Royal Family RECAP: King Charles joined by A-list friend at Royal Ascot, as son Prince William visits Devon farm

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I'm back from my day at Royal Ascot yesterday, where I adored seeing the royals in real life, including newlywed Harriet Phillips who looked unreal in pastel blue. Zara Tindall's pink dress stole the show for me though! I also loved capturing the best hats of the day. 

It is day two of Ascot, and we are eagerly awaiting Prince William and Lady Sarah Chatto, who will be presenting trophies in the winner's circle later on this afternoon. 

Meanwhile, Japanese royals, including Princess Ariane and Princess Amalia, head to the Netherlands for a four-day state visit.

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Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, 52, undergoes successful lung transplant for 'life-threatening' condition the Norwegian palace has announced. The royal remains hospitalised at Rikshospitalet, where she will stay for the next few weeks.

"So far, the lung transplant has been a success," said Arna Tiane, head of Thoracic Surgery at Rikshospitalet.

In recent weeks, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been pictured wearing oxygen and loyal fans have been concerned about her health. We wish the Princess a speedy recovery. 

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As it's day two of Ascot we thought we'd take a look back over the races of yesteryear. In 1986, Princess Diana attended and she was pictured in a carriage with the Queen Mother. As ever, Diana was fashion-forward and she stunned in an all-cream look with a chic subtly-striped jacket by Victor Edelstein and matching boater hat. While royals often wear bright colours to be seen by the crowds, Diana went for a more understated hue, and I'm a big fan. 

This year's event kicked off yesterday and it was a sartorial affair with Zara Tindall in bubblegum pink as she appeared in a royal carriage and many famous faces also sported stunning looks as they toured the glorious setting, drank champagne and cheered on the horses. We look forward to seeing what the royals are wearing today - stay tuned!

Hussein, Crown Prince of Jordan and his wife, Princess Rajwa Al Hussein, attended Jordan's first World Cup match and the Prince has shared a post about it on Instagram. It would have been a huge occasion for the royal couple because it's the first time since joining international competition, the Jordanian football team has actually qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

The post included a series of snaps of them watching the game with Austria, where they were defeated in a 3-1 scoreline. The Crown Prince's caption read: "Not for a moment did it feel like Jordan’s first match at a FIFA World Cup. You gave us a performance that was both heroic and honorable. Remember, this is only the beginning, and what lies ahead holds even greater opportunity."

Princess Rajwa wore a football strip inspired checked scarf to support their national side. The Princess' flowing locks appeared to look a little lighter than usual which could be an intentional hair transformation or a simple glow up from the sun.

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Today it has been announced that The Prince of Wales will guest edit Country Life magazine in November. The royal is not shy about his passion for the Great British countryside and this is the perfect way to celebrate it.

In taking the reins of this special souvenir edition, Prince William is following in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, who has guest-edited the magazine twice before - once to mark his 65th birthday in November 2013 and then again for his 70th in 2018. The Princess Royal has masterminded a commemorative edition to celebrate her 70th birthday in 2020 and for Queen Camilla's 75th birthday, she took to the helm. 

The Prince’s edition will reflect his advocacy for improving access to mental health services in the countryside, along with his most cherished view, his favourite recipe, his favourite painting and his selection of notable rural champions. 

"I'm completely thrilled that The Prince of Wales has agreed to edit a very special issue of Country Life," said Editor-in-Chief, Mark Hedges. "Having met with him last week to discuss his plans for his edition, I was struck by what a passionate countryman he is and how much he cares about the welfare of those who manage it. I believe that HRH's views, concerns and hopes for its future will resonate deeply with our readers and I am excited to see how his energy and commitment to changing rural lives will be reflected in his curated edition."

