Royal family latest: William and Kate forgo security, royals hit Ascot and more

It's going to be a busy one this week with Royal Ascot kicking off this Tuesday! Not only are we expecting plenty of surprise royal appearances at Royal Ascot, but we have confirmation that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be making their first of FIVE appearances. That's some serious dedication. 

We can expect plenty of fabulous frocks and statement fascinators from the royal fashion set. I'm personally crossing my fingers for an appearance from Princess Beatrice. She always absolutely nails the dress code and makes an often dated looking floral print seem fresh and modern. Plus, she hands-down has the best collection of headwear.

Across the pond, we'll be keeping an eye out for Meghan Markle's interview on Aspire With Emma Grede. The podcast host is the CEO of Good American and a Skims founding partner.

Meghan Markle surprised fans on Monday with some sweet news—literally. The Duchess of Sussex revealed that her lifestyle brand, As Ever, is restocking on June 20 at 8 a.m. PT after its first drop sold out in under an hour.

Taking to Instagram, Meghan shared a mouth-watering photo of pancakes dripping with honey and captioned it: “Oh yes, honey… sweet things await.” She promised the return of fan-favourite products like jam, honey, and tea, along with a few “delicious surprises". Read all about it here.

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The first previews of Emma Grede's podcast episode with Meghan Markle, which drops today at 8 a.m., are here. In one clip, when Emma asks Meghan if she could change anything about her public narrative, Meghan is quick to respond: "I would ask people to tell the truth." The episode promises explosive headlines. 

Meghan also opens up about that now-viral "Baby Momma Dance" video — yep, the one from the delivery room (!!) featuring her and Harry.

"Did you see my 'Baby Momma' dance?" she says to Emma in a preview, who totally did. (And apparently replayed it 20 times with her husband.)

"There’s a fun life happening behind the scenes," she says. She later adds:  "That was four years ago. So it's also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there's still a whole life — a real, authentic, fun life — that's happening behind the scenes." 

In the opening segments, Meghan explained that her entrepreneurial spirit stems primarily from her mother, Doria, as well as her grandfather on her mother's side. She revealed how her grandfather used to own an antique store, while her mother, who also worked as a travel agent, helped to run street festivals. 

Inspired by those around her, the former Suits actress went on to reveal that she used to make scrunchies which she'd then sell at school. 

"It really did spark something in me".

Musing on the inspiration behind Meghan's brand, As Ever, the Duchess revealed that she'd always longed to "put something in the world" that felt organic to share. 

The jam idea came to her after she started making conserves at home as holiday gifts. She revealed how one morning, lots of her friends sent her messages at the same time, explaining how her jam made them feel so happy. 

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Elsewhere, the Duchess revealed that she loves to be an active part of the creative process, and has an overview of various aspects of the brand, including packaging and the newsletter copy. 

"I love the details," she said. "It's a constant dance". 

Meghan spoke about wanting to take her brand global, adding: "It's the spirit of sharing". 

While her brand has a heavy focus on food currently, the mother-of-two teased that her brand may one day encompass both beauty and fashion. "I think there will be a time for that," she added. 

"One of your partners is not mother nature... there are more factors involved, but I do think at its core, it's still rooted in something that feels very true to me." 

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On the subject of failure, Meghan said: "I don't think about failing". 

She continued: "Is anything actually a failure, ultimately? Because you're going to learn from it, no matter what happens. I feel confident in what I've been dreaming up for so long. I feel confident in the partner that I have. And I feel really proud of the team that I have." 

While Meghan now maintains that her faith is greater than her fear, she revealed that she went through a period of self-doubt in her early acting career. Reflecting on what it's like to be rejected for a role, she said: "That is a lot to chip away at your self esteem, that is really hard". 

She experienced a shift in her forties and when she became a mother. "You want an example for what your children are going to think of you," she said. 

When asked about methods she uses to tackle self-doubt, Meghan revealed that she typically phones a friend, goes out for a hike, spends time with her two children or goes out for a date night. 

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Sharing a glimpse inside her team, Meghan told Emma that she has a "small and mighty" team, as well as the foundation which is independent. 

"With Netflix, they have an entire team devoted to this project specifically... separate team for With Love, Meghan - that's a crew of about 80 people. There are a lot of different teams, and at the same time, my core team that sits around me for all the projects, very very strong savvy women."

Meghan also mused on her acting past, revealing that she "sometimes" misses her former career. She explained how being back on the set of With Love, Meghan felt great as it made her realise how much she missed her crew. 

The pair also spoke about what Meghan would change if she could rewrite her public narrative. 

"I would ask people to tell the truth," Meghan said. 

While disucssing how Meghan tows the line between promoting her brand and owning her own narrative, Prince Harry's wife added: "It's a fine line, but it's also setting up boundaries which I would say to anyone, no matter what you're going through." 

She also stressed the importance of authenticity, saying: "I don't think there's any value in being so rehearsed."

While discussing Meghan's return to social media, the former Suits star said it felt "liberating," before adding "it's been a minute". 

When she made her return in January this year, the Duchess revealed that she wanted to be able to authentically share moments in real time, without making it feel over-produced. 

"It was a great way for me to get my voice back... It's my space and my channel for joy." 

Meghan revealed that she is slowing teaching her two children that there is a cost and price for things. She explained how they grow vegetables together at home, before taking them to a farmer's market stand. 

"Starting to understand as they're learning counting, numbers and all those things, that there's a cost and a price for things, and I think that's key for children to understand, especially children who are very lucky to have a home, that has privilege, you need to know that just like manners, and taking care of the things around you, there is a value on things." 

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Despite her numerous business ventures, Meghan spoke about the importance she places on balancing her work with family life and volunteerring. 

