In his upcoming book The Royal Butler: My Remarkable Life of Royal Service, Harrold offers insider insight into what Harry and Kate's relationship was like before the breakdown of the brothers' bond.

“They involved him,” Harrold, writes in the upcoming book, according to an excerpt published by The Telegraph on Monday, Aug. 18. “He used to go out with Kate. William would be away, and Kate and Harry would be off doing stuff together.”

While Will, Kate, and Harry were often seen out as a group of three, Harrold says that Harry and Kate also had a strong bond on their own, and were known to “go shopping” and “go to pubs” together.

“I think when people say, ‘Oh he was left out,’ he really wasn’t. But also, he was with Chelsy," Harrold writes, referring to Harry's ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, who he dated off and on from 2004 through 2011. "Chelsy was always around. And Chelsy and Kate got on really well.”

Harry's close bond with both Will and Kate was on full display at the couple's wedding in 2011, where Harry served as best man and made a speech that reportedly made his sister-in-law tear up.

"It was affectionate, warm and funny and touched William deeply," royal expert and biographer Katie Nicholl wrote in her 2017 book Harry: Life, Loss, and Love, adding that the speech made Kate shed a tear. "When he said the couple’s decade-long romance was his inspiration, there was a shy smile from Chelsy, while Kate shed a tear."

Even amid Harry's issues with William, reports have suggested that he and Kate have maintained at least some of that old bond they shared. In 2021, a palace source said that Harry actually texted Kate directly to share the news with his family that he and his wife, Meghan Markle, had welcomed their daughter, Lilibet.

At the time, The Mail on Sunday reported that a Palace source said Harry sending the text message to Kate was a way of "cementing her role as a bridge between him and his brother."

During a recent appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, the actress admitted that sharing romantic scenes with Harington for their upcoming movie The Dreadful was, well, literally dreadful (actually, the word she used was "vile").

“I have to be honest," Turner said of kissing Harington for the movie. “It was bad.”

Of course, to be fair, the ick factor for Turner had nothing to do with Harington as a person or actor and everything to do with the family-like bond they developed while playing half-siblings Sansa Stark and Jon Snow for eight seasons on Game of Thrones.

When Turner signed on to not only star in, but also produce The Dreadful, she said she “immediately … thought of” Harington and was excited to tell him that she “got this script for this amazing Gothic horror” that he would be perfect in. Harington agreed that the script was great—but, unlike Turner, he was also immediately aware of the inherent awkwardness that would come with him taking the role.

“I sent the script to Kit,” she explained. “He kind of sent me a message back, like, ‘Yeah, I’d love to, but this is gonna be really f*cking weird.'”

Turner said she didn't immediately realize what he was talking about, but quickly realized just how many intimate scenes their characters had throughout the film.

“Kiss, kiss, sex, kiss, sex,” Turner said, recounting her thoughts as she went through the script, taking note of all the awkward scenes she and Harington were in for. “I was like, ‘Oh, shoot. That’s my brother.’ But it was such a good script that he was like, ‘We kind of have to do it.'”

Like true professionals, Turner said she and Harington “put it out of [their] minds," but, like true humans with true human reactions, she also admitted that they were both “retching” when it came time to film their first kissing scene.

After playing siblings for eight years, that seems like a very fair reaction, TBH.

In her memoir Melania, the first lady detailed what it was like visiting London during Queen Elizabeth's reign and revealed that she and her husband kept in touch with King Charles. Describing the end of their June 2019 trip, she wrote: "As we bid farewell to Her Majesty, we extended a cordial invitation for her return visit to the United States. She expressed her gratitude with a warm smile. Sadly, Her Majesty wasn’t able to visit with us again before her death in 2022, but our friendship with the Royal Family continues, and we exchange letters with King Charles to this day.”

Per Hello!, the first lady has noted that she wrote to The King on another occasion, stating, "We kept in touch through letters, exchanging thoughts and ideas regularly." Apparently, the two share interests such as "architecture, gardens, and the arts."

In her memoir, Mrs. Trump also shared that she spoke to The King—then the Prince of Wales—about the environment during the "formal and elegant" banquet hosted in honor of the U.S. state visit. "Our paths had crossed many years ago in New York City,” Melania said of King Charles. "This time we engaged in an interesting conversation about his deep-rooted commitment to environmental conservation."

In addition to the state banquet, the first lady also wrote about the "warm" feelings she and the president shared toward the Royal Family. "Donald and I hosted an intimate dinner in honor of Prince Charles and the Duchess at the US ambassador’s residence—a perfect expression of the enduring ties between our nations," she wrote of their 2019 trip.

She added, "Despite the tumultuous backdrop of British politics at the time surrounding Brexit and changes at the Prime Minister’s office, the Queen and her family extended a warm welcome to us, treating us with the utmost hospitality."

In one particular moment in the latest trailer for Duchess Meghan's Netflix series, the royal can be seen wearing Dôen's Bryony Dress. The sleeveless dress features a gathered waist and striking white buttons down the front. Unfortunately, the chic style has already sold out, and it's easy to see why both Duchess Meghan and Swift are fans of the label.

Swift and Meghan aren't the only celebrities to show their love for Dôen, either. Katie Holmes recently wore the label's $198 Traveler Top in Poppy Field, and Kaia Gerber wore a sold-out, puff-sleeve maxi dress from the brand just last week. Even Belly's The Summer I Turned Pretty wardrobe includes a Dôen top. Now, the label has received a royal seal of approval.

As well as drawing inspiration from The Life of a Showgirl star Swift's closet, the Duchess of Sussex's Netflix wardrobe includes a huge selection of items perfect for every season.

Veronica Beard's Blige Stripe A-Line Midi Dress and Carolina Herrera's Floral Print Midi Dress With Sash Belt in its Lily of the Valley print—both sold out—provide inspiration for end of summer dressing. Heidi Merrick's Finny Cardigan, which retails for $255, provides a snug yet stylish option for fall, and is available to shop in a variety of shades. And Saint Laurent's Tribute Mules in Smooth Leather will never go out of style.

Swift Psychology's child and adolescent therapist, Laura Gwilt, told Hello! magazine, "Research is clear that birth order is not a fixed determinant of behavior, with temperament, parenting style, and life experiences playing equally important roles."

Gwilt continued, "Even so, large-scale studies have found consistent patterns that can offer useful insight into how family roles may develop. In the royal household, these patterns are layered with additional influences such as public life, tradition and, in the case of the Wales children, the historic 'heir and spare' distinction...This combination can subtly shape how each child experiences their role within the family."

Unsurprisingly, Gwilt believes that "[George] may grow up with a heightened sense of responsibility," which is common in first-born children, who "often adopt a role-model position within their family." This might include showcasing "higher conscientiousness and leadership tendencies," the expert explained.

Essentially, George is potentially being expected to "set the standard" for his siblings, which "can foster confidence and maturity, but also increase the pressure to meet perceived obligations," Gwilt noted.

As Prince George has such an important future role, "contrasts between siblings can become sharper," Gwilt explained. "The heir's trajectory offers structure and visibility but brings scrutiny," the expert told the outlet. "Siblings may enjoy greater freedom to shape their own identities, though with less certainty about their roles."

In spite of George's prominence, Gwilt noted the importance of recognizing "each child's contribution" to the family, to ensure they feel "valued in [their] own right." While Prince Harry often found himself referred to as the "spare," Kate and William are likely hoping that neither Charlotte nor Louis feels left out within the family.

The Mail on Sunday has reported that, before Kate, William, and their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—move into the "300-year-old Forest Lodge," a number of neighbors will need to move. In fact, "two separate families who lived in cottages next to the country mansion were asked to vacate their properties," the outlet reported.

Tenants were reportedly "surprised" to learn they'd be forced to leave their cottages on the grounds of Forest Lodge, which had "been rented out by the Crown Estate." A source told the outlet, "They were told to move out. I guess they were given somewhere else, but they were told they had to move."

The source continued, "They were not expecting it. Those houses are very close to the lodge, so they're not going to want any Tom, Dick, or Harry living in those houses if there are going to be royals there."

The outlet also suggested that Forest Lodge is a "considerable upgrade" from Adelaide Cottage. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis's new home includes a "chandelier-lit ballroom, tennis court, Venetian windows, and extensive grounds," per the publication.

Meanwhile, a report in the Express suggested that the Prince and Princess of Wales's "true colors" were on display in their decision to move to Forest Lodge. "In a move showing the couple's true colors, they are paying for the move to the new home themselves and rent at no extra cost to the taxpayer," the publication noted.

Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond opened up to the Mirror about the Duke of York's future within the Royal Family. "His best course of action is to lie low, enjoy the immensely privileged lifestyle he still has, embrace his family life, and do as his brother [King Charles] asks," Bond told the outlet.

Bond continued, "If he is still invited to family gatherings, he would do well to forgo the protocol of walking in order of precedence and fade quietly into the background. In other words: show a bit of humility, Andrew, because we haven't seen a shred of it yet."

As for whether or not Prince Andrew might lose his royal titles altogether, Bond isn't so sure. "He has already been sacked by his mother, stripped of his military appointments, and banned from using his HRH in any official capacity," the former royal correspondent explained.

Bond continued, "His brother, The King, has cut off his allowance and his security costs and wants him out of Royal Lodge. You could argue that he has already paid a hefty price. But opinion polls continue to show that he is deeply disliked, and the public wants to see him squirm."

Despite his plummeting popularity, Bond doesn't believe taking Andrew's royal titles is necessarily the right way to go. "I'm not sure that taking his dukedom away would serve any great purpose, other than making The King look particularly vindictive, and causing parliament to spend time on an issue that doesn't affect the rest of us," Bond explained.

Diana's former private secretary, Patrick Jephson, told People, "If they study Princess Diana's life carefully—and I hope they often do—William, Harry, and their advisors will know that she left them many good examples to follow and also a few important warnings to heed. Public affection and the rich rewards of royalty must be earned with self-sacrifice and service."

Jephson continued, "I'm sure they are grateful that every day she can still guide, comfort, and inspire them along the difficult path they were born to follow."

As for whether or not William and Harry will ever mend their relationship, multiple royal experts weighed in. Royal author Robert Lacey told People, "The rift is very profound and very long-lasting. It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologizes."

Historian Amanda Foreman seemingly concurred, telling the outlet, "Everyone wants it to happen on their terms, but that's what makes it impossible."

Despite the fact William and Harry are reportedly not talking to one another right now, they are allegedly united in one respect. Historian Foreman suggested that, when it comes to parenting and giving their children "authentic" childhoods, both brothers have inherited something that is "pure Diana." "The values they are instilling and discussing as families may be their best success," Foreman told the outlet. "They are both very good role models as parents."

Rather than breaking up, Jenner and Chalamet are reportedly "making it work," and striving to ensure their long-distance relationship is a success. A source told People, "They haven't seen each other for a few weeks only because Timothée's been filming Dune in a studio in Budapest, and Kylie's been working too...She visited him in July."

The source elaborated, "But even though Kylie has a private jet, the flight is still 12 hours...She's a mom and she works as well. She has a lot of responsibilities." According to the source, Chalamet faces a "grueling" filming schedule while he's working, "with very little downtime" to entertain his girlfriend.