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King Charles and Queen Camilla had a wonderful day out yesterday at Royal Ascot. After the carriage procession, they headed to the royal box to get the best view of the races. The royal pair were seen clutching their binoculars to see the action and in one blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, Queen Camilla appeared to bite her nails as she watched a tense race on the course. It was a brief moment, and she quickly resumed using her binoculars instead. It's the first time we've seen Her Majesty do such a thing, so perhaps it was just the excitement of the race that brought on the reflex. 

It turns out, there are a few other royals who share the same habit, including Meghan Markle who resolved to ditch the 'unladylike' habit one New Year, as she wrote in a blog post on her site, The Tig. 

Stay tuned for more Royal Ascot news as we eagerly await the first arrivals on day two of the prestigious event. Will Prince William bring Princess Kate along for the day? That's what I can't wait to see. 

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HELLO!'s resident racing expert Charlie Atkin shares his verdict on the royal runners ahead of day two of Royal Ascot. "While yesterday's royal runner might have disappointed, the King and Queen have another live chance on day two," he states.

"Point Of Law runs in the Queen's Vase (3.05pm) for Charles and Camilla, a race previously won by the late Queen with Estimate in 2012."Point Of Law has only run twice but finished second and first in those two starts. He currently sits around 8/1 in the betting and has a great each way chance if appreciating the step up in distance."

Many members of the royal family adore the races, particularly Ascot, and it was the same for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Speaking on the BBC broadcaster Clare Balding, spoke about the royal's love for horses. "The Queen's passions were horses and dogs. Racing was the passion she shared with the public. The Queen loved to go to the stables to see horses on gallops in the morning and talk to all the grooms."

"Racing was such a wonderful thing for her to be able to enjoy, she liked the attention to be on others and that was the case at the races," Clare said.

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Day two of Royal Ascot has kicked off in style and one of the first famous faces that has been spotted is Princess Kate's mother, Carole Middleton. Carole arrived with her daughter-in-law Alizée Thevenet, who is the wife of James Middleton. Carole is a vision in pink with a co-ordinating hat while Alizée went for an angelic white number with a boater hat - looking very trendy! The pair were all smiles as they arrived and luckily the sun is shining ready for a busy day of racing ahead. 

Carole and Alizée have both nailed the strict hat rules from the royal enclosure. Check out our round-up of the best headpieces spotted at Ascot - is bigger always better? Perhaps!

Exciting news just in! We now have confirmation that Princess Kate will attend day two of Ascot, alongside her husband, Prince William. Below we have the full carriage list, revealing which royals will sit where when the procession commences at 2pm. 

1st Carriage
HM The King
HM The Queen
Mr Daniel Chatto
The Lady Sarah Chatto

2nd Carriage
The Prince of Wales
The Princess of Wales
The Duke of Richmond and Gordon
The Duchess of Richmond and Gordon

3rd Carriage
Mr Rory Stewart
Mrs Rory Stewart
The Lady Sarah Keswick
The Marchioness of Lansdowne

4th Carriage
Mr William Haggas
Mrs William Haggas
Mr John Gosden
Ms Rachel Hood

I was at Ascot yesterday, and watch the carriage procession live. it's a truly magical moment when the first carriage enters the parade ring and the crowd cheers. It was a particularly exciting one because we saw newlywed Harriet Phillips making her Ascot carriage debut, and her mother-in-law Princess Anne appeared to show her the ropes! Plus, did you catch Harriet's cute bond with sister-in-law Zara Tindall?

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has already been stripped of his royal titles and ousted from his Royal Lodge property in Windsor, but there's been another blow for the disgraced royal. He received a final snub from his former royal life on Monday as he was banned from attending the Garter Day events.

The former Duke of York, 66, was banned from attending all elements of the day, including the prestigious annual procession of the Order of the Garter, which Prince William and Princess Kate were seen partaking in. 

King Charles's younger brother, who has been exiled from royal life over his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was removed as a Knight of the Garter last year, alongside losing his "prince" and "Duke of York" titles. 

He remains under Suspicion of Misconduct in a Public Office after being arrested on his 66th birthday. 

