Royal Family RECAP: Queen Letizia and King Felipe meet the Pope, latest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor news and more

Good morning and welcome to another busy day for royals across the globe. We'll be keeping you up to speed with all the latest news, so stay tuned!

What's on today's agenda? 

Queen Letizia and King Felipe will travel to the Vatican, where they will be received by the Pope. Meanwhile, Princess Anne, as Colonel-in-Chief of The King's Royal Hussars, will visit training for Operation CABRIT 19 in Wiltshire. 

Queen Letizia and King Felipe will travel to the Vatican today for an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace.

The royal couple's last audience at the Vatican took place in June 2014, when they were received by the late Pope Francis.

Queen Letizia will have the opportunity to exercise the "privilege of wearing white." The rule, known as privilège du blanc, permits royal ladies who are Catholic to wear all white for events where the pope is present. 

© Getty Images

Meghan Markle was the epitome of glamour on Thursday night as she stepped out in a strapless navy Ralph Lauren gown. 

The Duchess of Sussex attended an event for the Alliance for Children's Rights in Beverly Hills alongside her close friend, Kelly McKee Zafjen.

The mother-of-two accessorised the look with circular gold Chanel earrings, gold bracelets and strappy heels, while styling her hair in a low bun. 

The event was held in honour of Kelly's work with the Alliance of Moms, which she co-founded in 2014 to support the Alliance for Children's Rights.

Find out more. 

© Variety via Getty Images

Queen Letizia and King Felipe have been pictured arriving for a private audience with Pope Leo XiV at San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican.

© Getty Images

The Duchess of Sussex's best friend Kelly McKee Zajfen opened up about what Meghan is like behind closed doors. 

Speaking to Best Quality Designer Handbag at the Alliance for Children's Rights 34th Annual Champions for Children event, Kelly revealed the secrets to their long-lasting friendship, crediting Meghan with "doing things quietly". 

"She's an incredible role model in living a life of service," said Kelly. "She does not necessarily do everything loudly; she does things quietly, so it's really beautiful to watch. I think we feed off of each other because we love to give back, and we love to support and be of service to others."

Read more here. 

© Variety via Getty Images

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark have concluded their trip Down Under. 

Marking the end of their special visit on social media, the royal couple wrote: "As we return to Denmark, we are grateful for all the warm greetings, generous sharing of time and knowledge, and the care you’ve shown us which have left lasting memories. We have truly felt the warmth of the Australian hospitality and friendliness."

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was pictured taking a train ride with the Minister for Climate & Green Growth, Stientje van Veldhoven, on Thursday. 

The pair marked the start of the eleventh Circular Economy Week, which aims to combat the climate emegency, with a tour of NS Train Modernization in Haarlem.

© Alamy Stock Photo

Princess Diana's younger brother Charles, Earl Spencer has installed a "beautiful" new feature beside his late sister's burial place. 

The late royal, who died aged 36 in 1997, has been laid to rest on a private island in the grounds of her childhood home of Althorp. 

A 14-foot magnolia has been planted by the perimeter of an oval lake, in the middle of which Diana is buried. 

Get more details. 

© @charles.earl.spencer / Instagram

Princess Charlene looked super chic as she stepped out for the Monaco Red Cross first aid diploma ceremony earlier this week. 

The 48-year-old princess looked super sophisticated in Max Mara's 'Ciro' trousers in the shade 'Hazelnut', as identified by Royal Fashion Police on Instagram, which came in a cigarette cut. 

Find out more. 

© AFP via Getty Images

There has been a major update in the police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The inquiry is reportedly set to widen beyond misconduct in public office. 

According to a new report in The Times, detectives are understood to be widening their investigation to other potential offences, including a corruption probe and sex trafficking offences

Read the full story. 

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

The Princess of Wales paid tribute to Princess Diana, earlier this week, during the Nigerian state visit. 

Kate, 44, was accompanying her husband, Prince William, 43, to welcome the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. 

Kate mirrored her late mother-in-law's iconic 1980s look in a bold, double-breasted, two-toned pencil dress. The light grey ensemble almost replicated an outfit worn by Diana in 1989 during a visit to the Dartmouth Naval College,

Get more details. 

© Getty Images

Pope Leo XIV was pictured posing with Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain during a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Vatican.

© Getty Images

The Royal Family's official X account has shared some new information about the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Bristol zoo on Tuesday. 

As Patron of Bristol Zoological Society, the 62-year-old joined conservationists and volunteers to celebrate the launch of the new ‘African Forest’ habitat. 

During his visit, Edward went behind the scenes to learn more about the dedicated care provided to vulnerable animals housed at the zoo, which includes some of the world's most threatened species. He even helped prepare lunch for the gorillas!

Test your attention to detail in a picture of the Prince and Princess of Wales taken at the Nigerian state banquet this week. 

To challenge your observation skills, we have removed five details from once such picture in our brand-new 'spot the difference' game. It is not as easy as you first might think!

Play here. 

© Chris Jackson/coolGetty Images

Want even more royal insight? HELLO! VIP members enjoy full digital access to every issue of Best Quality Designer Handbag , including exclusive royal features, special editions and our complete magazine archive.Join for only £4.25 / $6.00 per month and unlock all member benefits.

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit said she regretted her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a new interview. 

"I was manipulated and deceived," Mette-Marit said in an interview with public broadcaster NRK screened on Friday. 

