Kate

From Game of Thrones to Killing Eve, the Prince and Princess of Wales are big fans of TV – but one 92% rated espionage thriller has captured Princess Catherine’s attention

As the winter chill sets in, many of us are opting for cosy nights in front of the telly rather than braving the cold outdoors, and seems likely that Prince William and Kate Middleton are dooing something similar.

While Royal enthusiasts eagerly anticipate more appearances from the Prince and Princess of Wales, particularly as she marks a year of cancer remission this month, it’s likely that Catherine will be looking forward to some downtime at home.

However, as the Princess of Wales rings in her 44th birthday, there’s a bit of a dampener – no confirmed release date for the second series of one of her favourite TV shows, a spy thriller boasting an impressive 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Black Doves, a gripping espionage series masterminded by Joe Barton for Netflix, was one of December 2024’s standout hits and was greenlit for a second series before its inaugural season had even concluded.

The series, starring big names like Keira Knightley, Ben Wishaw, and Sarah Lancashire, revolves around a group of freelance spies whose cover is threatened. Black Doves zeroes in on undercover agent Helen Webb, portrayed by Oscar nominee Kiera Knightley, who finds her covert identity at risk after her lover is killed by figures within London’s criminal underworld.

The programme captivated audiences, with one typical response online stating: “I thought Black Doves on Netflix was pretty good and entertaining. Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw are great as a team of clandestine spies and assassins. Absolutely deserves the second season. Can’t wait.”

Another viewer gushed: “Black Doves was fantastic television. So damn good! !” A third added: “If you love a British political/espionage thriller, Black Doves is a masterpiece. Slick script, superb characters, smashing storyline. Heavy on irony and good old fashioned violence.”

This marks another occasion where William and Kate have revealed their television tastes. During a trip to the BAFTA offices in central London, where he discovered details about a bursary granted in his honour, William admitted his passion for the Jason Bourne series.

When encountering Paul Greengrass, who helmed three of the six films, William enthusiastically enquired “another Bourne, another Bourne”. The filmmaker allegedly replied with chuckling and a head shake.

Swiss filmmaker Edward Berger was linked to the project for several months but subsequently declared “It’s really not clear whether… I’m doing that film or not”. Currently, the prospects for William’s cherished Bourne franchise appear uncertain.

Another William and Catherine favourite facing an unclear future is the BBC’s hit series Killing Eve, starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh. During a 2019 visit to a BAFTA exhibition, William reportedly confessed his fondness for the series.

Show producer Sally Woodward Gentle and costume designer Phoebe de Gaye revealed that the prince “apparently… has watched it all”.

“He [Prince William] said he loved it. He talked about the dark humour of it, and Jodie [Comer] and Sandra [Oh], how amazing they both are. And he talked about the humour you get through the costumes, which is what Phoebe is so clever at,” Gentle disclosed.

Whilst the programme concluded with its fourth series in 2022, persistent speculation continues about a potential spin-off, possibly centred on the early years of Fiona Shaw’s character, Carolyn Martens.

Prince William has revealed that he and Kate, 42, were equally keen on watching episodes of Game of Thrones. The Royal pair even told actor Tom Wlaschiha, famous for playing Jaquan H’ghar in the drama, that they have “watched every series”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 1 in 2017, William declared their passion for the programme, describing them as “big fans” and advising: “You should definitely watch Game of Thrones, that’s worth watching.”

Beyond television, Prince William is recognised for his love of music, an interest he shares with his children, George and Charlotte. He disclosed on Apple’s Time To Walk podcast in December 2023 that the youngsters frequently bicker over song choices during their morning routines.

The musical inclinations of the Wales family were put in the spotlight when William, accompanied by Charlotte and George, made international headlines after snapping a selfie with pop superstar Taylor Swift. Marking his 42nd birthday, the future monarch was spotted having a grand time at Swift’s concert at Wembley Stadium with his children.

Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway was on hand to deliver the latest news headlines on Monday’s show

Good Morning Britain host Kate Garraway delivered devastating news during Monday’s broadcast.

On Monday’s (January 5) instalment of the popular ITV morning show, Ed Balls and Susanna Reid were at the helm, bringing viewers up to speed with breaking stories from Britain and beyond.