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Prince Harry has been back to the UK a handful of times since he bowed out of senior royal duties and relocated to the US with his wife Meghan Markle, but we've barely seen Meghan Markle since they moved. The news is emerging that the Duchess of Sussex and her two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will be joining Prince Harry on his trip to the UK in a few week's time, when he's in town for the Invictus Games. 

Harry hopes to "introduce the children to his wider family" and show them "where he grew up", a source told News.com.au on Wednesday. Prince Archie was born in the UK in 2019, and spent the first six months of his life at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, but Lilibet was born in California in June 2021. Her visit in 2022 for her 1st birthday is the only known time she's met her grandfather, King Charles, in person. 

Harry has been sceptical about bringing his children due to the decision over his security. But, perhaps this could be a new leaf for Harry and his estranged family?

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A former healthcare worker at the London Clinic has been cautioned by the Information Commissioner’s Office over the deliberate misuse of the Princess of Wales’ private medical records for offer of financial gain.

The ICO began a criminal investigation in March 2024 and now a caution has been given. The ICO said a caution was “the appropriate and proportionate enforcement response”.

It added: “We also considered whether there were any wider organisational issues arising from the healthcare provision in this matter. Based on the evidence available, we did not identify any failings that would meet the threshold for regulatory enforcement.”

At the time it was reported that at least one member of staff tried to access the Kate’s notes while she was a patient at the private hospital in central London in January.

The ICO said on Wednesday: “Following a full assessment under the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the ICO’s Prosecution Policy, the ICO issued a now former healthcare professional from London with a formal caution in relation to an offence under section 170(5) of the Data Protection Act 2018.

“The conduct involved the deliberate misuse of highly sensitive personal information and an offer to disclose it for financial gain, representing a clear breach of trust.”

Ian Hulme, executive director for regulatory supervision, said: “People should be able to trust that the personal information they’re giving to healthcare settings is safe and protected from exploitation. When this trust is broken, it’s right that the law allows us to take action.

"We will not hesitate to pursue criminal prosecution where it is necessary and proportionate to do so."

A London Clinic spokesperson said: "We all take considerable pride in delivering the very highest standards of care and discretion for every patient at The London Clinic. We are pleased our work with the ICO has brought this sad and isolated incident to a conclusion. There were no regulatory breaches by the hospital."

While the details of Princess Kate's cancer has remained private, the royal has been incredibly vulnerable opening up about her experience of treatment. The mother-of-three is now in remission. 

Thanks for joining me this morning, Laura Sutcliffe is taking over the afternoon shift, and will be bringing you the latest from Royal Ascot and more. 

© Getty Images for Ascot Racecours

Good afternoon, royal watchers! I will be with you all afternoon, bringing you the royal news as it happens.

Day two of Royal Ascot is in full swing, with the royal family coming together to enjoy all the festivities at the famed Berkshire races. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the official carriage procession, and we will bring you the actions it unfolds.

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Day two of Royal Ascot is well underway. The Princess of Wales made her triumphant return to the Berkshire racecourse after a three-year hiatus, and as she arrived in the royal box, she greeted her sister-in-law, Alizée Thevenet, who is married to her younger brother, James, with a warm display of affection.

The pair were pictured greeting each other with a cheek kiss, smiling happily. The pair looked to be in great spirits as they watched the races begin.

The Middleton family has a close bond with Alizée, who made her public debut with her then-fiancé James Middleton on 18 May at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Kingston at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

By October 2019, the couple were engaged and went on to tie the knot in 2021 in Bormes-les-Mimosas in the south of France, having postponed the wedding twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On her wedding day, Alizée borrowed a clothing item from Carole Middleton. The bride exclusively told HELLO! at the time: "My something borrowed was in fact my dress from my mother-in-law Carole, who last wore it 41 years ago on her wedding day in June 1980."

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Prince William looked in great spirits on Wednesday for the second day of Royal Ascot.