She added: "I love that I can do drop-off and pick-up at school and do meetings in between. Go to Disneyland for two days as we just did, and volunteer to serve hot lunch at school and chaperone for the kindergarten field trip." 

Meghan also revealed that preparing her children's lunch boxes is one of her favourite things to do. "At the end of a long day, the kids are down to bed at 7ish... I go downstairs, have a glass of wine and I'm doing their little lunch boxes. I find joy in it, for whatever reason... That for me is one of my simple pleasures." 

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While discussing her hopes to create a "heritage brand", Meghan spoke about wanting to steer away from certain trends. 

"My personal aesthetic, I find it to be classic, timeless. There is a reason that, I'm sure puff sleeves were cool and trendy for a moment, [but] I didn't catch that trend... I was still in my crisp, white button-down and jeans."

She added: "When I look at the brand through that same lens, there isn't the same sense of urgency or rush... You're not trying to meet a moment, you're trying to meet something that can be evergreen." 

When Emma asked Meghan about the proudest achievement in her career and business life, the mother-of-two said that it was investing in herself. "It takes courage to bet on yourself". 

Towards the end of the podcast, Meghan spoke about scaling up her business, and revealed what her life may look like in the next ten years. 

"The next ten years, we're both going to be in our fifties... I think the fifties will be great, that will be a different audience that I'm speaking to, where they will have grown with me." 

When asked what she would say to a young Meghan, the As Ever founder added: "Life is full of surprises and life is short. I really believe that no matter what anyone is going through, you're able to say that 'Yes, this is going to pass', or 'This is amazing and let's really embrace it'.

"I think my 15-year-old self would be really proud of me today." 

Good afternoon, royal fans! Things have been quite exciting in the world of royal fashion this month, and we've got another edition of Royal Style Watch, rounding up the best royal outfits of June 2025.

So far, we've had some unexpected style shifts from Princess Charlene and a bold look from Queen Mary – that might just be her most daring to date.

Take a peek at our favourite royal looks of the month, so far, here. 

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Prince George accidentally let a big secret slip during Trooping the Colour – well, a style secret.

As always, the 11-year-old looked incredibly dapper in his navy blue suit, matching with his younger brother Prince Louis.

However, in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, royal style watchers managed to catch a style secret that might give away one of the ways that Princess Kate keeps her children dressed so smart! Read all about it here. 

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As always, Trooping the Colour gave us quite a few heartwarming moments between the British royals – but you may have missed this one between King Charles and his second grandson, Prince Louis.

With his adorable waving moment and famous gap-toothed grin, the seven-year-old made his mark once again. However, we spoke with a body language expert who broke down how his antics are a display of his "strong emotional bond" with his grandfather.

For all the details, read the full story here.

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While we're all waiting for the royals to arrive, the team at HELLO! Fashion have compiled an excellent list of the greatest Royal Ascot looks of all time.

Ever since the event first started back in 1911, it has become a landmark of British fashion, with guests such as Elizabeth Taylor, Maya Jama, Audrey Hepburn, and an endless range of royals, all stealing the show with breathtaking outfits.

Some will stun you, some will surprise you – and all of them will impress you. Click here to take a deeper dive.

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On Father's Day, we always get a beautifully candid look at royal family life – but we got a bit of a surprise from the Waleses this year.

In their official portrait to mark the occasion, shared to Instagram, Princess Charlotte wore one of the most sentimental pieces in her mother's wardrobe, and we all nearly missed it!

Click here to find out what the 10-year-old borrowed from her ever-so-stylish mother.

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The monarch and Queen Camilla were pictured in their carriage procession at Royal Ascot. 

But it's not just about socialising for the King. His horse, Reaching High, is set to race later today in the Ascot Stakes around 5pm.

Fun fact: Reaching High was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II and is the first of the monarch's horses to be trained in Ireland, having previously been trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

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The Duchess of Edinburgh always rises to the occasion when it comes to raceday dressing - and her Royal Ascot outfit was certainly no exception. Sophie looked stunning in a white dress with a sheer lace overlay, topped off with a matching fascinator adorned with a pretty blush rose. 

The striking look - a repeat from the archives - was completed with a nude saddle bag to match. Immaculate!

For more on Duchess Sophie's fashion, check out this in-depth exploration of her style over the past 25 years in the royal spotlight.

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How lovely is this photo of Princess Anne embracing her daughter Zara Tindall? The two ladies - who live on the same sprawling 700-acre estate, Gatcombe Park - were spotted sharing a warm embrace. 

Not only do the pair have their living situation in common, but they share a passion for horses. "There's always horse conversation going on," Zara previously told People.

"Our horses are in our family, so there's always discussions about performances and things like that."

The royals have descended upon Royal Ascot! So far, we've spotted Zara Tindall and husband Mike sharing a warm embrace with Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson. It looked like they had lots to catch up on! 

We're also expecting King Charles and Queen Camilla to be making an appearance, alongside Princess Anne. Stay tuned.

DON'T MISS: All the best photos from Day One of Royal Ascot

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Peter Phillips has arrived at Royal Ascot, and he's brought a very special plus-one! His girlfriend, Harriet Sperling, is by his side. Joining Peter and Harriet in the grand carriage procession are none other than King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Peter's mother, Princess Anne.

Harriet's presence in the carriage procession marks a pretty big public declaration from the royal. He's previously ridden with former partners Autumn Phillips and Lindsay Wallace, so including Harriet - who he started dating in 2014 - is a strong signal of how serious things are between them.

Princess Beatrice was spotted with her cousin and mother at Ascot today, and we couldn't help but break down her brilliant outfit.

In a gorgeous dress that's bang on trend for 2025, the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson debuted a magnificent hair transformation. For all the details, read more here.

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