In spite of the distance between them, Jenner and Chalamet are "making it work," per People's source. "They FaceTime most days. They miss each other and are totally fine."

In July, the celeb couple spent a few days together in France, before Chalamet's Dune schedule ramped up. At the time, a source told People, "Kylie was really excited when he arrived in France." The source continued, "They only have a few days together before he starts filming in Prague...But they're used to this kind of schedule."

The magazine's source also suggested that the Kylie Cosmetics founder "will fly to see [Chalamet] when she can," showing just how committed she is to the relationship. As for the award-winning actor's priorities, the insider said he faced "a long, demanding shoot that will take [him] all over the world."

Rather than making King Edward VIII's former residence of Fort Belvedere their home, the Prince and Princess of Wales have settled on Forest Lodge. The 8-bedroom property is situated within Windsor Great Park, and will provide more space for the family.

Speaking to the BBC, a royal source said, "Windsor has become their home. However, over the last few years while they have lived at Adelaide Cottage there have been some really difficult times." The source continued, "Moving gives them an opportunity for a fresh start and a new chapter...It's an opportunity to leave some of the more unhappy memories behind."

According to the BBC, Kate and William "will not have any live-in staff as they focus on creating as private a family home as is possible." The publication also suggested that, when Prince William becomes king, the family will stay at Forest Lodge rather than moving to Buckingham Palace. Furthermore, Kate and William are reportedly "funding the move privately and they will pay market rent on the property," the BBC explained.

Before Kate and William move into Forest Lodge, a number of alterations are reportedly being made. "The works include replacing doors and windows, stripping out internal walls, renovating the ceilings, and replacing some floors," The Independent reported.

Since moving to Adelaide Cottage in 2022, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family have faced a number of personal crises, including Kate's cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales has since completed chemotherapy treatment and has resumed her duties as a senior royal, making 2025 the ideal time to have a "fresh start" by moving into a new home.

During a visit to Royal Surrey County Hospital's Maternity Unit on October 5, 2022, Princess Kate spoke with staff and parents, some of whom had their babies with them. In a TikTok video of the cute moment, Princess Kate is seen talking to a group of mothers when one of their babies starts coughing. The Princess of Wales smiles broadly, and asks the baby if they're all right.

The response on TikTok was extremely positive, with a plethora of commenters praising Kate's demeanor when it comes to children and babies. "She's a real life Disney princess," one royal fan wrote. "Quite simply amazing," another commenter said. "Kate can do no wrong in my eyes! Such a caring person."

"She exudes kindness, elegance, and class," one TikTok user wrote. Another shared, "Just lovely, such a warm caring person and so down to earth."

One person commented, "Second a princess, first a mother." A fellow royal fan seemingly agreed, sharing, "Kate is the best thing that has ever happened to the Royal Family."

The video clip of Princess Kate has gained more attention in recent weeks, despite the royal's decision to take some time away from the spotlight over the summer. Nurturing her connection with royal fans in her absence, the Princess of Wales shared a video featuring idyllic nature scenes on Instagram. "Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship," she wrote in the caption. "It has never been more important to appreciate the value of one another, and of Mother Nature. Here's to summer."

In an interview with French newspaper Ouest-France (via Monaco Tribune), Princess Charlene opened up about the tragic loss she endured as a child when her young cousin died. "Richard drowned in a river, very close to my uncle's house," Charlene said of the horrifying incident. "He was only 5 years old. It was devastating for our whole family. I don't think that kind of pain ever really goes away."

Noting that bodies of water can "be merciless," Charlene explained that learning to swim is the "best protection" we have. The former Olympic swimmer also shared her hope that, one day, swimming would become known as "a fundamental right, just like learning to read." The royal further explained that she was "deeply concerned by the sharp rise in the number of drownings."

Explaining that not everyone has the same access to resources such as swimming lessons, Prince Albert's wife hopes that future initiatives will overcome any financial and class barriers that exist. "Cost should never be a barrier to acquiring a life-saving skill," Princess Charlene told the outlet.

Along with teaching all children to swim, Princess Charlene revealed that she wants to encourage more people to train as lifeguards, believing that those in positions of power can instill "confidence, respect for the water, and the right reactions" in others.

Having experienced such a tragic event in her youth, Princess Charlene believes that "vigilance is still necessary," as "nowhere is totally safe" when it comes to the dangers of water. She's also keen to "take the fight beyond our borders," and hopes that, via the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, she'll be able to help save more lives.

The Duchess of Sussex's wardrobe for the second season of her Netflix lifestyle culinary series, With Love, Meghan, features summer dresses from brands like Veronica Beard and Carolina Herrera, cardigans from Heidi Merrick, and iconic Saint Laurent "tribute" mules. In another moment in the season 2 trailer for With Love, Meghan, Prince Harry's wife is shown wearing a burgundy sweater from French It-girl label Sézane.

The $145 Merino wool sweater is available in a multitude of shades, and Meghan opted for burgundy, which is giving total autumnal vibes.

The Princess of Wales wore the very same crew neck sweater, which features statement buttons on its sleeves, in a natural shade during a visit to Nottingham Trent University in October 2023.

With Love, Meghan is returning for a second season and a holiday special in 2025. In its first trailer, Duchess Meghan wears a selection of enviable summer dresses, including the sadly sold-out Veronica Beard Blige Stripe A-Line Midi Dress.

Additional items worn by the Duchess of Sussex in season 2 of With Love, Meghan include a Heidi Merrick "Finny" Cardigan, a Carolina Herrera Floral Scoop Neck Midi Dress With Sash (in a sold-out print), and Saint Laurent's Tribute Mules in Smooth Leather.

"Falsehoods surrounding Princess Anne have mistakenly been issued by Buckingham Palace in celebration of the royal's 75th birthday," The Sun reported. Describing the obvious mistake as "embarrassing," the outlet shared that Buckingham Palace had posted an article containing "75 facts" about Anne in honor of her milestone birthday. Unfortunately, one of the entries claimed "Princess Anne had two stepchildren from her second marriage to Sir Timothy Laurence, called Tom and Amy Laurence."

While the Princess Royal shares two children—Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall—with her first husband, ex Mark Phillips, Laurence had no children prior to marrying Anne in 1992 and becoming a stepdad to her kids.

According to The Sun, the incorrect information about Princess Anne "was taken down from the website shortly after royal fans were quick to point it out."

After Buckingham Palace shared the false trivia about Princess Anne, royal fans reportedly began to suggest that the creator might have used AI to compile the list. "AI doesn't normally give you additional children," one X user joked. Another royal fan commented, "Bizarre. Commander Sir Tim Laurence was never married before marrying Princess Anne and has no children, legitimate or hidden. This must be an AI mistake."

According to Daily Mail, a source from the palace denied the use of AI. "The facts were checked, and that one was a late addition, sourced from a reputable publication online, which unfortunately wasn't put back through the checking process," the source said. "There was no AI sourcing on our part."

From singers who love to perform in vintage (SZA) to actors who rewear their favorite gowns on the red carpet (Winona Ryder) and celebrities who exclusively shop vintage while traveling (Helen Mirren), these are some of the many celebrities who have spoken openly about their love for thrifting.

Paloma Elsesser

Paloma Elsesser is famously obsessed with vintage and archive fashion. In 2020, she said, "In general, I've never really bought fast fashion, I've always tried to shop vintage and thrift by default—mostly because that was all I could afford growing up—and I try not to buy and wear things that are just trend-driven."

Aya Cash

To say that Aya Cash loves thrifting is a serious understatement. “When I get a job in a small town, the first thing I do is look up the thrift shops. Even if I only have one day off, I will choose thrifting over sleep.” she told the Only Thrifting podcast.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith and her children Jaden and Willow have all been bitten by the thrifting bug. Jada and Willow have been spotted at secondhand stores. Jaden has even said, "Thrifting, repairing and patching of clothing is the future...People are going to realise that thrifting is amazing for so many different reasons and so many different styles of clothing."

Miguel

In an interview with Complex, Miguel said that he uses local thrifting from his hometown as inspiration, not just for clothing designs for his brand, but also to "tell my story." He talked about hunting around for amazing vintage finds—finding that treasure, in other words.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson has been on the sustainable fashion bandwagon long before it was mainstream. In 2020, she partnered with thredUP on their Fashion Footprint Calculator. "Small changes, such as thrifting instead of buying new, supporting sustainable brands, and air-drying your clothes, can make a HUGE difference," she noted on Instagram.

Shailene Woodley

In 2024, Shailene Woodley shared all about her secondhand habits. "“Everything, apart from the socks I’m wearing, is secondhand...and there’s wonderful companies now like The RealReal where you can find incredible pieces and then also sell them back. And it creates this really fun system to interact with.”

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey Deschanel told Lucky Magazine in 2014 that she thrifted prom dresses as a teen. "There's a picture of me I wish I could find. I would buy these big, cheap, fluffy '50s prom dresses from thrift stores and just put them on with a tiara and sit and type at my computer," she said. "My room was a total messy-teenager disaster area, but I'd have on a vintage dress and my hair would be perfect."

Florence Welch

Florence Welch noted in 2010 that her flowy style includes secondhand pieces. "[My] aesthetic came along the way, I think—just through experimenting, and going on tour, and trying stuff out on stage, having fun with it, and not taking it too seriously. If I had a ballgown at home, I'd wear it onstage. If I found something in a charity shop, I'd wear it."

Macklemore

Lots of celebrities love thrifting, but fewer of them write hit songs about it. Macklemore's hit song "Thrift Shop" was all about the practice, and he later said, "I love thrift shopping. It is something that has been a part of my life since I was a young kid and it's outside of the box [for the genre]."

Lorde

Speaking to Teen Vogue in 2013, Lorde explained, "I love thrift shopping. You can get ten things because everything costs, like, three dollars. I feel weird spending money on myself—my first big purchase will be a double bed!...I like simple clothes, but sometimes I'll go for a goth-witch vibe."

Sienna Miller

In 2021, Sienna Miller was even the face of Oxfam’s Second Hand September and noted at the time that "choosing second-hand fashion can be kinder for our planet. These small changes can make a huge difference. And rooting around in a charity shop is like hunting for treasure. Be a magpie!"

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has even worn secondhand on the red carpet (including a vintage 1999 Christian Dior gown to the 2020 SAG Awards). She nabbed clothes from the Friends set and wore them in her personal life; in 2020, she said, "Some of my favorite shirts are the ones rescued from my mother's closet."

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue is apparently a fan of upcycling (repurposing an old pair of pants as a skirt on Instagram), donation (giving some of her wardrobe to Oxfam), and thrifting (shopping at the Salvation Army store in Melbourne). Her gold pants in "Spinning Around" were thrifted!

Drew Barrymore

According to Vogue, Drew Barrymore went through a sustainability awakening in 2019. "I’ve always loved a flea market or a thrift store off the beaten path, and now the internet has made it even easier to find one-of-a-kind gems not just around the country but around the world. I still buy a lot of furniture, lamps, and art at the thrift store...but I’d say predominantly what I buy is vintage clothes, and I’ve started buying a lot of my kids’ clothes on thredUP too."

Timothée Chalamet

Timothée Chalamet's most notable instance of secondhand clothes was a (literally) famous one: during his promotion for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, he wore a vintage Levi's jacket that belonged to Dylan. The actor bought it at auction for $25,400.

