So Many Thoughts

IT HAPPENED. King Charles III saw his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, today at Highgrove House, his country estate in the Cotswolds. Having toured the gardens there last fall, I can say with certainty it is a lovely place for this private visit. More on why below, as well as a look at Harry’s tumultuous week. I’ll meet you in the comments to discuss. Comments are reserved exclusively for paid subscribers, which I have found keeps the discourse nuanced and constructive.

The hits for Harry keep coming. Below, a look at the verdict in the last of his three cases against the British media — what the judge had to say and more on the serious financial implications for the Duke of Sussex. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Harry in London Tuesday.

Prince Harry touched down in the UK Monday, beginning his much-anticipated visit that has grown messier by the minute. As always, I want to discuss it here with you — I’ll see you in the comments. Comments are reserved exclusively for paid subscribers, which I have found keeps the discourse nuanced and constructive.

Ahead of the long holiday weekend, with Kate turning up at Wimbledon and Taylor and Travis taking over New York, I realize it’s a stretch to say: Let’s talk about ROYAL TAXES. 😬 But hear me out! I think it’s important to keep tabs on the finances of public figures, particularly when those in question are the famously opaque wealth of the Windsors. Last week, King Charles III became the first reigning British monarch to release his taxes.

(Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) While my family and I were galavanting around London and Scotland, the Windsors stayed busy. This flurry of summer activity before their extended break is to be expected: Trooping the Colour is always followed by Garter Day and Royal Ascot. Last Thursday, however, they slipped in some sizable news: King Charles III became the first king to reveal his tax figures, sharing he has paid more than £50 million since 2022.

When it comes to royal weddings, it will be a minute (read: decade or more) before the next major one from the Windsors. Prince George is turning 13 next month; he has a lot of life ahead of them. Elsewhere in the ranks of the Windsor family tree are Edward and Sophie’s daughter, Lady Louise Windsor (age 22), and son, James, Earl of Wessex (age 18). Again, they have time. So, what’s a royal watcher to do?

Caroline Hallemann, the digital director of Town & Country magazine, was in the early stages of researching a book on Jackie Kennedy when Prince William announced his Earthshot prize was headed to Boston. The legacy-defining environmental initiative from the heir to the British throne was inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot, the ambitious goal to put a man on the moon and bring him back home.

Jeans, take a seat. My family and I were trying to get out the door to go to Ojai last weekend and something about my outfit felt off. This Southern California enclave is a dreamy mix of cottage-core and crystals; we were headed for a day of cocktails by the pool, a stroll through the picturesque downtown and dinner al fresco. I looked over at Matt, clad in what we have deemed his “cool dad pants” — relaxed linen trousers — and had an ah-ha moment.

Catherine is in Italy this week, her first overseas engagement in more than three years. More below on the early coverage of the trip. Let me know what you think in the comments. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP via Getty Images) On Wednesday, King Charles III rode in a horse-drawn carriage to a State Opening of Parliament and, with the Imperial State Crown on his head, delivered a speech to set the government’s agenda for the new session.

(Photo by Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images) This year’s Met Gala waseven more fraught than usual. Tech bros took over fashion’s biggest night and Vogue’s own Anna Wintour welcomed them — and their wallets — with open arms. Tickets rose to a reported $100,000 each, raising a record $42 million for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.