Honestly, if you thought the drama at the palace would slow down in 2026, you haven't been paying attention. It’s early January, and the UK royal family is already moving at a pace that’s frankly exhausting to track. We’ve got health updates that actually sound hopeful for once, a "Project Thaw" rumor that has everyone whispering, and Prince George essentially staring down the barrel of his teenage years.
It’s a lot.
The biggest bit of news royal family UK watchers are obsessing over right now isn't a scandal for once—it’s the King’s health. King Charles III, now 77, just dropped some pretty significant news regarding his cancer treatment. He’s scaling it back. In a video for Stand Up To Cancer that aired mid-December, he basically said that thanks to catching it early and actually listening to his doctors (not always a given with royals), his schedule of treatment is being reduced for the new year.
The Palace is calling it a "precautionary phase." That’s royal-speak for "he’s doing well, but let’s not jinx it."
Why the Sussexes might be back this summer
While the King is focusing on getting his strength back, the "will they, won't they" saga of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has hit a weird new gear. There's this thing being called "Project Thaw" by some insiders.
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Basically, the idea is to warm up the frosty relationships between the California branch and the London branch.
Rumor has it Charles offered them Highgrove House to stay in if they visit. That’s a huge olive branch. Highgrove is the King’s private sanctuary. You don't just let anyone crash there. But there’s a catch—or at least a complication. Prince Harry is expected in London very soon, like within days, for his court case against Associated Newspapers.
Interestingly, William and Kate are scheduled to be in Scotland at the National Curling Academy the exact same time Harry is in London. Hundreds of miles of "oops, we missed you" distance.
The Kate Middleton factor
Princess Kate just turned 44 on January 9. She’s looking healthy, which is a massive relief for the public after the rollercoaster of 2024 and 2025. She’s also doing things differently. Instead of a stiff, formal birthday portrait this year, she released the final part of her "Mother Nature" video series. It’s very... un-royal. Lots of walking through the Berkshire countryside and talking about "what it means to be alive."
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She and William also did their first 2026 outing at Charing Cross Hospital on January 8. Kate wore a maroon suit, skipped her engagement ring (hospital hygiene protocol, folks), and introduced her husband as just "William."
No titles. Just "this is William." Sorta refreshing, right?
Prince George and the "Secondary School" drama
If you have a kid, you know the stress of picking a school. Now imagine that kid is a future King. George turns 13 this July. That’s a massive milestone. He’s headed to secondary school in the fall, and the betting is split between Eton (William’s old stomping ground) and Marlborough College (Kate’s alma mater).
There's also the "cell phone" issue. William admitted recently that the kids not having phones is becoming a "tense issue" at home. Word is George might finally get one for school, but it'll likely be a "dumb phone" with no internet. Good luck with that, Will.
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The situation with Prince Andrew
We can't talk about news royal family UK without mentioning the ongoing saga at Royal Lodge. It’s getting awkward. There were reports of a removal van spotted at the Lodge recently.
The King has been pushing for Andrew to move into a smaller spot (like Frogmore Cottage), and the funding for Andrew's private security was reportedly cut last year. It looks like 2026 might finally be the year the "siege of Royal Lodge" ends.
What to watch for next:
- The Invictus Games 2027 Countdown: Meghan is reportedly planning to be in Birmingham this July to kick things off. This would be her first real UK appearance in years.
- The Security Ruling: A decision on Harry’s police protection is expected within weeks. If he gets it back, expect to see Archie and Lilibet in the UK this summer.
- International Tours: Rumors are swirling about a massive tour of Australia and possibly the US later this year for William and Kate.
The monarchy is trying to look "steady" this year. Charles is doing his "business as usual" bit, even issuing a strong statement of support for Ukraine this week to mark the anniversary of the UK-Ukraine partnership. He’s determined not to let his illness define his reign, and honestly, at 77, the man's work ethic is still pretty wild.
Actionable Insight for Royal Watchers: If you’re planning to visit London to see the "action," keep an eye on the Royal Diary for February. With the King’s treatment reducing, we’re likely to see a surge in public appearances that were previously handled by Queen Camilla or Princess Anne. Also, if you’re following the legal drama, the High Court rulings in Harry’s cases this month will likely dictate whether the Sussexes actually make that summer trip to the UK.