Royal family RECAP: Meghan Markle's surprise gesture to air hostess as Prince William launches new project

Good morning! HELLO!'s Website Editor Kate here, keeping you posted with all the latest royal news and upcoming engagements. This Friday will see the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit the Isle of Colonsay as they continue their visit to Scotland. 

Overnight, news came in that the Prince of Wales has described Sir David Attenborough as the "inspiration" for his new wildlife documentary project highlighting the work of rangers. Prince William hopes the six-part series will help nature's wardens be "valued, respected, seen" and promote the "wonderful" regions they protect, much like the iconic broadcaster's focus on remote parts of the globe.

We also saw some lovely new photos of Princess Eugenie as she celebrates becoming a mentor for The King’s Foundation’s new 35 under 35 network of changemakers. Keep tuned for today's updates and join our Hello! Daily newsletter to receive the latest and breaking news about the royals in your inbox every day.

Prince William has launched a new wildlife documentary series inspired by Sir David Attenborough, aiming not just to showcase endangered animals but to spotlight the courageous individuals protecting them. The series, titled Guardians, shifts the focus to wildlife rangers and conservationists who risk their lives daily to defend vulnerable species across the globe. William hopes the films will inspire hope and appreciation for the often unseen efforts that sustain the natural world.

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At a screening event where the Prince made a surprise appearance, he emphasized the dangerous reality faced by wildlife rangers, noting that over 1,400 have lost their lives in the past decade. He described these men and women as “unsung heroes” and called for them to be respected and valued. 

Princess Eugenie has taken on a new role as a mentor for The King's Foundation's 35 under 35 network, celebrating young changemakers making strides in areas close to King Charles's heart, such as sustainability, traditional crafts, and the arts. Marking the charity's 35th anniversary, and coinciding with her own 35th birthday, Eugenie expressed her excitement, saying she is "delighted to be working with this group of exceptional young people who have been selected thanks to their outstanding work in areas the King is passionate about."

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During a recent visit to the Garrison Chapel, the foundation's exhibition space in London, Eugenie met with several of the young creatives. The group includes a diverse mix of talent, such as environmental filmmaker Jack Harries and woodworker Eli Baxter. She joins other high-profile mentors like designer Samuel Ross and social media historian Alice Loxton. 

The Duchess of Sussex has shared a new photo of her garden in her company's official Instagram account @aseverofficial.

Meghan's post comes amid big questions swirling over why her lifestyle brand has not restocked their products after selling out last month. The inaugural collection, which launched in early April, comprised of eight products, including raspberry spread and edible flower sprinkles and it sold out in less than an hour.

 At the time, she said of her success: "Our shelves may be empty, but my heart is full. We sold out in less than one hour and I can't thank you enough… for celebrating, purchasing, sharing, and believing. It's just the start @aseverofficial 🎉 Here we go!"

On Thursday night, Princess Beatrice's husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, shared a gorgeous photo of a beach. Could they have already flown out for their half-term break? Are they in Cannes for the Cannes Film Festival? We'll have to wait and see! 

A reminder that our gorgeous new issue, which features the Princess of Wales on the cover, is still out on newsstands. Pick up your copy until Sunday or subscribe here to get it delivered every week. 

Whilst the British royals begin their half-term break - during which the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to spend some time away with their children - the Monaco royals are gearing up to enjoy the Monaco Grand Prix.

On Thursday, Princess Charlene and Prince Albert attended a reception for the 82nd Monaco F1 Grand Prix held in the Cour d'Honneur of the Prince's Palace. 

Charlene looked stunning in a Giorgio Armani crystal-embellished silk top and straight-cut silk trousers with crystal-piping.

Read all about it here.

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Now for some royal fashion....

Princess Diana's model nieces, Kitty, Amelia, and Eliza Spencer, made a surprise appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. In her first appearance at this year's festival, Lady Kitty turned heads in a breathtaking dress that bore an uncanny resemblance to her iconic wedding gown.

Photographed arriving at the amfAR Gala on Thursday, where she joined other prominent guests, including Lauren Sanchez and Taraji P. Henson, Charles Spencer's eldest daughter was seen in a floor-length white dress characterized by delicate crochet patterns and flowing ruffled sleeves.

The design looked exactly like one of Lady Kitty's many stunning bridal gowns, which were specially designed by Dolce & Gabbana for the day.

On The Royal Club this week, we have drafted in the expertise of a distinguished royal expert, who has decades of experience following the royal family and exclusive insight into the intricate dynamics of royal life.

