Prince Harry is celebrating his 42nd birthday on September 15, but when it comes to a family party, don’t expect Prince William to be there. The brothers remain estranged, and as multiple experts recently told People magazine, that is unlikely to change anytime in the near future.

“It is keep calm and carry on,” royal author Simon Vigar shared when discussing William and Kate’s view on the Sussexes. “They see it as a sideshow and ancient history.”

Although the Duke of Sussex has publicly stated that he’d love to reconcile with his family, a palace source told the magazine that the Prince and Princess of Wales aren’t budging right now. “It was very hard on them, and I wouldn’t blame William for being cautious,” the insider said of their estrangement.

But Russell Myers, royal editor of the Daily Mirror and author of William and Catherine, drew a firmer line. “William’s view is clear—any relationship his father has with Harry or the Sussexes as a family is entirely up to him,” he shared. “But looking toward the future, he will have no relationship with them, in a working or private capacity whatsoever.”

However, he noted that as the future King, the Prince of Wales will have an expectation to interact with his brother in some capacity, especially now that they’re living in England again.

“William and Catherine can maintain that their focus has to be about them and their family, but there will be pressure on them about how they interact with Harry and Meghan and their family in the future,” Myers added.

Family events like Christmas at Sandringham could prove to be a sticky situation if King Charles invites the Sussex family to attend, making it difficult for William to fully avoid his brother. As royal historian Amanda Foreman noted, “At the moment, it has gone from being a hot war to a very, very cold war. But in a cold war situation, you still have to turn up to the Olympics.”

Now that Prince George has officially started attending Eton College, royal fans are wondering where his siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will go to school. And according to one royal expert, Princess Kate and Prince William have used a fairly foolproof method to decide where each of their kids will be educated.

During an appearance on Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," the publication's royal editor, Emily Nash, weighed in on the Prince and Princess of Wales's schooling decisions.

"I think what William and Catherine have done is they've chosen the school that is right for [Prince George], and they'll choose the school that's right for each individual child," Nash shared. "This is not like a one size fits all, is it?"

Nash continued, "They know better than anyone else what [Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis's] personalities are like, what their interests are like, which sports are best provided for at which school. And we know they've done so much research."

As for Kate and William's decision to send Prince George to Eton College—his father's alma mater—Nash explained, "It really does show that George is a smart kid because I don't think you get into Eton anymore just off the back of who your parents are."

The royal expert said, "I genuinely don't think that in this day and age, they could put someone into Eton and get them through in the way that may have happened in previous generations."

Prince George's mom, Princess Kate, has always prioritized education in her work and charitable endeavors, so she was especially well-placed to weigh in on the royal children's futures.

"Catherine is on it in terms of [George's] education," Nash noted. "I don't think they would put him in a place where he would feel he wasn't able to keep up."

Currently, where Louis and Charlotte will attend high school remains unclear.

Now that Prince George has started his first year at Eton College, life for Prince William and Princess Kate looks a bit different. George, 13, is boarding full-time at Eton, leaving an empty seat at the table in his Forest Lodge home. While Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are still attending nearby Lambrook School in Berkshire, George now has a taste of independence, just like his father had at Eton—and the future King just might take part in one tradition Prince William had with his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

The late Queen would often invite William to Windsor Castle when he was a student at Eton College, since the boarding school is located just a stone’s throw away from Windsor. The Prince of Wales has shared fond memories of those times with his grandmother, and King Charles’s former butler, Grant Harrold, says that Prince George could now step into the same routine.

Speaking to Select Car Leasing, Harrold says that The King is a “caring” grandfather and will want to give George the best possible preparation for when he steps into his royal future.

“I imagine the King will possibly try to recreate the afternoon tea routine that his mother and son shared with his grandson,” Harrold shares. “Whenever he is in Windsor, I imagine he will make an effort to see George. He will want to know how he’s getting on at school, and also to start preparing him for the future.”

Harrold adds that The King, who was sent off to boarding school in Scotland as a child, is in a unique position to give advice to Prince George.

“He understands better than anyone the challenges George will face as the future King going through the difficult teenage years,” Harrold says. “He’s a very caring man and he loves his family dearly, so he will want to help his grandson in any way he can—even if that’s just being an understanding ear.”

Another benefit of going to Eton is the close proximity to the Wales family's home, Forest Lodge, which is just about 15 minutes away from the historic boarding school.

“William and Kate are very family-orientated and they would want their children to be close to them,” Harrold notes. “I don’t think they would have wanted George to go to a boarding school at the other end of the country, which is of course what Prince Philip did with King Charles.”

Prince William and Princess Kate are just trying to live a nice, quiet life in the countryside. Splitting their time between Forest Lodge in Windsor and Anmer Hall in Norfolk, their days are spent balancing school runs and sports with royal duties. They like to avoid drama and headlines, focusing on their work and their family life. In the midst of their peaceful existence, the news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are moving back to the United Kingdom surely shook things up.

“It was a shock to William and Kate,” a source close to the couple revealed to Us. “They’re still processing it, but their initial surprise has evolved.” While many are hoping that their new close proximity might spark some healing conversations between the two royal brothers, the source cautions that nothing is likely to change right away. “They’re taking a wait-and-see approach.”

“No one’s booking a table for two for William and Harry,” the source joked. Plenty would be happy to see Prince William and Prince Harry reunited, bonding again as brothers, but the rift between them is bigger than ever. “Everyone wants a reunion story, but it’s not something that’s in the cards,” the source said. “If fences do get mended, it will be a slow and private process, and on William’s terms.”

King Charles is reportedly “pleased” that his younger grandchildren now live nearby and “hopes for closer ties to his son.” The source stresses that the King “remains cautious about managing expectations” as everyone gets used to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s big change. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are likely more focused on such a big move, settling their children into their new life in the United Kingdom. Several sources suggest the Sussex family have settled in the idyllic Cotswolds, with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet starting at a nearby private school.

It's been a week of milestones for Prince William, who dropped Prince George off at Eton College for his first day of boarding school on September 8 before stepping into a more somber role. The Prince of Wales represented his father at another royal's funeral for the first time on September 9, flying to Norway to attend the services for King Harald V.

Fresh off saying goodbye to his eldest child at Eton, William stepped in for The King—who traditionally does not attend funerals of other royals or world leaders—alongside numerous royal families from around the world. He was joined by Princess Anne, who attended in a personal capacity as godmother of Norway's new monarch, King Haakon.

In 2025, the Prince of Wales attended Pope Francis's funeral on behalf of King Charles, and although he filled in for Queen Elizabeth by flying to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 to pay his respects after the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this is the first time Prince William has attended a royal funeral as a representative of The King.

King Harald died at the age of 89 on August 28, leaving his son Haakon to take the throne alongside his ailing wife, Queen Mette-Marit.

The Norwegian queen, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and recently went through a lung transplant, recently missed her husband's swearing-in ceremony before parliament, but was able to attend Wednesday's funeral.

Along with Prince William and Princess Anne, other royal representatives at the funeral included everyone from Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands to Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. King Carl Gustaf of Sweden and King Frederik of Denmark took a prominent role in the ceremony, saluting King Harald's coffin from behind King Haakon during the funeral.

Although Prince William and Prince Harry's estrangement doesn't show any signs of improving at the moment, the brothers do have one last organization that they represent together, The Diana Award. The only charity to be set up in Princess Diana's memory has been close to the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales over the years, with both serving as patrons. But as the Daily Mail's "Palace Confidential" podcast revealed, a major fundraising event for The Diana Award has now been canceled.

The organization empowers young people who are making a difference in their communities, and as the Mail on Sunday's editor-at-large, Charlotte Griffiths, said on the podcast, "They take it in turns, the two brothers, to host events."

Prince William took part in a panel with The Diana Award in June, and Prince Harry was expected to attend a "high-profile dinner" on September 18 for the charity, per Griffiths. But with just over two weeks to go until the black-tie event, it was inexplicably canceled.

Griffiths shared that the charity tries to "walk a very fine line between Harry and William as you can imagine" while "not wanting to upset William," and said from her point of view, there appeared to be some "wrangling behind the scenes."

"Harry, naturally, I gather wanted his wife there," she said. Both William and Harry have attended Diana Award-related events solo over the years, and regarding the Duchess of Sussex attending, Griffiths said, "This was always not really going to happen."

William and Harry last publicly interacted during Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022, and the brothers are understood to not have spoken in several years. As Griffiths pointed out, "Maybe The Diana Award is kind of one of their last forms of communication," since participation and schedules need to be ironed out between their two teams.

"So maybe this is the last vehicle they have," she added. "Is it okay if Harry brings his wife? Possibly not if you're Prince William." However, the reason behind the event's cancelation has yet to be revealed.

Prince George started his first day at boarding school on Tuesday, September 8, with parents Prince William and Princess Kate joining him for his big day at Eton College. Despite the pouring rain, all three royals wore brown suede shoes (perhaps with a bit of weatherproofing magic), but it wasn't their footwear that turned out to be a struggle in the weather.

Prince William was photographed fighting with his umbrella in the downpour, with his black brolly blowing inside out as the Wales family walked through one of Eton's stone archways. Prince George, 13, couldn't help but laugh as he watched his dad attempt to fix the umbrella before eventually closing it and giving up.

