Royal Blog RECAP: Key figures revealed as King Charles and Prince William release tax details

Good morning everyone!

Welcome to HELLO!'s royal blog, where I'll be bringing you live updates for the royal family throughout this morning. 

I hope you're all sat somewhere shady, because it's set to be a very hot one today. In fact, a Met Office red weather warning for extreme heat covering parts of England and Wales has just come into force for just the second time, as temperatures could reach close to 40C. 

This isn't stopping the royals though, as we're expecting to see King Charles at least twice today, hosting a reception at Clarence House before attending London Climate Week (after Prince William's powerful appearance yesterday). 

Princess Anne has several engagements today, firstly attending the Royal Norfolk Show, before visiting Portsmouth. 

Meanwhile, in Europe, Japan's state visit to Belgium is continuing after the amazing state banquet last night.

And HELLO! is hosting an intimate live podcast event to celebrate the life of the late Princess Diana in London. If you're coming, we can't wait to see you there! 

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been undergoing a major staffing change. 

Their closest advisor, James Holt, is making a career change - and it will look very different. 

According to the Daily Mail's Richard Eden, James will be returning to UK politics and the Liberal Democrat Party under Sir Ed Dacey as Political Director. 

"This opportunity feels like coming home in more ways than one," he said of the change. 

James worked for the Sussexes from 2019 until last year, and previously featured in their 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan. In 2021, he joined Archewell, their charity, as Executive Director. 

Speaking of his decision to step back from his role in December, James said: "Working with Prince Harry and Meghan has been one of the great privileges of my career."

The statement concluded: "I'll miss my colleagues deeply, and I'm grateful to Harry and Meghan for everything they've done - for me, and for the countless people we've worked to support."

© © Maison du Grand-Duc / Sophie Margue

Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stephanie have marked their first National Day. 

Guillaume, 44, has served as Luxembourg's head of state since last October, when his father, Grand Duke Henri, abdicated. 

On Tuesday, the couple took part in National Day traditions, including a torchlight procession and military and civil parades, despite boiling temperatures. 

He said: "In an increasingly digital world, there is a risk that we are connected without ever truly meeting. 

"This ceremony reminds us that values can live on across generations when we are prepared to take responsibility, he said, adding: "Democracy is a shared journey."

Guillaume and Stephanie have two sons, Prince Charles, six, and Prince François, three. 

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Did you spot this moment from Queen Camilla at Royal Ascot?

In a very rare moment, we saw Her Majesty fumbling with a £20 note from the balcony of the royal box when she attended the races last week. 

And if you look closely, you'll notice that it's not her husband's portrait on the tender - it's in fact her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II. 

The 78-year-old royal appeared to struggle with juggling the £20 note, her gloves and her iconic Lady Dior handbag. 

Perhaps it was her winnings that she was keen to stash away, although the week in general was full of disappointments for the royals when it came to the horses. 

It's something we rarely see: aside from a folded bank note for the church collection on a Sunday, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly never carried cash. 

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Duchess Sophie has continued her visit to Jersey today, and looked very summery in a pink and white floaty dress, with sunglasses on her head. 

The royal unveiled a plaque during a visit to EYECAN, a Jersey charity focused on supporting Islanders with sight impairment. 

She also met a guide dog, tried on Ray-Ban Meta glasses, made paper roses and used a cane while wearing glasses that replicate cataracts. 

Sophie, who is married to Prince Edward, is on a two-day trip to the island. 

She has also made a visit to Jersey's Les Ecréhous, an offshore reef, believed to be the first visit there by a royal. 

On Tuesday, she spent time meeting farmers, environmentalists, and children, while learning about sustainable food production and taking care of our environment. 

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King Charles has three engagements in London today - despite the weather!

The monarch, 77, showed no sign that the weather was getting to him as he hosted the Afghan Women's Refugee Cricket team at Clarence House this morning. 

He was delighted as he was presented with a hand-decorated cricket bat, before posing for a group photo. 

The team was set up during the Afghan Republic in 2010, but lost their recognition as a national team following the Taliban's return to power. 

Most members of the women's cricket team fled the country, and the majority are now based in Australia, where they have rebuilt their lives as refugees and campaign for recognition.

You can watch a video of the King's outing below:

Charles has visited the charity REORG at the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and is later expected at London Climate Week. 

Thank you everyone for joining me this morning. 

I'm now handing over to Ella, who will keep you updated from here!

We'll have more from King Charles with you shortly, while Prince William has carried out today's investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. 

