RECAP: King Charles closes Balmoral doors and more royal news

Good morning and Happy New Year! Welcome to the first royal blog of 2026. 

Stay tuned for all the latest updates from royals across the globe, including King Charles' continued winter break at Sandringham to Princess Kate's upcoming 44th birthday celebrations.

Elsewhere, King Frederik and Queen Mary's New Year festivities continue as they host their second New Year's party at Christian VII's Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen for the judges of the Supreme Court, the Royal Life Guards and the Guard Hussar Regiment's Officer Corps.

King Charles stepped out to attend a church service with Queen Camilla at Sandringham on Sunday, 4 January 2026. 

The monarch, who was was joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, looked super smart in a long brown coat (the Anderson & Sheppard jacket he has been wearing for the last 40 years). 

See the best photos here. 

© Alamy Live News.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will reportedly be out of his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, by Easter. The disgraced royal, who has lived at the royal residence for over two decades, was stripped of his remaining titles in late 2025. 

According to the Daily Mail, Andrew will be 'out' of his lodging by Easter time and will reportedly relocate to Sandring­ham, Norfolk. 

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Princess Charlene's daughter Princess Gabriella made her first appearance of 2026 in a picture posted by the Monegasque royal Instagram account to mark the New Year. 

The 11-year-old princess wore a festive ruby red dress and ballet pumps as she was joined by her parents, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, and twin brother, Prince Jacques for the snap. 

Get more details here. 

Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis showcased their "burgeoning independence" as they separated from their parents, Prince William and Princess Kate for the first time to offer hugs, shake hands and greet the public outside St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate on Christmas Day. 

George certainly made an impression on the crowd, wishing bystanders a merry Christmas and thanked them for gifts of cuddly toys and chocolate. 

"He displayed a quiet confidence and maturity," one bystander said. "It's crazy to think that he'll be a teenager when he does this next year."

Read the full story. 

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The Duke of Marlborough has indicated he will plead not guilty at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court to strangling his estranged wife Edla Marlborough.

Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 70, formerly known as Jamie Blandford, was charged with intentional strangulation in December. Charles, who is a relative of Sir Winston Churchill and Diana, Princess of Wales, is accused of three offences between November 2022 and May 2024.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales's eldest son, Prince George is slowly being eased into his role as a future King and it seems he has always been helpful. 

According to The Times, the 12 year-old is used to helping on errands and even accompanied his grandmother Carole Middleton on a shopping trip a few years ago. 

Last September, during an engagement to mark the late Queen Elizabeth II's passing, Prince William and Kate met members from a local Women's Institute (WI) group in Sunningdale, Ascot.

Sally Pellow, 64, revealed how around five years ago, she bumped into a young Prince George in an interior design shop in Reading. 

"I had popped in to pick up some wallpaper samples and Prince George had gone in with his granny, Carole Middleton," Mrs Pellow said at the time. "He was beautifully dressed and sitting at a desk eating bits of orange."

Read the full story here. 

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King Charles paid tribute to Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank and a Holocaust survivor, who has died at the age of 96.

In a statement posted on social media on Sunday, the King said: "My wife and I are greatly saddened to hear of the death of Eva Schloss.

"The horrors that she endured as a young woman are impossible to comprehend and yet she devoted the rest of her life to overcoming hatred and prejudice, promoting kindness, courage, understanding and resilience through her tireless work for the Anne Frank Trust UK and for Holocaust education across the world.

"We are both privileged and proud to have known her and we admired her deeply. May her memory be a blessing to us all. Charles R."

In 2022, the King was pictured dancing with Eva and other Holocaust survivors while visiting a Jewish community centre. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla also worked with Eva as a patron of the Anne Frank Trust UK, which Eva co-founded in 1991. 

The King's cousin Lord Ivar Mountbatten and his husband James Coyle invited HELLO! into their new dream Devon home.

