featured intricate pleat detailing around the waist, before falling into a wide leg silhouette – the perfect pairing to accentuate the waist, she continued. “In today’s world, notable names and stylish It-girls, including Hailey Bieber and Elsa Hosk, are leaning further away from slim-fitting trouser options, with oversized alternatives reigning supreme.”
Sharing her top tip for incorporating them into your own look, our fashion expert suggested that pleated trousers are “perfect for pairing with a kitten heel for an after-dark soirée, with loafers or ballet flats, for a more laid back look, or, with a heeled boot to add a few extra inches of height like Queen Letizia.”
LONDON — Elizabeth Hurley accused the publisher of the Daily Mail on Thursday of tapping her phones, putting microphones outside her windows and stealing her medical records among “other monstrous, staggering things” during testimony in a celebrity-studded privacy invasion lawsuit.
“The best way I can describe it is like there is someone peeping into your life and into your home,” the model and actor said. It “makes me feel as if my private life had been violated by violent intruders — that there had been sinister thieves in my home all along and that I had been living with them completely unaware.”
Hurley testified the day after Prince Harry choked up as he spoke of the emotional toll his battle against the British media had taken on him and his family. Harry showed up in the High Court on Thursday to show his support during much of Hurley’s testimony.
Harry, Hurley and Elton John are among a group of seven claimants who allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd. hired private investigators to unlawfully snoop on them over two decades.
The publisher denies the claims and has called them preposterous. It said that the articles were reported on with legitimate sources and many will be named by employees at the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday in the company’s defense during the nine-week trial in London’s High Court.
Hurley, who like the prince brought similar phone hacking lawsuits against the publishers of the Daily Mirror and The Sun, said that she was unaware of similar allegations against the Mail until she was told in 2020 that Gavin Burrows, a former private eye, purportedly said that he had stolen her information at the behest of the newspapers.
Burrows has since disavowed that sworn statement and said he never worked for the Mail.
Hurley claims 15 articles about her between 2002 and 2011 relied on unlawful information-gathering. Several were about the 2002 birth of her son, Damian, and the paternity fight with his father, the late film producer Steve Bing.
“The Mail’s unlawful acts against me involve landline tapping my phones and recording my live telephone conversations, placing surreptitious mics on my home windows, stealing my medical information when I was pregnant with Damian, and other monstrous, staggering things,” Hurley said.
She said she had hoped her son, now a model and actor himself who sat in the courtroom, would never see those articles.
“I felt really mortified that my son would be able to read all this stuff one day, and I feel really bad that that day is today when all this stuff is being regurgitated,” she said as she became upset when shown some of those articles in court. “Yet again, everyone’s privacy is being invaded in this terrible way, and I feel very helpless about that.”
LONDON — Prince Harry has arrived in a London court for the third and final chapter in his legal quest to tame the British tabloids.
Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, is the lead litigant in a case full of high-profile plaintiffs who accuse the publisher of the Daily Mail of invading their privacy by using unlawful information-gathering tactics to snoop on them for sensational headlines.
The seven plaintiffs, including Elton John and actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd. hired private investigators to bug their cars, gain access to their private records and eavesdrop on phone calls.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.
Millions of dollars are on the line as Prince Harry returns to court this week for the third and final chapter that starts Monday in his legal quest to tame the British tabloids.
The Duke of Sussex is the lead litigant in a case full of high-profile plaintiffs who accuse the publisher of the Daily Mail of invading their privacy by using unlawful information-gathering tactics to snoop on them for sensational headlines.
Harry, Elton John and actors Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost are among a group of seven who allege that Associated Newspapers Ltd. hired private investigators to bug their cars, view their private records and eavesdrop on phone calls.
The publisher has denied the allegations and called them preposterous.
The trial in London’s High Court is expected to last nine weeks and will see the return of Harry to the witness box for the second time since he made history in 2023 by becoming the first senior member of the royal family to testify in more than a century.
The case was one of many that has emerged from the widespread phone hacking scandal in which some journalists began intercepting voicemail messages around the turn of this century and continued for more than a decade.
Harry won a court judgment in 2023 that condemned the publishers of the Daily Mirror for “widespread and habitual” phone hacking. Last year, Rupert Murdoch’s flagship U.K. tabloid made an unprecedented apology for intruding on his life for years, and agreed to pay substantial damages to settle his privacy invasion lawsuit.
Harry’s self-proclaimed mission to reform the media is more personal and goes far beyond headlines that attempted to document his party boy youth and romance ups and downs.
He holds the press responsible for the death of his mother, Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in 1997 while being pursued by paparazzi in Paris. He also blames them for persistent attacks on his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, that led them to leave royal life and move to the United States in 2020.
The trial comes as Harry tries to repair a damaged relationship with his family since he moved to America and burned the bridge behind him by penning a scorching 2023 memoir, “Spare,” and airing other family grievances in a Netflix series.
