This week, Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, decided to share a private weekend getaway at Balmoral Castle. The future king and queen reportedly dropped off Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis with the Middleton family before heading to the picturesque Scottish Highlands. Local reports captured sightings of Catherine and William strolling along the beautiful Scottish coastline, taking in the serene surroundings and each other’s company.
While palace sources remained tight-lipped about the private trip, it is believed to be the couple's first solo visit to Scotland without their three children in quite some time. Each year, the family enjoys a long weekend at Balmoral at the end of August, a tradition started by the late Queen, who cherished hosting her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the castle—a custom that King Charles has continued.
Catherine looked radiant in a stunning midi dress, while William appeared relaxed and happy. The couple was seen laughing and chatting together, highlighting the perfect timing of their getaway as Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis returned to school under the watchful eye of their trusted nanny, Maria. This mini vacation underscores their strong bond and the importance they place on nurturing their relationship, especially during challenging times.
Sources close to the royal couple revealed that they appeared to be in good spirits throughout their private weekend. According to royal expert Robert Jobson, King Charles is also in excellent form. Jobson noted that William often whisked Catherine away to places like Hrove or Sandringham, or to a cottage on the Balmoral estate during their dating years in the 2000s. Occasionally, they would check into hotels under the names Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a playful nod to the popular Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie movie released in 2005.
Jobson also shared an anecdote about William referring to himself as "Steve" while both were studying at the University of St. Andrews from 2001 to 2005, a nickname reportedly encouraged by Catherine, who would use it in public.
As they arrived at the church, Catherine flashed a brief but warm smile from the passenger seat, with William at the wheel. She wore a striking dark green wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers on the side, paired with a classic brown tartan coat. William, in a dark suit, presented a somber yet elegant figure as they joined King Charles and Queen Camilla, who were also spotted arriving separately.
Although the Princess looked very much like her old self in the car with William by her side, her health remains a priority. Fans shouldn’t anticipate a flurry of public appearances just yet. Many suspect she may not attend numerous royal engagements soon. Royal commentators are looking ahead to November and December, which hold significant events on the royal calendar, although Kensington Palace has yet to confirm any specific dates at the time of writing. There is hope, however, that she will be involved in more than just two engagements, as she has reportedly started planning her annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey for the Christmas period.
In other news this week, Prince William announced 15 finalists for the prestigious £1 million environmental award, which is now in its fourth year. The award aims to uncover and champion the most innovative and impactful solutions to the planet’s pressing environmental challenges. Addressing the world with optimism and purpose, the future King of England expressed his delight in introducing these remarkable inventors.
The announcement was made at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit in New York City, co-hosted by the Earthshot Prize and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The finalists hail from six continents and include several firsts for the prize, featuring finalists from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Nepal. The five winners of the award will be announced at the Earthshot Prize award ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 6th.