The Prince of Wales opted to get wet rather than battle with his brolly, but luckily, Princess Kate's umbrella stayed intact as the family greeted Eton College's headmaster and provost.

New Etonian Prince George seemed unbothered by the pouring rain, walking in between his parents sans umbrella and grinning widely during the photo call.

George changed out of his navy suit and suede shoes and into the iconic Eton College uniform, posing for three new portraits with one of his family's trusted photographers, Matt Porteous.

Although he ducked into an archway for the historic pictures, the future King didn't quite escape the rain—a splash of water can be seen on the sleeve of his traditional jacket in the snaps.

It was a milestone day for Prince George as he arrived at Eton College for his first day of secondary school on September 8, and the Wales family showed a united front with one fashion detail.

Prince William and Princess Kate have had a penchant for coordinating with their kids over the years, and the future King's first day at the historic boarding school was no different.

George and his father matched in navy suits and slightly different blue ties, while Princess Kate went with a deep green Emilia Wickstead dress she's worn previously. But despite the heavy rain on Tuesday, Prince William, Princess Kate and Prince George all chose a surprising footwear option: brown suede shoes.

The Princess of Wales has been a longtime fan of Gianvito Rossi's towering pumps, owning them in a rainbow of colors, and she went for a chocolate suede pair for George's big day at Eton.

Meanwhile, George chose a pair of brown suede loafers, while the Prince of Wales wore classic lace-up oxfords in the same hue.

Princess Kate finished off her first day outfit with an old favorite chunky gold necklace by Laura Lombardi and her Cartier Trinity earrings.

After meeting with the college's headmaster, Simon Henderson, and provost Nicholas Coleridge, Prince George made a quick change as he stepped into his future as an official Etonian.

Kensington Palace released three portraits of the teenager in his new school uniform, with George swapping his suede shoes for shiny black oxfords as he posed outside the 586-year-old boarding school.

As for the Wales family's rainy day moment, it seems they took advantage of one of my favorite shoe tricks: a handy waterproofing spray.

Prince William and Princess Kate joined Prince George for his first day at Eton College on Tuesday, September 8, and the 13-year-old future King looked all grown up in three new portraits featuring the same school uniform worn by his dad and uncle Prince Harry. But his first day at Eton was different than Prince William’s in one key way.

The Prince and Princess of Wales braved the pouring rain (in suede shoes, nonetheless) as they escorted George to his first day of boarding school, with the trio meeting Eton College’s headmaster and provost outside the historic school. Princess Kate is 5’9, and George was almost the same height as his mother, who wore heels for the milestone event.

Although he dressed in a suit and tie just like dad Prince William did on September 6, 1995, George’s first day at Eton had one missing element.

When Prince William started the historic boarding school, he was joined by King Charles (then the Prince of Wales) and Princess Diana, who were separated at the time, and his younger brother, Prince Harry. George’s siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis don’t start their new term at Lambrook School until Wednesday, but they stayed home for their brother’s big day.

After George met the school's administration, Kensington Palace then released three photos of the future King in his new Eton uniform, with the teenager wearing the same pinstriped trousers, vest, long jacket and starched white shirt that students have worn for decades.

Unlike at Lambrook School, where Prince George was a day student, the young royal will live at Eton College. But with the school located a stone's throw from Windsor Castle, he'll never be far from family, just like Prince William, who often visited Queen Elizabeth for tea when he was a student there.

For the most part, Princess Kate and Prince William have stayed out of the spotlight throughout the summer months. During their annual trip to Balmoral with the Royal Family in August, Kate and William were spotted attending church with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Now, a royal author has weighed in on the Prince and Princess of Wales's absence from public life over the summer.

In an interview with Hello! magazine, royal expert and biographer Robert Jobson said, "A lot of people might think that it's lazy or whatever [taking the school vacation off from royal duties], but I don't think it is."

Jobson continued, "They've got a long time in the top job, and after this it becomes even more relentless so I think they’re trying to manage their time as best they can whilst they've got an element of freedom."

Jobson further shared, "They've got their image right, they've got their engagement at the level they want, they're spending enough time with their kids. I think they've managed it quite well."

He also noted, "I think they're certainly stronger as a couple, but also as a family unit and everything. You only have to look at them in public, and they are very much a together couple, and they're very much doing their job. They really haven't really put a foot wrong."

Basically, although some onlookers might criticize the Royal Family's decision to retreat from the spotlight in the summer months, everyone deserves quality time away from work now and again.

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On Friday, August 28, the Norwegian royal court announced the death of King Harald V of Norway at the age of 89. Having been on the throne since 1991, the Norwegian king had become known as the oldest living European monarch following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022. Harald's son, Crown Prince Haakon, will take over and be known as King Haakon.

Harald's state funeral will take place on Wednesday, September 9, with important Royal Family members and dignitaries from across Europe expected to pay tribute at the event. It has now been confirmed that King Charles won't be in attendance at King Harald's funeral. Instead, two royal relatives will take his place and travel to Norway to pay their respects.

Prince William will represent his father at Harald's funeral, Hello! magazine has confirmed. The Prince of Wales will attend the event alongside his aunt, Princess Anne, who "is due to appear in a personal capacity as the godmother of King Haakon," the outlet reported.

The King's decision not to attend King Harald's funeral isn't unusual. For instance, his mother, Queen Elizabeth, regularly sent family members in her place to attend the funerals of world leaders, foreign royals, popes, and politicians.

King Charles counted King Harald as a second cousin once removed—Harald was Queen Elizabeth II's second cousin.

Paying tribute following Harald's death, The King wrote in an Instagram post, "It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway."

He continued, "For 35 years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility."

Pippa Middleton is celebrating her 43rd birthday on Sunday, September 6, and while the famously close-knit Middleton family is likely celebrating quietly at home, Princess Kate's younger sister could accept a more front-and-center role in the Royal Family when Prince William becomes King.

King Charles's former butler at Highgrove House, Grant Harrold, says that he respects how the Middleton family "manage to stay out of the limelight," but points out that like, Queen Camilla's sister, Annabel Elliot, Pippa might choose to support her sister when she's Queen.

Unlike Queen Elizabeth, who had ladies-in-waiting, Queen Camilla chose a group of close friends, as well as her sister, to serve as a more modern version of the role, calling them companions. "In the future, I wouldn’t rule out Pippa becoming one of Kate’s companions," Harrold shares, speaking to Smooth Spins Casino. "Like what Queen Camilla is doing right now with her sister.”

If Princess Kate also chooses to give official companion roles when she's Queen, Pippa would certainly make an ideal choice.

"Pippa does her own thing," Harrold shares. "She keeps herself very low key, and I think she does a really good job of it." The former butler adds that the Middleton family as a whole provides "strong support from the background, but they respect the family and traditions enough to be strictly private."

Since the Princess of Wales grew up outside of the Royal Family, the Middletons also give Prince William the chance to relax and be himself. “Pippa and the wider Middleton family are really good for William, as they’ve offered this whole other side of family life," Harrold says. "We know he is the future monarch, but he gets a wonderful normal lifestyle when he’s with Kate’s family."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have moved back to Britain for the time being, but their relationship with Prince William and Princess Kate isn't showing any signs of improvement. The brothers have not spoken in several years, and a source recently told People magazine that the Waleses are avoiding a "knee-jerk reaction" to the move. While other royal insiders have suggested that it's on Prince William to reach out and fix their relationship, the Daily Mail's Richard Eden shared what a friend of William and Kate's said—and why he disagrees that a reconciliation should be forced.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Birmingham, England last week with their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, and the family is reportedly looking to settle down in the Cotswolds. Although they spent time with King Charles and Queen Camilla in July, Harry and Meghan have not interacted with the Prince and Princess of Wales since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022.

At the moment, the Sussexes have no plans to become full-time working royals again, and it's not expected that they'll be making public appearances with the family in the near future. But Richard Kay of the Daily Mail noted, "At some stage they are going to have to engage, because they can't not engage forever."

However, the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex have done just that in recent years. They didn't interact at King Charles's May 2023 coronation, and the brothers avoided each other at their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes's funeral in 2024. Prince Harry has also visited the U.K. several times for charity events and court appearances in recent years, but hasn't seen his brother.

"William knows that, above all, his responsibility to the monarchy, to the institution, has to take first place, so he'll have to put whatever personal differences he has to one side," Kay said. Continuing that Harry and William should "hammer out some kind of official line, even if it's sort of grip and grin in public," Kay added that "some kind of public-spirited sense of reunion between the two" would go a long way.

Kay's colleague, Richard Eden, wrote that he disagrees with his friend, noting that he thinks "the pressure being put on William and Catherine is unfair and wrong." Eden said he felt Harry and Meghan "betrayed and insulted the couple not only in their Oprah Winfrey interview but in their Netflix series, Harry's memoir Spare and in a seemingly endless stream of interviews that Harry gave."

After speaking to a friend of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the columnist said that the couple's plan is to "go on ignoring the Sussexes."

"It makes no difference if Harry and Meghan are in Oxfordshire, California or Timbuktu," the insider said. "William and Catherine will continue their lives of public service. They intend to lead by example."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have returned to Britain, but that doesn't mean they'll be stopping by Forest Lodge for tea with Prince William and Princess Kate anytime soon. The Prince of Wales and his younger brother haven't spoken in several years, and a source close to William and Kate has told People magazine that a reconciliation will take some time.

