What the future holds for Next Gen Royals
In our Royal Baby Special, we predict what the littlest Windsors will grow up to be...
After the arrival of Princess Eugenie’s son - the Queen’s ninth great-grandchild, we couldn’t help but wonder: what will this new generation of royal cuties grow up to do? Mystic Maria dusted down her crystal ball for these absolutely-scientifically-proven predictions…
Savannah Phillips: The oldest of the Next Gen Royals and daughter of (separated) Peter and Autumn. With no royal title and 17th in line to the throne, this laid-back ten-year-old doesn’t let that stop her pulling rank on Prince George, clapping her hand over his mouth on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 2018 and pushing him down a hill at the polo. A star in the making.
Perfect job: A firm but fair headmistress
Isla Phillips: Born in 2012, the year of the dragon, Chinese astrology says Isla’s confident, intelligent and enthusiastic and the way she tears around with her cousins, it must be true. Both Phillips girls have dual Canadian citizenship (thanks to Mum), so their careers could also take them to North America.
Perfect job: International music festival promoter (launches Gatco to rival Glasto)
Prince George: He turns eight on July 22 and still pulls the best ‘I’d rather be anywhere but here’ faces on public outings. Godmother Julia Samuel, says George is feisty and has a great sense of humour and Neuro Success Coach Marilyn Devonish told The Telegraph he’ll be a compassionate monarch.
Perfect job: Er, King. Lucky, that…
Mia Tindall: When your dad (Mike) is a former rugby player and mum (Zara) is royal and an Olympian, this seven-year-old was never going to be boring. She’s mischievous and fearless and our queen of fun. Who else can grab Great-Granny’s royal handbag in this Annie Leibovitz pic and all the ensuing headlines.
Perfect job: Olympic equestrian rider AND rugby player
Princess Charlotte: Turning six on May 2, she’ll one day inherit the Princess Royal title and will play a big part in George’s monarchy. A huge fan of spiders, Charlotte’s a natural leader (remember that cheeky wave on her way to meet baby Louis). “Her soul destiny is to figure out how to best harness her creative energy,” said Devonish.
Perfect job: Fashion designer/arachnologist/Queen of Sass
Prince Louis: He’s the spit of Grandpops Middleton and hopefully inherits his hair too. With a winning smile and twinkly eyes, Louis was born in 2018, the year of the dog, which according to Chinese astrology means he will always put family loyalty first. Plus, this two-year-old has plenty of red-carpet swagger.
Perfect job: King of the party planners (side hustles Party Pieces to FTSE 100)
Lena Tindall: Her middle name’s Elizabeth (same as Isla) and like the Queen, Lena’s growing up with horses on tap (she lives on Gatcombe estate). Lena, 2, is totally au fait causing toddler mayhem at Granny’s horse trials, tormenting future monarchs and hilariously interrupting Daddy’s podcast. Her Chinese zodiac animal is the dog but we predict the gee-gees will reign supreme.
Perfect job: Top horse breeder and trainer
Archie Mountbatten-Windsor: Now 18 months old, we saw Archie briefly on his parent’s 2019 South Africa tour. Then Megxit happened. Now we’re squinting at an arty Xmas card and reloading ‘Duck! Rabbit!’ on YouTube. Seventh in line to the throne, but he’s already the Prince of Hollywood.
Perfect job: Actor/global activist/Governor of California
Baby Brooksbank: Dad Jack has always worked in hospitality and is a Casamigos Tequila brand ambassador (co-founded by George Clooney and Rande Gerber). He once managed Mahiki, the Mayfair bolthole of royals and celebs, and his dream is to own a pub chain. Man the bar, Baby Brooksbank, you’re born to be Cocktail King.
Perfect job: Famous mixologist/nightclub empire tycoon
Coming soon: The tenth Next Gen Royal is due shortly (Zara’s third), and we reckon there will be a happy announcement from Montecito soon, too.
Meghan vs Eugenie: A tale of two babies
There was something missing in this week’s royal baby news – outrage. As Princess Eugenie gave birth in the private Portland hospital, just like Meghan and Fergie before her, the headlines were noticeably different.
Harry and Meghan’s decision to have Archie in the Portland was first met with fury that they hadn’t told everyone the location, then that the hospital was too posh, with “foie gras and lobster on the menu” and “magnums of champagne at the ready”. And yet Eugenie could be giving baby his first bath in Dom Perignon right now, for all anyone cares, writes Kerry in this week’s Sunday Telegraph. To read, click here.
How to dress your prince or princess
Clad your baby with royal approval, with some of the Windsor’s favourite brands:
Babies: Catherine and Meghan wrapped their newborns in a beautiful hand-made merino wool shawl, £108, from G.H. Hurt & Son in Nottingham. They’re so lovely, they make us want another baby… almost.
Charlotte: Her signature style is a traditional blue smocked dress, like this classic cotton design, £115 from her favourite brand Pepa & Co.
George and Louis: Likewise, Catherine loves heritage designs for her boys, like the Rachel Riley sailboat dungarees, £79, she dressed George and Louis in.
Archie: Meghan likes a bit of Boden for Archie and we can see him snuggling in this Big Bear and Cub jumper, £29.
Weird but true royal baby facts
Births were at home: Royal births were never in hospitals until Princess Anne chose St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington for the birth of Peter and Zara.
The Home Secretary used to be a witness: In 1688 James II’s wife Mary gave birth to James, Prince of Wales, with 42 witnesses and even then it was alleged the baby had been smuggled in. Eventually it was whittled down to just the Home Secretary, until the Queen stopped it.
But fathers didn’t: Despite everybody else being invited, fathers weren’t at the births until the 1960s. Prince Philip only saw the birth of Prince Edward in 1964.