Kate joined them in the studio to cover additional headlines, but within moments of her segment beginning, she broke the tragic news about 15-year-old Charlotte Niddam, who lost her life in a devastating bar fire at a Swiss ski resort.

Addressing viewers, Kate disclosed that the teenager was among 40 victims who perished in the inferno at Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day.

Authorities have now confirmed the identities of all those who died, with 15 of the victims being under 18 years of age, reports Wales Online.

She added: “Amy Lewis is now live in Crans, Montana. I mean, this is devastating, of course, for the families directly involved, but I’m sure a huge loss for the whole community there as well.”

The programme then switched to ITV correspondent Amy, broadcasting from the location, who reported: “Yesterday there was a huge march here, and thousands of people turned out.”

Gesturing towards tributes, she went on: “Just behind me is the bar where it happened, the scene, and over here hundreds of flowers have been laid and candles are burning around the clock.

“What has been so shocking is how young some of the victims are just children aged 14 and one case and 15 year old Charlotte Madame she studied in Hertfordshire, her family have said that they are devastated.”

She continued: “The bar’s managers are under investigation, and there will be a special ceremony here on Friday. A moment of national mourning.”

The devastating news prompted an outpouring of grief on social media, with one person writing on X: “So sad and most likely preventable. Deepest condolences to all the families who have lost a loved one. RIP Angels.”

Another expressed: “Oh no! That makes my tail droop. Sending lots of love and cuddles to everyone affected. Life can be rough, but every moment is precious! Let’s hold our loved ones close and shake off the sadness!”

A third added: “Sending all my love to everyone involved. This is truly heartbreaking.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.

Princess Kate and her daughter Princess Charlotte shared a touching moment at the royals’ carol concert, Together At Christmas, that had fans in tears, as Louis stole the show

The Princess of Wales and her daughter, Charlotte, delighted fans by sharing a. beautiful moment together at the royal carol service. The concert was filmed at the beginning of December but aired on ITV on Christmas Eve.

Opening the concert, Catherine and Charlotte took to the piano together for a song. As a voiceover from the Princess spoke about the meaning of Christmas, a pre-recorded duet with her daughter played.

The mother and daughter played Holm Sound, a 2020 piece of music by Erland Cooper. It was written for the composer’s mother, Charlotte. Cooper hails from the Orkney Islands, and his work is inspired by nature and connection, themes which, according to ITV, are of deep importance to The Princess of Wales.

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“Omg! It’s The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the piano!” one fan wrote online. Another added: “Aaaw, a mother daughter duet from the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte. How lovely.”

A third said: “The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte! So beautiful.” Another added: “Princess Charlotte and our beautiful Princess of Wales playing piano together. What a beautiful vision and spoken words – Together at Christmas. Wow.”

One emotional fan particularly loved Catherine’s speech: “What a gorgeous opening, well spoken and incredibly thoughtful. 1st speech I’ve wanted to listen to this festive season. Found myself quite tearful.”

The Royal Family teased Kate and Charlotte’s musical moment before the concert. They posted a teaser of Kate on the piano to Instagram with the caption: “A special duet…” Fans were excited, and many remembered when the princess accompanied Tom Walker on the piano in 2021.

The Princess has been playing the piano since she was a child. Her second public performance came in 2023 when she appeared in a segment of the Eurovision Song Contest’s opening sequence. She has passed on her love of the piano to her daughter.

During the concert, fans also pointed out how lovely it was to see the whole of Kate and Prince William’s family together. “Beautiful images of the Prince & Princess of Wales & their three gorgeous children. What a wonderful example of family unity & love.”

William and Kate have two sons, as well as Charlotte. George is their eldest, and Louis is their youngest. The younger son is known for his tendency to steal the show at big events, with his outgoing and often silly nature.

In 2023, Louis made many smile as he provided some hilarity to the service. During one song, he leaned over and blew out his sister’s candle. Charlotte was left giggling at her brother’s behaviour, as were many fans.

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The Princess of Wales personally requested compoer Erland Cooper to watch her and Princess Charlotte perform his piece, Holm Sound, at Windsor Castle for tonight’s Together At Christmas on ITV

The composer behind the piece of music played by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte has spoken of his pride of witnessing their “incredible bond”. Kate was joined by her 10-year-old daughter for a special performance to launch her Together at Christmas carol concert broadcast on ITV1 this evening.