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Good afternoon, royal fans!

It's been a sport-focused day for King Charles.

After receiving a signed cricket shirt during his meeting with the Afghan Refugee Women's Cricket Team, he then continued with a second stop at the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy to visit REORG, a charity that supports military personnel, veterans and emergency service workers. 

While jiu-jitsu tends to be done barefoot, the King walked around the training area with blue disposable covers over his shoes as he met with students and got to watch a demonstration on the training mat. 

During his visit, the royal helped present a black belt alongside REORG founder Sam Sheriff.

 Charles was beaming in photos as he was presented with his own white belt, which is the entry-level rank. 

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While his father King Charles was out and about, Prince William was busy for a special occasion at Windsor Castle.

The Prince of Wales carried out the investiture ceremony today, with rugby player Marlie Packer and actress Sally Lindsay among those bestowed with honours.  

Former Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire on Wednesday, dressing up in a lovely white suit jacket and trousers with a complementary hat. 

"It’s been quite overwhelming actually, because obviously you work really hard all your career, and you look back and it seems like yesterday that you started," she told the Press Association.

"It’s wonderful to be recognised for that – I feel like many other people should be as well, but I’m just very lucky to be here today," she added. 

"For me, personally, the meaning for this is quite deep," she continued, explaining she comes from "a very working-class background and unfortunately it’s decreasing, the working-classes in our industry, as in there’s only eight per cent, nine per cent of us in front or behind the camera."

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Duchess Sophie battled the soaring temperatures on Tuesday in one of her boldest sundresses to date. 

While in Jersey for a two-day visit, the Duchess of Edinburgh attended the NSPCC reception at Government House on 23 June in a vibrant blue midi dress with voluminous boho sleeves. 

The eye-catching dress featured a colourful floral print all over with a V neckline and straight skirt, which draped to her ankles. Sophie complemented her summer look with metallic wedge sandals from Jimmy Choo, as identified by Royal Fashion Police on Instagram. 

The royal had her hair swept up while combating the heat and wore Sting sunglasses to block out the sun rays outside. 

She finished her look with a £3.5k 'Wooland Single Oak Leaf Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold with Diamonds' bracelet from Asprey.

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After a busy day out and about, King Charles continued to battle the heat at St James's Palace. 

While at a London Climate Week reception on Wednesday afternoon, the royal attempted to stay cool amid the soaring temperatures in the UK with a small battery powered fan.

Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt followed the royal around the room with the hand-held fan as Charles met with guests. The royal appeared to struggle with the afternoon heat in other pictures, as temperatures soared to the mid 30s in the UK. 

Earlier in the day, Charles braved the heatwave as he met with the Afghan Refugee Women's Cricket Team and stopped by the Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy to visit charity REORG. 

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That's all from me!

Handing over to Matthew Moore for an evening of royal news. 

Stay tuned for all the latest. 

King Charles isn't the only royal out on engagements, as King Frederik of Denmark enjoyed heading out in the summer temperatures. The Danish monarch went smart-casual with his blue shirt and matching chinos, accessorising with a chic pair of sunglasses.

For his solo outing, Frederik headed to the Nordic Association at Hindsgavl Castle, meeting 20 young people from all of the Nordic nations. All of the young people had their own summer job thanks to work from the Nordjobb scheme.

Frederik serves as a patron of the Nordic Association, which runs the Nordjobb scheme. They have provided 30,000 summer jobs to Nordic young people between the ages of 18 and 30 since 1985.

The King's visit concluded with a visit to the "Pink Room", where King Frederik VI signed the document on Denmark's cession of Norway to Sweden in 1814. 

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Royals are governed by plenty of rules, especially when it comes to their clothes, but when a heatwave is causing the UK to swelter, it's not surprising that some seek to bend the rules a little.

None moreso embodies this than Zara Tindall, who is known to skirt around royal fashion rules when the temperature starts to soar. On several occasions, the daughter of Princess Anne has been seen wearing denim shorts, a casual item we would hardly imagine glimpsing on official royal business.

Her most memorable moment was in 2024, when she was pictured arriving at Southmead Hospital after her mother, Princess Anne, was hospitalised after sustaining minor injuries at her home on the Gatcombe Park estate.

That's over and out for us today! I wish I could employ someone to follow me around with a fan given these temperatures! We will see you again in the morning for more royal news.

While the temperatures outside man be hot, hot, hot, the show must go on for hardworking royal Princess Anne, who is heading to the Equine Common Ground Conference in Somerset and the centenary banquet of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners. Plus, overseas it is the final day of the Japanese state visit to Belgium. Stay tuned for this and more!

