Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Woman's Weekly Living Series

It’s impossible not to be moved by how the Royal Family have banded together as the King and the Princess of Wales are treated for cancer. The working royals have mucked in wherever they’ve been needed, which must be a huge relief to His Majesty and his much-loved daughter-in-law. As we go to press, Catherine has been revealed as the ‘driving force’ behind a major early years report calling on businesses to introduce more family-friendly working practices. It’s encouraging that the princess remains dedicated to her work, while putting family at the centre of everything. With King Charles now returning to public duties and a jam-packed summer schedule, let’s hope the rest of 2024 brings us all something to celebrate.…

O ver the last year, Harry and Meghan’s American dream has been a rollercoaster ride with way too many dips. After a series of unsettling setbacks, the Sussexes – whose brand was built on togetherness – are now writing a new chapter with several headline-grabbing ventures. But the high-stakes plan involves the pair pursuing solo passion projects that are taking them down very different roads. Although their Harry & Meghan miniseries was Netflix’s highest-viewed documentary ever, followed by the prince’s controversial memoir, Spare, becoming the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, since they stepped away from royal life in March 2020 establishing their financial independence is proving turbulent business. From February 2023 onwards, public humiliations were heaped on top of collapsed deals and shelved projects. South Park’s The Worldwide Privacy…

Royal life With extraordinary resilience, William has coped with many traumas in his life, but this year’s shocking double cancer diagnosis affecting both his father and his wife must have tested his mettle. Yet, as the dad-of-three celebrates his 42nd birthday on 21 June, the prince is standing strong for his family and for the monarchy. Touchingly, the Princess of Wales credited her husband’s dedication during her cancer announcement in March, saying he is ‘a great source of comfort and reassurance’ as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy. Back in January and February, the triple announcement of Kate’s abdominal surgery, the King’s prostate procedure and subsequent cancer news, saw William taking some time out to be there for Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis. However, in recent months the world has seen a…

Sophie Snuggs A close friend of the Middletons, Sophie, 40, is from the elite group of English farming families known as the ‘Turnip Toffs’ and has been part of the royal circle for years. In 2018, she wed Robert Snuggs and had Prince George and Princess Charlotte as part of her wedding party. Frequently by Kate’s side, you’ll see her at key royal events. Emilia Jardine-Paterson Emilia has known the princess since they were 13, having met at Marlborough College. Interior designer Emilia, 41, is one of Prince George’s godparents and credited for introducing Catherine and William. The niece of Viscount Exmouth, she was part of the ‘Glossy Posse’ of well-bred teenagers in Gloucestershire, who socialised with William at his father’s Highgrove home. In 2007, following Catherine’s split from Wills,…

It’s all change for Prince George, as the second in line to the throne turns 11 on 22 July. Like every child nearing the end of primary school, it feels very much the closure of one era and start of a new one. This is a turning point for the young prince, as he faces his teenage years, secondary school and the simple fact that he’s growing up. And we expect William and Catherine, like every other parent, will be full of mixed emotions as they watch their first-born take his next steps into the future. But the good news is, gorgeous George has a great support team in his close, loving family, even if he’s undoubtedly been rocked by mum Catherine’s cancer journey. Despite the weight of his future…

On this day: 1 July 1997 The ‘people’s princess’ greeted crowds with a radiant smile as she arrived at the Tate Gallery’s glitzy 100th-anniversary celebration in London on her 36th birthday. It came following several turbulent years for Princess Diana, and onlookers would later say she was glowing. Earlier that day, no fewer than 90 bouquets of flowers and countless cards had been sent to Kensington Palace, where Diana continued to live after her divorce. It was testament to how much she was loved globally. Doting son Prince Harry, then 12, who was away at school, phoned his mum, enlisting all his classmates to sing Happy Birthday down the phone. Another special birthday present had arrived too, a stunning floor-length black beaded gown from Moroccan designer Jacques Azagury. Speaking to…

TROOPING THE COLOUR Much speculation has surrounded which royals will be appearing at the King’s Birthday Parade on 15 June, following the health woes befalling senior members of the family. It is understood King Charles III is determined to attend the annual ceremony of pomp and pageantry, albeit with any necessary adjustments due to his recent cancer treatment. Last year, he marked the first Trooping the Colour of his reign by making his way down The Mall on horseback, the first time a sovereign has done so since the late Queen Elizabeth II last rode in the ceremony aged 60 in 1986, after which she opted to use a carriage. This year, however, while the King hopes to get back in the saddle, he will have to do so ‘with…