Billie Eilish

Referring to thrifting as a "giant warehouse filled with endless possibilities," Billie Eilish has said that she defined her personal style through thrifting. She also, like others on this list, takes her secondhand finds to the red carpet and proudly rewears them, too.

Björk

In keeping with her nature-inspired aesthetic, Björk supports sustainable fashion. In 2007, she noted that she does enjoy non-thrift shopping. “I like it! But it really exhaust me. I get highs, to be totally honest, in second-hand shops. My hunting instinct, I expect, really kicks in.”

Anne Hathaway

In 2017 to promote her movie Colossal, Anne Hathaway went on Good Morning America to explain to Robin Roberts, “This is a $15 flea market dress...I’m trying to be more sustainable with my fashion choices, so I’m trying to wear vintage wherever I can.”

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes attended her first premiere in “a $6 dress from Goodwill. I’ve always loved a cheap find. Viva thrift shops!” She told People she feels like an archaeologist when shopping secondhand. “I can feel when there’s a little something, you know, where there’s gold in the hills, and I really zero in. That’s the fun part for me.”

Kate Moss

Kate Moss has long been a fan of secondhand shopping. She told Glamour to "look for quality pieces that can be repaired if needed," and explained to The Guardian, "I just go with my first instincts when I see something I like. It doesn’t matter to me the designer or the era, just that the item appeals to me and looks good when I try it on."

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo is an advocate for sustainable shopping. She's worn some truly incredible archival pieces (particularly couture from the '90s) but she also incorporates vintage into her daily life—even telling Vogue she visits thrift stores on tour and shops online, too.

Debbie Harry

In an interview in 2013, Debbie Harry confessed that she still thrifts, adding that she's done it at various points in her life, including when she didn't have a ton of money. “In a way it’s a sense of adventure, too, because you’re not walking in and seeing a rack of clothing,” she said. “You have to go in and hunt, and it can be very entertaining.”

SZA

SZA performs in vintage tees, noting, "You know how when you go to thrift stores and you go to the front there will be three shirts above the register that are way too expensive but way too cool? Way cooler than anything in the whole damn store? So that’s exactly what happened: I started buying those. Then I’d just be skimming the racks and find some hot shit, and be like, ‘Whoa! No one was paying attention!’ and you take it home, and then the next thing you know you have a hat and some very old shirts. And now I’m here!”

Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle is a fan of sustainable and ethical brands, and she's also a fan of the "royal rewear" (wherein royals rewear their outfits to other events). She's also been seen wearing couture vintage clothing, including a Dior coat to a christening and a Courrèges coat in New York.

Zoë Kravitz

When asked about her shopping habits by Harper's Bazaar, Zoë Kravitz noted, “If I’m shopping, I really like Assembly New York on the Lower East Side, Catbird in Brooklyn, or Love Adorned in NoLita, which sells vintage jewelry and beautiful things for your house. There are fewer and fewer cool vintage stores now, unfortunately, but there’s a good one called Stock, on East 13th Street.”

Helen Mirren

In 2010, Helen Mirren shared an incredible thrifting tip: “I love a good charity shop, especially when I’m travelling. When I’m going to cold places, I take nothing—just underwear. On my way from the airport, I ask the driver to take me to a good charity shop, and I buy boots, socks, trousers, jumpers, sweaters, hats and scarves—usually for £30...On the way back to the airport, I [heave] it all in a big bag and drop it off at another charity shop.”

Zendaya

Like others on this list, Zendaya has worn stunning, one-of-a-kind archival pieces on the red carpet. Her designer Law Roach has used vintage pieces since she was a young starlet, and she wears vintage to events like the Green Carpet Fashion Awards.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker buys vintage not only for herself but for her children. She also noted that during the HBO series Divorce, all her clothes were sourced secondhand, whether they be from flea markets, vintage stores, or online marketplaces like eBay.

Tracee Ellis Ross

On her website in 2013, Tracee Ellis Ross raved about thrifting: “I buy a lot of vintage because, well, it’s AMAZING! And truthfully you can get great stuff for not a lot of money. I have a passion for vintage clothing because of the quality and uniqueness of the pieces (you don’t really have to worry about showing up in the same outfit as someone else).”

Janelle Monáe

Thrift stores are apparently Janelle Monáe's "vice": "I used to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars [at thrift stores]—and this wasn't even when I was making thousands, I didn't even have $1,000 probably," they said. "If I've got $500, I was spending half of it in the thrift store, and I wasn't saving my money."

Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts has been spotted thrifting—for herself and her kids—near their ranch in New Mexico. A source even noted, "She'll go anywhere in search of a great deal. She's been known to travel all the way to Tucson for a weekend of shopping at secondhand stores."

Winona Ryder

In 2014, Winona Ryder gave iconic shopping advice: “Most of my wardrobe is vintage and I’ve worn dresses to the Oscars that I got for $10. At Sean Penn’s last Haiti gala I wore this vintage dress that I’d worn to a film premiere in 2005. I know that’s kind of a no-no in the fashion world, but why wear something just once if you love it?”

As their 3 children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are on vacation from school, it's likely that the family is spending some quality time together. Princess Kate and Prince William shared a tribute on their Instagram Stories on August 15, saying, "Today, on the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, we remember the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who served."

The message continued, "Today we especially think of those British and Commonwealth troops who fought in the Asia-Pacific. We owe an enduring debt to the generation who gave so much, and to whom we will always be grateful. Lest we forget. W & C."

On Wednesday, August 13, Kate Middleton shared an inspiring Instagram post focused on nature in the summer season. "Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship," Princess Kate captioned the video, which showcased idyllic scenery. "It has never been more important to appreciate the value of one another, and of Mother Nature. Here's to summer."

The Princess of Wales also narrated the video footage, saying, "Summer is the season for abundance. Just as the flowers bloom and the fruits ripen, we too are reminded of our own potential for growth. It is the time to ignite our inner fire and explore our own creativity, passions, and dreams."

Kate's narration continued, "As we bask in the sunlit hours, friends and families come together—playing, connecting, being present, embracing the joy to be found in even the most fleeting moments and shared experiences." Finally, the princess explained, "Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship, so open your hearts, sing, dance, play. The days are still long, so simply love and be loved."

Although Princess Kate and Prince William seem to be taking some much-needed time out of the spotlight, they continue to build their connection with the public via social media.

Camilla and Charles attended a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in England, held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. 105-year-old veteran Captain Yavar Abbas took to the podium during the ceremony, where he delivered an unexpectedly personal message to King Charles.

Abbas told the crowd (via People), "Before I read the excerpt, I make due apologies for briefly going off the script to salute my brave King who is here with his beloved Queen in spite of the fact that he's under treatment for cancer."

Abbas was a member of the 11th Sikh Regiment of the British Indian Army, and revealed to the crowd that he is also a survivor of cancer, People reported. Addressing attendees at the ceremony, Abbas read an excerpt from his own war diary, written on February 8, 1945. "Tomorrow, I hope I will live to do better things," he said. "I could have been dead twice before, but I'm still living. I would be surprised if I get a life for a third time. May God spare me."

The Daily Mail's royal editor, Rebecca English, shared footage of The King meeting Abbas after the ceremony. English captioned her post on X, "Really sweet moment as King Charles meets Yavar Abbas...after #VJ80 Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum today."

Unlike her older brother King Charles, who was a sensitive and bookish child, the Princess Royal shared Prince Philip's brisk, outdoorsy spirit. As Majesty magazine editor-in-chief Ingrid Seward wrote in a 2017 piece for the Daily Mail, "Single-minded, sporty and brave, Princess Anne is unafraid of controversy and cares little for the opinion of others. In other words, she is very much her father's daughter—in a way that Prince Charles can never be his father's son."

Eileen Parker, whose husband, Mike Parker, was a friend of Prince Philip's, told Seward that the late duke "always had more fun with Anne," adding "Charles is more like The Queen, while Anne is very like Prince Philip."

While Prince Philip spent time outdoors with all of his children, he's said to have shared more interests with the Princess Royal than he did with his eldest son, Charles. From an early age, Anne enjoyed pursuits like riding, camping and sailing with her father, and the two bonded over their dry sense of humor and a mutual disdain for fuss.

While royal fans might assume that it was lifelong equestrian Queen Elizabeth who encouraged her daughter to ride, it was actually Prince Philip who was instrumental in jump-starting Anne's athletic career (no pun intended). Seward wrote that "Philip had no reservations about letting his daughter expose herself to the dangers inherent in equestrian sport," adding that one observer said, "It was almost as if he treated her as a son."

"Charles was still at the end of a leading rein when Anne was already jumping," Seward wrote of the siblings. "She was also galloping before she'd properly learned how to trot." Seeing how naturally talented she was at riding, Prince Philip saw that Anne received the best training, culminating in her becoming the first member of the Royal Family to compete in the Olympic Games.

Years later, Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Tindall, would go on to win silver for eventing in the 2012 Olympics—and her medal was presented by none other than her mom.

Noting that The King "was a poor athlete" as a child, Seward wrote that Prince Philip taught the Princess Royal how to sail "with considerably more success than he'd had with Charles—who was seasick and didn't respond well either to the hearty disciplines of life on board or being shouted at by his father."

Over the years, multiple royal sources have stated that the late Queen experienced a pain-free birth method using drugs that put her into a "twilight sleep." Most recently, Milli Hill, author of The Positive Birth Book, told the Daily Mail that Princess Elizabeth joined women around the world in choosing to be sedated during her birth, a method viewed by some as progressive.

"News travelled fast of a clinic in Germany that was offering these 'pain-free' births," Hill told the outlet. "Women began to demand twilight sleep as part of the new discourse about their autonomy, and the method spread across the USA, UK and Europe, with even Queen Elizabeth II using a version in the birth of her first three children."

According to the Associated Press, expecting mothers "were knocked out during childbirth by a combination of different drugs such as morphine or scopolamine that thrust them into a semi-conscious state and often took away their memory of birth."

The practice was later eliminated due to side effects such as "horrifying flashbacks, increased birth complications and even death," per Hill. However, even in the fifties, "Queen Elizabeth's decision to use this extreme form of pain relief would have been viewed as 'radical' at the time," the outlet noted.

Fortunately, mother and baby were healthy when the Princess Royal came into the world, with Prince Philip telling people after her birth, "It's the sweetest girl." And while Prince Andrew was also born while his mother was in twilight sleep, Queen Elizabeth chose to deliver normally with her fourth and youngest child, Prince Edward.

The prevailing theory about "Opalite" is that the track will be an ode to Swift's relationship with her current boyfriend, Travis Kelce, and Swifties are citing a few key pieces of evidence to back the theory up.

First, there's the obvious Kelce connection: The Kansas City Chiefs tight end's birthday is in October (just two days after The Life of a Showgirl's release on October 3, no less), which means his birthstone is opal.

While opalite is a manmade stone that's similar to opal, the connection is still clear—and Swift has made a habit of wearing opal jewelry throughout her relationship with Kelce. The singer notably wore Opal & Diamond Graduated Pavé Hoop Earrings by WWAKE when she turned out to support Kelce at the AFC Championship game in January 2024, as People reported at the time.

