Forgive me, darlings, but let’s get right to the juicy bit: Catherine, Princess of Wales—yes, our very own Kate Middleton—has been positively everywhere this week and, quite frankly, she’s outshone London’s Christmas lights themselves. I spotted her with Prince William at the dazzling Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall, and let me tell you, that woman knows how to make an entrance. Kate slipped into a deep green velvet gown by Talbot Runhof, looking every inch the regal beauty. She finished the look with Queen Elizabeth’s famed Greville Diamond Chandelier Earrings, those glittering Cartier masterpieces that could make the Crown Jewels jealous. Honestly, they’re so sparkly, you could probably see them from Windsor. She even carried one of her signature Jenny Packham clutches and—because Kate never does things by halves—matched her emerald pumps to her glorious dress. Applause all around, I say.

While everyone in attendance was gasping at Kate’s sartorial splendor, the real royal insiders were chattering about the most subtle update of all: a brand new version of William and Kate’s official conjugal Coat of Arms, debuted ever-so-quietly in the event program. For heraldry fans: the new emblem now features the Prince of Wales’ feathers and that very British motto, “Ich Dien”—German for “I serve,” in case your GCSEs failed you—with the lion looking even more resplendent in his coronet. Proper symbolism for their official status, now three years since William became Prince of Wales after King Charles’s first speech as monarch. The timing, darling, perfection—because the family loves to keep us guessing with their little surprises.

Backstage, there were as many famous faces as at a Buckingham Palace garden party—Jessie J, Laufey, the cast of Paddington The Musical. The West End and even Paris contingents of Les Misérables turned up to mark the show’s 40th anniversary. (I’d give up my pearls to see Kate with a plastic bear or humming ‘One Day More’.)

And this week wasn’t just velvet gowns and glitz for the Princess. Just yesterday, Kate hosted the Future Workforce Summit as part of her ongoing work for The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. There she was, speaking to a sea of influential business leaders about the importance of investment in early years—always pushing to put those issues in the royal spotlight. Busy as she was, Kate had to skip the Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle, which, between us, probably saved her another marathon evening of small talk in five languages.

Let’s not ignore the news everyone’s giggling over: Prince William was caught, in a rare moment of unfiltered affection, secretly kissing Kate before stepping out of the car for a royal engagement. It’s like an episode of The Crown meets Love Actually, and I’m here for it! Long may Kate—a vision in velvet, a champion of children, and increasingly the heart of the monarchy—keep us royally entertained.

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