“They are watching this space. It’s private—they don’t feel the need to say anything or demonstrate anything outwardly,” the insider said. Adding that the Waleses are avoiding a "knee-jerk reaction" to Harry and Meghan's move, the source added that any thawing between the brothers “will be a slow build. There is a deep sense of betrayal.”

Since the Sussexes stepped down as senior working royals in 2020, numerous sources have noted that Prince William was hurt by Prince Harry's actions, including his 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and revelations made in the duke's memoir, Spare.

"Things are hanging by a thread as it is after the past few months, and from the sounds of it Harry's memoir is unlikely to help," a source told the Daily Mail ahead of Spare's publication in 2023.

The brothers are understood not to have spoken since Queen Elizabeth's funeral in September 2022, with the brothers avoiding contacting during King Charles's coronation the following spring.

In 2025, the Duke of Sussex told the BBC that he was willing to put the past behind. “I would love reconciliation with my family," he said. "There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.” Whether Prince William feels the same remains to be seen.

Meghan Markle might be the most famous royal with American roots, but as the Sussexes settle into their new life back in Britain, there’s another member of the Royal Family who has American blood. Stephanie Green, author of American Crown, tells Marie Claire that Prince William will be the first British monarch with American ancestry—and he could even become an honorary U.S. citizen one day.

Green, who is active with the Daughters of the American Revolution, says that she was surprised to learn how Princess Diana “could have been a member” of the organization due to one of her patriot ancestors. The discovery sent Green down a rabbit hole of “sleuthing and discovering,” and the author found herself amazed with the story of Diana’s American ancestors, including her great-grandmother, Frances “Fanny” Burke Roche.

“She was one of the most celebrated beauties of the Gilded Age,” Green says. “She was born in New York in 1857 and I don't know if you watch the show The Gilded Age, but she is right out of that show.”

Much like Gladys Russell on the HBO period drama, Fanny Burke Roche married into the aristocracy, although her relationship with James Burke Roche, the son of an Irish lord, ended in divorce, as did her second marriage. Fanny died in 1947, and her granddaughter, Frances Shand Kydd, would give birth to the future Princess Diana in 1961.

Green says that she drew multiple parallels between Fanny’s life and Diana’s. The late princess's cousin, Lord Formoy, let Green borrow Fanny's diaries, and the author said the more she read about Diana's great-grandmother, the more she "realized how much she and Diana were alike."

"Diana, as you know, suffered from bulimia, from depression. So did Fanny. She's writing in her diary and she's covering every little margin of the diary page with just spilling her guts out about how unhappy she is, how trapped she is in these marriages that didn't work out, how trapped she is by her father," Green shares.

"So as I say in the book, despite all of their beauty, their clothes, their fabulous homes, their jewelry, these two women are just proof that you can be miserable and still have all of these things."

Like the late Princess of Wales, Diana’s great-grandmother also was the mother of two sons, and she says that twin brothers Maurice and Francis had “so much in common with Harry and William.”

“They both had glamorous mothers,” the author shares. “They both were the product of divorce. They both were subject to media speculation, and they both served their country in the military. They had transatlantic separations for a lot of their lives, but yet they remained very close brothers and they were always there to support each other.”

Green adds it makes her “very sad” to think about the comparisons between the two sets of brothers and see how Harry and William’s “relationship has deteriorated.”

As for Harry and Meghan's recent move back to the U.K., Green calls it "another twist to William's American story."

"The book is really about William because he's going to be King one day," she says, adding there's an "irony in having a King with all of this American blood, but having a brother whose wife is American who's going back and forth across the pond."

Diana’s American family ties don’t stop with the Gilded Age. Green says that the future King William’s family can be traced all the way back to the American revolution with his patriot ancestor, Benajah Strong, who was the uncle of famed spy and American martyr Nathan Hale.

Green visited Strong’s grave in Connecticut, which reads “food for worms,” and she said it struck her how ironic it was that his ancestor will become the future King.

“I have a chapter called ‘Food for Worms,’” she tells Marie Claire. “So you think, okay, this is William’s six-times great-grandfather who risked his life and his fortune to fight in the American Revolution to get rid of a King. And then in 2026, his sixth-time great-grandson is going to be King of England and he's going to be buried at Windsor Castle in this huge, ornate tomb.”

When asked what she'd like the U.S. public to know about Prince William's American connections, Green says she'd like to stress "How much closer we are than we think," adding, "And I'd like the British people to know that their future monarch is much closer to our country than we think."

"Having a royal family is within our DNA," she adds. "And so my hope is that someday Prince William will receive honorary American citizenship like Winston Churchill did. I just think it's a wonderful twist of history and I think it shows that families and countries are much closer than we than we think—and that story is still unfolding."

Prince Harry has officially moved to the U.K. with his wife, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Following years in Montecito, California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will reportedly make England their home for the foreseeable future. And according to royal experts, there are two people who could potentially help reunite estranged brothers, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that Thomas and Charlie van Straubenzee would be "obvious mediators" when it comes to Harry and William. While William has been close to Thomas van Straubenzee for decades, Prince Harry remains friends with Thomas's younger brother, Charlie van Straubenzee.

"The van Straubenzee brothers could pull off the most extraordinary feat if they joined forces to bring William and Harry together," Fitzwilliams told the outlet.

According to Fitzwilliams, "What makes the brothers ideal is that, apart from being close to both of them, Thomas is especially close to William and Charlie to Harry."

However, the royal expert also noted to the publication that organizing a reunion between Prince Harry and Prince William "most certainly won't be easy."

According to People, Meghan and Harry left their home in Montecito, California on Tuesday, August 25, and flew "by private jet to England with their children...and their dogs, Pula and Mia."

As a source told the outlet, "They wanted to spend time with the people they're closest to before they left and for the kids to have some special time with friends."

Meanwhile, a source told the Daily Mail, "They have an English countryside dream...This will be the first time that Harry has lived in the U.K. as a private citizen where no one can demand any access to him."

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There’s no better person to celebrate International Dog Day than James Middleton, and Princess Kate's brother shared a sweet tribute to his oldest cocker spaniel, Zulu, on Wednesday, August 26. Middleton breeds dogs and gifted the Wales family with both their late dog, Lupo, and their current cocker spaniel, Orla, and a throwback photo of Lupo made the cut in James’s celebratory Instagram post.

Wearing a casual denim shirt, James smiles at the camera as he holds Zulu in a photo, writing, “This is Zulu’s 15th International Dog Day and may well be his last….so today we are celebrating him 🐾❤️.”

The second photo in Middleton’s post shows James’s first dog, Ella—who inspired his bestselling memoir, Meet Ella: The Dog Who Saved My Life—sitting next to her sons Zulu and Lupo. “These photos were taken 15 years apart 📸,” Middleton wrote. “Zulu with his mother Ella, and brother Lupo 🖤.”

Middleton credits Ella with stopping him from a 2017 suicide attempt, and the cocker spaniel was instrumental in helping him through his mental health struggles over the years. In January 2023, Ella died after a short illness, with James sharing an Instagram post that said, in part, “For 15 years Ella has been at my side, from my darkest days to my happiest. I'm going to miss her terribly.”

Prince William and Princess Kate announced that Lupo had died in November 2020, writing on social media, “Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. - W & C.”

James gave another dog, Orla, to the Waleses the same year, and she later gave birth to puppies that played a starring role in Prince William’s 2025 birthday photo. William and Kate kept one of the puppies, a brown cocker spaniel named Otto, and he turned one in May 2026. However, the family kept their new dog a secret until his first birthday, writing on Instagram, "Welcome to the family, Otto! 1 today 🥳 🎂."

It was only a week ago that the world found out about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s surprising plans to relocate to the U.K., and on Wednesday, August 26, they landed in Birmingham, England to begin their new journey. While they’re living in England, it’s going to be more difficult to avoid seeing Prince William and Princess Kate, and according to a palace source, King Charles is hoping his sons’ estrangement will finally end.

Although their move was originally reported as a temporary one, a friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told the Daily Mail that Harry is hoping to educate both of his children in Britain over “the next 12 to 15 years, minimum.”

Between major royal events and family holidays, it would be unlikely that Harry, Meghan, William and Kate wouldn’t find themselves in the same room every so often. A source close to Buckingham Palace told People that King Charles hopes a reconciliation with Prince William is in sight. “He will want to see his sons together over time,” the insider said. “This is the best opportunity we have seen in recent years.”

By all accounts, the Prince of Wales does not seem likely to pick up the phone to call Harry anytime soon. The two are understood to have not spoken in years, and were last seen publicly interacting at Prince Philip’s funeral in 2021.

A source close to the royals told People that the Prince and Princess of Wales felt “a deep sense of betrayal” when Harry revealed private details about the Royal Family during interviews and in his memoir, Spare. “It is going to be challenging for William. It will be very hard for him and Catherine,” the insider said.

Writing in Hello! magazine, royal author and journalist Robert Jobson notes that the fate of any reunion between the brothers lies in Prince William’s hands. “No king can order his heir to forgive,” he wrote. “But every reconciliation scenario being speculated rests, in the end, on William—and he has agreed to none of it yet.”

