Catherine returns to work
It’s good news for the Princess of Wales
We are so happy to see Catherine returned to this week, for the first time since she started her cancer treatment. The Princess of Wales held a meeting about her early childhood project at Windsor Castle. It’s the first work engagement, after she confirmed in her moving video last week that she’s completed her treatment and is beginning to ease back into “a handful” of engagements over the next few months.
“Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long, and I must continue to take each day as it comes,” she said in her video. “I am, however, looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can.”
It’s expected she’ll attend a Remembrance Sunday service and host her annual carol concert at Christmas, in Westminster Abbey, which has become a popular fixture on the royal calendar.
However, royal insiders say we will have to get used to a new way of Catherine working and be respectful of her health, meaning she may not turn up to every engagement announced. “We really do have to respect what she’s saying and the way she’s living. My understanding is she’s obviously going to put family first. She knows her limitations, and she’s going to listen very carefully to the medical advice,” says royal biographer Robert Jobson.
“I think you may not see her for more than maybe one, one or two very controlled engagements to the end of the year,” he says, speaking to The Royal List as members of the FPA. “That will continue, I think, into the new year in January onwards. We won’t necessarily be seeing a lot of fixed engagements. We won’t be getting a lot of advanced notice that we do with other royals.”
Andrew’s TV shows chart his route from hero to zero
It’s hard to remember now that Prince Andrew was once seen as a war hero, but he’s certainly been in the wars of late. No doubt he won’t be tuning into A Very Royal Scandal, the three-part series which debuted on Amazon this week.
The mini-series is a drama based on Emily Maitlis’ Newsnight interview, which brought the Prince down in 2019, and is the second version to hit the screens, following Netflix’s Scoop. Reviews are mixed – The Guardian and New York Times praised it, but The Evening Standard and Telegraph panned it.
Let us know what you think!
William heads to Scotland
The Prince of Wales was in Aberdeen this week thanking organisations working to prevent homelessness. It’s an issue close to the William’s heart, which last year saw him launching his Homewards project, a five-year campaign to eradicate homelessness in the UK.
William's visit on Thursday saw him at the offices of charity Shelter Scotland, where he met staff and clients. “Thank you to everyone dedicated to supporting the most vulnerable people in our society, across Aberdeen and beyond,” said William, later on social media. “Your work in supporting those most vulnerable and commitment to making a difference in the community is truly inspiring. Together we can end homelessness.”
Homewards launched in six locations, of which Aberdeen is one, alongside Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Sheffield and three neighbouring Dorset towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.
Want to eat like a royal…?
Thanks to Tom Parker Bowles’ latest book now you can! Cooking & The Crown is full of fascinating royal foodie facts, history and recipes by Camilla’s son, who is a celebrated food writer and food critic. From Queen Victoria to his stepdad King Charles III, he gives tantalising insights into what the Royal Family love to eat.
“The late Queen's tastes were admirably straightforward,” he writes. “She was not a great eater, and was just as happy with a salmon fishcake, a mild curry (the condiments and accompaniments were as important as the curry) or scrambled eggs on toast.
“Queen Camilla, my mother, eats a very light lunch - a bowl of chicken soup, perhaps, or some smoked salmon - and the King doesn't eat lunch at all,” he continues, adding: “Charles is a true food hero, and he very much practices what he preaches. The King has long talked about the importance of sustainable agriculture, and there is no waste at his table.”
Cooking & The Crown is out this Thursday, buy a copy here.
Introducing our podcast – Secrets of The Royals
Sneak peek! If you enjoy our newsletter, do tune in to our new podcast, Secrets of The Royals, which launches soon. In our first six-part series, we– Kerry and Maria – chat through some of the biggest tragedies to befall the Royal Family, including many forgotten secrets and scandals. It will launch as a podcast here on Substack and other podcast platforms, as well as a video on YouTube. It goes live next month – watch this space!