Royal Recap: All The Headlines You Might Have Missed (May 27, 2025)
Charles in Canada, Kate christens a ship, and a surprising royal birth announcement
The past week’s royal headlines offered a little bit of everything: diplomacy, personal vulnerability, and a blue and white ~lewk~ that practically screamed “I’m in Scotland, did you notice?” Plus: surprising health and birth announcements from within the royal fold.
Let’s get into it.
King Charles visits Canada
In his first trip to the former colony as its sovereign, King Charles made a quick but pointed visit to Canada this week, where he delivered his “Speech from the Throne” to launch Canada’s 45th Parliament—a rare move that hasn’t happened since Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in 1977. In fact, this was just the third time a British monarch has delivered the speech in Canada.
Why now? Well, because Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister, Mark Carney, wanted to make a statement about Canadian sovereignty, especially in light of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s bizarre suggestions that America should annex Canada. In short, we’re underscoring Canada’s shared national history with the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth…and not with, oh, I don’t know…the United States?
Charles, as Canada’s head of state, was welcomed by Carney and Governor General Mary Simon, the King’s representative in Canada and the country’s first Indigenous person to hold the role. The optics were deliberate and layered: a constitutional monarchy using its symbolic figurehead to reinforce its national independence. It’s a particularly pointed move as Britain’s own government (under PM Keir Starmer) recently extended a state visit invite of their own…to President Trump.
After landing in Ottawa on Monday, the pair had a packed afternoon, first heading to Lansdowne Park to meet with food vendors. Charles also dropped the puck in a street hockey demonstration. After that, they went to Rideau Hall, the official residence of the governor general of Canada—AKA the official representative of the monarch. There, the King held private audiences with the prime minister, governor general, and Indigenous leaders, and Camilla was sworn in as a member of the King's Privy Council of Canada.
Naturally, some tabloids tried to make this visit about Prince Harry, who *checks notes* lives on the continent of North America, where Canada also is. I just think it's worth quickly noting that multiple royals can be (and have previously been!) on the same continent simultaneously…without it being a coordinated effort or a sign of discord. This is geopolitics, not group therapy.
Flag dressing as Kate names a ship
In a ceremonial event last week at BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow, Princess Kate officially named the Royal Navy's advanced Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, HMS Glasgow. Accompanied by Prince William, she performed the traditional bottle-smashing custom at the press of a button, using a bottle of specially made single malt whisky from Clydeside Distillery. Proceeds from the sale of the whisky benefit the crew’s chosen charity: Place2Be, a children's mental health organization of which Kate is patron.
Kate wore a blue and white ensemble that had eagle-eyed royal watchers instantly noting the resemblance to the Scottish Saltire. It was a neat bit of royal diplomatic dressing at work, also looping in some maritime inspiration an, of course, sartorial references to Princess Diana.
Kate has been the ship's sponsor since 2021, and previously hosted the crew at Windsor Castle. Being the “sponsor” of a naval vessel is a traditional position often given to royal women. The ship will now carry her name in ceremonial functions, and in return, she’ll be associated with its protection and service. (Think of it as the royal equivalent of being a ship’s godmother.)
In case you were wondering, Prince William did accompany Kate to the naming ceremony (her first for a naval vessel)…and yes, we did use this opportunity to talk about how “strong” their bond has grown since Kate’s cancer treatment. Headlines from Hello! to The Sun proclaimed the pair “stronger than ever!”
Okay…no one asked, and you told us this same thing literally last week. This outfit does give good magazine cover, though.
Kate “dazzles” in repeats at her first summer garden party of 2025
The Princess of Wales looked “sublime” (according to Hello!) in a trending hue, butter yellow, last Tuesday evening as she stepped out to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace. Oh, and Wills was there too.
The ~lewk~ (sorry, I’ll stop) was described as a sweet nod to no less than four separate entities: the late Queen, Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan, and Pippa Middleton. ICYMI, I’ll link you to my latest royal fashion video to explain more:
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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, champions eye health
Sophie Edinburgh attended the third annual Orbis Visionaries reception at Battersea Power Station last week, highlighting one of her core causes: global eye health. As Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Sophie has quietly but consistently championed sight-saving initiatives.
She’s traveled to Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and India in support of Orbis’s work, which provides critical services like cataract surgery and childhood blindness prevention. Praising the charity, Sophie said at the reception: “I have seen for myself so many times the very effective operations that are carried out in varying situations.”
This London reception was a chance to bring that work into the spotlight…and once again demonstrated that the Edinburghs, while often flying under-the-radar, are some of the firm’s most engaged and globally-minded working royals. I wouldn’t go so far as to call Sophie the monarchy’s “secret weapon,” but there you go.
Flora Vesterberg opens up about a recent diagnosis
Flora Vesterberg, granddaughter of Princess Alexandra (and 62nd in line to the British throne) has revealed a surprising diagnosis in a personal essay for British Vogue. Diagnosed with autism earlier this year after years of silent struggles, Flora writes that she pursued medical assessment ahead of beginning her PhD at The Courtauld Institute of Art.
She expressed a deep sense of relief and empowerment after the diagnosis, stating that it provided clarity and validation regarding her emotional needs and strengths.
Flora also highlighted the importance of Autism Awareness Month and the National Autistic Society's "Now I Know" campaign, emphasizing the need for better awareness and diagnosis among women. “As someone who has previously felt overwhelmed by the limitations of undiagnosed autism,” she wrote, “this series offered a powerful sense of community and relatability. It was also a reminder that autism comes in many different forms and can affect anyone, regardless of their background or career.” Her story will resonate, I’m sure, with the increasing numbers of women seeking and receiving neurodivergent diagnoses after their school years.
It’s also a rare moment of candor from someone inside the royal orbit—and a vital one. The British royal family doesn’t often speak openly about neurodivergence, let alone from within its own circles. Flora’s candor is a reminder that modern royalty continues to carve out the space to tell more personal stories.
KP celebrates a new royal birth!
In perhaps the most delightfully unserious story of the week: Orla, the Wales family’s beloved cocker spaniel, has given birth to four puppies. According to The Sun, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are already “in love” with the tiny arrivals.
The black cocker spaniel first appeared in an official royal portrait in 2022, alongside 7-year-old Princess Charlotte. Prince William and Kate received Orla from Kate's younger brother James in 2020. It appears that cocker spaniel breeding might be a pasttime that the entire family enjoys!
There was no framed notice on the birth outside Buckingham Palace, no formal name announcements, and—gasp—no confirmed father. (“The couple’s spokesperson has declined to comment,” The Standard notes, with glorious faux-gravitas.) As one insider told The Standard, “We always thought the patter of tiny feet in the Waleses’ household had ended, so the sound of tiny paws will have to do.” A masterclass in tabloid tone.
No word yet on whether the family plans to keep any of the pups. But honestly, Orla probably just became the royal most likely to boost approval ratings this year.
As per usual, great coverage and writing from Ms. Matta! Also, I think the way HRH The Duchess of E. dresses is hit and miss, mainly misses lately. But that dress, those shoes, and the purse look so good! The tailoring is spot on, great dress length, the hosiery is flattering, and the print is not too much or too little. She got this appearance just right! Way to go, Sophie!