REBECCA ENGLISH answers your questions LIVE: From Kate to Charles and William to Harry, here's your chance to get the inside scoop on the Royal Family

Submitted by Judith

REBECCA: Actually, no I don't, Judith. I think it was totally thoughtless. But that, now, is just as big a problem in itself. There's clearly no co-ordination between London and California, obviously.

Submitted by CharlieChalkface

REBECCA: The issue of a slimmed down monarchy has been at forefront of public thinking recently, Charlie. The King has always been a big advocate of this. But of course he never expected to lose his son, daughter-in-law and brother as working royals in one fell swoop. I know some of the senior royals are a little frustrated at the suggestion they need to 'step up' more. They already carry out carry out hundreds of engagements each year, so apart from perhaps the odd extra investiture, how much more can they do? I also think the bigger problem is actually coming further down the line. George, Charlotte and Louis will clearly not become working royals (should they want to, of course) for another decade or two, while the current working crop includes five people in their 70s and two in their 80s. There's going to be a huge gap in a few years, with a lot of pressure resting on William, Kate and the Edinburghs.

Submitted by Elliot

REBECCA: In truth, Elliot, I was made to! I was a news reporter, the Daily Mail needed a royal correspondent and I was gently 'asked' three times. I come from a very different, very ordinary background, and I just didn't see what I had in common with these people. But then I realised that was a good thing. You could look at the subject matter with a very clear eye.

Submitted by Ronan

REBECCA: Without a shadow of a doubt, Queen Elizabeth II, Ronan. She ruled for 70 years, travelled to 117 countries and met everyone from JFK to Ghandi. And yet how much do any of us know what she really thought about anything? Her politics, which world leaders she liked and which ones she would have been happy never to meet again? She was the most discrete and inscrutable person who ever served in public office, I would argue. There is SO much I would like to ask her!

Submitted by Oliver

REBECCA: This is such a tricky question, Oliver. So well asked! Personally, I'm not sure that will ever happen now. Too much water has flown under the bridge. I think there may come a time that he would be accepted as a guest at family occasions, say. But as a working royal I really can't see it.

Submitted by Maxine

REBECCA: Hi Maxine, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester have served the Crown so loyally without very little fanfare for so many decades. They carried out hundreds of engagements every year for the late Queen and are now doing the same for King Charles, even into their 70s, without a word of public praise. The Duchess was the Meghan of her age - a beautiful young foreigner marrying into the British royal family. She has undertaken duties without a word of complaint.

Submitted by Debbie

REBECCA: Good afternoon, Debbie! I have been so lucky to have done this job for long long and have so many wonderful memories. Flying up into the foothills of the Himalayas with the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and standing next to Camilla as she was given a yak [pictured below] (which she most definitely DIDN'T want to stroke!)... being inside Westminster Abbey for William and Catherine's wedding, which was really akin to a country family event rather than a state occasion, you could just feel the love and affection in the room... but most recently covering the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth and the Coronation of King Charles. I was one of the only journalists present when Her Late Majesty's coffin was brought to Westminster Hall to lie in state, standing very close to the royal line up. Your heart just went out to them and there wasn't a dry eye present, even amongst the small media contingency. I felt so very privileged to have know and worked alongside her.

Submitted by Tim Denver, from the US

REBECCA: Hi Tim. To answer your last question first, I absolutely do not believe the King will remove them. I have asked this question many times, of many people. And I know however egregious the Sussexes' behaviour, the King believes it would be punitive to do this and would not want to humiliate his son. Some see this as a weakness, but many others think it is a sign of a man who simply loves his son, however personally disappointed he is. Harry has already said he plans to return to the UK in the coming months and I do think he will bring his children with him at some point. My best guess is Balmoral over the summer. There are a number of properties on the estate, so other family members wouldn't have to be under the same roof - and there is a lot of space if it gets too much. The estate is also exceptionally private, compared to places such as Windsor and Sandringham. Would Meghan would come with him? Harry, as we know, was very keen to have her at Balmoral with him when the Queen died…

Submitted by Kat

REBECCA: Kat, I spoke about this on this week's Palace Confidential and yes, I think it has. What happened was a mistake, undoubtedly. And I hope that lessons have been learnt internally at the palace. While people do often edit their personal photographs, an image like this is also a matter of historical record and there are very strict rules now about manipulation and editing. But I firmly believe her apology was honest and heartfelt. I know she is personally very distressed by the fallout as she simply was trying to put out a nice picture of her children. Given that, I think people should accept the apology equally graciously and move on.