Sitting next to his wife, the Princess of Wales, who looked stunning in a yellow Roksanda dress, the 43-year-old royal joined the traditional carriage procession behind the King and Queen as he arrived at the landmark event. The father of three even coordinated with his spouse, wearing a tiny posy of yellow flowers in his pocket, which perfectly matched the zesty tone of Kate's dress.

Once the carriage had stopped, an onlooker called out, "Up the Villa!" in reference to the royal's favourite football team, Aston Villa. The future King looked delighted at the reference, asking if the person who called was a fan of the Birmingham side. When they answered yes, William looked delighted and made a comical fist-pump gesture.

Prince William is the patron of the Football Association and has supported Aston Villa football club since he was a child. He has often been seen in the stands cheering on his teams and has been known to get quite competitive!

Want even more royal insight? HELLO! VIP members enjoy full digital access to every issue of HELLO!, including exclusive royal features, special editions, and our complete magazine archive. Join for only £4.25 / $6.00 per month and unlock all member benefits.

It's not to be missed!

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King Charles former security chief, Jag Khangura, resurfaced on day two of Royal Ascot on 17 June.

The retired bodyguard wore his finest race day attire on Wednesday, looking sharp in a three-piece morning suit with a distinguished black top hat – perfect for the formal trackside dress code.  

The King's bodyguard was compared to a real-life 'Kingsman' online, becoming recognisable while on royal outings for his beard, suited attire, and umbrella. 

In June,  The Times revealed Charles' long-time bodyguard would be leaving the royal's service. He completed his final duty on the royal couple's visit to the US in April.

Jag was recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours list for his services to royalty and specialist protection. In a statement per The Metropolitan Police, the retired inspector said: "It's been a privilege to serve and represent my colleagues and my community in role."

"I leave with the happiest of memories and the utmost respect for all those that serve and sacrifice for King and country," he added.

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It's been wonderful reporting on the royal news as it's happened this afternoon.

I now pass the baton over to Rebecca Lewis from our US office for all the royal details this evening.

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King Charles and Queen Camilla have attended both days of Royal Ascot this year, and on Wednesday, the royal pair were joined by one of the monarch's more rarely-seen relatives.

The duo were seated with Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband during the carriage procession on the second day. Lady Sarah looked incredibly stylish in a cream dress and matching wide-brimmed hat, in an outfit that was incredibly similar to that of Camilla's.

Her husband, meanwhile, looked suave in a dark suit as he joined his wife.

Later in the day, Sarah could be seen joining one of her other cousins, Princess Anne, at the races, with the pair both keeping their eyes on the racing horses.

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The Princess of Wales returned to Royal Ascot on Wednesday, marking the first time that she had been at the event since her cancer treatment in 2024.

Kate looked the picture of elegance in an eye-catching bright yellow dress as she was joined at the prestigious event by her husband, Prince William, and her mother, Carole Middleton.

Kate has inherited much of her mother's looks, and the pair demonstrated that as they watched the races from the Royal Box. As they turned away from the action, the pair of ladies could have been mistaken for sisters, with their facial structure looking identical.

It was also in their hats where the pair had a strong link, with both opting for headwear with millinery netting. However, while Kate's bright hat matched her outfit, Carole opted for a muted pink hat to match her own dress.

Prince William has sent a message of good luck to the Lions as England kicks off their 2026 World Cup campaign.

"Good luck to England ahead of their first World Cup group match tonight!  Here’s to a great tournament ahead," the message read, and signed off wirh a "W" fr William.

England will play Croatia for the first game of the group stage; they will also play Ghana on June 23 and on June 27, Panama.

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On June 17, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of Netherlands hosted a state banquet at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam for the Emperor of Japan Naruhito and his wife Empress Masakot who are on a three-day official visit to the Netherlands. 

Princesses Catharine-Amalia and Ariane were also in attendance, and I LOVE this cheeky picture of the sisters.