And before that, in December 2023, another piece of Swift's opal jewelry made headlines—an enormous opal ring surrounded by halo of blue topazes, that she wore to her 34th birthday party (and showed off proudly in photos she shared on Instagram from the event). While many were quick to speculate that the ring was a gift from Kelce, it turned out to actually be a gift from Swift's friend, Keleigh Sperry.

Sperry revealed that she was the person behind the custom ring, which incorporated both Kelce and Swift's birthstones, in a video on her Instagram Story. In the video, Swift can be heard admiring the ring.

"This is unreal, Keleigh. Opal and blue topaz," she says in the video before dropping the title of another The Life of a Showgirl track. "Wow … This is like a present for Elizabeth Taylor, not me."

According to Page Six, Rare Carat gemologist Karly Bulinski estimated that the opal in the ring could be as large as 20 carats, and that the price of the custom piece could be in the range of $10,000.

Swift's love for opals predates her relationship with Kelce, however. In 2017, she told Us Weekly a sweet story about the important role the gemstone played for her as a teen.

“My favorite stone is an opal because when I was bullied in school, my mom used to take me to T.J. Maxx after school to look at the opal jewelry,” she explained. “I thought opals were so beautiful, and somehow it made me feel better. We never bought them, just looked.”

Swift even referenced the October birthstone when she announced The Life of a Showgirl's release date during her appearance on Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast.

When Jason pointed out that, in addition to Travis, two other members of the Kelce family (Travis and Jason's mother, Donna Kelce, and Jason's daughter, Wyatt Kelce) have birthdays in October, Swift mentioned the gemstone directly, responding, “I picked a good month, all these libras out here, the opal birthstones.”

According to Us Weekly, there's buzz in the royal-watching community that Harry could have a face-to-face meeting with his estranged father, King Charles, when he travel to the U.K. next month for duties related to his work as a patron for WellChild. The outlet cites a new report published earlier this week by People that reportedly hinted at a meeting between Harry and Charles as the source of buzz about an upcoming in-person meeting for the father and son.

If true, the meeting would mark the first time Harry and Charles met up face-to-face since February 2024, when Harry flew to see his father following news of the monarch's cancer diagnosis. Even that visit was notably brief, with Harry reportedly only getting about 30 minutes of face time with his father during the visit.

"Charles always keeps a tight schedule and had a planned itinerary to leave London to rest and recuperate in Norfolk,” a source told The Sun about the short visit at the time. “He is very fastidious about timekeeping, but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting."

Even though the visit with his father was kept brief, Harry made it clear during an appearance on Good Morning America that month that making the trip was important to him and worth it, nonetheless.

“I love my family,” Harry said at the time. “The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I’m grateful for that. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could.”

During the same interview, Harry hinted at more visits with his family, saying, "I’ll stop in and see my family as much as I can."

While no other visits with his estranged family members have happened since that February 2024 meeting, the fact that Harry has gone so publicly on the record expressing his openness to more of them bodes well for future meetings—and for royal fans hoping that the latest rumors of an upcoming face-to-face between Harry and Charles will turn out to be true.

The Princess of Wales surprised royal fans on Instagram on Wednesday, Aug. 13 with the latest post in her “Mother Nature” series, which she started earlier this year. Kate shared a personal note in the post's caption, which she signed with a "C" for Catherine, writing, “Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship. It has never been more important to appreciate the value of one another and of Mother Nature. Here’s to Summer."

The post itself is a stunning video, titled, "Summer," with gorgeous shots of both nature and people interacting with nature—including people engaging in activities like beekeeping and gardening, that highlight the ways people and nature can work together. This footage is accompanied by the voiceover narration provided by Kate herself, giving the video a deeply personal touch.

“Summer is the season for abundance," Kate says in her narration for the video. "Just as the flowers bloom and the fruits ripen, we too are reminded of our own potential for growth. It is the time to ignite our inner fire and explore our own creativity, passions and dreams.”

“As we bask in the sunlit hours, friends and families come together – playing, connecting, being present, embracing the joy to be found in even the most fleeting moments and shared experiences,” she continues. “Our lives flourish when we cherish the bonds of love and friendship, so open your hearts, sing, dance, play. The days are still long, so simply love and be loved.”

While Kate didn't explicitly disclose any details about her own summer plans in the video, the overall message of the post definitely seems to hint that the Wales family has been spending time together outdoors this summer.

Although Kate and her husband, Prince William, have been spending the summer break largely out of the public eye, the Princess of Wales has said before that her favorite times with her family are when they're "outside in the countryside, and we're all filthy dirty."

The revelation came during an interview Kate gave on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast in 2020, in which she reflected on what she most wanted her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, to remember when they think back on their childhoods.

“Someone did ask me the other day, what would you want your children to remember about their childhood?” Kate told host Giovanna Fletcher, according to People. “And I thought that was a really good question, because actually if you really think about that, is it that I’m sitting down trying to do their maths and spelling homework over the weekend? Or is it the fact that we’ve gone out and lit a bonfire and sat around trying to cook sausages that hasn’t worked because it’s too wet?”

The answer, clearly, is the latter.

“That’s what I would want them to remember, those moments with me as a mother, but also the family going to the beach, getting soaking wet, filling our boots full of water, those are what I would want them to remember," Kate added. "Not a stressful household where you’re trying to do everything and not really succeeding at one thing.”

Between statements like that and Kate's new "Summer" video on Instagram, it seems like a very safe bet that the Wales family has been making lots of memories outdoors this summer.

As far apart as the brothers may be, both physically and emotionally, royal historian Amanda Foreman says they still share an unshakeable core value instilled in them by their late mother, Princess Diana. Speaking to People for its new cover story published in the lead-up to the 28th anniversary of Diana's untimely death, in a car accident in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997, Foreman described the lasting impact the late royal has had on her sons, even amid their infamous royal rift.

Specifically, Foreman points to both William and Harry's commitment to creating home lives that prioritize the well-being of their children and giving those children what People describes as "a genuinely authentic upbringing,"—something Foreman says "is pure Diana."

People notes that both William and Harry have honored Diana's memory by giving their daughters, Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet, her name as a middle name and that both brothers speak of their late mother often to their children and display her photographs in their homes—and Foreman says that these decisions are evidence of Diana's lasting parental impact on her sons and the way she shaped their values.

"The values they are instilling and discussing as families may be their best success," Foreman said of William and Harry's decisions now that they are raising families of their own. "They are both very good role models as parents."

Diana also instilled in her sons a dedication to making compassion a priority not just in their lives as members of the human race, but as prominent and influential members of the royal family. While both William and Harry have continued to dedicate ample time and energy to charitable work (including many projects related to issues that were close to Diana's heart), People notes that many royal insiders and experts agree the brothers don't have the same impact working separately that they would have if their efforts were more coordinated.

"If they could do anything together—properly and genuinely—the force would be a tsunami; it would be incredible," Foreman said of the difference it could make if William and Harry were united in their charitable endeavors.

As much as royal experts agree that William and Harry's royal rift is a detriment to the good work they do, the same experts also agree that the rift itself runs so deep that it's unlikely to end any time soon—and not without concerted effort on the part of the brothers themselves.

"The rift is very profound and very long-lasting," Robert Lacey, author of Battle of Brothers, told People for the same cover story. "It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologizes."

For her part, Foreman agrees that mending William and Harry's fractured relationship is a complicated and difficult prospect.

"Everyone wants it to happen on their terms, but that’s what makes it impossible," she said of healing the rift between the brothers.

Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton, spoke to People about the brothers' feud and how it would have impacted Diana as part of a cover story published in the lead-up to the 28th anniversary of her untimely death, in a car accident in Paris on Aug. 31, 1997.

"Diana always used to say she had two boys for a reason — the younger would be there to support the older in the lonely task as future king," Morton, author of Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words, explained.

Diana always knew that life as a member of the royal family could be lonely (particularly for those directly in line for the throne, like William, and now her oldest grandchild, Prince George), and felt that the sibling bond would be vital to helping them cope during the hardest moments that come along with that life. It's no surprise, then, that Morton, whose latest book about the royal family, Winston and the Windsors, is due out this fall, in October, says confidently that the late royal would be doing anything in her power to help her sons reconcile if she were still alive.

"There is no doubt Diana would have tried to act as a peacemaker between them," Morton explained. "If she had been around, they would have worked things out in a different way."

Of William and Harry's now-infamous royal rift itself, Morton said only that, "Things were said that sparked the initial rift, and it’s never healed."

While the fact that a divide exists is common knowledge and there has been much speculation about the specific details of the breakdown in their bond over the years, the only truly confirmed details have come in rare revelations from the royals themselves. In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry notably cited one incident in which he says William physically attacked him.

"He set down the water, called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast," Harry wrote of the explosive moment. "He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor. I landed on the dog’s bowl, which cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me. I lay there for a moment, dazed, then got to my feet and told him to get out."

Morton isn't alone in his take that Diana would be saddened by the current state of William and Harry's relationship. Speaking to People for the same cover story, another source described as being someone "close to the royal household" agreed.

“This is the sadness of it—they aren’t supporting each other like they should be,” the source said. “That’s what any mother would want—that they are there for each other.”

Taylor Swift took it upon herself to reveal this tidbit to the world during her recent appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast. During the interview, Swift revealed that the retired Philadelphia Eagles center attended one of her London shows during the Eras Tour (the show in which his younger brother, Travis, famously joined his girlfriend on stage).

The show marked a big night for both Kelce brothers, though, because offstage, Swift offered to introduce Jason to three members of the royal family—Prince William and his two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who attended the show (sadly, Kate Middleton and the royal couple's youngest child, Prince Louis weren't in attendance).

“Wasn’t this the week I got to watch Jason meet the royal family?” Taylor asked when the opportunity to turn the conversation toward the memorable meeting arose.

“He was like, ‘What do I do with my beer?’” Travis added, laughing.

At this point, Swift shared the full anecdote of the meeting, including her personal interpretation of what Jason was thinking as it went down.

“I watched him have this moment with his beer where he was like, ‘But I want to take it, but I know that I probably should not take it,’” Swift said, getting into the story and acting it out her impression of Jason holding up his beer can. “I watched this happen, and it kind of was the most amazing…”

Jason, for his part, quickly confirmed that Swift's take was spot-on.

“I like that you picked up on it because that was exactly what was going through my head," he interjected before Swift continued her masterclass on telling a playfully embarrassing story about a loved on on a national stage.

“Like if I don’t have my beer, what do I do with my hand now?” Swift added jokingly, speaking as "Jason" in her retelling of the story.

“Is it disrespectful to have a beer when you meet royalty?” Jason asked.

“Yeah, or is it authentic by having the beer? I would normally have the beer, wouldn’t they want me to be myself? I’m watching you say that in your head," Swift added of what she imagined Jason's inner monologue was at the time.

For what it's worth, even if the moment felt awkward to Jason, it didn't seem to bother the royals at all. The Prince and Princess of Wales immortalized the family outing on Instagram, proudly sharing a picture of Swift taking a selfie with William, George, and Charlotte backstage with the caption, "Thank you @taylorswift for a great evening! #LondonTSTheErastour."

