Kate Middleton and Prince William Will Have New Royal Roles in 2026

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The future King and Queen of England will have more power in the new year.

Starting in Spring 2026, Prince William and Kate Middleton will officially become responsible for approving Royal Warrants. King Charles has already given them the authority to take on these roles, which they will begin exercising then.

As the new Prince and Princess of Wales, they will be able to publicly support and recommend brands they like.

According to the Royal Warrant Holders Association, a Grantor of Royal Warrants can award a Royal Warrant to a company or person that has consistently provided goods or services to the Royal Household for at least five of the past seven years.

In simple terms, a Grantor of Royal Warrants acknowledges companies that regularly supply goods or services to the royal family, essentially signifying their preferred brands, according to the official website.

Since becoming King in 2022, King Charles and Queen Camilla have officially recognized over 600 companies – including Schweppes and Heaven Health and Beauty – by granting them a Royal Warrant. This is a prestigious endorsement given to businesses that regularly supply goods or services to the Royal Household.

When a company or person receives a Royal Warrant, they’re allowed to show the Royal Arms on their products, packaging, marketing materials, buildings, and vehicles for up to five years, according to the official website.

With William and Kate now able to approve Royal Warrants, people are interested to see how Kate’s fashion sense will influence their decisions.

According to Elizabeth Holmes, author of HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style, many people followed the royal family—and specifically sought out the brands worn by its members—through Princess Kate. Holmes told Town & Country magazine in July that the Princess’s ability to award royal warrants will likely introduce this tradition to a new audience.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Richard Palmer – the Royal journalist – basically said Royal Warrants are the absolute BEST endorsement you can get! And get this – he specifically thinks Kate’s warrant is going to be super valuable. I mean, everyone wants what Kate approves, right? It’s just…everything she touches turns to gold! I’m already imagining all the brands lining up!

The recent changes to Kate and William’s titles are just one part of a larger story. Here’s a look at other recent updates happening with royal families around the globe.

Following Prince Andrew’s decision to step down from using his Duke of York title, King Charles III announced that his brother would also lose his home at Royal Lodge and no longer be known as a Prince.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m following the news from Buckingham Palace closely, and it’s a significant moment. Today, the King has officially begun the process of removing Prince Andrew’s royal titles and honors. From now on, he will simply be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It’s a clear signal of a new direction and a move away from past associations.

Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles III, has announced he will stop using the title Duke of York. This decision comes because of ongoing public concern about his relationship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes.

After talking with The King and my family, I’ve decided the ongoing accusations against me are taking attention away from the important work of His Majesty and the Royal Family,” Andrew said in a statement. “As I’ve always done, I’m prioritizing my family and country. Therefore, I stand by my decision to step back from public duties, which I made five years ago.”

Andrew stated that, with the King’s approval, he was taking things a step further. He would be giving up his royal title and any honors he’d received. He also reaffirmed that he strongly disagreed with the claims made against him.

 

In October 2025, the King and his oldest son attended the Countdown to COP30 event held at the Natural History Museum in London.

The couple took photos outside the museum, then went inside for meetings with government officials and climate activists. This event took place before the COP30 World Leaders Summit in Belém, Brazil, in November, which Prince William will attend in place of his father.

In September 2025, Sarah, Duchess of York, stepped down as a patron of Julia’s House after an old email from 2011 surfaced. The email revealed she referred to Jeffrey Epstein as a friend.

After reports surfaced this weekend about the Duchess of York’s communication with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia’s House has decided it’s no longer appropriate for her to continue her role as a patron of the charity. According to The Guardian, the charity has informed the Duchess of this decision and expressed gratitude for her previous contributions.

A representative for Ferguson stated the email was sent following a threat made by Epstein.

After a 19-month absence, Prince Harry was spotted arriving at Clarence House—the King’s home in London—apparently to visit his father before attending another event in the city.

Harry arrived at the house around 5:20 p.m. on September 10th, but Charles had come back just a few hours earlier.

Princess Anne’s son and his girlfriend, Harriet Sperling, announced their engagement on August 1st. They had been dating for over a year. His father is Mark Phillips.

The couple’s spokesperson told Hello! magazine that both families were told about the engagement at the same time and were very happy about it.

I was so thrilled to hear that just before turning 78, Her Majesty was made Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom by the Royal Navy! It’s a wonderful honor and truly fitting for all she does.

Camilla is the first woman to receive this honorary title. It’s a position granted by the monarch – in this case, her husband, King Charles III – based on a recommendation from the First Sea Lord, currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.

Just hours before she was scheduled to attend, Princess Kate cancelled her appearance at Royal Ascot, the annual horse race. Kensington Palace confirmed the news to NBC News.

The palace said Kate was sad to miss the event, but she’s still working out how to manage her public appearances as she recovers from cancer.

Prince Harry’s lawsuit seeking extra security ended on May 2nd when a court dismissed his case. This followed a decision over a year prior, where the High Court, through the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, had already denied his request for increased protection.

After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stopped being full-time working royals in 2021 and moved to the U.S., their security coverage was reduced. However, Harry later asked for continued security protection during his visits to the United Kingdom.

Prince Harry told the BBC on May 2nd that he was deeply upset by the outcome of his recent court case. He stated he doesn’t foresee returning to the UK with his family anytime soon.

In an interview with the BBC on May 2nd, Prince Harry explained that his father, King Charles III, isn’t currently speaking to him due to disagreements about security. However, he expressed hope that they could repair their relationship.