Find out Phil’s predictions for William’s ruling style, get the inside scoop on the preparations Prince William is taking for his kingship and how he will do things 'his way', and discover the commitment he made to Princess Catherine before their marriage.

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The Princess of Wales is the queen of dressing for the occasion. Not only was her chic nautical-inspired ensemble for the HMS Glasgow naming ceremony in Scotland perfectly on-point with its sailor aesthetic, but her hairstyle was also carefully curated. Nothing is a coincidence! 

Her glossy brunette hair was expertly fashioned into a side bun, its woven texture subtly referencing traditional ship rope ties, a clever nod to the nautical theme. 

This elegant up-do, the work of her long-standing hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker, provided the perfect complement to her navy sailor-inspired dress from Suzannah London and a Philip Treacy hat. 

The overall effect showcased both Kate's timeless sophistication and her talent for incorporating thoughtful details.

We teased it yesterday, but it's now here! This week we had royal author Robert Jobson is the studio to talk all things royal - you can't miss it. We discuss Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie supporting the Prince and Princess of Wales - and what it could mean for the future, as well as how Prince Harry's tactics to move away from his shocking BBC interview have worked as well as chat about the Duchess of Edinburgh and why she doesn't have a more prominent royal role.

Watch below:

In this week's A Right Royal Podcast episode, which we have previously teased, royal author Robert Jobson discussed this week's royal events - including the Buckingham Palace Garden Party hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie were surprise attendees, personally invited by the future King, but what does this appearance mean for the royal family? And why would Zara never accept a royal role despite being 'very popular' with the public?

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Find out about it here.

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Will Prince Harry ever reconcile with his family? Following on from our report earlier this week, we asked for further insight into the situation, courtesy of conflict expert Julie Cobalt. While the Duke of Sussex has faced public criticism for how he's handled the situation, she believes his choices may have widened the divide.

"Breaking the cycle of blame doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings. It means being willing to see the other person’s perspective, even when it’s hard," she explains. She says it's never too late to repair, but it requires effort from all sides. 

Take a look at how Julie thinks Harry can resolve things...

The Duchess of Sussex has shared a glimpse of some behind-the-scenes videos from the making of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. 

Meghan is seen posing in a studio in a crisp white shirt and black cropped trousers, later swapping it for a burgundy top as the camera clicks away.

She then switches up her look for a cobalt blue blouse, tying her hair up into a low ponytail as she stands in front of a white backdrop.

The final episode of the eight-part audio series will drop on Tuesday.

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We all know how beautiful Meghan's handwriting is, and she left a really sweet note for cabin crew on a recent flight.

While Harry and Meghan have received backlash for their use of private jets, having been vocal about climate change, the Duchess was flying commercial when the flight attendant had a lovely interaction with her. 

See the viral video with Meghan's handwritten note here. 

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The King and Queen are said to be "very much looking forward" to their short but hopefully "impactful" visit to Canada.

Kicking off on Monday in Ottawa, Charles and Camilla will join a community event, where they will have the opportunity to meet Canadians from across the country.

Day one will also see His Majesty hold audiences with the Governor General and Prime Minister Mark Carney, before a short ceremony to swear in The Queen as a member of the Canadian Privy Council. 

There will be a tree planting ceremony at Rideau Hall, before a reception for Lieutenant Governors from each of the 10 Canadian provinces, and Territorial Commissioners from the three Territories. 

Day two will be the  raison d'être of the trip as the King and Queen attend the state opening of Parliament, where Charles will deliver the speech from the throne to the Senate Chamber. 

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It's been a busy week in the realm of royal-watching, as a star-studded guestlist joined the King and Queen at the preview night for the Chelsea Flower Show - including David Beckham! 

We were thrilled as the Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance at the Buckingham Palace garden party on Tuesday, with Kate bringing back an Emilia Wickstead number in the colour of the season - butter yellow.

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We also loved Princess Eugenie's vintage-style Rixo polka dot dress, with dazzling jewels and a statement hat. 

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And on Thursday, the Princess of Wales nailed the nautical brief as she rocked a navy and white coatdress from Suzannah London to officially christen HMS Glasgow in Scotland.

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Thank you for joining us today for all the goings-on in the land of royal watching. 

Our live blog will be taking an interim break over the Bank Holiday weekend in the UK, but we'll be back on Tuesday when I will be reporting on the ground from Canada as the King and Queen undertake their historic trip. 

See you then, have a great weekend! 

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The Prince and Princess of Wales's pooch, Orla, has reportedly welcomed a litter of puppies. 

William and Kate were gifted the pooch from the Princess' brother, James Middleton, in 2020.

Find out more here.