Welcome back to our weekly free newsletter and wow, what a busy summer it has been! Where usually, royal news goes to sleep all August, this time, we were all woken (except Kerry, who missed an appearance on BBC Australia and a news story for Reader’s Digest USA, as she was literally asleep and didn’t hear her phone, doh) by the news the Sussexes were moving back to Britain.
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Harry and Meghan are enrolling Archie and Lilibet in school in the UK – as yet, the location hasn’t been made public, but it is thought to be in the Cotswolds – and will live in the country for, “an indefinite period”. What that means, we’re not sure, but rumours have been ricocheting all over the place, as royal watchers scrabble for details.
Archie and Lili will start school this week, so all will be revealed very soon. At the moment, all signs point to the family settling somewhere in the Cotswolds, which is a very beautiful and celebrity-packed enclave. Page Six ran a story saying parents of one school were sent reminder letters about not photographing high-profile students.
Meghan will continue to run As Ever between the UK and Montecito, and the family will also use their holiday home in Portugal. They are not returning to become working royals, but Harry is in need of finances, after the loss of his court case against the Daily Mail, leaving him and other celebrity claimants including Elton John, owing £18 million in costs, after insurance. There was also a report Meghan might appear in Guy Ritchie’s third series of The Gentlemen with Theo James, and that hasn’t yet been officially denied, so we could see Meghan back on screen.
The big question, is, of course, whether there will be a reconciliation between the brothers and their families? We know Charles and Camilla spent time with Harry, Meghan, Archie and Lili when they visited earlier in the summer, so does this mean the cousins might get to have some play-dates?
Harry and Meghan in Canada and right, the family at Althorp earlier this summer. Pics: Duke and Duchess of Sussex
We’re certain a lot of this move is to do with Harry wanting his children to have the early life experience he did and make similar friends at school – he was happy at prep school, not so much at Eton – but does it mean there might be a thawing between the brothers and what do William and Catherine make of the move?
Not much, if you believe royal reporters. The Mail’s Richard Eden says William and Catherine will continue to ignore Harry and Meghan and have no plans to reconcile. According to Eden, a friend of the Wales’ told him, “It makes no difference if Harry and Meghan are in Oxfordshire, California or Timbuktu. William and Catherine will continue their lives of public service. They intend to lead by example.” Meanwhile, The Telegraph’s Allison Pearson says the sudden announcement, “threatens the uneasy truce between the brothers” and heralds a moment of danger for the monarchy.
Our tip? The Royal List thinks Harry is working on a plan with his uncle, Earl Spencer. He’s bringing out what will be a blockbuster tell-all, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, on September 22 and we would put money on Harry planning something around the 30th anniversary of his mum’s death, next year. Watch this space.
While Archie and Lilibet start at their new UK school, Prince George will be feeling nervous, as he heads to Eton this week. He will join Year 9 starters at the prestigious boys-only boarding school near Windsor, on Tuesday and William and Catherine will be no doubt full of pride and also pain at being separated from their son for the first time. Kerry spoke to royal biographer Andrew Lownie, who said, like any mum, “Catherine is both sad and excited at the prospect of her son becoming a man.” Good luck George! For more on what he can expect at Eton, look out for our special paid-subscriber post coming on Tuesday.
The Royal List, by two trusted journalists, goes behind the headlines each week. For deep-dive, exclusive content, consider upgrading to paid.
It’s the Entente Cordiale that keeps on giving – and we say ‘oui’ to that! From King Charles and President Macron’s bromance to the arrival of the Bayeux Tapestry, back in the UK after more than 900 years, from this week the British Museum is where it’s at!
On Wednesday, Charles and Camilla joined the French President and Brigitte Macron at the museum for a private viewing of the tapestry, on loan from France, ahead of its public opening this Thursday. “Je vous remercie mille fois,” Charles said to Macron, “I thank you a thousand times”.
The King also joked that the 230ft medieval artwork, depicting the events leading up to the Norman Conquest in 1066, should perhaps be called the “Canterbury Embroidery” as it was made in Kent, and it is not technically a tapestry. We’re buying our tickets when more are released on 21 October, get yours here.
The Queen’s had a busy week. From hanging out with the Macrons to making a surprise guest appearance at a Letters Live event at Royal Festival Hall, reading a historic letter written by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, but our favourite moment of her week – when she met The Gruffalo!
Camilla was in Liverpool taking a trip into “the deep dark wood” at Speke Hall to mark the National Year of Reading 2026, where she was joined by The Gruffalo author, Dame Julia Donaldson, and illustrator Axel Scheffler.
After seven years serving both Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, the very popular Lt Col Jonny Thompson – dubbed Major Eye Candy – is leaving Buckingham Palace and, also, the army after 22 years.
We understand this is a very hard pill to swallow but the 43-year-old, who attracted a cult social media following is leaving his role at the end of the year for a career in the private sector. A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “Their Majesties were, of course, aware of this plan in advance and I know they are most grateful to Jonny for his support over the past seven years and wish him all the best for the future.” We second that. All the best, Jonny, and thanks for all the top kilt action!
The Royal List, by two trusted journalists, goes behind the headlines each week. For deep-dive, exclusive content, consider upgrading to paid.