Missed yesterday's royal news? Here's a recap:

The Prince of Wales carried out the investiture ceremony today, with rugby player Marlie Packer and actress Sally Lindsay among those bestowed with honours.  

Duchess Sophie was continuing her Jersey visit yesterday and the royal looked very summery in a pink and white floaty dress, with sunglasses on her head, as she visited EYECAN, a Jersey charity focused on supporting Islanders with sight impairment

After a busy day out and about, King Charles was seen battling the heat at St James's Palace with a handheld fan. 

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On this day in 2008, Prince Harry was age 23, and he was pictured at the Royal Norfolk County Show wearing a smart suit and cartoon tie. The red-haired royal had flushed cheeks as he coyly avoided looking at the cameras. During his appearance, he was shown how to use a lathe and appeared enthusiastic about it. 

The show, which attracts 85,000 visitors every year, went ahead this year, despite the UK's soaring temperatures and red weather warnings. While pets are usually encouraged at the event, organisers advised people to think twice before bringing dogs because of the extreme conditions on the ground.

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The Duchess of Edinburgh was pictured using Braille Lego with 5 year old Nevaeh Thorpe yesterday, during a visit to EYECAN, a Jersey charity focused on supporting Islanders with sight impairment.

During her visit, she also tried on a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses as well as a different pair of specs which emulated cataracts and she used a cane to try and experience life as someone with a visual impairment. 

The royal also met with a friendly guide dog during her busy day and she stopped to give it some attention. 

Eye health is something very close to Sophie's heart as her daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, was born with esotropia, a condition that causes the eyes to turn inward. This early experience inspired the Duchess to become an advocate for sight-saving causes across the globe. 

The UK is delighted that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are coming to the UK next month for their first time in four years, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will attend the "One Year To Go" ceremony for the Invictus Games, which will be held in Birmingham in 2027.

The last time the siblings were in town was 2022 when they returned for the late Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and the Duke of Sussex reportedly wants to introduce his children to their wider family members while also showing them places from his childhood.

While it's possible that Archie and Lilibet will get to spend time with their grandfather, King Charles, it seems more unlikely that they'll be seeing their uncle, Prince William, alongside their three royal cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The royal brothers have had a long-standing rift and there has reportedly been a lack of communication for years. Discover why this will be the biggest hurdle, according to reports.

However, we will wait with bated breath for a a special reunion!

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When Queen Letizia of Spain stepped out at the Ortega-Marañón Foundation, where she presided over the commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Ethic magazine, she took the opportunity to address the devastating events in Venezuela with earthquakes that have killed at least 32 people. She also revealed that the King is flying to Mexico. 

The Queen said: "The King is now flying to Mexico, and naturally, he, like the rest of the citizens of this country, is concerned and following the news and information following the two earthquakes in various parts of Venezuela, which have so far left a death toll that is expected to rise, along with all the devastation caused by this tragedy," the Queen began her address. "Spain has already offered its assistance, and we are waiting for the full operation to begin so we can collaborate in the coming weeks, which will be a major challenge in the rescue of as many people as possible. These are also crucial hours to continue trying to find many people alive, and then there is the subsequent reconstruction, which will also be a great challenge." 

Our sister publication, HOLA! has covered the moment, and also detailed the official message from the Spanish household. 

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Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako pose alongside King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium during a visit to the Royal Greenhouses and the Japanese Tower in Brussels on June 25, 2026 as part of an official state visit of the Japanese Emperor and Empress to Belgium. The empress wore chic trousers and a mint green shirt for the occasion while Mathilde wowed in a pastel yellow dress. 

In 2024, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were hosted in the UK for a state visit, where they were greeted by the British monarch, King Charles and Queen Camilla at The Royal Pavilion before Charles and Naruhito inspected the Guard of Honour. After a carriage ride they were then shown Japanese-related items from the Royal Collection before a visit to Westminster Abbey.

The King and Emperor were seen laughing together during their meal at the state dinner, and the trip was considered a success. 

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A rose bed comprised of 80 flowers, donated by the Princess of Wales has come into bloom, Lichfield Live has reported. The new floral display is blooming for the first time at the National Memorial Arboretum after being donated by Prince William's wife. 

Named in honour of The Princess of Wales by the Royal Horticultural Society and bred by Harkness Roses, the Catherine Rose was created to "celebrate the healing power of nature" and raise awareness of the role that spending time outdoors can play in supporting mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. 