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The banquet also saw Princess Ariane, 19, make her tiara debut, choosing to wear Queen Emma's Diamond Tiara. The stunning piece of jewellery was designed for Queen Emma, the second wife of King William III, in 1890, the same year that William passed away.

The design consists of three harp shapes, with diamond rosette-style clusters occupying their centres, which are made of silver and gold.

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The banquet, held in Amsterdam, was in honor of the Japanese royals, who marked the end of the first day of their three-day visit to the European nation by joining their hosts.

See the full gallery here.

What a game! Prince William's message of support was just what was needed, as England won the first game of their 2026 World Cup campaign with four goals to Croatia's two.

Harry Kane scored twice, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford both having one goal each.

We hope William and the Wales' family are cheering just as loudly as we are!

Good morning, royal fans!

It's gearing up to be a busy day for the royals as the third day of Royal Ascot kicks off. Today is Ladies Day at the races, so stay tuned for all the best looks as they happen. 

Meanwhile, Prince William will be stepping out for a solo visit to the Apricot Centre to put a spotlight on sustainability, and Prince Edward is hosting a charity dinner for The Wren Project at St. James' Palace. 

Zara and Mike Tindall are also celebrating their youngest daughter Lena's 8th birthday today. And over in the Netherlands, the Japanese royals are continuing their three-day state visit after a glittering state banquet was held on Wednesday night. 

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Royal fans, get ready: Royal Ascot is back for day three today!

Following King Charles and Queen Camilla's back-to-back appearances at the racecourse this week,  HELLO!'s resident racing expert Charlie Atkin analyses the royal couple's prospects at Royal Ascot this afternoon.

He explains: "No winner for the King and Queen this week yet and their only chance today is an outside one. Golden Orbit runs in the 3:40pm Ribblesdale Stakes, currently sitting around 33/1. While she's a lightly raced filly with clear potential and a win on Good To Firm ground, she'll have to improve a lot to compete with the form shown by those at the front of the market."

He adds: "In the same race there's runner called Earth Shot, who's not owned by the Prince of Wales but is named after the environmental award Prince William launched in 2019. She would appear to have a strong chance, sitting around 5/1 this morning."

Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall were back for a second day at Royal Ascot on Wednesday – and Zara's midi dress had the most gorgeous floral design. 

Princess Anne's daughter looked lovely in a photo alongside her husband that was shared by stylist Annie Miall on Instagram on 17 June. Zara's A-line navy dress, identified by Royal British Fashion on Instagram as a Leo Lin design, featured oversized flowers from the hem of the skirt right up to the neckline. 

The royal teamed her race day look with a sculpted headband by Juliette Millinery. She carried a small gold clutch by Emmy London, which matched her metallic stilettos by the same brand. 

Meanwhile, her husband Mike looked dapper in a three-piece suit and top hat for their formal day out.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales were out at the races on Wednesday for day two of Royal Ascot. 

While Kate opted for a bold race day look – a vibrant yellow dress – her husband, William, had a touching detail in his outfit that nearly went missed. 

The royal had yellow daffodils pinned to his jacket lapel, which matched the same shade as Kate's gorgeous dress. Aside from being a sweet matching moment, the flower was seemingly a tribute to Wales. 

The daffodil has long been the national flower of Wales, and was a meaningful choice for William to wear on Wednesday, which was when the annual Prince of Wales’s Stakes was held. 

The annual horse race was named in honour of Queen Victoria's son, Albert Edward, when he was the Prince of Wales, and first ran at Royal Ascot in 1862.

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Curious what happens behind-the-scenes at Royal Ascot? 

As we count down to the royals returning to the racecourse for Ladies Day today, HELLO!'s Features Editor Miranda Thompson shares an ultra-exclusive look at what goes on behind the velvet ropes of the Royal Enclosure. 

HELLO! VIP members can enjoy a backstage look at what goes on at Ascot Racecourse, from Harriet Phillips' historic carriage debut to all the celebrity racing style secrets.