Good morning and welcome to another week of royal news! Stay tuned for all the biggest stories.
Today’s royal agenda
The main piece of royal news to look out for today is the end of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s recent state visit to Japan. The royal couple have been in the country since 18 September.
Duchess Sophie’s rare comment about daughter Lady Louise’s education
The Duchess of Edinburgh made an unexpected reference to her daughter, Lady Louise, over the weekend. During a meeting with Ukrainian refugees and evacuees at an official visit to Tokyo, Duchess Sophie met 16-year-old Daniel Zagorodniy, who told her that he now lived alone in Tokyo after his parents had to return to Ukraine.
“Who cooks for you? Who does the household chores?” Sophie asked Daniel. The boy revealed that he does it all himself, to which the duchess said: “As well as studying? Goodness me. That’s a lot for a 16-year-old. Well, I’m sure your mother is happy to know that you’re safe. I don’t underestimate how hard it is, so well done.”
Daniel went on to explain how he wanted to study international relations at university. According to the Telegraph, “the Duchess’ face lit up as she revealed that her daughter, Lady Louise [Windsor], 21, was studying the subject as part of her English degree.”

Prince William and Princess Kate team up with Olympian Tom Dean
The Prince and Princess of Wales have teamed up with former Strictly star and Olympian Tom Dean to provide learn-to-swim classes. The partnership between their Royal Foundation and the athlete’s swim school is set to benefit up to 1,000 children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to access swimming lessons.
Read the full story.

Happy Birthday, Princess Märtha Louise!
Happy Birthday, Princess Märtha Louise! The Norwegian royal, who is married to American shaman Durek Verrett, turns 54 today.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh’s final day in Japan
On his last day in Japan, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Sumitomo Electric Industries Cable Factory for a tour of their advanced cable manufacturing facility. While there, Prince Edward learned about their investment in Scotland and their growing ties with the UK. He met with engineers from SEI’s Scottish factory who are currently undergoing training in Japan.
Meanwhile, the Duchess of Edinburgh paid a visit to The Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, hearing stories of female leaders, artists and activists.

Other engagements the royal couple undertook on their final day include a visit to the UK Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, viewing the Expo site from the top of the Grand Ring at Expo 2025 Osaka and attending a tea party, where they met children, and their parents, who created music for the UK Pavilion.
Princess Anne to visit The Naval Children’s Charity
Princess Anne will visit The Naval Children’s Charity to celebrate the charity’s 200th anniversary, marking her first visit since becoming Patron following 70 years of patronage by Queen Elizabeth II.
The charity supports young people from Naval families up to the age of 25, providing support that focuses on children’s wellbeing and development in recognition of the unique situations they and their families face.

Prince Harry reflects on Princess Lilibet’s birthday celebrations
The Duke of Sussex has opened up about his family trip with Meghan, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to Disneyland from earlier this year.

Recounting some of his favourite memories from the trip, which coincided with Lilibet’s fourth birthday, on ‘The Happiest Story on Earth: 70 Years of Disneyland – A Special Edition of 20/20’, Harry revealed that his kids’ excitement had already begun before they arrived at the theme park.
“They’re like, ‘This is amazing!’ Like, ‘Guys, this isn’t even the front of it. Prepare yourself. You’re about to be blown away,'” he said. He later added: “To see the kids throw themselves into these experiences when they have no idea what they’re walking into – it was amazing. And it brings out the kid in you again.”
In case you missed it…
Over the weekend, James Middleton celebrated his son Inigo’s second birthday with an adorable snap of the youngster, whom he shares with his wife Alizee Thevenet, hugging their gorgeous golden retriever pup.
James penned: “Happy Birthday Inigo. We love you as much as you love Mabel….and that is a lot. And Ella is saying hello today too.” The Princess of Wales’ younger made a reference to the rainbow in the background of the photo when mentioning ‘Ella’, his late pet cocker spaniel who passed away in January 2023.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s star-studded outing
Meghan Markle joined her husband, Prince Harry, for a charity gala in Santa Barbara on Saturday night, marking their first public appearance together since the Duke’s brief solo visit to London. The couple were guests at Kevin Costner’s One805LIVE! Fall Fundraiser, a benefit supporting first responders.
Among the guests were Oprah Winfrey, while Trisha Yearwood, Good Charlotte and the Fray performed on stage. More details here.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, attend the One805LIVE! 2025 concert
Good afternoon
Good afternoon, royal fans!
Katie Daly here, ready to take you through an afternoon of royal news on this autumnal Monday.
Stay tuned…
Duchess Sophie’s Cinderella moment
The Duchess of Edinburgh channeled a fairytale look while attending the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan with her husband, Prince Edward – and wow!