Frosty relations with his father, King Charles III, appear to be thawing a bit after the two met for tea last fall when Harry was last in town.
But a reunion this time looks unlikely.
The start of the trial coincides with Charles’ trip to Scotland and Harry’s visit is expected to be limited to the opening of the trial and his early testimony.
The case against the Mail was filed in 2022 and has been the subject of several contentious hearings that have led to rulings that each side has claimed as victories.
Lawyers for Associated Newspapers had argued that the case should be thrown out because claims dating as far back as 1993 were brought too late. But in a ruling saying the cases have a “real prospect of succeeding,” Judge Matthew Nicklin said the papers had “not been able to deliver a ‘knockout blow’” to the claims.
In the same ruling, Nicklin handed a win to the Mail in saying Harry and the others could not use records that allegedly showed payments by the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday to private investigators because they had been disclosed in confidence to a government inquiry into phone hacking.
But Harry’s lawyers later got permission from U.K. government officials to use the documents.
A private investigator whose name is on a sworn statement supporting the claims of Harry and the celebrities has filed another statement denying he ever snooped on them.
During an early hearing in the case, attorney David Sherborne said his clients were not aware they were phone hacking victims until Gavin Burrows and other investigators came forward in 2021 to “do the right thing” and help those he targeted.
Burrows said he “must have done hundreds of jobs” for the Mail between 2000 and 2005, and that Harry, John and his husband, David Furnish, and Hurley and Frost were “just a small handful of my targets.”
But he has since signed another statement saying he had not been hired by Associated Newspapers to do any unlawful work.
It’s unclear what impact his conflicting statements will have on the case.
The other claimants are anti-racism activist Doreen Lawrence and former politician Simon Hughes.
When the trailblazing Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore announced her retirement in May last year, the reaction took her by surprise.
“I was overwhelmed by it all,” she says. “It really hit home, the impact that my career has had on other people, how other people got enjoyment, people I don’t even know. “I got a letter from a lady who said: ‘I was crying watching you win a race.’ It’s just so incredible to have had that effect.”
Her career is one for the history books. In 2021 Rachael became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, in the 173rd running of the race. She was also the leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival and won the BBC Sports Personality World Sport Star of the Year.
Today, she is talking to HELLO! during this exclusive shoot at Cheltenham Racecourse, the scene of so much of her success. In 2022, she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, riding A Plus Tard to become the first female jockey to win National Hunt racing’s blue riband. In 2024, the Queen called Rachael’s win aboard Captain Guinness in the Queen Mother Champion Chase “absolutely fantastic”.
Indeed, she is pictured here in the weighing room beneath her signatures, continuing a tradition unique to Cheltenham whereby the winner of each of the festival’s five championship races signs the wall (Rachael won six times).
Rachael is pictured here in the weighing room beneath her signatures, continuing a tradition unique to Cheltenham whereby the winner of each of the festival’s five championship races signs the wall
It’s clear that Rachael, 36, is still slightly in disbelief at the extent of her own success. She grew up on a farm in County Tipperary, Ireland, and says she can’t remember a time when she wasn’t surrounded by horses and animals. Still, she admits: “I never ever envisioned that I’d actually make a career out of being a jockey.”
She had long planned to balance being an amateur jockey with being a vet, gaining a degree in equine science at the same time as racing and “juggling both worlds”.
She rode her first winner in 2011 and turned professional four years later, when she graduated from college. “Academically, I was never going to cut the mustard,” she admits. “Thankfully for me, the racing picked up. I’d still be trying to get into veterinary college, to be honest.”
“I was overwhelmed by it all. It really hit home, the impact that my career has had on other people, how other people got enjoyment, people I don’t even know.”
When she was 28, she was introduced to the Irish trainer Henry de Bromhead. “That brought my career to a whole new level, because I was exposed to some of the best horses in training in Ireland.” Rachael rode Henry’s horses to victory at both Cheltenham and the Grand National.
Now, she’s able to appreciate her hard work and success. “Racing is always moving forward,” she says. “You win a Gold Cup and you go back next year to try to win it again. It’s very hard to let it sink in when you’re in that bubble, but now that I’m retired it’s not going anywhere. I feel so spoilt when I think about what my most special moments were, because I’ve just been so lucky.”
‘I was overwhelmed,’ Rachael, who was the first female jockey to win the Grand National, says of her decision to retire from racing
Despite her incredible achievements as a female jockey, she was always reluctant to be defined by her gender. After she won the Grand National, she said: “I just hope it shows it doesn’t matter, male or female.”
Today she’s happy to expand on that theme, saying: “I don’t think I’m uncomfortable with it – it’s just that when I was riding it’s not something I ever wanted to highlight, because I didn’t want to be treated any differently. I didn’t see any benefit for me as a jockey, drawing attention to that. I always deflected it, but I’m under no illusions how privileged I am to be the first woman to win these kinds of races.”
Royal racers
She won many fans, including members of the royal family. In 2022 the Duchess of Cornwall, as she was then, visited Henry’s yard in County Waterford and met Rachael and Honeysuckle, one of her most successful rides.
