The Princess of Wales made her first public engagement of 2026 earlier this month, visiting Charing Cross Hospital in London alongside her husband, the Prince of Wales. The appearance marked the start of their official duties for the year following the holiday period.

The joint visit involved scheduled conversations with NHS staff, patients and volunteers during a period of increased winter demand across the health service. During the visit, the Princess acknowledged the ongoing pressures facing healthcare workers, while both she and Prince William spent time speaking directly with individuals involved in patient care. The engagement proceeded without a formal announcement in advance.

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For the visit, the Princess wore a burgundy Roland Mouret suit that has been seen at previous public engagements. The tailored blazer and matching trousers were styled with a tonal blouse in a coordinating shade, neutral heels and a small Hudson bag by DeMellier London. The outfit followed a format she has used consistently for work-related appearances.

Burgundy has featured prominently across recent seasonal collections as an alternative to darker winter neutrals. In this instance, the colour was presented in a structured, tailored form, aligned with established royal dressing conventions for professional engagements.

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The decision to repeat a previously worn suit reflects an established practice within the royal wardrobe, particularly for visits focused on public service rather than ceremonial occasions. The Princess has worn similar colour palettes and tailoring styles across multiple engagements in recent years.

Her accessories followed the same approach. The DeMellier Hudson bag has appeared regularly in her recent public outings and was carried again for this visit. Jewellery was minimal, limited to small earrings that complemented the outfit without drawing focus.

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As she begins the year in which she turns 44, the Princess continues to resume public-facing duties. During the hospital visit, she spoke with a chemotherapy volunteer about treatment experiences, acknowledging shared aspects of the discussion without referencing her own health publicly. Prince William was present throughout the visit, engaging with staff and volunteers alongside her.

The engagement was conducted as part of the standard royal working schedule rather than positioned as a milestone appearance. The visit concluded without additional commentary, aligning with the practical nature of the setting.

In opening the year with a hospital visit carried out jointly, the Prince and Princess of Wales returned to a familiar pattern of public service engagements. Their appearance and conduct reflected continuity with previous working visits, setting the tone for their official activities in the months ahead.

Prince Harry is expected to regain armed police protection during visits to the UK, signalling a change in how his security has been handled since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020.

Following his departure from the role of a senior working royal, the Duke of Sussex lost automatic state-provided armed police protection while in the UK. His security arrangements were instead placed under a case-by-case system overseen by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec. Under UK law, privately hired security personnel are not permitted to carry firearms, a restriction Harry has long argued exposes him to unnecessary risk when visiting the country.

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The duke pursued legal action against the Home Office, maintaining that the removal of armed police protection left him vulnerable and made it unsafe for his wife and children to accompany him to Britain. In May 2025, he lost a key appeal at the High Court, with the ruling confirming that the government had acted within the law when it altered his security status based on his changed role.

That position has since been reassessed. A recent security review conducted by Ravec, involving the Home Office, the Metropolitan Police and royal security officials, is understood to have concluded that Prince Harry now meets the threshold required for armed police protection during UK visits. Individuals briefed on the review say reinstatement is expected, pending final administrative steps, though no formal announcement has been made.

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The renewed assessment followed increased concern about Harry’s personal safety, including incidents involving persistent individuals gaining proximity to him despite existing security measures. While specific details remain confidential, the Home Office has reiterated that protection arrangements are kept under continuous review and adjusted in response to changing threat levels.

The decision affects more than Harry alone. He has previously stated that the absence of armed police protection has been the main reason his children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have rarely visited the UK. Both children live in the United States and have only travelled to Britain once, during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

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With enhanced protection now likely, the prospect of family visits becomes more practical, potentially allowing for renewed contact between the Sussex children and King Charles. No visit has been confirmed, but the expected security changes remove one of the most significant obstacles cited by the duke since his relocation abroad.

For the government, the move reflects an approach driven by risk assessment rather than royal status. For Prince Harry, it brings an end to years of uncertainty surrounding his safety arrangements and provides a clearer framework for future trips to the UK.

If approved as anticipated, his visits would no longer rely on temporary or adhoc measures but instead operate under a formalised security arrangement, closing a dispute that has shaped his relationship with Britain since 2020.

On Christmas Day 2025, the Princess of Wales departed from her usual festive colours, choosing rich brown tones for the annual royal Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
She attended the service with Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, wearing a brown plaid coat by Blazé Milano. The coat was previously worn earlier in the year, including during a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in January.

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The coat was paired with a chocolate-brown hat and a silk patterned scarf in complementary shades, creating a cohesive and sophisticated look appropriate for the occasion.
Accessories included Cartier Trinity hoop earrings, a favourite in her jewellery rotation, and boots that matched the tone of the outfit.

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Princess Charlotte’s outfit coordinated with her mother’s, featuring a camel-coloured coat accented in brown, reinforcing the harmonious family appearance.
Historically, the Princess of Wales has favoured traditional holiday colours such as greens, reds, or jewel tones for Christmas services. Last year, she wore forest green, and in previous years, she chose cobalt blue or maroon.
This year’s brown choice reflects a broader interest in earthy tones and demonstrates her ability to make contemporary fashion choices while respecting tradition. She is known for re-wearing meaningful pieces and adapting them for different events with care and thoughtfulness.

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The Blazé Milano coat carries additional significance, as it was previously worn during a public engagement following the Princess’s cancer remission earlier in 2025. Reusing a piece with personal meaning adds an extra dimension to the ensemble.
Despite a challenging year for the royal family, including ongoing health matters for King Charles and wider institutional pressures, the Christmas Day service remained a symbol of continuity and family presence. Her outfit complemented the event, making a refined, intentional statement about combining modern style with long-standing tradition.