FIT FOR A QUEEN Queen Camilla accompanied her husband to all five days of the historic race meet in 2023, making it clear the long affiliation between the monarch and Ascot will continue. On the final day, she was a picture of poise in this fabulous white Anna Valentine dress, paired with a feathered hat by celebrity and royal milliner Philip Treacy. SUMMER SKY BLUE The daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Windsor, looked stunning in pastel blue as she sat watching the racing alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla in the royal box. Socialite Lady Gabriella was also wearing a beautiful blue sinamay saucer hat by Philip Treacy. PRETTY IN PRINT Accompanied by her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Beatrice channelled 1980s fashion with this…

Tongue-tied At his grandfather King Charles’ Coronation in May 2023, Page of Honour, Prince George, then aged nine, couldn’t help poking his tongue out in front of photographers. Kids will be kids! Farewell blues Prince George melted everyone’s hearts in October 2016 when he pressed his face against the plane window while wearing noise-cancelling headphones, as the family departed from their royal tour of Canada. L IS FOR... For one of his sassiest moments yet, Prince George proudly held up the universal ‘L is for loser’ hand signal during the Cambridges’ royal tour of Canada in September 2016. CHEER LEADER George looked like he was having the time of his life during the Euro 2020 final match between England and Italy. Showing that he’s just like the rest of us,…

While the King and Princess of Wales were out of action, the House of Windsor was held up by a terrific trio of royal ladies who impressed the world with their strength, stamina and humour. Full of wisdom, experience and good grace, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, get our vote. ‘It is lovely to see the royal women stepping up to make up for the absence of the King and Princess of Wales,’ says Brittani Barger, reporter for Royal News. ‘I do think it helped to keep the public reassured.’ We take a look at these fabulous females and their secrets to success. Taking the reins Queen Camilla Not only did she start the biggest job of her life aged 75, when Queen Elizabeth II passed…

Strawberry and Pimm’s Victoria drizzle Raise a toast to the King with a slice of this exceedingly British cake. SERVES 10 PREP 15 mins COOK 20-25 mins ✱ 3 medium free-range eggs✱ 150g margarine✱ 150g golden caster sugar✱ 150g self-raising flour✱ ¼tsp baking powder✱ Zest and juice 1 lemon✱ 5tbsp strawberry jam✱ 400g strawberries, 300g hulled and halved, plus whole strawberries to decorate✱ 300ml whipping cream, lightly whipped✱ 150g icing sugar✱ 1tbsp Pimm’s YOU WILL NEED ✱ 2 x 20cm sandwich tins, greased and lined with baking paper 1 Heat the oven to 160C Fan/Gas 4. Mix together the eggs, margarine, sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon zest and juice with an electric whisk until smooth and combined. Divide the batter between the prepared tins and bake for 20-25 mins until…

PRINCESS OF WALES’ BRIDAL BOUQUET Illuminum London White Gardenia Petals, £110, illuminumlondon.com Rumour had it that Kate wore this delicate perfume on her wedding day to Prince William, and it was confirmed by Clarence House. A blend of gardenia, lily, ylang ylang and jasmine create a light and refreshing summery scent. PRINCESS DIANA’S SIGNATURE SCENT Van Cleef & Arpels First Eau de Toilette, £92, my-origines.com A medley of sandalwood, vanilla and jasmine, this floral perfume was said to be Princess Diana’s signature scent. In his autobiography, Spare, Prince Harry even confirmed this fragrance was indeed “Mummy’s favourite perfume”. PRINCESS OF MONACO’S WEDDING SPRITZ Creed Fleurissimo Eau de Parfum, £260, cultbeauty.co.uk Especially created for American actress-turned-Princess Grace Kelly’s wedding day, this soon became her favourite fragrance. This bright blend of tuberose,…

Aspirational upbringing When flight dispatcher Michael Middleton and his wife Carole, whom he’d met when she was working as a British Airways flight attendant, welcomed their first child on 9 January 1982, they never could have predicted that their new baby daughter would one day become one of the most famous women in the world. The Middleton family returned to their Victorian semi-detached house in the village of Bradfield Southend in Berkshire. Their baby girl was christened Catherine Elizabeth in the local church on 20 June 1982 at six months old. On 6 September 1983, Kate was joined by a sister, Philippa, better known as Pippa. While Kate’s mother came from an ordinary, working-class family and attended state school, her father came from a more affluent, middle-class background and went…

‘It was not King and subject; it was patient to patient’ Resuming duties with gusto It was fitting that the King chose a MacMillan cancer centre for his first public appearance after his illness and enforced isolation. King Charles gets huge job satisfaction from meeting people from all walks of life. His doctors considered him to be doing well enough in his cancer treatment for him to be ‘back’, and his first engagement, at London’s University College Hospital, saw him meet fellow cancer patients to chat about their recovery. As one observer told me: ‘This was not King and subject; this was patient to patient. He wanted to know how people’s spirits were and how they were coping.’ He even appeared to offer some tips – recommending the use of…