“That was a fantastic visit. [Queen Camilla is] just so passionate about horses. She really knows her horses and it’s fantastic to see. She had such admiration for meeting Honeysuckle and her achievements.”
“That was a fantastic visit” Rachael recalls. “She’s just so passionate about horses. She really knows her horses and it’s fantastic to see. She had such admiration for meeting Honeysuckle and her achievements.”
A particular highlight was sitting in the Royal Box at Wimbledon behind the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children to watch the men’s final in 2023. “She knew who I was and she congratulated me on the success I had. She’s a beautiful person inside and out.”
Does she think that Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte will follow the family’s passion for racing? “I have a feeling when they get into their teenage years, they’re going to want to [go],” she smiles. “Cheltenham is one of the best sporting occasions in Britain. I guarantee you, they’ll be racing in some shape or form when they’re older.”
In her new ambassadorial role as head of Ladies Day at the Cheltenham Festival in March, she will join Zara Tindall, a non‑executive director of the racecourse. “She’s great fun, really, really nice and obviously an extremely accomplished rider herself.”
Rachael and Zara together at Cheltenham after Rachael won on New Year’s Day 2024
Cheltenham is where Rachael made the decision to retire in 2025 after a tough start to the season – she had missed three months of racing after breaking a bone in her neck.
Leaving the course after the Festival last March “was the first time I thought finishing might be soon,” she says. “It just crept into my head.”
It wasn’t until May that she made her announcement. “To be honest, I didn’t speak to anyone about it, not a soul. I didn’t want anyone else to influence my decision. I didn’t want my parents watching a race, thinking: ‘Oh, this could be her last race.’ They’d be nervous watching.
“I feel like I need some therapy sessions to get to the root of it all, but it genuinely felt like the right time. As a jockey, to finish on your own terms is a big thing. Injury finishes so many people. I was lucky that I got to decide that’s it, but it’s still difficult, it’s still hard when your purpose and job is over. But I feel very grateful that I’ve still got lots of things going on.”
Wedding bells
The new year has brought another big day: her wedding to fellow jockey Brian Hayes.
Sharing the same career was, Rachael says, “very lucky – we live the same lives, which was a big help”. It’s why they chose a January wedding, “when there’s a few days of a bit of a lull” after a packed racing calendar over Christmas.
Rachael, who got married in January, says there were no prenuptial nerves. ‘Someone asked me, was I nervous?’ she says. ‘And I was like, no, I rode Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. This is not nervous’
The wedding, which took place in Ireland on 5 January, was “definitely on the smaller side” for an Irish wedding, she says – just “a party with family and friends”.
There were no prenuptial nerves. “Someone asked me, was I nervous? And I was like, no, I rode Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle. This is not nervous!”
Now, she’s looking forward to her role as the head of Ladies Day, which is being held again for the first time since 2019. “This year will be so different,” Rachael smiles. “I won’t be able to run into the weighing room and hide! It’s an honour to be back and to help Cheltenham improve the experience for ladies, because I’ve had such fantastic days there. It’s a magical place.”
The itinerary will include a panel hosted by the former Vogue model Rosie Tapner, during which Rachael will share insights and tips. There will also be live music and an after‑racing party.
Sartorial challenge
Cheltenham is known for its high fashion stakes, but Rachael is tight‑lipped about her own outfit plans. “Nothing can be revealed yet. Top secret. Not that much effort usually goes into thinking about what I wear, but I’ve already started thinking I need to have my outfits in order.”
The new ambassador for Cheltenham Ladies Day is tight‑lipped about her own outfit plans. ‘Nothing can be revealed yet. Top secret. Not that much effort usually goes into thinking about what I wear, but I’ve already started thinking I need to have my outfits in order’
Will she miss being out on the course? “I miss the feeling when you win a race,” she says. “That feeling will never come to me again. I miss the competitiveness of it. But I feel so lucky that I’m still getting lots of opportunities on the back of the career I had as a jockey and I’m excited to see where some of those can lead.”
Rachael Blackmore is Head of Ladies Day at Cheltenham Racecourse. Ladies Day takes place on Wednesday 11th March 2026. Tickets are available now.
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The Prince of Wales has been “barred” from riding his e-scooter on the grounds of the Windsor Home Park estate, according to new reports. According to The Standard, the 4,800-acre Windsor Great Park, where the Waleses’ Forest Lodge home is situated, does not allow motorised transport for safety reasons and traffic management.
Prince William, 43, has previously been spotted riding an e-scooter on the grounds of Windsor Castle and even rode it while appearing in an episode of Eugene Levy’s Apple+ TV seriesThe Reluctant Traveler last October.
William will no longer be allowed to ride his e-scooter around the Windsor Home Park estate
E-scooter ban at Windsor Home Park
However, he will no longer be permitted to ride his scooter on the estate as strict park rules now state: “Aside from cyclists, the roads are reserved for residents and Estate workers.
