Programming and Counter-programming: The Wales vs. Sussex Edition
Catching Up With The Royals (July 14, 2026)
A NOTICEABLE UPTICK
The sheer number of royal engagements last week was exhausting. King Charles III drove a tank. Prince William played mini golf in Hastings. Queen Camilla played a game of Poohsticks in Ashdown Forest.
If one were suspicious, one may be forgiven in thinking that some of these events may have been slotted into a busy week as a form of royal counter-programming to the high-profile trip to Britain by Prince Harry.
Notably, there were appearances by the Princess of Wales on three consecutive days.
Friday: Polo
The royal polo match for charities supported by William and Kate is an annual affair on the polo grounds just outside of Windsor Castle. In the past 15 years, they’ve raised more than CAD$30M.
Kate wore a black-and-white sundress by Temperley as she attended for the first time since 2023. The royals held hands and hugged, appearing relaxed and affectionate, which isn’t usual for their public appearances but is pretty standard for this polo match fundraiser.
In an interesting post, the U.S. Polo Association praised the event and its “longstanding support” of the Prince and Princess of Wales. It felt a bit awkward, given Harry based his defunct Polo series at the U.S. Open Polo Championship, which is organized by the U.S. Polo Association.
Saturday: Women’s Final at Wimbledon
Kate appeared alone, wearing a red Roland Mouret
During her chats with staff and players, she said that Louis wants to be a ball boy at Wimbledon.
Sunday: Men’s Final at Wimbledon
Kate wore a moss green Emilia Wickstead dress as she appeared with William, George, and Charlotte, which has become a bit of a family tradition – after all, they all play tennis and enjoy the sport.
The kids looked like they were getting a bit hot as they sat in the Royal Box. They put on sunglasses and Wimbledon-branded hats, with George also using a portable cooling fan. He couldn’t take off his required jacket and tie because of the tennis club’s dress code. Still, they were there – the only children allowed in the Royal Box are royal children.
THE KING AND HIS GRANDKIDS
After months of hype and buildup, the King finally met his grandchildren at his private home of Highgrove on Friday. Buckingham Palace quietly confirmed the meeting had taken place, then made it clear that no other information would be given: “The King and Queen this afternoon hosted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet at Highgrove House. No pictures or further details will be released by the Palace.”
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