William and Kate Cruise through the Earl Spencer crisis

What a week it’s been. Earl Spencer made the splash we’re sure he wanted, when he released his book Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, on Tuesday. If you missed it, Kerry reviews the book here.

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Diana’s brother has reignited a war between the Spencers and the Windsors, with his disparaging recollections of how then-Prince Charles spoke to him in the days following Diana’s death. Dubbing him a “bellowing buffoon,” he said Charles “sounded like a lottery winner” and told him, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.”.

What William and Catherine think about it, they weren’t letting on and instead, Cruised through the week (pun intended), with a very showbiz appearance that night, at the world premiere of royal superfan, Tom Cruise’s new movie, Digger.

The Mission Impossible actor really ought to get cast as Prince Charming, as he’s all chivalry when it comes to Catherine – obviously thrilled whenever he gets to spend time with the Prince and Princess of Wales.

On Tuesday, at the premiere in London’s Leicester Square, he held Catherine’s hand, as she floated down the red carpet, resplendent in her purple Jenny Packham gown. He’s developed a close relationship with the Windsors, having enjoyed tea with the late Queen and starred in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Coronation concert. Having once described the King as his ‘wingman’, we’re sure he’s declared allegiance to the Windsor side of the skirmish with the Spencers.

William is keeping quiet – on Tuesday, as he visited ActOne community cinema in Acton, London, a journalist called out, “Sir, how do you feel about your uncle’s book? Have you read it?” and received a dignified silence.

Catherine went from high-glamour to down-to-earth business, on Thursday, when she visited a garden that aims to support addicts in recovery. As patron of the Forward Trust, she visited their new garden in Southend-on-Sea and heard how it’s helping people in rehab. “Inspiring to see people come together through gardening, walking, creativity and conversation, building confidence, developing new skills and helping to shape a dedicated Forward Garden. A lasting place for wellbeing, recovery and connection, where supportive relationships and community can flourish,” she posted on Instagram. And look, we appreciate Catherine doesn’t want the emphasis to be on what she is wearing any longer, but we do have to say, we love her tweed jacket, in a very appropriate Prince of Wales check. It’s from Max Mara in case anyone – OK, Kerry – is looking for one.

Sources close to Prince Harry are confirming he has talked about ‘a number of possible projects” to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother’s death next year “in the most meaningful way”. In fact, Earl Spencer revealed in his book that Harry asked him to consider appearing in a documentary about Diana. With the Sussexes ‘first look” Netflix deal still standing, it’s a safe bet the film will be shown on that streaming platform.

Unsurprisingly, the one relative who will definitely not be appearing in Harry’s TV tribute show or any documentaries is William. The Sunday Times’ Roya Nikkhah reports William is keen “to avoid a potential further conflict with his brother.” William will most likely mark his mum’s death privately and is said to be declining all offers to make or appear in tributes.

Meanwhile, Harry confessed there were “lots of reasons” for his family to be back in the UK. Talking to Canadian broadcaster last Friday, he said: “It’s been great to be back on British soil. The kids are happy in school and it gives me a chance to be able to really focus on the Invictus Games in Birmingham in July next year.”

And thanks to one of Meghan’s closest friends, Kelly McKee Zajfen, we got a glimpse of what life in the UK is like for the Sussexes. Kelly, who signed off a Cotswolds-based holiday with an Instagram post thanked everyone who had “been so loving to my friend” and adding: “She missed you too!

Kelly, a former model who founded co-founded Alliance of Moms, a non-profit that supports pregnant and parenting teens in the US foster care system, posted: “Having the best time. There’s something so special about getting a taste of this magical place with my bestie,… Family time is just what the heart ordered…” she continued. “You’ve been so good to us. We’re leaving with full hearts and definitely leaving a piece of ours here. To everyone we’ve met or bumped into, thank you for being so loving to my friend, It’s been beautiful to witness. She missed you too!

Take a peek into Meghan and Harry’s new life, here.

Windsor Castle welcomed guests for a special tea party on Tuesday when Catherine hosted one for fellow hikers, who like her have completed the Three Peaks Challenge. Catherine successfully completed hers in June, when she reached the summits of Scafell Pike, Snowden and Ben Nevis within 24 hours.

One inspirational guest was 11-year-old Ted Haslem, who was pushed and carried in his wheelchair during the challenge by his dad and 15 other friends and family. The group bumped into Catherine many times along the way. Another guest was nine-year-old Albie-Junior, who completed the challenge in August, despite having had a foot amputated as a toddler.

“It was a pleasure to welcome other Three Peaks Challenge participants and their families to Windsor Castle,” posted Catherine on Instagram. “Behind every summit was a personal story of resilience, determination and hope. Listening to their experiences of the challenge and their reasons for taking it on was a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely a journey we make alone, and of the importance of the people who walk alongside us along the way. C”

The Royal List, by two trusted journalists, goes behind the headlines each week. For deep-dive, exclusive content, consider upgrading to paid.…Read more by Maria Coole, Kerry Parnell