“All other forms of motorised transport are not permitted within Windsor Great Park. Examples include: E-scooters, Hoverboards, One-wheels.”
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E-scooters have become increasingly popular in recent years for convenient, quick, and cheap urban travel, earning the ‘E’ in their name for their eco-friendliness, owing to the fact that they emit zero direct CO2.
E-scooters have become popular in the UK in recent years
Prince William was certainly a fan, telling Schitts Creek star Eugene: “It gets around quite nicely around here, it’s quite fun”, adding: “We come and use the castle for work and for meetings, and to see people. I’m always late, so I thought this was the way to keep my meetings on time.”
“The Prince and Princess of Wales clearly love living in Windsor, the children are settled at Lambrook School nearby, and they will still be close to Windsor Castle for royal functions and engagements,” Danielle Stacey, HELLO!‘s Online Royal Correspondent, said previously of the Wales family’s move. “Upsizing to Forest Lodge allows the family more space and has already been viewed as their ‘forever home,’ rather than having the children growing up within the walls of a palace.”
The Duke of Sussex is imminently expected to travel to the UK for his trial against Associated Newspapers Limited – but every time he returns to the UK he faces uncertainty over whether he will receive paid security. Over on The HELLO! Royal Club, author Robert Jobson makes a compelling case for granting Harry automatic paid protection on these occasions, no questions asked. Click the button below to read Robert’s arguments (you will need to sign up to the club if you aren’t already a member), and then let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Their move also created a fresh start for William and Kate and their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, after the Princess of Wales underwent preventative treatment for cancer in 2024.
LISTEN: How the Princess of Wales marked her 44th birthday
Here, they endeavour to raise their family in private as much as possible, including by avoiding live-in staff. Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told us: “William and Kate have never wanted live-in staff; I think that’s the modern way. Since William was a little boy, he’s seen all the staff at the late Queen’s homes, and he never wanted that. It’s not something Kate grew up with either.”
King Charles was all smiles on Sunday, 4 January 2026, as he stepped out to attend a church service with Queen Camilla at Sandringham. The monarch, 77, donned a smart brown coat to brave the winter chill in Norfolk, where temperatures have dropped to -1 degree Celsius this weekend. Despite the cold, the King appeared in high spirits, pausing for an extra minute to share a laugh with Revd Canon Dr Paul Williams, a familiar face to the monarch during his winter stays at Sandringham.
Queen Camilla, 78, looked effortlessly chic for the occasion, accompanying her husband in a cream coat dress, suede knee-high boots, and a fur-trim hat. The outing marks their first of 2026 and is the first time they have been spotted in public since attending the same St Mary Magdalene church for the annual Christmas Day service and walkabout.
Sources who witnessed the walkabout told HELLO! that Charlotte happily smiled and posed for selfies with the crowds who had gathered to celebrate Christmas Day with the royals. “She is such a little star,” they said.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Prince George wishes crowds a merry Christmas as he joins royals at Christmas Day church service
The Christmas celebrations are over for 2025, and King Charles looks to the year ahead. To see all the best photos from his first outing of 2026, keep scrolling.
Upon arrival, King Charles led the way, greeting Revd Canon Dr Paul Williams with a warm handshake. It was a beautiful day in Norfolk, with the winter sun beaming down.
Queen Camilla showed that she’s taking positive energy into the coming year as she stepped out and smiled brightly at onlookers. Her off-white coat dress was perfect for the occasion as it seemed to be made from wool, a fabric which contains crimped fibres that trap air and keep body heat in. The shining star of her look was a quilted Chanel flag bag.
It seemed word travelled fast that the King would be attending church on Sunday. Locals gathered to get a quick glimpse of the monarch before he headed inside, with one lady taking out her phone to capture the moment on camera.
We’d love to know what was said between King Charles and the well-wishers as he seemed to be quite amused by the interaction as he looked over his shoulder and laughed.
The topic came up during a wider conversation about women, violence and misogyny on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning, recorded in the Garden Room at Clarence House last month.
Queen Camilla was talking to former Prime Minister Teresa May, alongside BBC racing commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy, whose family were murdered at their home.
Reflecting on her own attack, Her Majesty explained that she had “sort of forgotten” about her ordeal but was encouraged to speak up after hearing about what Mr Hunt and his eldest daughter Amy went through.
“I remember something that had been lurking in the back of my brain for a very long time,” the Queen said. “That, when I was a teenager, I was attacked on a train… I remember at the time being so angry.”
Giving further details of the harrowing event, Queen Camilla continued that the perpetrator was “someone I didn’t know,” explaining: “I was reading my book, and this boy, man, attacked me, and I did fight back.
Queen Camilla recalled the ordeal she went through as a teenager
“I remember getting off the train and my mother looking at me and saying, ‘Why is your hair standing on end?’, and ‘Why is a button missing from your coat?’