She personally requested Erland Cooper to accompany them at Windsor Castle earlier this month as they performed his piece Holm Sound. The award winning composer and producer, from Orkney in Scotland, cited as “one of the most unique, consistently engaging composers of his generation”, is renowned for taking inspiration for his melodic work from nature and connection.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton teases exciting mystery guest in exciting carol concert surpriseREAD MORE: Kate Middleton gets surprise nod from King Charles in his 2025 Christmas speech

Speaking of his shared passion for the natural world with the princess, who has credited immersing herself in nature as a marker in her recovery from cancer treatment last year, Erland said: “It was such a treat, such a lovely, warm and inviting day to be present with Their Royal Highnesses. It completely took me by surprise. I’m used to rambling around the ruins and brochs of the Orkney Islands, but to go to Windsor Castle itself was a slightly different architectural wonder.”

Erland, 43, wrote his classical piece in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, taking inspiration from the wild environment of the Orkney islands. The Princess of Wales, who has played the piano since the age of 10, first wrote to Erland to express her love of his music and thank him for his dedication to promoting the beauty of the natural world through his craft.

Through their exchange of messages, the future queen revealed how she had enjoyed teaching Charlotte his compositions at home, creating a special bond between them. As she planned to create a special moment as part of her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol concert, celebrating hundreds of community heroes at Westminster Abbey, the princess requested to play one of her favourite pieces with her daughter as part of the television on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.

“I’m always in the head and hearts and back gardens of others. I often think, in this case, this little piece of music sort of landed on her shoulder like a bird,” Erland said. “And when you write a piece of music and you share it with the world, you’re sort of letting that out, and you’re letting it go, and you have no idea how far and wide it might fly. So it’s always a great surprise when people write to me or call me, and this was, you know, one of those great surprises. I didn’t expect it at all.”

Describing the moment as “a wonderful bit of serendipity” after originally composing the piece for his mother, Charlotte, Erland said: “We had a very warm, creative conversation earlier in the year, which was lovely, and then it culminated with an invitation to Windsor Castle. The princess asked ‘Would it be okay if we perform this piece of music that we so enjoy together?’

“It was such a lovely request so I said absolutely no problem at all. I was invited to witness this incredible bond between mother and daughter performing together and for that I am so grateful. And there’s a wonderful bit of serendipity as the piece was composed and dedicated to my mum, also called Charlotte, they didn’t know about, that it’s about motherhood, and how family plays such an important role and such a key part to all of this.

“The Princess and I both have a sort of shared love of music that celebrates the natural world and its rejuvenation and the wonder that you know that comes from it. There’s so much joy and warmth and creativity and ideas surrounding those themes.”

Erland, whose work combines field recordings with traditional orchestration and electronic elements, is renowned for burying the only copy of his first classical album as part of the “return to the natural earth” process. In 2021, after deleting all digital copies of his composition, he planted the master tape in peaty soil in Orkney, along with a “cheap violin”, the original score in a biscuit tin and a note to return to sender if it was ever found.

Erland posted clues on his website, but said if no-one found it he would dig it up himself and release the music in 2024, no matter how much the recording had changed. The score was discovered by two fans who found the soggy spool of magnetic tape buried in Stromness and returned it to him.

The record, titled Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence, later became a number one classical album, in collaboration with nature, topping the UK official charts in 2024.

Erland added: “I merely tap into the energy of the natural world, and I’m very grateful for it. It is a constant source of inspiration. It’s the life blood of my work. The idea behind my first piece was to compose, decompose, and then recompose. The finished piece would be a collaboration with Mother Nature. We all have this incredible connection to the natural world and I find it so warming that the Princess of Wales has found solace and such comfort in nature.”

On witnessing Kate and Charlotte sharing the stage together for their joint performance, he said: “It was just lovely. I think I was there for a little bit of encouragement. I mean, imagine anybody performing a piece of music in front of a film crew, and then the person who wrote it. Princess Charlotte played beautifully, she really has a wonderful way of playing the lighter notes just beautifully. So we were able to celebrate in that together.

“It’s certainly one of my favorite winter solstice moments. To walk into the Castle, to be greeted by a Steinway grand piano, and then to have a really poignant recital and performance. It was a very special, sort of quiet moment. There’s a power in reaching out to people, and that’s what they did here.”