Philippa Rawlinson, the director of the National Memorial Arboretum, said:“We are grateful for The Princess’ thoughtful support and her recognition of the important role that landscapes such as ours play in supporting wellbeing.”

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It has now been announced that Prince William and Princess Kate are sending their eldest son, Prince George, to Eton in September. HELLO! has spoken to Grace Moody-Stuart, The Good Schools Guide's Consultancy Director to get an insider opinion on the big decision and she has declared that it wasn't an off the cuff choice and they "really looked at other options". 

One of the reasons behind the decision could be his father's positive experience at the school. Prince William once remarked that he "really enjoyed being able to go about Eton as just another student." Not feeling "like he was special" at the school is something that "obviously really matters," Grace suggests.

"If you go to a state school, or a public school, as we call them, and there's all the security around that, and you stand out like a sore thumb, it's very difficult [to] just feel like you're just one of the regular pupils," she says.

Discover more reasons why Eton was the top choice for the Wales family's eldest son.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has had a whole host of royal perks removed after losing his royal titles - and one of them will hit hard this week during the UK heatwave. Andrew, along with his siblings, learned to swim in the top-secret swimming pool inside Buckingham Palace, , but now he's been ousted from the royal family and banished to a converted farmhouse on the Sandringham Estate, it's looking like he won't be eligible for a dip there now. 

King Charles' swimming pool is housed in a space which used to be a conservatory and was constructed in 1938. According to a newspaper cutting from January 1939, the addition was a surprise for sisters Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth, who returned from Balmoral to find the swimming pool at Buckingham Palace.

Learn more about the private pool and discover the other swimming pool that Andrew had to relinquish use of. 

It's time for me to dig out an ice lolly from the freezer and handover to the lovely Eleanor Dye for this afternoon's royal news. Cheerio! 

Good afternoon,

How are we all doing in this heat?! 

It may be scorching outside, but royal news never stops, so stay with me for all the live updates this afternoon!

Princess Anne is certainly earning her reputation as the hardest-working royal, as we're expecting to see her twice today. 

Meanwhile, we'll have more updates from the state visit in Belgium. 

Stay tuned!

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Princess Anne has perfected royal dressing for the heatwave with her floaty look on Wednesday. 

The Princess Royal, 75, visited the Olympic Park to celebrate the impact of coaches at the UK Coaching Conference. 

She has been patron for UK Coaching since 1993 and took part in a workshop with delegates before delivering a closing speech to over 150 leading figures.

Anne wore a lightweight blue dress with a bold pattern, keeping cool despite the hot temperatures in London.  

Mark Gannon, CEO of UK Coaching, commented: "HRH The Princess Royal is a long-standing advocate for coaches and the vital role they play in society. Her presence at our flagship event means a great deal to us and to the coaching community.

"We are incredibly grateful for the support we have been afforded by having her patronage over the years.

"HRH The Princess Royal helped close a day focused on the opportunities and challenges facing our sector, including the need to create safer, more inclusive environments where every coach and participant is supported to thrive. This is a challenge we’re meeting head-on, providing every coach with the learning, support, and community they need to develop and succeed."

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The Princess of Wales has no scheduled engagements this week, but she's still keeping busy. 

Kate, 44, secretly hosted Melinda Gates at Windsor Castle on Tuesday morning in her role as joint patron of the Royal Foundation. 

The behind-the-scenes meeting was listed afterwards in the Court Circular, the official record of the royal family's engagements. 

Melinda, the ex-wife of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, is the founder of Pivotal Ventures, a philanthropic organisation that focuses on empowering women and advancing equality. 

The low-key meeting was listed at the end of the Court Circular, underneath Prince William's Earthshot Prize appearance at London Climate Action Week, so it initially went unnoticed. 

Read all about Princess Kate's secret meeting with Melinda Gates. 

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Prince William and Kate can usually enjoy some quiet away from the public eye at Forest Lodge, their family home in Windsor. 

However, things are set to be quite a bit noisier this weekend. 

Long Walk Live is a music concert taking place over two days - Friday 26 June and Saturday 27 June. 

The location is three miles down the road from the Wales family's family home, so they may notice an increase of traffic in the area as well as a potential for hearing the headliners from afar. 

This year, party goers will be treated to headliners Chesney Hawkes on Friday and Boyzlife on Saturday. 

The event also has tribute acts Dua Beyond, ABBA Inferno, and So Taylor. Adult tickets cost from £20, and from £7 for children. 

Would you want to go?