“I remember anger, and I was so furious about it, and it’s sort of lurked for many years. And I think, when all the subject about domestic abuse came up, and suddenly you hear a story like John and Amy’s, it’s something that I feel very strongly about.”
What happened to John and Amy Hunt?
The family of John and Amy – Louise Hunt, 25, her sister Hannah Hunt, 28, and their mother Carol Hunt, 61 – were killed by Kyle Clifford, 27 – Louise’s ex-partner – in a quiet cul-de-sac in Bushey, Hertfordshire, on July 9 last year.
John Hunt with his wife, Carol
John and Amy have since launched The Hunt Family Fund and held a gala in early December to launch the initiative. Discussing their bravery, Queen Camilla praised: “I’d just like to say, wherever your family is now, they’d be so proud of you both.
“And they must be from above smiling down on you and thinking, my goodness me, what a wonderful, wonderful father, husband, sister. They’d just be so proud of you both.”
Royals speaking out
While this is the first time Her Majesty has spoken at length about her own assault publicly, the Queen has worked to highlight organisations supporting victims of rape and sexual assault for over ten years, undertaking several visits to learn more about the issues, meet survivors, and highlight the invaluable contribution made by the people and organisations working in this area.
Queen Camilla has been an advocate for domestic violence charities for decades
In 2014, Her Majesty met actress Angelina Jolie to discuss her work on ending sexual violence in conflict, while during a tour of the Balkans in 2016, The Queen spoke to women who were raped during the Kosovan conflict, and who shared their harrowing stories.
More recently, in November 2022, the Queen hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace bringing together individuals and organisations who are working in the Violence Against Women space, during which she gave a speech taking of the growing issue of violence against women globally, and the hope which many of those attending offered survivors and future generations of women and girls.
Her work in the space was highlighted in a 2024 ITV documentary, Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors, which showed Camilla’s efforts to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence.
LISTEN: To the latest episode of HELLO!’s Right Royal Podcast
The 10-year-old princess was seen exiting St Mary Magdalene church on the royal Norfolk estate, wearing a new bespoke Catherine Walker coat dress in an oatmeal hue. The outerwear, which was made by her mother’s go-to British coat designer, featured a chocolate brown velvet collar to match the pockets, buttons, and cuffs in the same hue.
Princess Charlotte wore a Catherine Walker coat dress
Charlotte, who was seen walking with her father, Prince William, also wore the ‘Cap-Toe Ballet in Dark Cocoa’ by Tory Burch, as identified by Royal British Fashion on Instagram, and a pair of chocolate brown tights to match. Rounding off the look was an oversized bow in the princess’ hair.
Kate Middleton wore a similar look after officially launching the new RNLI’s lifeboat ‘Hereford Endeavour’ at Trearddur Bay, Anglesey
The look may feel familiar to long-time fans of the British royal family, as it felt reminiscent of one worn by her mother, the Princess of Wales, over 14 years ago. On 24 February 2011, Kate Middleton (as she was known until her royal wedding on 29 April 2011) was seen in Trearddur Bay in Anglesey, where she and William attended the dedication of a new RNLI lifeboat during Kate’s first official engagement in Wales.
Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Princess Charlotte’s response to dad William as he calls her away from the crowds on Christmas Day 2025
For this outing, Kate wore a neutral wool coat dress by Katherine Hooker with a dark brown collar, cuffs, and pockets just like Charlotte’s. The soon-to-be royal bride also wore brown tights and slipped a deep red dress under her coat – just like Charlotte did on Christmas Day this year.
Kate and Charlotte’s lookalike moment
Though one was in February and one was in December, both Kate and Charlotte’s winter outfits prove the timeless appeal of a winter coat and brown tights. Brown is a hugely popular colour this season as it is a softer alternative to black that still looks put together.
Spot how Princess Charlotte wore a red dress like her mum did 14 years ago
Meanwhile, the wool used in both coats will always be a hit in the winter months as the fabric’s crimped fibres trap air, which keeps body heat in, a top priority for an outside engagement.
Oriona Robb, a luxury stylist with more than 20 years in the fashion industry, exclusively shared her tips with us for replicating the look if you are a mother with a young daughter.
The Princess of Wales wore a black hair bow to the Christmas lunch
“Choose bows that feel slightly oversized and tactile rather than tiny or rigid, as they photograph beautifully.
Keep hair styling relaxed; a simple half-up look with gentle waves feels polished without looking theatrical.
Remember, the goal is to make the bow a sweet finishing detail, not a costume, allowing children to move comfortably while still looking charmingly coordinated.”
Princess Anne proved once again that timeless style never dates as she stepped out for the annual Christmas Day walkabout at Sandringham wearing a familiar statement piece from her wardrobe.
The Princess Royal rewore a vintage red coat first seen back in May 1997, and again on Christmas Day 2000, delighting royal watchers with the striking throwback moment.