Prince Harry expressed a desire to rebuild his relationship with his father and the rest of his family, who he shares his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with. However, he indicated that it’s up to his father to initiate the process.

He doesn’t foresee returning to the U.K. with his family anytime soon. He expressed sadness at the thought of his children never getting to know his home country.

Harry explained that his father has significant influence and could potentially solve the situation. He suggested this wouldn’t require direct involvement, but rather allowing professionals to handle things by simply stepping back and letting them work.

After years of fighting, he’s now seeking peace and a chance to make amends. He explained, “Life is too short, and my father doesn’t have much time left.”

More than a year after revealing his cancer diagnosis, King Charles wrote on April 29th that going through treatment has highlighted the kindness and strength of people around him.

In a booklet offering support to cancer patients and their families, Charles wrote that receiving a diagnosis is understandably scary. However, drawing from his own experience, he also believes it can reveal the incredible kindness and strength people are capable of.

He expressed his gratitude to the healthcare workers who cared for him, and shared that the experience deepened his respect for the incredible work done by the organizations and people present, many of whom he’d known and supported for years.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis – were absent from the royal family’s traditional Easter service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor on April 20th.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined other royals in celebrating, but Prince William and Kate chose to spend the weekend at their country home in Norfolk with their children, according to several news sources.

This was the second Easter the couple missed, happening just a week after Princess Kate revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment.

On April 15th, Jason Knauf was named the new Chief Executive Officer of Prince William’s environmental initiative, The Earthshot Prize. In a statement on the organization’s website, Knauf expressed his excitement about collaborating with the team and the Earthshot community to further their goal of creating positive change for the planet.

He was promoted almost seven years after he raised concerns about Meghan Markle’s behavior, claiming she bullied two assistants and tried to discredit another staff member. Representatives for the Sussexes rejected these claims, telling The Times that the story was a deliberate attempt to damage their reputation with false and harmful information.

Buckingham Palace looked into the claims, but the investigation concluded in 2022 with no public announcement of its findings.

William and Kate’s eldest son George attended a soccer match in Paris alongside his dad April 7. 

A father and son happily watched the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa at Parc des Princes stadium.

Graham Craker, a former bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William, passed away in April at the age of 77.

Craker was with Princes William and Harry when they found out their mother, Princess Diana, had passed away, and he was present at her funeral.

In 2017, Craker told The New York Post that he was standing near the back of the hearse when Prince William looked up and saw him. Craker nodded back, and William seemed reassured to know his mother was accompanied on her last trip.

Hugh and Olivia Grosvenor, who is the godson of King Charles III, shared the happy news on March 12th that they are expecting their first child.

A spokesperson announced to The Telegraph that the duchess is pregnant and expecting a baby this summer. The couple expressed their joy and excitement about starting a family.

Prince Frederik, the son of Prince Robert and Princess Julie, passed away on March 1st at the age of 22 after a struggle with a rare genetic condition called PolG mitochondrial disease.

Robert shared in a statement that his son, Frederik, is a superhero to their family, many friends, and now, thanks to Frederik’s PolG Foundation, to people around the world. Robert believes Frederik’s strength lies in his ability to inspire others and lead by example.

 

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, reached a legal settlement with News Group Newspapers – the company behind both The Sun and the now-closed News of the World – on January 22nd. He had sued the organization in 2019, claiming that journalists and investigators working for its newspapers illegally obtained information about the royal family.

According to NBC News, the settlement involved a significant financial payment and a complete, sincere apology to Prince Harry. The company also publicly admitted to the widespread and damaging coverage of both his and his mother, Princess Diana’s, private lives.

On January 14th, The Princess of Wales shared the wonderful news that her cancer treatment has been successful and she is now in remission.

I’m so grateful to share that I’m now in remission and fully concentrating on getting stronger every day. Honestly, as anyone who’s gone through a cancer diagnosis knows, it takes real time to figure out what life looks like afterward and adjust to a ‘new normal.’ It’s a process, and I’m embracing it.

She added that she’s optimistic about the year ahead and excited for what’s to come.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is grieving the loss of her rescue beagle, whom she adopted back in 2015, before she met Prince Harry.

On January 7th, she shared a vulnerable post on Instagram, describing feeling overwhelmed with tears. She explained how she’d often try to wash away her sadness in the shower, hoping the water would somehow make the pain disappear, but acknowledging that it’s okay to feel those emotions anyway.

Meghan lovingly remembered her dog, Guy, saying, “Thank you for all the years of unwavering love. You brought so much joy to my life.”

 

Edward Pettifer, the stepson of Prince William and Prince Harry’s former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke (also known as Alexandra Pettifer), was killed in a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

Prince William and Catherine were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ed Pettifer. In a message shared on Kate Middleton’s Instagram on January 4th, Prince William said their thoughts are with the Pettifer family and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

Meghan Markle, known for her role in the TV show Suits, launched a new Instagram account on January 1st. She had previously closed her personal social media accounts just before marrying Prince Harry in 2018.

I was so excited to hear that Meghan is launching a new Netflix series called With Love, Meghan! From what I’ve read, it’s not your typical lifestyle show. It sounds like she’s going to share practical tips and advice, but also have really open and honest conversations with both familiar faces and new friends. I can’t wait to see it!

In June 2025, Prince William and Kate Middleton made a special appearance at Wimbledon with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The family shared on Instagram how happy they were to be back at Wimbledon for the Championships finals this weekend. They congratulated Iga Świątek and Jannik Sinner on their victories and thanked everyone who helped make the tournament so wonderful.

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2025-12-29 21:49