Submitted by Ruth Gloria, from Cheshire

REBECCA: I think there are a lot of people who feel the same way as you do, Ruth. They have had a great deal of slings and arrows directed at them in recent years, particularly from family members. The problem for the Royal Family is that if they do, then there will always be someone to counter it and the row just becomes more public and spirals. They simply can't win. And sometimes less can be more. I remember after Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview there was huge pressure on Buckingham Palace to say something. The public clamour for a reaction was overwhelming. But they sat tight, despite the pressure, and waited until they had got their heads together and decided on the right response. Those three simple words - 'recollections may vary' - were laser-targeted and utterly devastating in their simplicity.

Submitted by Lynn Barclay, from the US

REBECCA: Thank you Lynn and thanks for watching Palace Confidential! Historically no. I believe one Prince of Wales was given the title at seven months old! King Charles could have been made Prince of Wales at the age of three, but Queen Elizabeth decided there was no rush to do this and announced it when he was nine. He was eventually 20 when he was invested. And yes, the modern-day Duchy of Cornwall, which the private estate which funds the heir to the throne, is nowadays a very complex organisation worth more than £1billion. I would expect that is something William wouldn't want Prince George to inherit until he was significantly older.

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Submitted by Melanie

REBECCA: Well, I think is is up to the public as to whether they want to buy Montecito jam, Melanie! I do think both her and Harry's 'brand' has been hugely damaged in both the UK and US, however, by their actions in recent years. I think the success - or not - of this latest venture will be hugely telling in terms of where they go from here.

Submitted by Stevan

REBECCA: Hello Stevan. Yes, unfortunately, I do. That's not to say I think she should bow to that pressure. Kate and William have to do what they think is best for their family. But there has been a contrast between the very regular appearances of The King in public and the deafening silence from Kensington Palace, which has, unfortunately, added to fuel to the fires of the rumour-mongers.

Submitted by Nick, from Berkshire

REBECCA: Dear Nick, It's a difficult decision for any parent, let alone the issues that come with being a member of the royal family. there are huge security implications for the family, school and other parents. I have been told for a number of years now that TRHs have had George's name down for Eton as it is so close to Windsor, where they envisage their long-term home. But of course they are exploring other options too.

Submitted by Gina

REBECCA: This is such an interesting question, Gina. A year or so ago I would have said yes. Sources were saying to me that they had been through so much as brothers that they couldn't envisage a time when they wouldn't make it up at some point down the line. This was even post Oprah. I think the interviews Harry has subsequently given and his release of his memoir, Spare, has changed that. I know Wililam is very hurt and angry, not on his own behalf, though, but on behalf of his wife and late grandmother, the Queen, who he believes Harry has greatly disrespected.

Submitted by Suzie, from Suffolk

REBECCA: Oooh, that is a good question, Suzie. Ask any of the royal correspondents whose company they enjoy most and they will all say Queen Camilla. As I've mentioned to another reader, she's very warm and funny. But I would also love to have a good, no-holds barred chin-wag with Princess Anne. That would be fascinating - I bet she has quite a few things to say when she gets going!

Submitted by Jenn Grant

REBECCA: Hi Jenn. I think we were all rather spoilt with the longevity and stability of Queen Elizabeth's reign. She truly was a remarkable woman. I do actually think the King has had a very good start to his reign but yes, it has been a difficult few months with his cancer diagnosis. However I think Buckingham Palace have done the right thing in making sure he is as visible as possible - whether in his car, meeting senior leaders and ambassadors or via photographs and video messages. As regards Queen Camilla, I agree that her popularity ratings, although much higher than previously, are still far from unanimous and that many have long memories. What I would say is that I think she has absolutely stepped up to the plate, both as Duchess of Cornwall and now as Queen, in her support of the king and causes (such as domestic abuse, literacy etc) that she has chosen to champion. She and I both started our jobs around the same time, and I promise you that I had no preconceptions of what she would be like. I see as I find, as they say here! And I have genuinely found her to be very warm, funny, loyal - and much more of a woman's woman than I ever imagined she would be. I think many do consider her to be an asset now.