Princess Anne wore the vintage piece to attend the Christmas Day walkabout
As the Royal Family greeted well-wishers following the traditional Christmas Day church service, Anne stood out in her bold coat, which matched with the King’s wife, Queen Camilla. She was also joined by her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, her daughter Zara Tindall, and several other senior members of the royal family.
The vibrant red hue, structured tailoring and classic silhouette gave Anne’s look an unmistakably regal feel, while also serving as a reminder of the Princess’s long-held sustainable approach to fashion.
The coat, which Anne first wore almost three decades ago, was paired with navy boots and a brown fur hat – accessories that felt both festive and practical, and perfectly suited to the chilly Norfolk weather.
Princess Anne has long been admired for her sustainable approach to dressing, frequently re-wearing outfits from across the decades. Unlike trend-driven royal style moments, her wardrobe choices prioritise longevity and craftsmanship, often bringing archival pieces back into rotation.
The King’s sister was matching with Queen Camilla, who was also in red
Royal fans were quick to praise the look, with many noting how effortlessly the coat still works today. In an era when vintage fashion and re-wearing have become increasingly celebrated, Anne’s appearance felt especially relevant.
Sophie has been pictured wearing the belted wool camel coat on multiple occasions, and for Christmas Day this year Louise styled it with her mum’s Jane Taylor Millinery fascinator, a striped scarf, Laurence Coste earrings, a black tote bag by Studio Perera, and a pair of LK Bennet shoes she’s also worn previously.
Lady Louise Windsor attended the Christmas Morning Service at St Mary Magdalene Church
Princess Anne most memorably wore her striking red coat back in 1997, before making a festive appearance on Christmas Day 2000 where it quickly became one of her most recognisable holiday looks. But she’s stepped out in the exact same piece as recently as March 2025.
She’s also frequently worn very similar styles, including a longline red coat to attend a conference for the British Nutrition Foundation in London in November.
LONDON — LONDON (AP) — King Charles III led his family to church on foot Thursday, hours before his annual Christmas Day speech to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth was expected to focus on the theme of pilgrimage.
Charles and Queen Camilla, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, and their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, and extended family walked to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the king’s private Sandringham Estate.
The location is about 100 miles north of London, where Charles recorded the address from Westminster Abbey, the landmark known for the lavish coronations and royal weddings it has hosted for more than 1,000 years.
The abbey is also the focus of an annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Edward the Confessor, which lies at the heart of the church. Edward, a monk-like monarch, was canonized as a saint in 1161.
The monarch’s annual holiday message is watched by millions of people in the U.K. and across the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations, most of which have historic ties to Britain. The prerecorded speech is broadcast at 3 p.m., when many families are enjoying their traditional Christmas lunch.
The speech is one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, is able to voice his own views and doesn’t seek guidance from the government. It usually has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues and sometimes draws on the monarch’s personal experiences.
This year’s address comes just two weeks after Charles made a deeply personal television appearance in which he said “good news” from his doctors meant that he would be able to reduce his treatment for cancer in the new year.
The king was diagnosed with a still undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace says his treatment is now moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.
Charles recorded last year’s speech at Fitzrovia Chapel, which was once part of the now demolished Middlesex Hospital. During that address, he honored care workers around the country and gave a special thanks to the doctors and nurses who supported him after his cancer diagnosis.
This year’s Christmas speech will be the fourth since Charles ascended to the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died in September 2022.
James Middleton has hinted that he and wife Alizee may have plans to expand their family further. The Princess of Wales’ younger brother is already raising son Inigo, two, with his other half, whom he married in 2021.
James, 38, exclusively told HELLO! that the couple would welcome “the pitter-patter of two or four feet” – meaning a new child or dog in their family, although there is nothing to announce as of yet. In addition to their little boy, the couple currently have six dogs.
He met Alizee, 36, a French-born financial analyst by chance at a London private member’s club in 2018. “If that moment hadn’t been seized, I wouldn’t have met my wife, I wouldn’t have my beautiful son,” he said.
Their son is being raised bilingual. James explained: “Alizee only speaks to him in French and I only speak to him in English, so he’s in that sort of Duolingo aspect of [being] slightly slower in speaking, but sentences will be half-French, half-English. It’s wonderful to watch.”
“I think we’re really fortunate to be a very close family, and so we get together as a family relatively regularly, and love that opportunity,” said James. “There’s seven grandchildren, so six cousins for him, and it’s wonderful them spending time together and making memories.”
James hinted that him and his wife may grow their family in the future
Of how his sisters are supporting him with parenting, he revealed: “It’s the confidence [they give me]. You’re always on edge with being a parent, particularly this time of year with coughs and colds and sniffles going around the place. They’re definitely at the end of the phone if we need a bit of advice.”
In September, James shared a glimpse of a very blonde Inigo on his second birthday. He posted to Instagram a picture of the youngster hugging one of their many dogs, which he captioned: “Happy Birthday Inigo. We love you as much as you love Mabel….and that is a lot.”