"This is our first joint marital home and it's lovely," Ivar told HELLO! in an exclusive interview and photoshoot. "It's very nice to have a huge house with this, that and the other, but as you get older, you want a simpler life."

Check out their incredible chocolate-box country home here.

© Peter Flude

Good afternoon, royal fans!

I'm here to take you through an afternoon of royal news, so don't go anywhere...

Crown Prince Hussein has kicked off 2026 with his first outing of the New Year.

"A great way to start the year by meeting with inspiring youth from Aqaba and exchanging views on key issues," the Jordanian royal captioned a set of photos captured during his visit to the Jordanian port city.

Queen Camilla joined King Charles at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate yesterday for a Sunday service. 

© Alamy Live News.

For the occasion, the queen pulled out an understated outfit worth over £10,000. Thanks to the Royal Fashion Police Instagram account, we know that the royal wore the Russell and Bromley 'Dressage' knee-high black suede boots, which have a price tag of £445; with the 'Estate' hat by Lock & Co, which comes in at £312; Ede & Ravenscroft faux fur leather gloves, which cost £71.

The star of the show was her black quilted 'Mini Top Handle' bag by Chanel, which cost around £3,350 at the time of purchase.

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have been photographed as they wished a 'Happy New Year' to the judges of the Supreme Court, the officer corps of the Royal Lifeguards and the Guards Regiment as well as mayors and regional councilors from all over the country.

The couple was spotted at Christian VII's Palace and then in Christian VIII's Palace at Amalienborg. 

Over in Sweden, a prince has revealed his secret talent. 

On 19 December, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Sofia, and their two eldest sons, Prince Alexander and Prince Gabriel, were spotted with the Swedish pianist, Ivetta Irkha, as they prepared for their Christmas presentation. 

It seems the young royal was a dab hand on the keys!

While in London it's a sunny but cold day, the same can't be said for the temperatures Princess Alexandra of Hanover is currently enjoying.

The royal, 26, who is the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and Ernst August, Prince of Hanover, has shared photos from her tropical getaway with boyfriend Ben.

Doesn't it look dreamy?

Despite the departure of her long-time stylist in 2025, the Princess of Wales has truly embraced her "power era". Transitioning toward a more authoritative, independent aesthetic, Kate now favours structured tailoring and bespoke designs.

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Our veteran royal fashion editor, Laura Sutcliffe, has noted her significant shift toward a sustainable capsule wardrobe, characterised by clever outfit repeats and tonal dressing. While she saves grand couture for state events, the tailored blazer remains her 2026 "fail-safe." This timeless staple effortlessly bridges the gap between casual and regal, cementing its status as the cornerstone of her modern royal identity.

Read the full story here to see Kate's best blazers.

The guests have started to arrive at Christiansborg Palace for the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps. 

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Ken Howery, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, and Laura Grimmelmann were seen upon arrival. Laura looked beautiful in a black one-shouldered gown while Ken wore tails.

Count Nikolai of Monpezat's glamorous girlfriend, Benedickte Thousrup, has beckoned in the New Year with a post on Instagram. 

The Danish co-founder of BénéSoie (Benefit Silk), a brand which emphasises sustainability was seen posing in the splendid 'Moonshine Dress' by Annie's Collection (according to Royal Fashion Police on Instagram) which featured elaborate beading and a caped layer that trickled over her shoulders.

Count Nikolai of Monpezat is the son of Prince Joachim of Denmark and his ex-wife, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

On this day in 2020, the Princess of Wales stepped out with Prince William to attend Sunday service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate. 

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Kate looked gorgeous in a statement longline coat and midnight blue fedora hat. 

The Duke Of Westminster, who is a close friend of Prince William, has revealed an exciting set of plans for 2026.

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Hugh Grosvenor's charity, the Westminster Foundation has revealed it awarded over £10 million through 175 grants to organisations working to support children and young people for their futures.