Speaking of King Charles, Jobson adds, “What he is unlikely to do is press his eldest son to simply fall in line and reconcile with a brother he currently has little relationship with.”

Prince William hasn’t been shy about his plans to modernize the monarchy when he eventually takes the throne. In October 2025, the Prince of Wales told actor Eugene Levy that “change for good” was on his “agenda,” and in his recent Substack, royal biographer Andrew Morton wondered if that might include removing titles of some of William’s family members.

Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be moving back to the U.K.—at least for the current school year, it seems—Morton wrote that King Charles’s “cautious embrace of his returning prodigal son” will likely ruffle feathers with Prince William.

The brothers haven’t spoken in several years following Prince Harry’s move to America and bombshell memoir, Spare. And with tensions still running high, Morton wrote that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now “well on the way to getting what they wanted” of being “half-in, half-out” royals despite Queen Elizabeth’s wishes.

“The only way that Queen Elizabeth II’s decision can now be honoured is if their titles are stripped along with their children,” the Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words author wrote.

“Otherwise, they are working royals by proxy with all the freedom and earning power they wanted in the first place,” he added, referencing the couple’s commercial work that they plan to continue while living in the U.K. while also carrying out their private charity work.

Morton pointed to a controversial decision made by Denmark’s former monarch, Queen Margrethe, as an example of the path William might choose to take when he becomes King.

“It’s clear an ailing King Charles will not resolve this irreconcilable tension, but a future King William V may very well follow Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who stripped four of her grandchildren of their royal titles, and remove those of his brother and his cousins Beatrice and Eugenie,” Morton wrote.

Queen Margrethe has two sons, King Frederik and Prince Joachim, and in 2022, she announced that the titles of Joachim’s four children would be discontinued in an attempt to streamline the monarchy.

If Prince William took the same step and removed the titles of Prince Harry and Meghan, along with those of non-working royals Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, Morton says that he’d likely “find a public broadly supportive of such a measure.”

No matter what the Prince of Wales chooses to do in regards to his brother is anyone’s guess. But as Morton noted, “What happens next may surprise us, and it’s quite possible King William V will be all the better for a bit of sibling rivalry as he prepares for the job of a lifetime.”

Princess Kate is currently staying in Balmoral with husband Prince William and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The Royal Family spends time on the Balmoral estate every summer, with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and a plethora of relatives currently vacationing in Scotland.

On August 23, Princess Kate was photographed arriving at Crathie Kirk Church in Aberdeenshire with her family. For the church visit, the Princess of Wales opted for a vintage-inspired outfit, which included a classic pillbox hat with an accent bow on the front, and a white, high-neck, pie-crust collar blouse by Holland Cooper featuring subtle ruffles.

She completed her throwback look with a brown tweed blazer and a pair of past-season Ralph Lauren chandelier earrings. Notably, her hair was worn with very subtle waves and striking blonde highlights.

Prince George and Prince Louis were photographed arriving at Crathie Kirk Church alongside their parents. Although pictures of Princess Charlotte weren't available, she was reportedly also in attendance. Princess Anne, her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Edward, and Lady Louise were also seen traveling to the service.

The Royal Family's church visit follows news that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set to move back to the U.K. imminently.

As Princess Kate is on vacation in Scotland, she is skipping a birthday party thrown by sister Pippa Middleton this weekend. According to Hello! magazine, Pippa is reportedly hosting a birthday celebration for her husband, James Matthews, at their home, Bucklebury Farm in Berkshire. It seems that, as the Princess of Wales is currently staying at the Balmoral estate, she'll be unable to attend her sister's event.

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Earlier this week, it was revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to move back to the U.K. with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Numerous reports have since discussed the logistics of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's transatlantic move, amidst the news that Meghan might return to acting. But according to one royal expert, some members of the Royal Family might be planning to "avoid" Meghan and Harry for the foreseeable future.

During an appearance on Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," the publication's royal editor, Emily Nash, discussed how the Royal Family might be feeling about Meghan and Harry's news.

Nash shared, "I think this is going to be very much one step at a time, and from people I've been speaking to who know [Meghan and Harry], I think they're very much working on the basis of let's get the children settled, let's get started on what we want to do, and then the rest is something to consider down the line."

The royal expert continued, "But crucial to them is the relationship with The King. You can't go any higher than him. And if you have him on side and you are spending time with him, then that does half of the work for you."

However, according to Nash, it's possible that some Royal Family members won't want to spend time with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their return.

"There is a risk, I think, that other members of the family continue to avoid them, it might make them look petty or unforgiving," Nash shared. "Now, there's a lot that would need to be forgiven. Let's be honest about this. And you can absolutely understand why William and Kate might never want to go there."

Nash continued, "You know, their decision to leave affected that whole generation of the Royal Family."

Hopefully Meghan and Harry's move to the U.K. will go as smoothly as possible, in spite of any possible family disagreements.

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As Prince William and Princess Kate enjoy their summer break on the Balmoral estate with King Charles and other members of the Royal Family, no doubt the biggest conversation around the dinner table is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s upcoming move. The couple, who have lived in Montecito, California for the past six years, are making a surprise relocation to Britain this month—and for William especially, it creates a sticky situation.

The Princes of Wales has not been on speaking terms with his brother in years, and the two avoided each other at their uncle Lord Fellowes’s 2024 funeral, the last time they were seen in public together. William also did not head to Highgrove House this July when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their children reunited with King Charles and Queen Camilla for the first time in four years.

But now that Harry and Meghan will be living nearby, it opens the door for them to attend Royal Family events like vacations at Balmoral and Christmas at Sandringham once again. It’s a situation that royal author and journalist Robert Jobson says must “be difficult” for the Prince of Wales.

“Are they really going to have William and Harry sitting round a table with all that’s gone on?” Jobson told Hello! magazine, adding, “I feel that William must be slightly aghast by the whole thing.”

The royal biographer pointed out that King Charles might be “hoping that it will be a chance for reconciliation,” but noted the move will likely prove to “be very difficult for The King.”

“On one level he will reconnect. On another level it will make things complicated for him,” Jobson continued. “It will muddy the waters.”

An ocean has separated the brothers for the past six years, but with the Sussexes set to establish a non-royal residence in the U.K. this month, former BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt pointed out that Harry’s “presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation.”

“The surprise return of Harry and Meghan is likely to have left William apoplectic,” Hunt added, per the Daily Mail.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have enrolled their children Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, at a British school, but any details about where they'll be living are being kept tightly under wraps—at least for now.

King Charles arrived for his annual stay at Balmoral on Tuesday, August 18, just a day before the news broke that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be moving back to Britain. As royal circles processed the surprise relocation, Prince William and Princess Kate quietly joined the Royal Family in Scotland on Thursday—and according to one editor, the Waleses are likely “not delighted.”

Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips are already at the castle with their families—including new royal wife Harriet Sperling—and Hello! magazine confirmed that the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the Balmoral estate on August 20.

Speaking on Hello!’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” the magazine’s royal editor, Emily Nash, noted there’s been “complete radio silence” coming from William and Kate’s side. “I imagine they're not delighted about this,” she added.

The Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales remain estranged, and with the couples not on speaking terms, the Sussex family's move to Britain will open a can of worms for both.

“It's going to be a very, very difficult hill to climb, having them suddenly back in the U.K., popping up, doing things publicly, if that's where they go with this,” Nash says of Harry and Meghan. “So much has been said and done that has damaged that relationship, almost beyond repair.”

A reconciliation seems unlikely to happen anytime soon, and Nash noted that when it comes to William and Kate, “I can't see a world in which they would be welcoming them back with open arms.”

King Charles was reportedly told about Harry and Meghan’s plans on Sunday, August 16, and Nash shared that the family has “had time to process this” ahead of their Balmoral break.

“We believe the Waleses were made aware beforehand,” she said. “They didn't find out at the same time as the rest of the world.”

The next three weeks will be bittersweet for Prince William and Princess Kate as they soak up the remaining days of summer with Prince George, who will head to boarding school for the first time in September. The 13-year-old heir to the throne is following in his father’s footsteps by attending Eton College, and according to psychologist and school admissions strategist Sarah Suria, the challenge for George will be finding his own path.

“I think what makes this such an interesting moment is that George is entering an age when children begin asking who they are outside of their parents, while becoming increasingly aware of what they have inherited from their family,” Suria tells Marie Claire.

For the past two years, royal circles have buzzed about whether the Prince and Princess of Wales would choose a new educational path for their son, perhaps sending him to Kate's alma mater, Marlborough College. The choice for George to attend the same school as his father presents both benefits and challenges, Suria says.

“Going to Eton, as William did, could offer familiarity and continuity, but the real opportunity is for George to walk into a place associated with his father and still find a way to make the experience his own,” she shares.

Unlike Prince Harry, who also attended Eton College, Prince George is going into secondary school with his path entirely set out in front of him at the age of 13. George also has the challenge of knowing that his father will likely become King at a much younger age than his grandfather King Charles did.

“Adolescence is really about beginning to separate what you’ve inherited from who you are becoming,” Suria notes. “For George, that’s happening within an extraordinary legacy, where parts of his future have been mapped out long before he could have a say in them.”