"Of course, I wish I had never met him," she said of the disgraced financier. 

"He used the fact that we had a mutual friend, and that I'm gullible. I like to believe the best about people. But I also chose to end contact with him," the royal said during the tearful discussion. 

"I've never seen anything illegal."

Read more here. 

© Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Getty Images

Good afternoon, royal fans!

I'm here to take you through an afternoon of royals news. 

Stay tuned for more. 

Join HELLO! and our podcast hosts Emily Nash, Andrea Caamano and Emmy Griffiths to celebrate the late Queen's life and legacy as the world marks her centenary this April. 

The podcasters will be joined by bestselling biographer Robert Hardman, the only biographer to have interviewed all senior members of the Royal Family.

Find out more here. 

© Getty

Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain have wrapped up their visit with the Pope. The royals were pictured leaving the Vatican after posing for photos with Pope Leo XIV earlier in the day. 

© Corbis via Getty Images

Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI of Spain continued their day out in Rome with a ceremony at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where Felipe assumed the honorary title of proto-canon of the Basilica.

© AFP via Getty Images

Following the ceremony, the royals walked alongside cardinal Rolandas Makrickas and Felipe greeted others in attendance with a warm smile and handshake. 

Former Olympic swimmer, Princess Charlene of Monaco, was back by the pool for a water safety initiative organised by her foundation. The Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation hosted 108 children from across South Africa, Argentina, Ecuador, India, Mauritius, USA, Japan, Singapore and Zimbabwe to participate in an educational day of water safety workshops aimed to prevent drowning. 

"For many children, this morning represented a first immersion in water rescue, in a secure, structured and caring environment," a translated post from the Prince's Palace of Monaco read. 

Princess Charlene spent the day with the children at the pool as they played water polo and were taught CPR among other activities. The royal, who represented South Africa on the swim team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, launched her foundation in 2012 with the mission to prevent drowning and provide better opportunities for children worldwide. 

Princess Olympia of Greece went on an action-packed holiday with her younger brothers, Prince Constantine Alexios and Prince Achileas-Andreas. 

The 29-year-old, who is also a fashion model, shared incredible photos of her climbing giant rock formations and riding horseback through a canyon to her Instagram. 

© Instagram/ @olympiagreece

In another photo, she rugged up in a crew neck jumper for a boat day on the river. 

Queen Letizia looked stylish as ever for her day in Rome with her husband, King Felipe VI. 

The royal wore a long-sleeved white dress for the royal couple's private audience with Pope Leo XIV, which she paired with a timeless brown handbag and matching pair of kitten heels. 

© NurPhoto via Getty Images

Letizia's bag and shoes were side from a side-angle photo of her being welcomed in the courtyard by the vice regent of the Pontifical Household, Augustinian Father Edward Daniang Daleng

Maro Itoje, the captain of England's men's rugby team, joined the royals and Nigeria's President and First Lady for a special state banquet during the week at Windsor Castle. 

The rugby star reflected on the 'inspiring' dinner on 18 March and shared photos featuring King Charles, the Princess of Wales, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was also in attendance. 

"I had the honour of attending the State Banquet at Windsor Castle last night between the two countries that are deeply close to my heart… the UK and Nigeria," Maro, who was born in London to Nigerian parents, wrote on Instagram. 

"It was inspiring to see and hear how the British and Nigerians governments looking forward to navigating a brighter future and relations between the two great countries."

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands was channeling Barbie in a bright tailored magenta look for her solo outing on Thursday. The royal wore a blazer and matching pair of trousers in an eggplant shade from Zara, as identified by Royal Fashion Police on Instagram. 

Beneath her jacket, Maxima wore a classic dress shirt in a statement hot pink shade, which she colour-matched to her purse and extravagant headband. 

© ANP/AFP via Getty Images

The royal's visit included a tour in Haarlem of the train modernisation workshop during the opening of the Circular Economy Week. 

The Prince of Wales was praised by Greg James after he joined the presenter for his cycling challenge for Comic Relief on Tuesday. 

"Very powerful legs, the royal glutes were firing on all cylinders. They really were. He was a beast on there," Greg joked after William joined him for around 40 minutes on his journey through the south Yorkshire countryside.

© Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Palace

"I think he's a keen cyclist anyway, and he refused to wear lycra. I mean, he's a smart man. I can't believe that happened. He really didn't need to do that. This is the thing I keep thinking about."

Read more about William's support here. 

King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden showed off their dance moves in a wholesome video shared to social media. The royals couldn't resist dancing along to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' at a recent event that, according to one guest, was held at Stockholm's Tyrol restaurant, which hosts Mamma Mia themed parties with a Greek-inspired menu. 

In a behind-the-scenes video shared by Sophie Ekman to Instagram, the royal couple held hands and swayed to the dance track, and at the very end, went in for a kiss. According to the guest, Princess Madeleine was also in attendance.

There's been a big staffing switch-up at Buckingham Palace. 

King Charles has brought on Sky News's royal correspondent, Rhiannon Mills, as a new addition to the communications department for the royal household. 

Rhiannon is joining the press office as a media secretary and deputy to Tobyn Andrea, director of communications for the royal household, ahead of the summer.

Find out more here. 

That's all from me!

Handing over to Matthew Moore for an evening of royal news. 

Stay tuned for all the latest. 

Although Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal titles back in November, it appears that the disgraced former royal is still using them in a private capacity. Get the full story here!

© Getty Images