They share a son Inigo who turned two in September
Reflecting on fatherhood in a previous interview with HELLO!, James said: “No matter how much people say to you about how wonderful it is, or how it will change your life, nothing can ever prepare you for that experience of seeing a little baby that’s yours arrive. It unlocks something in your heart that you didn’t know was there.”
Pick up the latest issue of HELLO! to read the full interview. You can subscribe to HELLO! to get the magazine delivered free to your door every week or purchase the digital edition online via our Apple or Google apps.
The U.S. Justice Department has released tens of thousands more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a tranche that included multiple mentions of President Donald Trump but added little new revelatory information to the long-anticipated public file on the disgraced late…
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By LINDSAY WHITEHURST and SEUNG MIN KIM – Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. — President Donald Trump’s administration has delayed a decision on whether to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies indefinitely despite years of warnings from conservationists that populations are shrinking.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced during the waning days of then-President Joe Biden’s term in December 2024 that the agency planned to add the beloved backyard pollinator to the threatened species list by the end of 2025, calling the insect “iconic” and “cherished across North America.”
But the Trump administration quietly listed the effort as a “long-term action” in a September report on the status of federal regulatory initiatives from the Office of Management and Budget. The designation does not mean the administration has blocked the fish and wildlife service from making the decision, only that it will not come within the year that began in September.
“The administration remains committed to a regulatory approach that is transparent, predictable and grounded in sound science,” an agency spokesperson wrote in an email to The Associated Press on Friday. “Any listing must follow the (Endangered Species Act’s) statutory requirement that determinations be based on the best scientific and commercial data available. At the same time, the administration continues to emphasize voluntary, locally driven conservation as a proven tool for supporting species and reducing the need for additional federal regulation.”
No one at the agency immediately returned follow-up emails inquiring about the specific rationale for the delay. The first Trump administration named the monarch a candidate for listing in December 2020. His second administration has made oil and gas production a centerpiece and has been working to strip away environmental regulations that impede development.
His administration moved in November to roll back blanket protections for threatened animals and plants, requiring government agencies to instead craft species-specific rules, a potentially lengthy process. Other proposals call for bypassing species protections for logging in national forests and on public lands.
The Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups started pushing for federal protections for the butterfly in 2014, petitioning the fish and wildlife service to list the insect. The center sued in 2022 to force the agency to make a listing decision.
Tierra Curry, the center’s endangered species co-director, said Friday that she’s not surprised the Trump administration has delayed the decision. She said it can take more than a decade to get a species listed. For example, she said, the Miami Blue Butterfly was finally listed as endangered in 2012 after waiting on the candidate list since 1984. The Dakota Skipper butterfly became a candidate in 1984 but was not listed as threatened until 2014, she added.
The long-term action designation doesn’t mean the end for monarch protections but it does place them in “bureaucratic limbo,” she said.
“It’s absolutely disappointing because monarchs need all the help they can get,” Curry said.
Monarchs are found across North America. Known for their distinctive orange-and-black wings, they’re a symbol of sunny summer days.
But environmentalists have warned that monarch populations are shrinking due to climate change and rural development. Fish and wildlife service experts said when they announced in December 2024 that they planned to list the butterfly that monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains face a 57% to 74% probability of extinction by 2080. Monarchs west of the Rockies have a 95% chance of becoming extinct by then.
The monarch listing proposal would generally prohibit people from killing or transporting the butterfly. People and farmers could continue to remove milkweed, a key food source for monarch caterpillars, from their gardens, backyards and fields but would be barred from making changes that would make the land permanently unusable for the species.
People could continue to transport fewer than 250 monarchs and could continue to use them for educational purposes.
The proposal also would designate as critical habitat 4,395 acres (1,779 hectares) in seven coastal California counties where monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains migrate for winter. The designation would prohibit federal agencies from destroying or modifying that habitat. The designation doesn’t prohibit all development, but landowners who need a federal license or permit for a project would have to work with the wildlife service to mitigate damage.
LONDON — King Charles III will speak about his cancer diagnosis and recovery during a TV broadcast on Friday as the monarch continues to use his personal story to encourage others to get the early screening that can boost their chances of survival.
The recorded message will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on Britain’s Channel 4, giving Charles the opportunity to reflect on his experiences in the 22 months since he announced he would undergo treatment for an undisclosed type of cancer.
Charles’ decision to disclose his diagnosis was a departure for Britain’s royals, who have traditionally considered their health to be a personal matter and shared few details with the public.
“His majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer,” Buckingham Palace said at the time.
Since then, Charles has used his own story to highlight the need for early diagnosis and treatment. Cancer Research UK recorded a 33% increase in visits to its website in the weeks after the king’s diagnosis, as people sought information about the signs of cancer.
While the palace hasn’t specified what type of cancer the king has, officials said the cancer was discovered after treatment for an enlarged prostate revealed “a separate issue of concern.”