The Waleses are a famously close family, with Prince William and Princess Kate making it clear that their three children will always come first. Although living away from home at age 13 would challenge any child, Suria says that for George, leaving his family “can offer a different kind of growth.”

“A close-knit home may give a child a secure base; being away asks them to build a larger toolbox for navigating friendships, homesickness, academic demands and everyday setbacks,” she shares.

Prince George already boarded occasionally at Lambrook School, where he was a day student, preparing him for the realities of living away from home full-time. But as journalist Jack Malvern recently told Hello! magazine's "A Right Royal Podcast," even though the Wales family lives geographically close to Eton, “emotionally, there's going to be a cut, because Eton sucks you in.”

However, Suria says that living away will serve George well as he continues in both his academic and royal careers.

“Independence is rarely built in one grand moment,” she shares. “It develops through small experiences of realizing, ‘I can handle this myself.’ For George, learning to stand on his own while maintaining a strong connection to home and family could be particularly meaningful as he grows into a life that will ask him to carry both his family legacy and a strong sense of who he is.”

Prince William often worried Queen Elizabeth when he flew his family in helicopters, ignoring an old royal travel rule of not flying with his heir, Prince George. Although the idea of not having two heirs on the same flight has been done away with, there’s another, lesser-known travel regulation that the Royal Family reportedly follows on commercial airlines—and it’s been revealed by a surprising source.

Former Love Island star Helena Ford, who appeared on season 12 of the U.K. reality show as well as Love Island: All Stars 2026, worked as a British Airways flight attendant before heading into the villa. She recently told the “Private Parts” podcast that Prince William, Princess Kate and their kids flew on BA during her time in the skies, and they were actually not permitted to sit in the best section of the plane.

“I think there is a thing in place where they can't fly in the highest cabin, so if there's a first class, they have to sit in business, and if there isn't a first class, they have to sit in Traveller Plus,” Ford said, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales flew in business class since their plane also had a pricier first-class option.

Members of the Royal Family frequently travel on official government aircraft, but Prince William and Princess Kate have chosen commercial flights for several trips, like their 2016 India tour and their Earthshot Prize visit to Boston. The Princess of Wales even flew in economy with her three children when heading on a short flight to Balmoral in the summer of 2022.

Ford says the Waleses were “coming back from St. Lucia” at the time she served them, likely during one of their trips to Mustique, as commercial flights land there before boarding a private flight to the island.

The ex-Love Islander continued that although the Prince and Princess of Wales flew commercial when she was working, they weren’t seated with average travelers.

The reality star explained that “the whole of business was security, but they were dressed as normal people so you wouldn't know.” Ford also said she wasn’t sure why William and Kate couldn’t fly in the highest class, but revealed “you couldn't call them their own name, they had like, fake names and stuff.”

Prince William and Princess Kate celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in April, and although they’ve weathered many storms together, one royal expert says there’s a key reason to why their marriage has stayed strong.

“The secret to the Prince and Princess of Wales’s marriage is support for one another throughout their roles as working royals and as parents to their three young children,” said the Daily Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers.

The couple has long prided themselves on putting family above everything else, and Princess Kate is a strong source of support for the future King. “Everything they do is in tandem and this includes Catherine being the catalyst for William launching the Earthshot Prize, when he doubted it could become the global success it has,” Myers, who authored recent bestseller William and Catherine, added.

Speaking of the Earthshot Prize, Myers says that the Princess of Wales intends to travel to India with Prince William for this November's ceremony, set to take place in Mumbai.

Princess Kate hadn’t taken on any international tours since her 2024 cancer diagnosis until this May, when she visited Reggio Emilia, Italy to do research for the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Myers says that now that she’s fully back to work, “Catherine is very much looking forward to attending the Earthshot Awards in India alongside her husband.”

For William and Kate, the trip marks “a huge milestone,” the royal editor said. “It will be almost four years since they traveled to Boston together to attend the Earthshot Awards, and even longer since they took on their major royal tour of the Caribbean, which was fraught with controversy,” he added. “This is a chance of renewal for both of them and when they are together on the international stage, there is no doubt they have a far bigger impact.”

As modern royal parents, Prince William and Princess Kate frequently talk about the active role they play in their kids’ lives, preferring to schedule royal events around school schedules and bringing their kids on trips abroad whenever possible. Although they have a longtime nanny, the Prince and Princess of Wales are much more involved in Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’s day-to-day lives than royals of the past—but there are two surprising members of William's family who shared a similar philosophy to his.

Although Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were loving parents, they put duty first and were frequently absent from their children’s lives while traveling on royal tours around the world. It seems the Queen Mother and King George VI took a different approach with Elizabeth and Margaret when they were young—and it’s one that is surprisingly similar to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

In Gyles Brandreth’s book Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, the author and friend of the Royal Family spoke with people who knew the late Queen the best. Sonia Berry, who was friends with the late Queen from the age of five, told Brandreth that she used to play together with her London neighbor Princess Elizabeth back when the Queen Mother and King George VI were known as the Duke and Duchess of York. She described the Yorks as “noticeably hands-on” given “the standards of their time and class,” per Brandreth.

“The Duchess, having had a very happy childhood herself, was all the more determined that, because the children were royal, they should have an ordinary childhood,” Berry told the author.

She described the future King George VI, who suffered from a severe stutter, as a fun, active father who wasn’t afraid to run around with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. “The Duke never seemed shy, he didn’t stutter and he played games, like Sardines,” Berry said.

It might be difficult to picture the late King playing garden games, and Berry said that her “starchy nanny” didn’t find his behavior appropriate at the time, adding, “she found it very undignified having to hide in a bush with him.”

Flashing forward to today, Prince William and Princess Kate also put an emphasis on family fun. The Princess of Wales recently shared that she loves playing rugby at home with her kids, and although life looks a lot different than it did for the Queen Mother, both William and Kate are intentional about giving their children everyday experiences at their Windsor home, just like his great-grandmother did.

Whether it’s sharing some video game time with Prince George, playing tennis with Princess Charlotte or watching soccer with Prince Louis, William and Kate have been vocal that their first priority is their children.

If you've ever visited Scotland in the middle of summer, you know that layering is key. Even in August, a sweater or jacket is a must, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot teased Princess Charlotte for leaving her outerwear at home.

The 11-year-old princess attended the sporting event in Glasgow with Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince George and Prince Louis on Saturday, August 1, wearing an adorable white polka-dot dress. The short-sleeved, ruffled style by Guess featured navy spots and matching navy trim along the waist, sleeves and skirt, and Charlotte appeared visibly cold in videos shared from the games.

With a high of 61 degrees on Saturday and some gusts of wind, it's no wonder Princess Charlotte was chilly, and the 2026 Commonwealth Games mascot, Finnie the Unicorn, couldn't help but point out her shivers.

In a video shared by Hello! magazine, the Wales family looked notably windswept as they met representatives from the Commonwealth Games, including Finnie, and the mascot mimicked Princess Charlotte by wrapping its arms around itself and pretended to shiver. The princess took the gentle teasing in stride, giving the unicorn a high-five as Finnie greeted the royals.

This is the second polka-dot dress by Guess that Princess Charlotte has worn, with the 11-year-old previously sporting a navy spotted design to Wimbledon 2024, the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Final and a church visit at Balmoral.

"So nice to see her out of baby dresses. She looks so pretty," one fan commented on Royal Fashion Police's post on Instagram. Another social media user praised the affordable and "age appropriate" look, writing, in part, "Beautiful Charlotte 😍. They can afford every luxurious brands, but their parents chose lessons over brands."

The rest of the Wales family opted for long sleeves at the Commonwealth Games, with Prince William and Princess Kate both wearing blazers while Prince George and Prince Louis wore button-up shirts with trousers.

The Princess of Wales added a pleated white maxi skirt and a nautical striped top to her green Ralph Lauren blazer, with her La Ligne sweater vest coordinating perfectly with Charlotte's dotted dress.

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Prince William and Princess Kate brought all three of their children to the Commonwealth Games for the first time on Saturday, August 1, and along with commenting on Prince Louis’s cute reactions, fans couldn’t help but notice that chatty Kate got left behind by her family at one point.

In a video shared by Hello! magazine, the Prince of Wales was pictured getting into a waiting car with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after their day out in Glasgow, Scotland. But the Princess of Wales was nowhere to be found until the camera panned over to her talking away to Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy by the side of the road.

The Princess of Wales has admitted that she often gets caught up talking to people for too long during royal events, but this time, there was a very meaningful reason she was making her family wait. Hoy announced in 2024 that he was diagnosed with terminal stage four prostate cancer, and fans pointed out that the princess, who is now in remission from cancer herself, was likely talking about their shared struggles.

“Once you’ve been touched by cancer you will never rush a conversation with someone who is going through it,” one fan commented on the video, while another added, “That’s good as thats one thing he does not have is time and that’s why she understands.”

Princess Kate has talked about her love of a long conversation in the past, sharing in the 2016 documentary Our Queen at Ninety that members of the Royal Family poke fun at her for her chatty ways.

“There’s a real art to walkabouts, everybody teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting,” she said. “I still have to learn a little bit more, and to pick up a few more tips, I suppose.”