Submitted by ST

REBECCA: Thank you, ST. It's such as shame for the King, who has really hit the ground running as monarch (with big shoes to fill). I think he has proved quite a few of his naysayers wrong. I think the biggest challenge for him, and his staff, will be trying to pace things. He'll be raring to get back to work but I'm sure his doctors will want him to take it a bit easier. I know it's often said, and sometimes people find it hard to believe, but he really is a workaholic. It's hard keeping up with him sometimes, particularly on royal tours, when he packs in 10-12 engagements and then works late into the night on state business, papers, briefing notes and writing letters. Notoriously, he never stops for lunch when working - and doesn't even drink water so to negate the need for what they refer to as 'comfort breaks'! I also know he is keen to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa this autumn, along with Australia, but I think this is very much still in the balance. Even if he is back at work by then, that would be a particularly gruelling trip for someone who has so recently undergone cancer treatment.

Submitted by Sam Oscar

REBECCA: Good question, Sam. I think he certainly seems more content in many ways than he ever was as a working royal. On the occasions I spoke to him he made clear to me (and many others) that he wasn't really that happy with the life he had, and if it was up to him he would just walk away and work in conservation in Africa. But he has burnt a lot of bridges on the way. Not just with his family, but with a lot of friends who I know aren't happy with the way he left and some of the choices he has made. Personally, I would find that difficult.

Submitted by Wendy

REBECCA: Thank you Wendy, and thanks for getting in touch from Canada - let's hope the King can rearrange his visit there later this year! Yes, I think we will. We've been given more details of their engagements - and been invited to cover them in person - in recent weeks than we have for many years. I think recent events have shown how genuinely interested many people are in the work they do, particularly the Edinburghs. They have never sought the spotlight, but now that's its shining on them they are happy to make the best of it. Do have a look at a video I've recorded on Prince Edward to mark his 60th birthday based on an exclusive profile I wrote on him for the Daily Mail last week. I spent a day with the Prince and we chatted about a whole range of issues. It's on our Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel!

Submitted by Anon

REBECCA: Truthfully, I don't believe things would have got to this stage if Diana hadn't passed. She would have been a glue that held things together. I think it's very difficult for many of us to comprehend just how devastating it was for them to lose their mother at such a young and impressionable age.

Submitted by Eon

REBECCA: Hello Eon, and thank you for your question. The rumour and conjecture we have seen, particularly on social media, in recent weeks about the Princess of Wales' health and welfare has been nothing short of vile. I know, while she doesn't have her own social media accounts, Catherine is not unaware of some of what's been said and has found it understandably upsetting. The Wales' attitude has been not to react to the trolls - why give them the oxygen of publicity? Which is understandable in many respects. That said, I do believe Kensington Palace have been a little naive in thinking that one of the most famous women in the world could disappear without trace for three months without people worrying about her, and should have given some more proactive updates sooner. I think this would have gone some way to skewering the conjecture. It's unlikely we will hear much more until she is ready to come back to public duties. The last time I checked, this was still likely to be after Easter.

Here we go then - over to Rebecca, who is going to start answering your questions now. Keep sending them in, and she will get to as many as she can over the next hour.

From Kate's Mother's Day photo drama to Meghan's new lifestyle brand, there are plenty of royal topics to discuss today.

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You told us you wanted to put your questions directly to our journalists, so here's your chance!

In MAILBOX, our new Q&A series, we're inviting you to submit your questions on any topic to be answered by our some of The Mail's brilliant stars.

Every few weeks a different journalist or columnist will be in the hot seat.

Last month we started off with columnist Peter Hitchens, who answered questions on topics from Ukraine to Covid.

Up today, it's Rebecca English, who has been covering the Royal Family for the Daily Mail for over 20 years.

After an eventful few months for the King, Prince William and Kate and the wider family, Rebecca will be answering all of your burning questions live from midday.