Duchess Meghan's chic Montecito style is every bit as iconic as the wardrobe she curated as a working member of the Royal Family. At the very start of the trailer for With Love, Meghan season 2, the duchess can be seen wearing a cardigan from one of her favorite brands. The ivory knit is Heidi Merrick's Finny Cardigan, which is available is 3 different colors and retails for $255. The boxy fit cardigan will easily take anyone's closet from summer to fall, and beyond.

Another stand-out, yet sadly sold-out, item is Meghan's Veronica Beard Blige Stripe A-Line Midi Dress. The navy blue summer dress features a sweetheart neckline and spaghetti straps. Although the duchess's exact Veronica Beard dress has sold out, similar styles are still available to shop.

The Duchess of Sussex debuted another stunning summer dress in her new trailer—Carolina Herrera's Floral Print Midi Dress With Sash Belt in its Lily of the Valley print. Unsurprisingly, the stunning summery dress quickly sold out, but the same Carolina Herrera silhouette is made in a multitude of prints.

Meghan is also a fan of Saint Laurent's classic Tribute Mules in brown leather—the ideal accessory for any summer outfit.

In another scene from With Love, Meghan season 2, the Duchess of Sussex can be seen wearing a Carolina Herrera Striped Belted Shirt Dress with Gold-Tone Buttons. While the striped design Meghan opted for has since sold out, the same silhouette is available in alternate shades.

Thankfully, a plethora of retailers are offering shirt dress options this summer, so it's possible to replicate Duchess Meghan's inimitable style.

Speaking to People about the royal brothers, historian Amanda Foreman explained, "The values they are instilling and discussing as families may be their best success." Foreman continued, "They are both very good role models as parents."

William is raising three children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—with his wife, Kate Middleton. Meanwhile, Prince Harry shares two children—Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4—with wife Meghan Markle.

Unfortunately, the relationship between Harry and William reportedly remains fractured. "Things were said that sparked the initial rift, and it's never healed," royal biographer Andrew Morton told the outlet.

Foreman concurred, saying, "Everyone wants it to happen on their terms, but that's what makes it impossible." Royal biographer Robert Lacey also weighed in on the topic, telling the publication, "The rift is very profound and very long-lasting. It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologizes."

Foreman also suggested that, if William and Harry did ever repair their relationship, the impact would be major. "If they could do anything together—properly and genuinely—the force would be a tsunami; it would be incredible," the historian told People.

Still, Princess Diana's influence on both of her sons is her lasting legacy, and proof that she passed on some invaluable parenting skills.

During the trailer for season 2, Duchess Meghan is shown talking to chef José Andrés. "You know who doesn't like lobster?" Meghan asks him. "My husband." Andrés makes the Duchess of Sussex laugh by replying, "And you married him anyway?"

It was previously reported that members of the Royal Family tend to avoid eating seafood, which might have influenced Prince Harry's aversion to lobster. "When dining, the Royal Family has to be careful with shellfish due to shellfish poisoning due to their work schedules," former royal butler Grant Harrold told the Daily Express in 2022. "Therefore, you will not normally find this on the royal menu."

During an interview with People, Duchess Meghan discussed the process of filming her lifestyle and culinary series. "It feels as though we're just spending time together, which is what it ended up being," the former Suits star explained. "I'd make a recipe and say, 'Everyone try this,' and there are certain dishes where you just watch everyone flock in. I'd say, 'We've run out of spoons!' It ended up feeling so communal, and that's the spirit of the show."

The As ever founder also revealed that With Love, Meghan is simply an extension of her love of entertaining others and preparing delicious meals. "You have to imagine my friends's experience through the past few years," Meghan told the outlet. "They spend all this time with me at home and at their houses or out at dinners. For them to see who they know to be reflected onscreen, it brought them a lot of joy."

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have both issued an "amber heat health alert," on account of unprecedented heat waves occurring across the country, the BBC reported. William and Kate's Windsor home could be particularly at risk, due to the cottage's location within the countryside, Hello! magazine reported.

"These fires are a stark reminder that the U.K. is not immune to the dangers of extreme heat," Steve Cole, director of policy at The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), told the outlet. "With temperatures soaring and vegetation drying out, the risk of wildfires increases dramatically, even in urban and coastal areas."

Cole continued, "The fact is that many wildfires are preventable. Simple actions—like properly disposing of cigarettes, and avoiding open flames can make a huge difference." He elaborated, "Climate change is contributing to longer, hotter summers, and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events."

It was recently reported that Kate and William were considering leaving Adelaide Cottage for a considerably larger royal property. According to the Mail on Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales have been weighing up a move to Fort Belvedere, "a magnificent gothic-revival mansion nestled in a hidden corner of Windsor Great Park," and the former home of King Edward VIII.

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers on August 12, Kravitz revealed that she'd stayed in one of Swift's homes during the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. The Big Little Lies actress was joined by her famous mom, Lisa Bonet, and a slightly unpredictable house guest—her mother's pet snake.

"We ended up having to stay there for maybe about two weeks," Kravitz told the talk show host (via People). "Taylor has a very beautiful house from the '30s, it's just something you want to preserve and take care of." Unfortunately, it would appear that the snake had rather different plans.

Following a successful stay, Kravitz got ready to leave, while Bonet planned to remain in the property a little longer. "I was saying to my mom, 'I really want to be a good house guest,'" Kravitz explained. "'I don't want her to even know we were here.'" But just as Kravitz prepared to leave, her mom asked for her help, saying she was "in a little bit of a pickle."

Kravitz shared, "She's [in] the bathroom and she's, like, crouched in the corner in this weird way. She's like, 'So, I was washing my face and I had Orpheus [the snake] and I just put her down for a second, closed the door, and she found this little hole in the corner.'"

The Blink Twice director continued, "The hole is next to a banquette that is built into the wall that has two drawers at the bottom...So I get down on the ground, I take the drawers out, [and] as this is happening, the snake is getting further and further [away]." Unsurprisingly, Kravitz "was panicking so much" as her mom's pet snake disappeared into the crevice in Swift's bathroom.

In order to rescue Bonet's snake, it was necessary to begin "ripping up the tile," which led to them "scratching the walls." "We completely destroyed Taylor's bathroom," Kravitz said, revealing she had planned to pay for the repairs, and didn't want to tell the singer until the work had been completed.

Luckily, Swift took the accident in good humor. "I remember calling her and saying, 'Hey...I wanted to talk to you about something,'" Kravitz shared. "And she was like, 'Is it the fact that you almost lost a snake in the house and destroyed my bathroom?'"

It sounds as though Kravitz and Swift's friendship can survive just about anything.

Will Smith

Did you know that Will Smith almost played the main character, Neo, in The Matrix? He was apparently skeptical of the Wachowskis' vision and instead opted to make Wild Wild West. In 2019 he said, "I probably would have messed The Matrix up...I would have ruined it, so I did y'all a favor."

Gwen Stefani

Though it's hard to envision anyone other than Angelina Jolie as Jane in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (especially considering the drama that resulted from her relationship with costar Brad Pitt), apparently Gwen Stefani was considered. The star later noted, "[It was] very competitive and I wanted to do it, but I wanted to do music more."

Vince Vaughn

In 2018, Friends casting director Ellie Kanner noted that Vince Vaughn was in consideration for the role of Joey. He apparently was a great match for the role, but was less of a personality fit with the rest of the group (which led to Matt LeBlanc's being cast in the role instead).

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald was actually offered the role of Vivian in Pretty Woman, but balked at the prospect of playing a sex worker. "Julia Roberts was wonderful in it, but I didn't really like the story," she said in 2023. "Even then, I felt like there was something icky about it."

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne auditioned to be Kylo Ren in Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens. In 2016, he revealed, "I was trying again and again with different versions of my kind of 'koohh paaaah' [Darth Vader breathing] voice. And after like 10 shots [casting director Nina Gold] was like, 'You got anything else?' I was like, 'No.'"

Blake Lively

Blake Lively was seriously considered for the role of Karen Smith in Mean Girls. The casting director later noted, "We wanted Blake Lively, who hadn't done The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants yet, for Karen. She came down to the final tests but, at some point, some of the filmmakers said to keep looking."

Emma Watson

Emma Watson wasn't able to play Mia in La La Land in part because of scheduling conflicts with 2017's Beauty and the Beast. "This wasn't a movie I could just kind of parachute into. I knew I had to do the work, and I had to be where I had to be," she later noted.

Yunjin Kim

Yunjin Kim, who memorably played Sun in Lost, was actually in the middle of auditioning for the role of Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy when she was cast on the sci-fi show. She almost kept her Grey's callback. "My agents were like, 'Why? You got cast on an amazing show. You should pack up and try to find a place in Hawaii.' I was like, 'I don't know, I might like Grey's Anatomy more.'"

Adrien Brody

Adrien Brody passed on a role playing "some hobbit-like character" in The Lord of the Rings because he "didn't grasp it," only realizing what a phenomenon it was when he watched the film. Instead, he went on to play a role in another Peter Jackson movie (2005's King Kong).

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown obviously broke out in Stranger Things in 2016. She later said that her audition for Wolverine's daughter X-23 in Logan around the same time was one of her best, and made her feel like a real actor—but she didn't ultimately get the role.

Hank Azaria

Hank Azaria really wanted to play Joey on Friends. "That's the only job I ever auditioned for twice," Azaria told HuffPost Live in 2014. "I thought it was so good—they had rejected me once—I said, 'I'm going back, I'm gonna do it again, I'm gonna try it again.'" Fortunately he came back in a guest role.

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate was sent the script for Legally Blonde with the idea that she might play Elle Woods. Worried that it was too close to her character in Married...with Children, she passed—but ended up regretting it when she saw the successful movie.

Liam Hemsworth

If you can believe it, another Hemsworth almost played Thor in the Marvel movies. Chris Hemsworth later noted he was jealous that Liam had done well in auditions. "I came in kind of with a little, I guess, motivation and maybe frustration that my little brother had gotten further than me...It's a little family, sibling rivalry sort of kicked up in me."

John Travolta

John Travolta almost played Forrest Gump? Yup, the role was offered to Travolta before Tom Hanks took on the Oscar-winning role. Instead, Travolta went on to play Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction—and a revitalization of his career followed thereafter.

Eminem

At one point, George Miller really wanted rapper Eminem for the role of Max in Mad Max: Fury Road. "He’d done 8 Mile, and I found that really interesting—I thought, 'He’s got that quality,'" he told Vulture. "We did get in touch with him, though that’s as far as it went because we were going to shoot it in Australia at that point, and he simply didn’t want to leave home."

Joaquin Phoenix

While you probably know him from another comic book character (the Joker), Joaquin Phoenix was apparently in talks to play Stephen Strange in Doctor Strange. Months-long negotiations led to a deadlock, and the role went to Benedict Cumberbatch instead.

Tom Hiddleston

While Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Loki in the MCU movies and TV shows might be indelible at this point, he was apparently hoping to play...Thor. "They were always looking for Loki as well, and I think—the closer I got, they were like, 'Actually, you should play the bad guy,'" he later said.

Jake Gyllenhaal

Ben Stiller was always hoping Owen Wilson would play Hansel, Zoolander's model frenemy, in Zoolander. But when there were worries there might be scheduling conflicts, Stiller held auditions. "The only one that I remember clearly was a young Jake Gyllenhaal doing this wide-eyed version of Hansel that was really funny," he remembered.