In this instance, however, it’s safe to say that the Prince of Wales completely understands.

Princess Kate and Prince William had an exceedingly eventful weekend as the pair attended the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland with their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. From springing into "dad mode" to executing damage control, Prince William appeared to be on high alert throughout the event. But according to royal fans, the Prince of Wales was never far away from his wife.

One X user highlighted Prince William's seeming adoration of Princess Kate by sharing two photos. In the first snap, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Prince George sit between Kate and William. In the second, the children have moved, leaving Princess Kate and Prince William to sit next to one another. The royal fan captioned the post, "How it started v. how it ended...Oh William."

Another commenter suggested that William was a "smart man" for moving closer to his wife. Meanwhile, someone else shared, "They can't live without each other."

According to the Express, another royal fan expressed excitement regarding Kate and William's appearance at the Commonwealth Games, writing, "Prince William wanted to sit next to Princess Catherine!! So sweet. The bond they have with each other and their children is amazing! I love it!"

After navigating some complicated family dynamics, it appears as though Kate and William always come back to one another.

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Prince George accompanied his siblings, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, and their parents, Princess Kate and Prince William, to the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland this weekend. While Prince William snapped into "dad mode" to seemingly reassure Louis, another moment involved him revealing that they "embarrass [Prince George] enough."

During an interview with TV presenter Gethin Jones, Princess Kate revealed that an Olympic cyclist had "attempted to persuade" her and Prince William to take part in "track cycling," the Express reported. Princess Kate also shared that she responded by saying, "Be careful what you wish for, as they want to put us on a tandem bike in the velodrome."

Jones took the opportunity to ask George for his opinion, saying, "Would you like to see mom and dad on a tandem in the velodrome later?" Prince George reportedly provided a very clipped response by simply saying, "No."

Prince William appeared to leap into damage control to smooth over the potentially awkward moment by telling Prince George, "We embarrass you enough as it is."

Prince George recently turned 13, meaning that he's finally a teenager and set to attend boarding school at Eton College this fall.

Royal editor Emily Ferguson recently suggested in the Express, "The young prince will undoubtedly be asking the question all parents dread: can I have a phone?"

"So far, modern parents William and Catherine have stood firm and prohibited their children from having phones," the royal expert shared.

Ferguson continued, "But with George heading to a new school and spending time away from the family, his parents are expected to relent."

For now, at least, Prince William is making it clear that his son endures enough embarrassment without having to watch his parents riding a tandem bike.

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Princess Kate is an incredibly influential member of the Royal Family. While her fashion choices cause items of clothing to immediately sell out, her hair and beauty decisions also inspire a plethora of royal fans around the globe. However, in the latest poll regarding who the most popular member of the Royal Family is, Princess Kate was beaten by an unexpected person.

According to the latest YouGov poll, Prince William is currently the most popular member of the British Royal Family. 76 percent of those asked had a positive opinion of the Prince of Wales, compared to 74 percent for his wife Princess Kate.

Princess Anne came third place in the poll, with 70 percent of voters sharing a positive opinion about the Princess Royal. Unfortunately for King Charles, his popularity appears to have waned, with the monarch only receiving a score of 60 percent.

While Prince Edward drew a positive opinion of 53 percent, his wife, Duchess Sophie, received only 51 percent. Still, both scored considerably higher than Queen Camilla, who scored just 43 percent.

According to YouGov, Prince William and Princess Kate "continue to be the most positively viewed royals, with around three quarters of Britons seeing the Waleses in a favorable light, figures largely unchanged over the last few years."

When it comes to the Royal Family in general, a larger percentage of voters appear to view the institution in a more negative light.

"Attitudes towards the family and monarchy as a whole remain mostly positive, with around six in ten Britons seeing the Royal Family in general and the institution of the monarchy in favorable lights, though a persistent third see both negatively," YouGov reported.

For now, at least, Prince William is reportedly the most popular member of the Royal Family.

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Prince William is attending the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland this weekend, alongside wife Princess Kate and their children—Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte. The royals recently attended Wimbledon 2026 together, and it's clear that the Prince of Wales is always on high-alert when it comes to protecting his children.

In one particularly sweet moment, Prince William was seen with his arm around Prince Louis's back as the family exited The Hydro in Glasgow. Louis, Charlotte, and George were all greeted by a large group of people outside of the venue. While it's unclear whether Prince Louis was overwhelmed by the scale of the sporting event, the little royal has appeared to be more subdued during his recent appearances. Basically, his trademark cheeky demeanor appears to have been on vacation.

By placing his arm around his youngest son, Prince William showed his protective "dad mode" nature, and made it clear that he was ensuring his children were safe at the large event.

For the sporting event, Princess Kate paired a classic French girl staple—a Breton striped top—with a new Ralph Lauren Collection blazer. For accessorizes, the Princess of Wales opted for her Anya Hindmarch Neeson Small Square Tote in Chalk and a pair of $2,025 Annoushka Favorites Pearl Earrings.

Royal fans will be delighted to see Princess Kate and Prince William attending an event with their three children. The fact that Prince William displayed his quick-thinking "dad mode" is simply a bonus.

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Prince William and Princess Kate have long been considered one of the royal family's strongest couples. Nevertheless, even the happiest couples have their fair share of differences. In Russell Myers’ new biography, William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, he reveals one issue that challenged the Prince and Princess of Wales early in their relationship—and it's one that many parents can relate to.

The royal author recalled: "One thing [William and Kate] couldn’t concur on was a name” for their first child, Prince George. After spending hours combing through baby names, the couple was left divided, with the heir to the throne favoring a “more traditional route.” Eventually, William “settled on a shortlist of two names for a boy: George and Louis,” two names that span centuries within the royal lineage.

As for Princess Kate, she had her own favorites. Myers said, "Catherine had her heart set on Alexander for a boy or Alexandra (also Queen Elizabeth’s middle name) for a girl.”

Clearly, the Prince of Wales won the name battle. However, Kate snuck her choice in: Prince George’s middle name is Alexander.

Prince William and Princess Kate met in 2001 while they were both students at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. They initially bonded as friends while living in the same residence hall, St. Salvador’s. By their second year, the two had moved off campus into a cottage with two other friends. It wasn't until 2003 that their relationship turned romantic.

Over 20 years later, the Prince and Princess of Wales remain strong as ever, living in Forest Lodge with their three children, Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and two dogs, Orla and Otto.

During a recent appearance on “Heart Breakfast,” William said of Kate, “She is an amazing mom and amazing wife, and our family couldn't cope without her. She's been absolutely stunning.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It seems she has Queen Elizabeth to thank.

Prince George turned 13 on July 22, 2026, and is set to attend Eton College this fall. According to one royal expert, the young royal probably requested one particular gift from his parents upon becoming a teenager.

Writing in the Express, royal editor Emily Ferguson explained, "The young prince will undoubtedly be asking the question all parents dread: can I have a phone?"

As George will be attending boarding school, requesting a cell phone doesn't seem completely unexpected. However, according to Ferguson, William and Kate might not be ready to give their eldest son a cell phone.

"So far, modern parents William and Catherine have stood firm and prohibited their children from having phones," the royal expert shared. "But with George heading to a new school and spending time away from the family, his parents are expected to relent."

If William and Kate do agree to give George a cell phone, there will be some significant limitations, Ferguson explained.

"[T]his will likely be an old-school 'brick' with no access to social media, as his high public profile and propensity to become the subject of social media fodder, is something they want to protect him from," the expert shared. Basically, TikTok is probably out of the question.

It's also believed that the school will implement strict rules regarding Prince George's presence.

"[F]ellow students will be warned against taking photos or leaking information about their famous classmate, with William keeping a close eye as he expects his son to get the same treatment he and his brother [Prince Harry] received when they attended Eton," Ferguson wrote.

Not all royal experts agree that Prince George will receive a cell phone following his 13th birthday.

For instance, royal commentator Sarah Hewson recently told Vanity Fair, "One thing George won't be getting [for his 13th birthday] is an iPhone." Hewson continued, "His parents are very hot on phones, and they won't allow him on social media. They want to protect him from that for as long as they can."

Still, when Prince George begins studying at Eton College, life is sure to change in a major way for the young royal and his family.

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Prince William and Princess Kate are saying goodbye ahead of their annual summer break. In a post shared on social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a “Summer Rewind,” captioned: “Thank you to everyone who has made the last few months so special!”

The multimedia post shared highlights from the Prince and Princess’s work over the last few months. Starting off with the Buckingham Palace Garden Party they hosted in early May, the post highlighted key events from their royal engagements like David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebration, Princess Kate’s trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, Royal Ascot, and Wimbledon. Several key charity visits and royal engagements were also featured in the slideshow, highlighting the important causes that Prince William and Princess Kate support.

Alongside the royal engagements, the prince and princess shared some sweet family moments over the last few months. A special family photo from a joint Father’s Day-Prince William’s birthday post was featured, along with birthday photos from Prince Louis’s, Princess Charlotte’s, and Prince George’s birthdays. Princess Kate’s Three Peaks Challenge, which was a personal mission for her, was also featured in the slideshow.