In its first Instagram post of the year, the Westminster Foundation stated its "excited to continue" funding and supporting charities aligned with its strategic priorities, with a focus on early intervention, collaborating with a diverse set of stakeholders to drive positive change for children and young people, and strengthening by helping charities become more resilient through training, toolkits, and resources.

Crown Prince Hussein andPrincess Rajwa  of Jordan have welcomed 2026 with an intimate family photograph, and their daughter, Princess Iman, stole the show. Iman, who celebrates her second birthday in August 2026, looked adorable in her first public portrait showing her standing and dressed in a significant heritage label.

The royal toddler wore an elegant Baby Dior ensemble, featuring a crisp white T-shirt paired with a whimsical tulle ballerina skirt. In a nod to practical toddler-style, she wore soft-soled Mary Janes with branded ribbon laces.

The choice of Baby Dior is more than just a fashion statement; it carries a storied royal pedigree. The line was famously inaugurated under the patronage of Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco) on 7 November 1967 at 28 Avenue Montaigne in Paris. By choosing this label, Rajwa and Hussein align Iman with a lineage of royals in Dior that has spanned nearly six decades.

Queen Mary of Denmark shone in midnight blue in the first photos we are seeing from the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace today.

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The royal opted for a winter-appropriate velvet moment, as well as the earrings of the Khedive of Egypt Parure.

As a graduate of the prestigious Norland College in Bath, Prince William And Kate's nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo's approach to childcare is rooted in the world’s most elite training. 

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A key pillar of the Norland curriculum is establishing healthy relationships with food, a strategy essential for raising Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, away from the pitfalls of "fussy eating."

Read the story for the full rundown of a Norland nanny's tips for healthy little eaters, including her advice to get the whole family together at mealtimes.

The King looks set for a chilly break in Norfolk as his Sandringham estate issued a weather warning to visitors earlier today.

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Taking to Instagram Stories, the estate's message read: "Due to the current weather conditions, we may close the Courtyard facilities early today. The Children's Play Area is closed until further notice. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding."

It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning across the east coast of England and Scotland, stating: "Scattered snow showers and icy patches have the potential to cause disruption to travel in places on Monday into Tuesday morning."

That's all from me, folks!

I am now handing over to the lovely Ella Rayment-Ward for an evening of royal news. Enjoy!

Good evening, royal fans!

Stay tuned for more royal news from the end of the day. 

Take a closer look at Queen Mary's glamorous accessories for the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps at Christiansborg Palace. 

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Mary arrived in a gorgeous velvet blue dress, forgoing a tiara for the occasion. She paired her look with earrings from the Pearl Poire set of jewels, which date back to the 1820s. Pinned to her jacket was the Order of the Elephant, which is Denmark's highest honour. 

The guests have continued to arrive at Christiansborg Palace for the New Year's Court for the Diplomatic Corps, including an appearance from the UK Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Joëlle Elisabeth Selma Jenny.

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The Ambassador attended alongside Richard H. Webb, wrapped in a fur-trimmed shawl for the evening. Joëlle was appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark in October 2024. 

Marie-Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece, has kicked off the New Year by soaking up the sun at the beach. The fashion designer, who is married to Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, shared an idyllic photo to her Instagram Stories of her undisclosed oceanside view with several palm trees in the garden.

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In another story, the 57-year-old shared a video taken closer down by the water of the ocean waves softly crashing upon the sand. "Until next time," she captioned the short clip.  

Queen Mary and King Frederik beamed in photographs shared from Christiansborg Palace where they wished a Happy New Year to the diplomatic corps. 

The royal couple stood side by side to shake hands with arrivals on the occasion. In one picture, Frederik put on his glasses to read at a microphone in the hall. 

The royals will continue the New Year's events with a party on 6 January held for officers from the Armed Forces and the Emergency Management Agency, the public of Denmark and selected groups with noble and honorary titles, as well as representatives of organisations, associations and foundations and the Royal Couple's patronages.