John Krasinski

The title role in Captain America: The First Avenger almost went to another famous American actor. John Krasinski was even asked to screen test in costume, but the second he saw Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Krasinski joked, "I went, 'I'm good. This is stupid. That's okay, I'm not Captain America.'"

Jennifer Lawrence

Twilight would have been a very different movie if Jennifer Lawrence had played Bella. And yet, the actor later noted she was glad not to get it. "I remember when the first movie came out, seeing Kristen Stewart on the red carpet and getting papped wherever she went...For me, and assuming for her, it was just another audition. Then it turned into this whole other thing."

Amanda Seyfried

If you can imagine anyone other than Ariana Grande in the role of Glinda (good luck trying), a number of actors were vying for the role. Including Amanda Seyfried: "Last summer while I was playing Elizabeth [Holmes on The Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version of Wicked, because I wanted it that much that I was like, 'You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene of The Dropout on Tuesday. I'll give my Sunday to you,'" she later explained.

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling got candid with Andy Cohen when talking about Bridesmaids. She was almost up for the role of Lillian (Maya Rudolph's part), admitting that she "loved the whole cast" as well as the resulting film. "That was one that was a heartbreaker," she said.

Matthew McConaughey

It's kind of unfathomable to think of someone else other than Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack in Titanic. But Matthew McConaughey auditioned and really thought he "had it," so to speak. James Cameron later said that the actor lost the role because he refused to try a version in a non-Southern accent.

George Clooney

In early talks for The Notebook, George Clooney would have played young Noah, and Paul Newman would have played the older version. Clooney got cold feet after watching some early Newman movies. “He’s one of the handsomest guys you’ve ever seen...We met up [again], and I said, ‘I can’t play you. I don’t look anything like you. This is insane.’ We just wanted to do it because we wanted to work together, [but] it ended up being not the right thing for us to do.”

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman almost played Juliet in Romeo + Juliet. In fact, she was originally cast, but because of her age at the time (13), Leonardo DiCaprio's age (21), and the potential for the two to do love scenes as required by the story, the directors decided the pairing was inappropriate.

Ben Affleck

While Paul Rudd went on to be Josh in Clueless, Ben Affleck was apparently a frontrunner for the heartthrob role. Apparently, according to casting director Carrie Frazier, "I thought [Affleck] would be fabulous for it." I can see this one, actually.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt was Jon Favreau's first choice to play Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, for Iron Man 2. Apparently, she was also considered to play Peggy Carter, Captain America's love interest. In both cases, she had to bow out due to scheduling conflicts.

Hugh Jackman

Once Hugh Jackman played Wolverine, he got offered a lot of roles. "I was about to do X-Men 2, and a call came from my agent asking if I'd be interested in Bond. I just felt at the time that the scripts had become so unbelievable and crazy, and I felt like they needed to become grittier and real." He suggested changes, but they were not accepted; Daniel Craig ended up playing the role.

Peter O'Toole

Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies was almost played by another iconic actor: Peter O'Toole. After Richard Harris passed away, O'Toole was approached. "He was close except Richard was his best friend and he felt it was intrusive from an acting point of view so he decided not to do it," noted Chris Columbus.

Robert De Niro

Apparently the original thinking for Big was to make it a horror movie, according to lead actor Elizabeth Perkins. "Robert De Niro was actually cast in the role of Josh in the movie Big. It fell apart because he had a scheduling conflict, and then they went to Tom Hanks," she said. "It's like a totally different movie in my brain with Robert De Niro—and dark."

Julia Roberts

Shakespeare in Love apparently went through several iterations before it finally made it to the screen. As Gwyneth Paltrow later noted, "Julia Roberts was going to do it for a long time, and then that version fell apart. It ended up in Miramax, and I was the first person they offered it to."

Al Pacino

Wait—Al Pacino was going to play Han Solo? He told MTV in 2014, “It was at that time in my career where I was offered everything...I was in The Godfather. They didn't care if I was right or wrong for the role, if I could act or not act...I remember not understanding it when I read it."

While the general public did learn about all of the scandalous details until the early 1990s, some members of the royal family's social circle got a sneak peek at the drama during a birthday party in 1989.

In his book Rebel King: The Making of a Monarch, royal author Tom Bower details a tense moment when Diana and Camilla (who was still married to her first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, at the time) unexpectedly ran into each other at a birthday party for Lady Annabel Goldsmith.

According to excerpts from the book quoted by the Daily Mail, things quickly turned tense when "Diana arrived unexpectedly" at the party.

"Charles was with Diana, while both the Parker Bowleses were already there. As the room fell suddenly silent, Diana challenged Camilla to leave Charles alone," according to the Daily Mail's excerpt.

Camilla reportedly "controlled her fury" at Diana during the incident—but still made a point to tell the Princess of Wales that her behavior was "unacceptable in a private house."

"The princess, she said was poorly placed to complain," Bower wrote. "While Camilla confined herself to a single, conventional relationship, Diana, she had been told by friends, was 'working her way through the life guards.'"

The confrontation drew mixed reactions, apparently. While Bower wrote that "Camilla's intimates blamed the bruising encounter on Diana for creating 'such a public scene,'" he added that "others accused Camilla of b*tchiness."

As the Daily Mail notes, Diana's negative feelings about Camilla's relationship with Charles weren't without merit at this time, since by 1989, Charles and Camilla had been spending "more and more time together." In addition to vacationing together in Turkey (along with Andrew Parker Bowles), Camilla had been spotted wearing a bracelet with the initials "G" and "F," in a nod to "Gladys and Fred," the nicknames Camilla and Charles used with each other.

After she and Charles separated in 1992, Diana officially made the affair part of the public record when she mentioned it in her authorized biography, Diana: Her True Story.

Although it was no secret that Charles and Camilla began seeing each other after their respective divorces in the mid-1990s (Camilla and Andrew divorced in 1995 and Charles and Diana's divorce became official in 1996), they kept their relationship low-key at first, not making their first public appearance together until 1999 and marrying in a small civil ceremony in 2005.

In a new interview for the cover story of the September issue of GQ, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end opened up about, among other things, his relationship with Taylor Swift. Kelce didn't seem shy about sharing rare details about his and Swift's relationship (including insight into how they fell in love), but one question about his love life did give him pause, apparently.

The emotional moment came when the interviewer reminded Kelce of an old interview in which he mentioned that, in a perfect world, he would want his eventual partner to share some of the qualities he admires most in his mom, Donna Kelce—and then asked if there were any similarities between Swift and the Kelce matriarch.

“Their kindness, their genuineness, their ability to say hello to everyone in the room,” Kelce answered. “Their ability to show love and support no matter what. And on top of that, their work ethic. I saw my mother reach goals that she had set for herself, go from being a teller to working all the way up in the KeyBank building.”

Then, while "thinking of his mom’s determination and perseverance" Kelce got "a bit emotional" and "pause[d] briefly to collect himself," according to the according to the GQ profile.

“I’ve seen Taylor do the exact same thing of setting goals for herself and exceeding the expectations and really captivating the world in that regard," Kelce added after taking a moment for the emotions the question apparently stirred up for him.

During the interview, Kelce also revealed that he and Swift already support each other like family, too.

“I get to be the plus one,” he said of the way he and Swift support each other. “I get to go and be that fan. Because I am a fan. I’m a fan of music. I’m a fan of art. And it’s so cool that I get to experience her being that plus one for me on the football field…. I feel that same enjoyment every time she comes to my shows.”

According to royal historian Marlene Koenig, Kate Middleton's role in preparing her 12-year-old son for his future on the throne is very "different" than that of her husband, Prince William.

While William and his father, King Charles, will focus on preparing George with “the knowledge and practice of their roles," Koenig says Kate will be focused on treating George like a son, rather than a monarch-in-training.

“She will never have a constitutional role, except as regent in a worst-case scenario, if George becomes king before age 18,” Koenig explained in a new interview with Us Weekly. “She is there to be the loving, supportive mom in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost.”

Just because Kate will focus on treating George like a son first doesn't mean she isn't also thoughtfully preparing him for his future role in The Firm though. The 43-year-old mother of three is a self-taught expert in how to not just survive, but thrive in a high-profile life as part of the royal family—a role she never took lightly herself.

"She and William dated for nearly 10 years before their engagement was announced, which allowed her the time and space to learn about her future life as a member of the royal family," Koenig explained. "In time, as wife of the heir to the throne and eventually as a Queen consort. She is also the mother of a future king."

Preparing George for his future life as king has, of course, been part of every parenting decision Kate has made since he was born—long before he started any of his more formal preparations for the the role. And, for what it's worth, Koenig says the young royal's preparations for his future life in the public eye already appear to be paying off.

Koenig points to King Charles' coronation in 2023, where George made royal family history when he took part in the ceremony, serving as one of Charles' train bearers.

“George is the first member of the royal family to have such a role in the service,” Koenig explained. “If the young prince was nervous, he didn’t show it.”

Well done, Team Prepare-Prince-George-to-Be-King. Well done.

In the lead-up to the 28th anniversary of the beloved royal's untimely death, several royal experts, historians, and biographers weighed in on the topic in interviews with People, including Princess Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton.

“We all remember the days when Harry and William were joshing with one another, and it all seemed set for their relationship and the future — that Harry, as Diana always used to say, would be William’s wingman,” Morton, whose authorized biography of the royal, Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words, was written based on intimate, taped interviews with Diana herself, said of the royal rift. “It’s a great loss for the monarchy.”

The brothers' feud became the subject of especially intense public scrutiny and speculation (even by royal family gossip standards) in 2020, when Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, announced their decision to step away from royal duties and relocate their family to the United States. While many royal fans have hoped since for a reconciliation, William and Harry's relationship has reportedly only become more strained in the time since the Sussexes' move.

"Things were said that sparked the initial rift, and it's never healed," Morton explained.

According to Robert Lacey, whose book, Battle of Brothers, focuses specifically on the deteriorating relationship between William and Harry, fans hoping for a royal reconciliation may be disappointed in the long-run because "they both deeply believe that they’re fighting for profound points of principle.”

“The rift is very profound and very long-lasting," he told People. "It will not be changed, in my opinion, until Harry makes a move and apologizes.”

Morton, for his part, says it wouldn't fall squarely on either brother to make the first move toward apologizing if their mother were still alive because he believes there is "no doubt" that Diana would take it upon herself to try to help her sons repair their relationship.

"Diana always used to say she had two boys for a reason — the younger would be there to support the older in the lonely task as future King," Morton explained. "There is no doubt Diana would have tried to act as a peacemaker between them. If she had been around, they would have worked things out in a different way.”

This sentiment is echoed by others who know the royal family and also insist Diana would be devastated by the current state of William and Harry's relationship.

“This is the sadness of it — they aren’t supporting each other like they should be,” a source described as "close to the royal household" told People. “That’s what any mother would want — that they are there for each other.”

In a new interview for the September issue of GQ, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end opened up about his relationship with Swift (who announced her upcoming 12th studio album hours before Kelce's GQ interview was published online), sharing rare details about their love story.

“Whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re just regular people,” Kelce said when asked how he and Swift, two decidedly Not Regular People, keep their romance going strong while juggling the busy schedules of a professional athlete and international pop star.