Social media followers flooded the comments, with Instagram follower Vicki Heselton saying that the post was a “beautiful mix of family and duty.” Several comments wished the royal couple a happy summer vacation. “We already miss you, and we wish you a peaceful summer break!” Alessandra Caixeta commented. Prince William and Princess Kate historically take several weeks over the school holidays as private family time, regularly decamping to their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, or escaping to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall.

Prince William and Princess Kate’s post is a semi-official sign-off for summer. They are likely to return to their royal duties in mid-September, once Prince George is settled in at his new school, Eton College, and Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte are back at Lambrook School.

Princess Kate and Prince William announced their engagement on November 16, 2010, having gotten engaged during a trip to Kenya three weeks prior. But according to one royal biographer, King Charles was allegedly "a little irritated" when it came to Prince William's proposal.

In his book The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal, and Survival, royal biographer Robert Jobson explained, "The palace announced William and Catherine's wedding for April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey, a joyful event that would at last overshadow the sorrow of Diana's funeral in 1997."

Jobson continued, "Privately, Charles was surprised, even 'a little irritated' that William had proposed to Catherine using the same 12-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring from Garrard's 1981 catalog, that he had presented to Diana on their engagement."

According to Jobson, this insight regarding King Charles's reaction was provided to him by a former palace employee.

However, any irritation King Charles might have felt seemed to quickly evaporate.

According to Jobson, "Prince William had kept his big news secret, even from The Queen and his father, making private plans with Catherine for their future."

The royal biographer continued, "On November 16, 2010, he telephoned The Queen to announce that he and Catherine were now officially engaged. She was delighted. When asked by the press, Charles joked that the pair had been practicing long enough."

In spite of any alleged trepidation King Charles may have experienced, it seems likely that the monarch was ultimately pleased about William and Kate's decision to marry.

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In recent years, Prince William has taken on a more central role within the Royal Family. As the heir apparent, William knows he'll one day become King, following the death of his father. As the Prince of Wales prepares for the future, one royal expert believes William has already "dropped big hints" about what everyone can expect from him.

In an interview with GB News, royal correspondent and author Simon Vigar—who is set to release The Four Wives of Windsor: Rivalries, Influence, and the Real Power Behind the Crown later this month—discussed Prince William's alleged plans.

"William dropped those big hints in the Apple TV documentary [The Reluctant Traveler], talking actually about the changes that he wants to make," Vigar explained. In particular, Prince William addressed the "insatiable" press interest surrounding the Royal Family, which leads to a lack of privacy.

According to Vigar, Prince William is likely to prioritize making a change when it comes to how the media interacts with the Royal Family. "I put money on that being one of them," he told the outlet

Vigar also believes that Prince William will seek to protect his three children—Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte—as they embark upon their adult lives.

"The gentleman's agreement to leave William alone at university did hold, and of course, it was a camera crew from a TV company owned by his uncle [Prince] Edward—that was the only one that actually broke it," per Vigar.

The royal biographer continued, "In terms of when George, Charlotte, and Louis complete university, once they're in their twenties, I think it'll be a similar deal, and privacy law is changing all the time. There will be similar conversations."

Vigar also suggested that rules regarding "what can be printed about the people" that begin dating "the young royals" will also undergo change. "It'll definitely develop," Vigar explained.

As Prince William always makes his family a priority, it makes sense that he'd want to ensure their safety as much as possible once he's King.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As Prince William's eldest child, Prince George has a huge future ahead of him. The young royal recently turned 13, and it's clear that he's growing up fast, which apparently includes taking style tips from his dad.

In an Instagram video celebrating Prince George's 13th birthday, the young royal was seen enjoying time outside with his family. In one particular shot, George appeared to be wearing a new watch, which looked a lot like the Garmin D2 Air X15, which retails for $649.99.

Although Prince William is best known for wearing an Omega Seamaster 300m, which was a gift from his late mom, Princess Diana, he also owns at least one Garmin watch. During a 2023 visit to a food bank in Windsor, William wore his Omega on one wrist and a Garmin Forerunner 245 on the other, Watch Pro reported.

Prince George's new accessory seems to be a clear sign that his dad, Prince William, is already influencing the future King's style.

The candid Instagram video of George followed the release of the prince's official 13th birthday portrait, in which he was pictured wearing a suit jacket with a crisp white shirt.

And when it comes to the young royal's everyday style, Prince William already appears to be one of Prince George's biggest influences, which is low-key adorable.

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Prince George is embarking on an important step towards the throne later this year, with the future King set to attend boarding school at Eton College. Having already undergone several kingship lessons, Prince William's son is likely quietly getting ready to become the heir apparent one day. And according to one royal expert, the 13-year-old royal can turn to two "refreshingly normal" royal relatives whenever he needs advice.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, royal biographer Robert Jobson suggested that Prince George's godmother, Zara Tindall, is an important figure in the young royal's life. Her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, is also highlighted as a key person George can rely upon.

"Watch Zara with George, and there is no deference in it," Jobson told the outlet. "She teases him. He is easy with her the way children are easy with adults who want nothing from them."

Jobson continued, "Then there is Mike, who is not a godparent and has become something better. He talks to him about losing, the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning."

Having played rugby professionally, Mike has a unique perspective, which he can share with George, Jobson noted.

"Mike has lost in front of 80,000 people," the biographer said. "He can be funny about it the next morning."

According to Jobson, Mike's demeanor will also be a positive influence on the future King: "No airs and graces about the man."

Despite being Princess Anne's daughter, Zara was raised without an official royal title, allowing her to lead a relatively normal life in many ways.

Having previously interviewed Zara, Jobson called her "brilliant," "confident," and "refreshingly normal."

"[Mike] married into the most scrutinized family on earth and has never once behaved like a man who married up," Jobson told the outlet. "Two world champions [Zara as an Olympian, Mike as a professional rugby star]. Neither remotely impressed by any of it. That is the lesson."

Their discretion, too, is notable: "They have never sold access or traded overtly on the royal name," Jobson explained.

Ultimately, Jobson believes that Zara and Mike's real life experiences will provide George with the insight and advice he needs in the future.

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Prince George turned 13 this week and his birthday was commemorated with a new portrait and a behind-the-scenes Instagram video. Notably, the young prince was captured spending time outdoors, marking a more casual approach to presenting the Royal Family. And according to one royal expert, Princess Kate and Prince William have deliberately employed one "highly successful tactic" when it comes to George.

Speaking to the Mirror, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond discussed the way Prince George's birthday was celebrated by his parents on social media.

"I love the fact that they refer to him—and their other children [Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis]—simply by their Christian [first] names, without the formality or pomposity of using their titles," Bond told the outlet. "It sets a new tone, a tone that William has spoken about: being royal with a small 'r.'"

Discussing the importance of the more casual nature of Prince George's official birthday portrait and video, Bond told the publication, "For William and Catherine, it is a way of protecting their children, and it is working well. That's partly because the pictures are clearly quite relaxed and informal."

"And this year we got a bit of both: the fun video of George on holiday with his siblings, and the much smarter one in his suit (happily without his tie!)," the former BBC royal correspondent explained.

Despite the slight informality of George's birthday portrait, Bond notes that "seeing him in his suit helps mark his transition from child to teenager."

Ultimately, Bond believes Kate and William have discovered a winning strategy when it comes to presenting their kids to the world.

The expert shared, "I suspect this tradition will continue...Over the years, the photos have shown a young boy smiling and laughing, happy and confident—far better pictures than a bank of press photographers could have achieved. And so it has been a highly successful tactic."

Importantly, Prince George will soon attend Eton College, marking yet another important step in his road to kingship.

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Prince George turned 13 on July 22, and the new teenager is set to attend Eton College this fall. It's clear that Princess Kate and Prince William's eldest child is growing up and embarking on a new chapter. And according to several royal experts, the Prince and Princess of Wales have a "relatively small window" in which they can shape George's life.

In the latest episode of the Telegraph's "Daily T" podcast, royal experts Camilla Tominey, Victoria Ward, and India McTaggart discussed how Kate and William are purposefully shaping George's future as an heir to the throne.

Ward noted that for "the last 13 years, they've made family life...the priority." The Telegraph's deputy royal editor continued, "[T]hey've always known that he's eventually going to go to boarding school at 13. So they've got this relatively small window to shape this man."

According to Ward, Prince William's focus on the prioritization of mental health will likely influence the way he's raising Prince George.

"William often talks about his mental toolkit, doesn't he?" Ward noted. The expert continued, "And I feel like...they want to give George and the others these tools to be able to take on this life of duty when they're a bit older."

In honor of George's 13th birthday, a source opened up to the Telegraph about Princess Kate and Prince William's parenting choices. Per the source, "The way they have lived their lives—getting the kids outside, spending time together, focusing on the school run—it's just as strategic as any other part of their public service."

The source continued, "Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead [is] central to their roles."

Without a doubt, attending Eton College will be a huge change for Prince George, as well as an important step as he prepares for his future within the Royal Family.

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Prince George is growing up. The eldest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales just turned thirteen, and now that the teenage years have begun, a whole new set of parental worries set in. Prince George will start at Eton College in September, and his newfound independence will bring new challenges for the future King.

