Royal News Roundup: Meghan's Surprise Speech, Harry’s Shocking Interview & More

• Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson fully supports Meghan Markle’s new venture into the publishing world. The 61-year-old royal recently sat down for an interview, where she discussed Markle’s announcement that her first children’s book, The Bench, is hitting shelves on June 8. Ferguson had nothing but good things to say, revealing that “to sit down and work hard to write a book, in any genre, should be supported and respected.”

• Last week, Kate Middleton announced that she had teamed up with The Book Fairies U.K. to share copies of her new book, Hold Still, with people around the country. For the occasion, Middleton rocked a bright red wool coat dress, a pleated champagne midi skirt, brown stiletto heels and a matching brown mini bag.

• Lucky for us, one Twitter user (Krish) who found a copy was kind enough to share Middleton’s accompaanying message on social media. “The Hold Still book documents a photography project which captured a portrait of our nation as we lived through the first COVID-19 lockdown last year," Middleton wrote. “The images tell the stories of the challenges we all faced, but also how we came together in the most extraordinary of times.”

• According to one of the Royal Family’s recent social media posts, one member of the royal family has been extra busy lately. On Thursday, the account shared an Instagram post revealing that Prince Edward has carried out a “number of engagements” throughout the last week. Per the caption, these outings included visiting local businesses and personally thanking workers at the coronavirus vaccination sites.

Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson fully supports Meghan Markle’s new venture into the publishing world. The 61-year-old royal recently sat down for an interview, where she discussed Markle’s announcement that her first children’s book, The Bench, is hitting shelves on June 8. Ferguson had nothing but good things to say, revealing that “to sit down and work hard to write a book, in any genre, should be supported and respected.”

Lucky for us, one Twitter user (Krish) who found a copy was kind enough to share Middleton’s accompaanying message on social media. “The Hold Still book documents a photography project which captured a portrait of our nation as we lived through the first COVID-19 lockdown last year," Middleton wrote. “The images tell the stories of the challenges we all faced, but also how we came together in the most extraordinary of times.”

According to one of the Royal Family’s recent social media posts, one member of the royal family has been extra busy lately. On Thursday, the account shared an Instagram post revealing that Prince Edward has carried out a “number of engagements” throughout the last week. Per the caption, these outings included visiting local businesses and personally thanking workers at the coronavirus vaccination sites.

• Charles Spencer, the younger brother to Princess Diana and the maternal uncle to Prince William and Prince Harry, is showing how his connections to the royal family go way back. This week, the 9th Earl Spencer dug up a rare photo of his grandfather, Albert Spencer, alongside Queen Elizabeth II's grandmother, Queen Mary, and posted it on IG. Days later, he shared another photo of his grandfather, Jack Spencer, as a young schoolboy. The painting featured Jack posing for the portrait in a grey suit.

• During a phone call with one of the finalists from her Hold Still project, which was posted earlier this week, Middleton shared a rare update about her youngest child. “Louis has got so big now,” she said before revealing that Louis had acquired a new hobby: scootering. “He’s very quick running around and he's on his little scooter, as well,” she explained. “He’s very quick. I can’t keep up with him.”

• Over the weekend, Global Citizen hosted the 'VAX Live' concert event in an effort to achieve equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution across the globe. The pre-taped show included a rare speech from Meghan Markle, who discussed the coronavirus's impact on women. For the occasion, the 39-year-old looked stunning in a red, poppy-print Carolina Herrera dress, which fans believed was a clue to a possible name for their baby girl. She topped off her look with a "Woman Power Charm Necklace" by Awe Inspired.
• This week, Apple TV+ announced that Prince Harry and Oprah’s mental health docuseries, The Me You Can’t See, will premiere on Friday, May 21. The platform also confirmed that The Me You Can’t See will feature several guest appearances from celebrities like Lady Gaga and Glenn Close. It will also include cameos by mental health advocate Zak Williams, Olympic boxer Virginia “Ginny” Fuchs and celebrity chef Rashad Armstead.

Charles Spencer, the younger brother to Princess Diana and the maternal uncle to Prince William and Prince Harry, is showing how his connections to the royal family go way back. This week, the 9th Earl Spencer dug up a rare photo of his grandfather, Albert Spencer, alongside Queen Elizabeth II's grandmother, Queen Mary, and posted it on IG. Days later, he shared another photo of his grandfather, Jack Spencer, as a young schoolboy. The painting featured Jack posing for the portrait in a grey suit.

During a phone call with one of the finalists from her Hold Still project, which was posted earlier this week, Middleton shared a rare update about her youngest child. “Louis has got so big now,” she said before revealing that Louis had acquired a new hobby: scootering. “He’s very quick running around and he's on his little scooter, as well,” she explained. “He’s very quick. I can’t keep up with him.”

• Queen Elizabeth participated in a video chat with the Royal Life Saving Society, the U.K.'s leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education. During the conversation, Her Majesty—who has been patron of the organization since 1952—spoke to the society's lifesavers and researchers. Luckily, the royal family’s official social media account shared a clip from the Zoom on IG, which featured images of the monarch in the swimming pool at age “12 or 14.”

• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently teamed up with Make Give Live to give back to families in New Zealand. The social enterprise revealed that Prince Harry and Markle honored Archie’s birthday by donating 200 beanies to the I Got Your Back Pack (or IGYBP) initiative, which provides essential items to mothers and their children.

• Queen Elizabeth opened a new session of Parliament for the 67th time on Tuesday. The 95-year-old, accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, attended the State Opening at Westminster where she addressed both Houses in the Queen's Speech, a document written by the government, outlining plans and future legislation.

• Elle Kay recently documented her Prince William and Kate Middleton sighting on her personal Instagram account (@hermesluv). Kay explained that she spotted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boarding a helicopter on the grounds of Kensington Palace, which are surprisingly visible from a nearby park. They were accompanied by their three children—Prince George (7), Princess Charlotte (6) and Prince Louis (3)—and their dog.

Queen Elizabeth participated in a video chat with the Royal Life Saving Society, the U.K.'s leading provider of water safety and drowning prevention education. During the conversation, Her Majesty—who has been patron of the organization since 1952—spoke to the society's lifesavers and researchers. Luckily, the royal family’s official social media account shared a clip from the Zoom on IG, which featured images of the monarch in the swimming pool at age “12 or 14.”

Queen Elizabeth opened a new session of Parliament for the 67th time on Tuesday. The 95-year-old, accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, attended the State Opening at Westminster where she addressed both Houses in the Queen's Speech, a document written by the government, outlining plans and future legislation.