The 60-year-old Duchess stepped out in a sky-blue, polka-dot dress by Beulah London, which has a floaty skirt and a belted waist. She accessorized the £520 ‘Ahana Bright Blue Polka Dress’ with a raffia bag and espadrilles. The Duchess had previously worn the classic dress to an event in Chelsea.
“The blue polka-dot dress, with its puffed sleeves and row of buttons, has a charmingly retro nod but feels approachable and down-to-earth, stylist Oriona Robb said.
The Princess of Wales’ ex stylist spotted at Fashion Week
Natasha Archer, the Princess of Wales’ former stylist, was among the celebrities attending London Fashion Week for the Erdem show, which celebrated its 20th anniversary – and check out her shoes!

Archer, who is notoriously private, shared a photo on Instagram, showcasing her outfit. The subtle snap revealed she was wearing a houndstooth coat, white trousers, and two-tone Alessandra Rich high heels, a pair of shoes that her former client, Kate, wore in 2022.
The runway show featured dreamy silhouettes and luxurious fabrics and drew a crowd of A-listers, including Billie Piper, Beth Ditto, and Anna Wintour.
Princess Charlene’s announcement
Over on Instagram, Princess Charlene of Monaco has made a special announcement.
The 2025 Ballon d’Or Ceremony will once again recognize football’s top talent, but it will also celebrate a different kind of excellence. This year, the Socrates Award will highlight players whose dedication extends beyond the game, using their influence to create a positive impact on the world.
The award will be presented by Princess Charlene, a former Olympian and dedicated advocate for youth and education through sports. Presented by L’Équipe Group and Peace and Sport, the Socrates Award honors footballers who drive positive change and inspire new generations.
King Charles steps out
King Charles is starting the week on a high with an engagement today.

Charles was seen talking with Commanding Officer David Crosby during a Commissioning Ceremony for HMS Agamemnon.
HMS Agamemnon is an Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine and Charles was seen commissioning it at BAE Systems’ shipyard which is in Barrow-in-Furness in the north west of England.
Stay tuned as we bring you lots more moments from the King’s outing…
The next generation
An important part of Charles’ outing today to BAE Systems was meeting their next generation.

Flagged by Commanding Officer David Crosby, the King was seen chatting with apprentices from BAE Systems during the Commissioning Ceremony for HMS Agamemnon.
The apprentices wore their uniforms while the royal was decorated with medals.
All smiles!
King Charles was all smiles earlier today during his visit to BAE Systems’ shipyard.

He was also seen visiting a careers hub, which was opened as part of plans to help regenerate Barrow’s town centre. Charles couldn’t have looked happier to be there as he chatted with those working on the project.
Before that, the King met with Commanding Officer David Crosby and apprentices from BAE Systems during a Commissioning Ceremony for HMS Agamemnon, an Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine.
Sarah Ferguson dropped as patron of children’s hospice
Following reports about an email she sent to convicted financier and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, Sarah, Duchess of York, has been removed as a patron of Julia’s House, a children’s hospice.

In a statement released on Monday, the hospice said it was “inappropriate” for her to continue in the role. They have notified the Duchess of their decision and thanked her for her previous support.
The message, reported by The Sun newspaper, revealed the Duchess “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, calling him a “supreme friend,” and labelling him “steadfast” and “generous”. Her spokesman said it was sent “in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats”.
Time for a pitstop
Having met apprentices from BAE Systems and checked in with Barrow’s careers hub, the King was due a tea stop, or maybe it was coffee!

Ash Holroyd prepared a cup of tea for King Charles at Coffee D’Ash in the Portland Walk regeneration area in Barrow-in-Furness, and it seems he found something funny.
Here, he also met representatives from local charities and community groups.
Portland Walk regeneration area is part of the town’s wider regeneration effort through the Barrow Rising initiative, which aims to improve transport, housing, education, and health services in the area.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit speaks out
A royal update from Norway…Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has announced she is taking a break from her royal duties to focus on her health. The Norwegian palace announced she will be out of the public eye for a month to undergo pulmonary rehabilitation.

The palace said: “Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit will undergo a month of pulmonary rehabilitation in Norway from the beginning of October.”
According to HELLO!’s sister publication, HOLA!, the royal herself said: “I should have done it a long time ago, but now is the time. So I’m going to do it. Because I need a little more help than before to cope with daily life with pulmonary fibrosis.”
Marvellous medals
King Charles’ outing today offered him a chance to show off his medals. Ten medals were pinned to the royal’s blue check suit jacket.