“When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love," he added" It can be perceived as something else because of how much it is talked about and how much we are tracked whenever we do go out, but I would say that it’s as normal of…. It happened very organically even though from a media standpoint it was being tracked. It still happened very organically."

And, according to Kelce, that organic normalcy has been baked into the couple's relationship since the beginning, when the pair clicked instantly and, as Kelce put it, "just took the f*ck off."

“Nothing I’ve ever done has been a controlled, organized process," Kelce explained. "When I say it was so organic, we fell in love just based off the people we were sitting in a room together with. We are two fun-loving people who have the morals to appreciate everyone for who they are. We share all those values. It kind of just took the f*ck off.”

As much as Kelce emphasized how normal he and Swift are when they're together in private, the athlete also admitted that living decidedly-not-normal lives has also contributed to their bond. For Kelce and Swift, the things that make their lives so atypical were the things that were most relatable to each other.

“I hadn’t experienced somebody in the same shoes as me, having a partner who understands the scrutiny, understands the ups and downs of being in front of millions," Kelce explained. "That was very relatable, seeing how exhausted she would get after shows. She may not think of herself as an athlete. She will never tell anyone that she is an athlete. But I’ve seen what she goes through. I’ve seen the amount of work that she puts on her body, and it’s mind-blowing."

Another way Kelce and Swift are in the same shoes, according to his GQ interview, is that they're each other's biggest fans.

“I get to be the plus one,” he said. “I get to go and be that fan. Because I am a fan. I’m a fan of music. I’m a fan of art. And it’s so cool that I get to experience her being that plus one for me on the football field…. I feel that same enjoyment every time she comes to my shows.”

Formal occasions are limited these days, especially amid Princess Kate's recovery from cancer. But when she does get to break out the eveningwear, Kate always knocks it out of the park. In the early days of her royal career, the princess kept it a bit more safe, but in recent years, she's gone for elegance and drama, wearing gowns with flowing capes and bold colors.

Like the Princess of Wales, I have a penchant for green, and it's a color that shows up often in her formal looks. But some of my favorite dresses she's worn range from glimmering gold to punchy pink. Ahead, Princess Kate's best evening gowns of all time (so far)—and some sparkly repliKates to copy her look.

Bond Premiere, 2021

The gold sequined Jenny Packham gown Princess Kate wore to the No Time to Die premiere in September 2021 is hands-down the boldest—and most glamorous—outfit the royal has ever worn. Was it slightly over the top? Yes. Do I have an illustration of her wearing it on the wall in my office? Also yes. The plunging neck, the sequins, the cape...all of it added up to a total Bond Girl moment. 10/10, no notes.

Olympic Concert, 2012

I distinctly remember the first time I saw this dress, and I actually gasped out loud. Kate, then known as the Duchess of Cambridge, wore a teal version of Jenny Packham's Aspen bridal gown while attending the "Our Greatest Team Rises - BOA Olympic Concert" in May 2012. Its lace cap sleeves transitioned to a full lace back with tiny buttons marching down from the neck all the way down to her waist, and she wore her hair up in an intricate braided updo to show off the incredible detail.

ARK Gala Dinner, 2011

So many Jenny Packhams, so little time—and this happens to be the first dress from the designer that the princess ever wore. The then-Duchess of Cambridge chose a sparkly, pale pink number to attend the ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner in June 2011. The flutter sleeves, shimmery sequins and banded waist make this an instant classic Kate piece, and she wore the gown again to a charity dinner in 2016.

National Portrait Gala, 2017

This forest green Temperley London dress is the first non-Packham to hit the list, and for good reason. The deep green color was the perfect choice for a March event, with the princess wearing the long-sleeved lace gown to the 2017 Portrait Gala for London's National Portrait Gallery. While she'd worn a number of black lace dresses prior to this event, switching her wardrobe up with a jewel-toned color made this moment all the more exciting.

Pakistan Tour, 2019

William and Kate's 2019 tour of Pakistan brought many memorable fashion moments, but this sequined Jenny Packham dress was certainly the best in my book. She paired a deep green version of the designer's Georgia gown with a matching beaded scarf draped over her shoulder, a nod both to Pakistani culture and the color of the nation's flag. Two years later, she repeated the gown at the 2021 Royal Variety Show and wore a pink version of the dress twice in 2023. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Caribbean Tour, 2022

This icy blue satin gown was one of my favorite looks from the couple's 2022 Caribbean tour, and it was a true Disney princess moment. The Cinderella-esque dress with shoulder bows was designed by London-based designer Phillipa Lepley, and Kate wore it to attend a gala hosted by the Governor General of the Bahamas at the Baha Mar Resort. The princess doesn't often do these full-skirted ballgowns, making the piece a fun departure from her usual evening repertoire. More of this, please.

South African State Banquet, 2022

The Princess of Wales once again wore a Jenny Packham bridal gown in 2022, choosing a custom version of the designer's Elsbeth dress for a state banquet honoring South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. I can't resist a good cape, and the bejeweled shoulders and caped detail gave this classic white gown a major dose of glamour. Plus, the gems matched perfectly with Queen Mary's Lover's Knot Tiara.

Caribbean Tour, 2022

2022 was a great year for gowns, as Princess Kate proved once again during the Caribbean tour that spring. She stepped out of her comfort zone in a bright pink dress by one of her favorite (and now defunct) brands, The Vampire's Wife, while attending a reception in Belize.

Kate has worn several pink evening dresses in the past, but this is the only time she's worn such a bright shade of the color in a formal gown. While The Vampire's Wife is sadly no more, if you have a spare $3,200, someone's selling Kate's exact gown on Poshmark at the moment.

Caribbean Tour, 2022

What can I say, the Caribbean tour was an excellent time for royal fashion. Once again Princess Kate turned to Jenny Packham (and another green dress) for a glitzy dinner hosted by the Governor General of Jamaica. This gown stands out to me for a number of reasons—mostly because, like the pale blue Phillipa Lepley, Kate rarely goes for an all-out fairytale ballgown moment at formal events.

The fluffy tulle detail on this off-the-shoulder dress brings back memories of gowns you'd see when Queen Elizabeth was young, and perhaps that was the point. The tour took place during the late monarch's Platinum Jubilee, and came amid protests from Caribbean nations calling for independence.

100 Women in Finance Gala, 2019

Gucci isn't a label you see Princess Kate wearing too often, so I was thrilled to see her in this pink gown at the 100 Women in Finance Gala in 2019. Multiple shades of tulle fabric came together to form the most perfect princess dress, tied up with a maroon velvet waistband. Since Kate is a frequent outfit repeater, my fingers are crossed that she brings this one out of the vaults someday soon.

In the forthcoming biography Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, author Andrew Lownie explores every facet of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's lives. In an interview with Sky News ahead of the book's release, Lownie said of Prince Andrew, "What most annoys him is his lack of a royal status."

The biographer continued, "That's what really sort of gave him his whole sense of identity. And that's, you know, it's not being able to put on his uniforms and strut around and being self-important."

As for whether or not Prince Andrew might be invited back as a senior member of the Royal Family, Lownie told the outlet, "I don't think he has any public future. I would say his private future is pretty limited too." Revealing how Prince Andrew allegedly spends his days, Lownie claimed, "I mean, he lives in Royal Lodge [on the Windsor Estate], he plays golf, watches TV, and presumably sees his grandchildren...he's living the life of a retired man."

Conversely, one of Ferguson's friends claimed the biography wasn't a big deal to the York family, telling the Daily Beast, "The family have been pilloried and bullied by the British press for generations, so they're well used to it by now."

The book in question is Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York by Andrew Lownie, which examines the lives of Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson. As for how the release of the new biography might affect Beatrice and Eugenie, their friends told the Daily Beast the sisters were "innocent victims" and "collateral damage" in the book.

One source told the outlet, "All they have ever done is stand by their parents in the most horrifically public circumstances. I don't think it's fair to criticize them for that."

The source further elaborated, "They're sweet girls who understand that they are immensely privileged and have always been grateful for the privilege they've had and have tried to use it to do the right thing. They were told to get jobs by the firm, and they did that, so it seems unfair to attack them for making money."

As for how Andrew's ex-wife is handling the continued negative attention, one source told the Daily Beast, "Sarah has seen it all before. She's a tough old bird, and I don't think this latest round of 'revelations,' which are really just recycled gossip, will make much difference." The source continued, "It's telling how many of the sources are either anonymous or dead."

On June 6, Prince William attended the Royal Cornwall Show with Duchess Sophie. At the event, he had the honor of meeting a 7-month-old baby named George and his mom, Anna Rebecca. Sharing a video clip of the special moment on Instagram, baby George's mom wrote in the caption, "When George met Prince William at Royal Cornwall show...I can't believe I forgot to share this on here at the time. He was absolutely lovely with George [and] took so much time to chat with us. We were so lucky."

In the video clip, Prince William could be heard saying, "He's so sweet...You're very smiley." The Prince of Wales also asked George's mom whether he was sleeping well, before telling the baby to "enjoy your tractors, mister."

Unsurprisingly, royal fans were quick to comment on the sweet video, with one writing, "William in full-on daddy mode. Love it." Another commenter said, "How wonderful for you and your beautiful baby George. I would love to meet our future king, he seems like such a lovely man."

"Always telling people that Catherine is the one that loves babies," another fan wrote. "He does as well. So sweet." More fans concurred, with one writing, "Future king cooing all gooey over your boy."

When asked about Queen Elizabeth's favorite comfort food, former royal chef Darren McGrady told Heart Bingo, "They didn't call them comfort foods, they were nursery foods. Foods that were served in the nursery, things they had growing up."

McGrady continued, "One of the late Queen's favorite sandwiches at afternoon tea were Jam Pennies. They were just bread and butter with jam, cut into circles the size of an old English penny. Even at 97, she was still eating them every now and again."

As for how the Royal Family's take on comfort foods got their unusual name, McGrady told the outlet, "They were nursery foods, they dated back to when she and Princess Margaret were eating them in the nursery when they were young."

During the same interview, McGrady—who also worked with Princess Diana—discussed Queen Elizabeth's preferences when it came to food. "The Queen traditionally had British food, especially if it was local food, and also French cuisine," the former royal chef noted. "Menus were written in French for The Queen."

Some of the former monarch's family members were a little more adventurous, according to McGrady. "[King] Charles loved Italian food, he loved all the risottos and things like that," the royal chef explained. "He loved the simple, clean Mediterranean diet. He loved wild mushrooms, he loved to go foraging for them at Balmoral. He would come back and we would freeze enough to last through the year."

McGrady also admitted that the kitchen staff liked to "experiment quite a lot," but "The Queen tended to stick to the same foods." He elaborated, "It was difficult to try and get new things on the menu. If I had said would you like to try kangaroo, I think she would have thrown the menu book at me."

Regarding the 7-year-old's unique ability to make people laugh, the Daily Mail reported, "When it comes to brotherly banter, it seems Prince Louis is following in the footsteps of his uncle, Prince Harry." While the Duke of Sussex was known for teasing his older brother, Prince William, in public, Prince Louis appears to have followed suit.

As noted by the outlet, Prince Louis mercilessly teased Prince George by imitating a hair flip the future king appeared to perform at the VE Day Parade. It seems that Prince Louis has inherited Prince Harry's comic timing, as well as his ability to tease his older brother in the funniest way.

