ROYAL NEWS RECAP: A rare Archie and Lilibet sighting, royal health update, and a big Christmas thank you

Good morning royal watchers - we're kicking off today's blog with news from Norway's royal family. 

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The Norwegian palace shared the worrying news that Crown Princess Mette-Marit is set to undergo a lung transplant. Read the full details here. 

Yesterday saw Prince Harry take to the polo field in Aspen to take part in The St Regis World Snow Polo Championship, alongside his pal, Nacho Figueras.

In a star-studded turn out, everyone from Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel to Rebel Wilson was there to cheer him on!

On this day in 2010, Prince William and his then-fiancée Kate Middleton headed to a Christmas charity reception – and the soon-to-be royal rocked a mini dress... 

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We can't imagine the future Queen wearing this now!

Congratulations are in order for Princess Asturias of Spain, who made her first solo flight as part of her military training at the General Air and Space Academy this week.

His Majesty travelled to Darmouth's Britannia Royal Naval College this morning to oversee the blessing of the King's new colours and inspect the front ranks - and he didn't he look dapper! 

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle know what royal fans are after this Christmas - a glimpse of the next generation of the royal family, and they certainly delivered, sharing a rare video of Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet as part of their family Christmas message. 

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It's a bumper day of Sussex news, with the Duke and Duchess revealing they have renamed their charity,  Archewell Foundation, as Archewell Philanthropies.

A spokeswoman for Harry and Meghan said: "This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good."

We've been blessed with a third update from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, this time sharing a snowy photo of their time in Vancouver earlier this year, captioned: "We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year."

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It's a sad day in the world of horse racing following the death of Sir Johnny Weatherby, who served as the late Queen Elizabeth II's representative at the Royal Ascot racetrack for nine years from 2011 until 2020. 

The Norwegian palace has confirmed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit will be undergoing a lung transplant following a deterioration in her health.

The royal, 52, was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, and since then she had had to place restrictions on the number of engagements she undertakes. 

Read more here...

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Harry and Meghan are spoiling us with the cards, as the couple have just shared a second one from their Montecito home. See the image, alongside their original card, here.

The Princess of Wales looked magical in her family's Christmas card, which was released yesterday. And if you want the full story behind the royal's outit for the snap, our Fashion and Beauty Editor, Laura Sutcliffe, has written this story on it...

The King will soon be heading away on his Christmas break, but before that, he took a trip down memory lane. In one of his final engagements of the year, the monarch headed to the Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth, 50 years after he studied there. See all the photos from his visit here!

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We've been inundated with royal Christmas cards over the past few weeks. But, our A Right Royal Podcast team have just released their latest episode where they analysed the Wales family's one. Check out more here...

Christmas is less than seven days away, and I have the perfect stocking stuffer idea for the royal lover in your life... HELLO!'s Royal Yearbook.

As per our very own royal editor Emily Nash, "I'm delighted to present The HELLO! Royal Yearbook 2025-2026 – the ultimate gift for royal fans everywhere. Whether you’re reading it in the glow of the Christmas season or picking it up as a keepsake for the year ahead, this beautifully produced special edition captures the magic, milestones and memorable moments of royal life. Inside, we revisit the standout royal stories of the year – from the Princess of Wales’s emotional return to public life, carried out very much in her own way, to the King and Queen’s 20th wedding anniversary and the secret of their enduring happiness. You’ll also find the Princess Royal at her candid best as she celebrates her 75th birthday, with a collection of her sharpest and most memorable quotes."

© HELLO!

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One of our top stories of the week? It was, of course, the Prince and Princess of Wales who were pictured taking  George, Charlotte and Louis to King Charles' Christmas lunch  at Buckingham Palace.

The future King and his family were among the guests to head to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday December 16, where they enjoyed a festive meal with King Charles ahead of Christmas.

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Other royals who were seen heading to the event included the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, the Duke of Kent, Lady Sarah Chatto and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, who were seen smiling as they arrived in their car.

If you missed it, take a look at our extensive gallery here.

Don't forget to listen to this week's brand new Right Royal Podcast!

Hannah Furness, royal editor of The Telegraph, joined hosts Andrea Caamano and Emmy Griffiths to discuss the significance of this year's Christmas card from the Prince and Princess of Wales.

As I close this blog out for 2025, I want to thank all of YOU for following along with us this past year on HELLO's brand new royal blog.

2025 has been a significant year for the royals across the globe.

In Britain, the Princess of Wales began the year by announcing she is in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to the Royal Marsden Hospital in west London, where she received treatment. 

King Charles ended the year by confirming his cancer treatment will be reduced in 2026, while the King also made the decision this year to strip his brother Andrew of all royal titles.

Several royal babies were born in 2025, notably Princess Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi in Janaury to Britain's Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and Princess Amina bint Abdullah II in February to Princess Iman and Jameel Thermiotis of Jordan.

Princess Marie Caroline of Liechtenstein and Venezuelan businessman Leopoldo Maduro Vollmer tied the knot on August 30, 2025, while the Spanish princesses met Princess Charlotte at the Euros, Princess Ingrid Alexandra moved to Australia for university, and Grand Duke Henri abdicated after 25 years, passing the Luxembourg crown to his eldest son, Grand Duke Guillaume.

Thank you for the comments, questions, and analysis you've sent over email; for listening to Andrea and Emmy and Emily on the Right Royal Podcast; for subscribing to our Royal Club substack; and engaging with us across social media from TikTok to Instagram.

This Christmas, we're gifting you with extraordinary bundles. For the first time, our full range of products, from luxury print editions to instant digital access, is available in one curated package.

Happy holidays! 

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