His full medal collection is as follows: the Queen’s Service Medal, the Coronation Medal, the Silver Jubilee Medal, the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Naval Long Service Good Conduct Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration, the New Zealand Commemorative Medal, the New Zealand Armed Forces Award and the Garter Star.
Quite the array!
Next stop…
The next stop on the King’s busy agenda was the Town Hall.

He arrived at the Town Hall for the presentation of the Letters Patent which formally bestows Royal Charter status on the Port of Barrow.
This honour recognises the town’s critical contribution to national defence and industry.
He looked pleased as punch to be there, waving to onlookers warmly as he stepped out alongside Barrow’s Mayor, Cllr Fred Chatfield.
Sarah Ferguson loses another patronage
An update just in regarding Sarah, Duchess of York, after her previous correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein was revealed this weekend.

Following the announcement from Julia’s House that they were removing Sarah Ferguson as a patron, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew has lost another patronage.
Food allergy charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation also announced it had dropped the duchess as a patron. In a statement, founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse said: “We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York’s, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years. She was a patron, but in the light of the recent revelations, we have taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue to be associated with the charity. We would like to thank her for her kindness and support in the past.”
Charles is greeted by well-wishers
Rounding off his day in Cumbria, the King was seen meeting members of the public outside the Town Hall in Barrow-in-Furness, where he had presented Letters Patent formally bestowing Royal Charter status for the Port of Barrow, in recognition of the town’s contribution to national defence and industry.

Countless well-wishers gathered to greet the king, including this lady who wrapped up warm for the occasion. Also present were children and young people with their parents, as well as a cute spaniel puppy and its owner!
Exclusive: Prince Harry’s return to the UK clarified
Taking a break from the King’s outing today, we’re bringing you an exclusive story on Prince Harry’s return to the UK.

HELLO! understands that a more permanent return to his home country is not on the cards, despite him having “loved” his four-day trip to the UK earlier this month.
When Harry came back to the UK, he carried out a string of engagements with a number of his charities and patronages, including attending the WellChild Awards, where he was interviewed by Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, HELLO!‘s Chief Content Officer.
The news comes amid reports that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle may send their son, Prince Archie, to attend Eton College, his and Prince William’s alma mater near Windsor.
Another charity parts ways with the Duchess of York
Another charity has followed suit along with three others, dropping the Duchess as their patron as well. The Teenage Cancer Trust, who have worked alongside Sarah for 35 years, has also announced that they would be parting ways with the Duchess, according to a Spokeswoman.
In a statement, the Teenage Cancer Trust said: “We have made the decision to end our relationship with the Duchess of York, and as of today she is no longer a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust.
“We have communicated this decision to the Duchess. We would like to thank the Duchess of York for her support.”
HELLO! readers approve of Princess Kate’s country girl chic
It’s official, you’re all as obsessed with the Princess of Wales’ country girl chic as we are!

On Thursday, Kate stepped out in a striking “country girl chic” outfit for an engagement with American First Lady Melania Trump at Frogmore Gardens. The fashionable look proved immensely popular, with a new HELLO! poll showing that a remarkable 89.8 per cent of readers approved of her style.
The 43-year-old Princess wore a dark green suede cropped military jacket and a straight knit cashmere vest, both by ME + EM. She paired them with a dark brown tweed skirt from Ralph Lauren and a chocolate brown crocodile-print belt.
Sarah Ferguson loses a third patronage
News just in, Sarah Ferguson has lost a third patronage following an email she sent to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein was revealed last weekend.

In a statement, Prevent Breast Cancer said: “The Duchess of York is no longer a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer. We have advised her of this decision and thank her for her past support.” Sarah had been a patron of the charity since October 2024, following her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Earlier today, it was announced that both Julia’s House, the children’s hospice, and food allergy charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation had removed the duchess as a patron.
That’s all from me
That’s all from me here in the UK!
I’m now handing you over to Beatriz Colon in our New York office to take you through an evening of royal news.
Don’t go anywhere…
Six charities drop Duchess of York
Six charities have now parted ways with Sarah Ferguson, the latest being the British Heart Foundation. “We are grateful for the Duchess’ support for our work and thank her for her past efforts to help us save and improve lives by funding pioneering research into cardiovascular disease,” the charity said.