Queen Elizabeth II was also very funny, and likely influenced her great-grandson's comedic personality. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed in her book, My Mother And I (via the Daily Mail), "The Queen's stern look, inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary, belies the wonderful sense of humor we got to see more and more as she got older." Seward continued, "The Queen could be extremely funny, in a slightly mocking way."

Discussing the ways in which Queen Elizabeth made people smile, Seward wrote, "She was also a first-class mimic, particularly of politicians, but never to anyone's face. She could only laugh or state her opinions in private, and some of them were pretty forceful."

It seems as though Prince Louis's love of comedy is somewhat of a Royal Family tradition.

Celebrity biographer Sean Smith has written a new book all about the Duchess of Edinburgh, simply titled Sophie. In the forthcoming volume, Smith explored Sophie's very first visit to Windsor Castle, early on in her relationship with Prince Edward. According to Smith, via the Daily Mail, Elizabeth reportedly said of her son's future wife, "You wouldn't notice her in the crowd."

Smith also shared that Duchess Sophie prepared to meet her boyfriend's mother by receiving advice from Prince Edward's valet, Brian. According to the outlet, Brian wanted to help an "anxious" Sophie "avoid any of the common faux pas visitors encounter when meeting the royals for the first time."

Reflecting on the meeting, Smith wrote, "The big moment arrived. Edward introduced Sophie to The Queen and the brief handshake and curtsy were over in the blink of an eye: all that practicing at home had been worth it."

Although Queen Elizabeth reportedly suggested Sophie was someone "you wouldn't notice," this was apparently somewhat of a compliment. In particular, The Queen was allegedly on edge as multiple family members had turned out to be "tabloid gifts that kept on giving," Smith wrote. "It was greatly to Sophie's advantage to maintain a low profile."

Duchess Sophie has since taken on more responsibility within the Royal Family, and has become a real fan favorite. But the Duchess of Edinburgh's subtle start only aided her relationship with the royals, and Queen Elizabeth, as time went on. "She would have to face intense media scrutiny in the future, but for the moment she could quietly establish herself as a dependable presence," Smith explained in the excerpt.

During an episode of the "Dynasty: The Royal Family's Most Challenging Year" podcast (via the Daily Mail), royal expert Katie Nicholl revealed that Kate's dad, Michael Middleton, is a "really wonderful" father-in-law. "I know they have a close relationship, and that William will often turn to Michael for advice," Nicholl explained.

As for why Michael is the perfect person to support Prince William, Nicholl said, "He has a great sense of humor and I think he's someone who is a cool head in a crisis."

Nicholl also reflected on some of Michael's stand-out moments, despite him generally staying out of the limelight. "I always remember his father of the bride speech on the wedding day and how he had everyone at the tables just in fits of laughter when he was recounting the story of William, who was training at the time as a helicopter pilot, buzzing in on the Middleton family home and sweeping in on his helicopter," the royal expert noted.

The royal biographer continued, "Obviously, as a father, thinking, 'What on earth is going on here?' while simultaneously realizing this was the future king of England really courting his daughter in a pretty spectacular way."

According to Nicholl, Kate's family have remained close in the years since. "They would always stick together," the royal expert noted. "They were a very tight unit and they're still the same today."

Speaking to Heart Bingo, former royal chef Darren McGrady, who also worked with Princess Diana, explained, "The late Queen could have any food she wanted, but she loved to eat seasonally—and it's the same with Charles now."

McGrady continued, "The Balmoral gardens were incredible, still are today. They produce most of the food to be self-contained for the family for the 8 weeks they're in residence in Balmoral. The late Queen would have whatever was in the garden, whatever was available."

Describing the main item Queen Elizabeth would order again and again, McGrady told the outlet, "She was happy to have strawberries 4 or 5 days a week if they were from the Balmoral gardens and they were in season." He continued, "If any chef dared to put strawberries on the menu in winter, it wouldn't have gone down well. We definitely weren't allowed to do that at all. But during the summer, we could do as many as we wanted. The late Queen and the rest of the Royal Family loved them."

McGrady also prepared food for the Royal Family's guests at Balmoral. During his interview with Heart Bingo, the former royal employee said that when members of the Royal Family were "entertaining at Balmoral" throughout the summer, they could easily invite "14 to 20 guests" for a meal.

"They would start off with a first course, then they would have a main course with a salad alongside in a kidney-shaped dish," the chef revealed. "Then they would have pudding. Some people call it dessert, and it's not dessert. Whether you're having an Eton Mess or a sticky toffee pudding, it's all pudding."

Dessert would consist of fruit, with McGrady sharing that, after meals in Balmoral, the royals would eat "raspberries, blackcurrents, blackberries, redcurrents, and gooseberries—all grown on the estate." While the late Queen could have ordered just about any item, she appears to have been a creature of habit.

"She will never have a constitutional role, except as regent in a worst-case scenario, if George becomes king before age 18," royal expert and historian Marlene Koenig told Us Weekly. "She is there to be the loving, supportive mom in everything George does, because he is her son first and foremost."

Having been in a relationship with Prince William for a decade prior to their marriage, Kate is reportedly under no illusions and "is not naive to her son's future," the publication explained.

"She and William dated for nearly 10 years before their engagement was announced, which allowed her the time and space to learn about her future life as a member of the Royal Family," Koenig told the outlet. The royal historian noted that Princess Kate will one day take on a new role herself as "a queen consort," while also being "the mother of a future king."

When it comes time for George to become more serious about his destiny, King Charles and Prince William will apparently step in to share "the knowledge and practice of their roles" with the young prince, Koenig explained.

For now, the Princess of Wales reportedly has a "different" role from Charles and William, and is gently preparing her son for the throne, while prioritizing her role as his mother.

One royal fan's Facebook post asked commenters whether they thought Princess Charlotte looked like any of her close royal relatives. Unsurprisingly, the responses flooded in.

"She is so beautiful and resembles, her Dad, Mum and Grandmother the late Queen BUT she looks like herself and is absolutely beautiful and elegant, a real princess," one person wrote on the post. Another royal fan confirmed, "Definitely her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II."

Another commenter agreed with the suggestion Charlotte looks like her great-grandmother, the late monarch. "Definitely Queen Elizabeth, noticed that when she was a baby, she also has that elegance about her too," the fan explained.

It's often been suggested that Princess Charlotte takes after her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, particularly as a young girl. But additional commenters also pointed out Charlotte's resemblance to her late grandmother, Princess Diana.

This isn't the first time Princess Charlotte and Princess Diana have been compared. Previously, royal fans suggested Charlotte had inherited Diana's iconic Spencer stare.

On a TikTok video comparing Diana and Charlotte's Spencer stares, one person wrote, "Princess Charlotte is spookily looking like Princess Diana." Another royal fan noted, "She looks a lot like her great-grandmother the late Queen but her eyes...they are Diana's."

Princess Charlotte has also started following in her late grandmother Princess Diana's fashion footsteps—while carving out her own regal style. It's heartwarming to know both Elizabeth and Diana's legacies will be continued in Princess Charlotte.

On August 8, the Royal Family released a brand new portrait of Princess Anne in honor of her forthcoming 75th birthday. The photograph was taken before the state banquet, held at Windsor Castle in honor of French president Emmanuel Macron's visit in July.

On Instagram, royal photographer Chris Jackson celebrated the release of his photo, captioning his post, "Special to have taken this official portrait for Princess Anne's Birthday of HRH and Sir Tim at Windsor Castle—Happy 75th Birthday!"

People magazine reported that Princess Anne's portrait debuted the royal's "first hair makeover in half a century." The publication noted that Anne was "trading her signature bouffant of 5 decades for an elegant chignon," while wearing her prized Festoon Tiara.

Rather than having a birthday party, Anne decided to invite a plethora of charities and organizations to "a special gathering at Buckingham Palace," the Express reported. As the royal patron of more than 400 organizations, Princess Anne has dedicated her life to charity, so it's perhaps unsurprising she chose to focus on her work at the event.

"This personifies what Her Royal Highness cares about," a royal source told the Express. "She didn't want to do anything for her birthday but bring her charities together to hear more about their work and how she can help them."

Speaking exclusively to Heart Bingo, Darren McGrady—a Royal Family chef for 15 years—explained, "When I moved to Princess Diana['s home], it was much more relaxed." Reflecting on the most unexpected item Princess Diana requested, McGrady explained, "I remember one of Prince William's birthday cakes. I came into work and opened my refrigerator and there was a large box in there. I opened it, wondering who was using my refrigerator, and there was a large pair of women's boobs."

McGrady continued, "It was the cake Diana had bought for William. She'd thought he'd find this funny. She loved embarrassing William and it was a fantastic gift for him. He loved it, it went down really well."

During the same interview, McGrady reminisced about working with Princess Diana, including her approach to celebrating birthdays. "Princess Diana was a people pleaser," the former royal chef said. "She went out of her way for people. Whether it was buying a gift and wrapping it personally, and handing it over with a handwritten note—she always did that with birthday gifts. She did that with so many friends, including in the kitchen with me."

In fact, Princess Diana always recognized McGrady's birthday, proving how kind she was to members of staff, as well as family members. "Every year on my birthday she would come through with a beautiful gift," McGrady recalled. "Usually it was a Hermès tie. It was really, really nice. I have about 7 of them. She was incredible like that, she always thought about friends."

Unsurprisingly, Diana placed a lot of emphasis on Harry and William's birthdays, and ensuring she could prioritize them. "For the princess and the boys, birthdays were about spending time together," McGrady told the outlet. "She made sure that while they had the royal side with all the pomp and pageantry with Charles, they also got the 'normal' life with her." The chef continued, "That meant a Saturday night treat was sitting in front of the television eating hamburgers and chips. That was a special treat for them."

Of course, it seems likely that William will never forget the unexpected "boob" cake Princess Diana once surprised him with.

Sharing a photo of Princess Beatrice on his personal Instagram account, Mapelli Mozzi wrote, "Happy Birthday to my BEAUTIFUL wife. You are the greatest. We love you so much. E,W,S,A xxxx."

Mapelli Mozzi's signature was accompanied by the initials of the couple's three children—Beatrice's stepson, Christopher "Wolfie" Woolf, whom her husband welcomed in a previous relationship, daughter Sienna, who was born in 2021, and daughter Athena, born in 2025.

Beatrice's sister, Princess Eugenie, shared a carousel of photos on Instagram in honor of the important milestone. Eugenie captioned the post, "Happy happy birthday to my dearest Beabea...my big sissy, the best in the entire world."

Eugenie and Beatrice's mom, Sarah Ferguson, also shared a sweet birthday tribute on Instagram, along with a video in which she could be seen hugging her daughter on a red carpet. "Happy Birthday my darling Beatrice," Ferguson captioned the post. "There's nothing quite like holding you in my arms and feeling the incredible bond we've shared since the day you were born."

Ferguson further explained, "You continue to inspire me every single day with your strength, your kindness, and the beautiful way you love and care for your family. Moments like this will never get old and I cherish them more than words can say."

Finally, the Duchess of York wrote, "The hugs, the laughter, the quiet understanding between us. You make me so proud to be your mum, and I feel endlessly grateful for the woman you've become."