“There are parental concerns, naturally, that he will be growing up in a digital age,” Royal editor Rebecca English wrote for the Daily Mail. “The couple have refused to allow their children to have mobile phones, although admit that will change with their eldest at senior school.” Prince William was very clear that his children do not have phones, but Prince George may need a brick phone when he starts at Eton College. These nostalgic brick phones, like a throwback Nokia 3310, have minimal features and are purposely low-tech.

“One thing George won’t be getting [for his thirteenth birthday] is an iPhone,” royal commentator Sarah Hewson told Vanity Fair. “His parents are very hot on phones, and they won’t allow him on social media. They want to protect him from that for as long as they can.”

In November 2025, Prince William told Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck, "I think when George moves on to secondary school, then maybe he might have a phone that has no internet access." The Prince of Wales clarified that its “the internet access I have a problem with. I think children can access too much stuff they don’t need to see online, and so having a phone and text message, the old sort of 'brick phone' as they call them, I think that’s fine.”

While smartphone addiction and social media are a concern for the Prince and Princess of Wales, their main worry for Prince George is a little more complicated. “The couple’s biggest worry now is not the paparazzi but an entire generation armed with camera phones, instantly uploading snaps and videos for ‘clout and likes’,” Rebecca English wrote.

With every smartphone boasting a state-of-the-art camera, anyone can snap a photo or video of Prince George and guarantee it will go viral—and it's impossible to police. “It will be interesting to see how they navigate this challenge given how determined they have always been to ringfence their family from the moment George and his siblings were born.”

In a certain social group, some birthday party invitations are more impressive than others. As Prince George celebrates his thirteenth birthday, school parents at Lambrook School—where Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis have attended school for the last few years—have revealed Prince William and Princess Kate are incredibly “hands-on” at their children’s birthday parties. While it's hard to imagine a low-key birthday party for the future King of England, the Prince and Princess of Wales are known for hosting down-to-earth children’s parties at their family home.

Daily Beast journalist Tom Sykes revealed in his Substack that the birthday parties at Forest Lodge are void of pomp and ceremony. "I went to the house for a kid's birthday party, and [Prince William and Princess Kate] were the ones organizing the games,” a parent from Lambrook School revealed. Rounders—a British-equivalent to baseball—and classic party games were part of the simple celebrations. "Any of us lot would get an entertainer in and sit in the house drinking rosé,” the parent said, but Prince William and Princess Kate were heavily involved in the party plans.

This seems a departure from royal childhoods of the past, which is exactly how Prince William likes it. Royal Editor Emily Andrews shared insights from a close friend of the royal couple, writing "The prince and princess have put in boundaries to give their children an incredibly normal upbringing in the circumstances. How they decide when they show up at events is carefully balanced. The prince has always wanted to give them the normal upbringing that he didn't have." Andrews noted that these down-to-earth parties left fellow school parents “gently amused.”

While it may not be the royal way of doing things, it is certainly the Middleton way of planning parties. Carole Middleton was once the Queen of Parties as founder of Party Pieces, a children’s party supply company. The Middleton matriarch once praised at-home parties as being the best kind—simple parties with friends, party games, and a cake can go a long way. “I remember all my school friends cramming into our front room for games and tea,” Carole Middleton told the Daily Mail. While blowout parties at play places and sporting facilities became more and more popular, the trend has slowly shifted back to the relaxed party at home. “Parents are starting to choose small, simple parties at home or in a hall again,” Carole said.

A small, simple party at Forest Lodge sounds idyllic—if not surprising, given the children’s royal status—and fits right into a Middleton family tradition. Prince William and Princess Kate organizing pass-the-parcel and doing the limbo might be just the down-to-earth modernization that the monarchy needs.

Prince William and Princess Kate have had one united mission for the last thirteen years: to give their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, as normal a childhood as possible. That is the resounding explanation as they prioritize soccer games and school runs over royal duties, at least while they can. This is a huge shift from royal childhoods throughout history, where the future monarch was brought up from an early age in a world of nannies and tutors behind palace walls.

Royal sources say that this unprecedented decision to bring their children up on solid salt-of-the-earth ground was actually a strategic choice for the future of the monarchy. “The way they have lived their lives—getting the kids outside, spending time together, focusing on the school run—it’s just as strategic as any other part of their public service,” a source told The Telegraph. “Preparing their children for the lives they are going to lead” is “central to their roles” as the Prince and Princess of Wales, rather than a secondary role that can be outsourced to the nanny. “It’s not something that’s on the side.”

Princess Kate’s work with the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood has surely illuminated the importance of those early childhood years, up to age five and beyond, in creating well-rounded, balanced, and grounded adults in the future. To raise a healthy and happy future king, they need to raise Prince George as a normal and well-adjusted child first. Prince William’s own experience as a young royal, alongside Princess Kate’s expertise, helped to shape their unique way of raising royal children.

The biggest test of their plan is right around the corner. While they have filled their family home with “muddy boots outside, dogs and kids running in and out of the garden, something lovely cooking on the stove,” they can’t control the environment at Eton College. Notoriously ritzy and elitist, fellow students at Eton College may have had a very different experience from camping in the Lake District and beachy holidays in Cornwall. Only time will tell if their down-to-earth family life will pay off for the future Kings of England.

It’s hard to believe Prince George is turning 13 on July 22. Not only will he be a teenager, but the future King will be leaving home to attend his father’s alma mater, Eton College, with George set to begin secondary school in early September. The elite boarding school, founded in 1440, is home to centuries of tradition, and apparently, one of their rules is right up “protective” Prince William and Princess Kate’s alley.

Per the Telegraph, first-year boys at Eton College aren’t permitted to have smartphones and can only use “a ‘brick phone’ for basic contact with their families.” While it might seem extreme for a teenager in today’s world, it won’t be a problem for George, who doesn’t have a cell phone anyway.

The Prince of Wales revealed his stance on technology for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis when he took part in Eugene Levy’s series The Reluctant Traveler last year. “None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about,” William told the actor.

However, Eton’s technology rule for new boys falls in line with William and Kate’s parenting strategy. Royal editor and author Russell Myers told the Telegraph that William and Kate are “extremely protective” of their children, but they also want Prince George to thrive in his new environment.

“William’s experience of Eton was a happy one, but both he and Catherine realize their children’s school lives may be considerably different in today’s world,” Myers shared.

While visiting Brazil for the Earthshot Prize last year, the Prince of Wales said he was considering getting a basic phone for George when he headed off to boarding school. “It is really hard. Our children don't have phones,” he told Brazilian TV host Luciano Huck, adding, “When George moves onto secondary school, maybe he'll have one with limited access.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales put on a united front when it comes to their kids and technology, with William explaining that they talk to George “and explain why we don't think it's right.”

“With full access, children end up seeing things on the internet that they shouldn't,” he said, admitting that “it's good for messaging” if the right controls are in place.

Now that George will be living away from home, it seems like that brick phone might get lots of use.

A huge milestone is ahead for Prince George, who will be heading to boarding school at Eton College this fall. But until then, George—who will turn 13 on Wednesday, July 22—has the rest of the summer to enjoy with the Royal Family. Sources close to Prince William and Princess Kate have described the soon-to-be teenager as “incredibly down to earth,” per the Telegraph, and before he started secondary school, George approached his parents with an idea.

It seems Prince George, who has attended Lambrook School with siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis since they moved to Windsor in 2022, wanted to get a jump start on living at school.

“He asked them if he could board weekly at Lambrook,” royal author and journalist Robert Jobson told the Daily Mail, adding that the Prince and Princess of Wales “agreed.”

“It helped him grow, to be part of a collective,” Jobson continued.

The Prince of Wales revealed that George occasionally boards at Lambrook in an interview with Britain's Heart Radio in May. “Charlotte and Louis—because George is boarding last night—Charlotte and Louis, if you're listening, make sure you're on time, please, make sure you're not fighting over who listens to what, this morning,” he said during the radio show.

Like his father, Prince George will board full-time at Eton College until he heads off to university. And although he’ll be living away from home, the elite private school is located just a stone’s throw from Windsor Castle and just about a 15-minute drive from the Wales family’s home, Forest Lodge, making it easy to visit on weekends.

Luckily, since he's already been practicing by boarding at Lambrook, it should make Prince George's big transition just a bit easier.

Princess Kate and Prince William's royal romance has gripped fans around the world since their relationship was first made public. Having tied the knot on April 29, 2011, the Prince and Princess of Wales have since welcomed three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and built a life together. And according to one expert, Kate and William are now entering the next "chapter of their marriage."

Speaking the Daily Mail, body language expert Judi James said that Kate and William's recent appearances have shown "the honest intensity of their feelings for each other."

James continued, "Their rituals suggest there's been no real change in the intensity of their love for one another; what's happened is they have finally felt safe enough to trust enough (not each other but the public and the press) to show it."

James also referenced the moment Prince William hugged Princess Kate after she completed the Three Peaks Challenge for charity.

"It's a hug that suggests all inhibitions are being jettisoned as the desire to greet and cherish takes over," the expert noted.

The body language expert also dubbed the change "the latest chapter of their marriage," in which the couple will "feel free to show their levels of mutual love and adoration by more tactile behaviors in public."

According to James, William and Kate's newfound PDA is "still very much a part of their personal and generational royal brand now."

Royal fans will, of course, be happy to witness the next phase of Kate and William's royal romance.

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