The monarch suspended public engagements for about two months after his diagnosis so he could focus on his treatment and recovery. But he continued with state business and retained his constitutional role as head of state.
Charles returned to public facing events in April of last year with a visit to a cancer treatment center at University College Hospital in central London, where he met with staff and shared stories with fellow cancer patients.
“It’s always a bit of a shock, isn’t it, when they tell you,” he said, sympathizing with one patient as chemotherapy drugs dripped into her arm.
LYNGBY, Denmark (AP) — It was a wedding that captivated the world — in 1981, Lady Diana Spencer said “I will” to Prince Charles, becoming Princess of Wales and bringing youth and glamour to Britain’s royal family.
More than 40 years after the wedding and many years after the marriage fell apart, royal fans had the chance to buy a rare part of that historic day — or perhaps a sip of it — during an auction Thursday. But the exclusive magnum of Dom Pérignon Vintage 1961 champagne was ultimately not sold because the bids were not high enough.
The champagne, specially produced for the occasion, was expected to fetch up to 600,000 Danish kroner (around 81,000 euros or $93,000) when it went under the hammer Thursday at Bruun Rasmussen’s auction house in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen.
“The bids did not reach the desired minimum price, and therefore it was unfortunately not sold,” auction house spokesperson Kirstine Dam Frihed said in an email Thursday. “We had of course hoped that it would sell at the estimated value, especially considering the great public interest it received.”
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, married Lady Diana Spencer in London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981. The ceremony was followed by a lavish reception at Buckingham Palace.
Charles and Diana separated in 1992 and divorced in 1996. A year later, she and companion Dodi Fayed died in a high-speed car crash in Paris.
The champagne was a limited-edition wedding release, created to celebrate the union.
A unique label reads: “Specially shipped to honor the marriage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. 29 July 1981.”
“It’s really, really rare and a bottle with that royal provenance,” Thomas Rosendahl, head of the auction house’s wine department, said in a recent interview with The Associated Press ahead of the auction.
Rosendahl said only 12 were made and were intended to be opened on the day. It’s not known what happened to the others, perhaps gifted to guests.
“It was a celebration from Dom Pérignon to the wedding,” Rosendahl said.
“They also got … normal bottles that were served at the wedding, but these bottles were just forgotten or kept away.”
Little was revealed about the seller. Rosendahl only said that it’s a Danish collector who previously purchased the bottle from a London wine merchant.
Rosendahl said that he’s been contacted by “a lot of wine collectors” asking about the magnum, its provenance, and how it was stored. And tests suggest it’s still drinkable.
Henrik Smidt, who is the fine wine manager at Danish wine merchant Kjaer and Sommerfeldt in Copenhagen, said beforehand that he expected the magnum to achieve a high price.
“You have the combination of one of the most famous weddings ever, Lady Diana and Prince Charles. A Dom Pérignon, one of the most famous brands in the world from a very rare vintage,” Smidt said. “All wine connoisseurs, all wine collectors would love to have Dom Pérignon in their cellar.”
“My guess is that it will not be a wine connoisseur who will buy this bottle of wine, more likely a collector of royal artifacts or even potentially a museum,” he said.
The relationship between King Charles and his youngest son, Prince Harry, has been strained in recent years, but the monarch has a touching image of his daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, on display at his London home.
The Queen invited children, supported by the organisations Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House on Thursday, and the framed photograph could be seen on a table in the background.
The black and white shot shows the then Prince Charles arm-in-arm with blushing bride Meghan on her wedding day to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on 19 May 2018.
When Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, was unable to attend his daughter’s nuptials after suffering a heart attack, Charles stepped in to accompany his daughter-in-law halfway down the aisle.
WATCH: Meghan Markle kisses King Charles in sweet behind-the-scenes wedding moment
While it hasn’t always been visible, reports that the photograph was included among the personal ones on display first surfaced in 2020.
A frame inside Clarence House featured a picture of Charles and Meghan on her wedding day to Prince Harry
The snap of Charles and Meghan is placed next to an official portrait taken at Prince Louis‘s christening the same year, with the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posing with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and a baby Prince Louis, as well as Charles and Camilla, and Harry and Meghan.
Paying tribute to his father in the 2017 BBC documentary, Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, Harry spoke about the moment he asked Charles to walk his future wife down the aisle: “I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming, and he immediately said ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’. For him that’s a fantastic opportunity to step up and be that support, and you know he’s our father so of course he’s going to be there for us.”
The Sussexes also spoke about Charles’s role at their wedding in their Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, released in 2022, which documented their departure from the royal family in 2020.
“My father helped us choose an orchestra, which made all the difference,” Harry explained alongside clips of the orchestra serenading Meghan as she walked down the aisle.
Meghan added: “Harry’s dad is very charming and I said to him ‘I’ve lost my dad in this,’ so him as my father-in-law is very important to me.”
The King and Prince Harry were reunited for the first time in 19 months during a 55-minute meeting at Clarence House when the Duke returned to the UK in September.
© SSPL via Getty Images
