Where my love of the royals began
HELLO!'s new US royal news correspondent, Alex Hurtado, takes Royal Clubbers on a journey through time
Hey, Royal Clubbers,
Alexandra Hurtado here covering for Emily Nash who has been in Palace briefings all day. She sends her apologies and will be back with next week.
You might be wondering “Umm, who is this writing The Royal Editor?” Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Alex, HELLO!’s first US royal news correspondent. I’ve been informed that a large number of you are from the states, so it’s probably about time the club had a US writer, right?
While this is a new role, I’m no stranger to HELLO!. A decade ago, I started as an associate writer/producer for HELLO! US, but my love for all things royal began long before that. Growing up I of course knew of Diana’s boys. I also remember flipping through the pages of my grandmother’s HOLA! magazines and seeing photos of royals. But it was the relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, that really drew me in.
I vividly remember staying up all night, literally all night, to watch the coverage leading up to William and Catherine’s royal wedding in 2011 – not the wisest decision as I left that same day on a family trip to Disney World, where in EPCOT I snapped a photo of a man celebrating the wedding with a Union Jack flag (pictured below).
A year later, I happened to be in London studying abroad and was actually on hand for Catherine’s first solo public engagement at the National Portrait Gallery in 2012. A few classmates and I waited outside to catch a glimpse of Her Royal Highness that chilly February evening, and we were successful. I may or may not have even ended up in the background of a photo of Catherine. That night marked my first royal sighting, but certainly not my last.
I’ve come a long way since “camping” along The Mall with fellow students to see the royal family during Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
In the years since, I have covered Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, as well as the late Queen’s state funeral and King Charles’ coronation for HOLA! USA.
I have reported from engagements in New York with the Prince of Wales and attended Prince William’s Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit. Additionally, I have reported from events with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In fact, just last week I was in New York City covering the Sussexes’ appearances at the Project Healthy Minds Gala and World Mental Health Day Festival. At the latter event, I spoke about Harry and Meghan with Katie Couric (whom I once taught how to Periscope – talk about a throwback – at the Met Gala… but that’s another story!).
Days later, I hopped on a train to Washington, D.C. to attend Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, where Meghan participated in a session. My detour to the District also provided an incredible opportunity to visit the White House as a guest. Apart from being on the royal beat, I am an entertainment journalist, so I’ve had the chance to experience some pretty neat moments in my career, but that day at the White House definitely ranks near the top – don’t mind the emoji on my face as I was not camera-ready ha.
Needless to say, it’s been quite a busy week for me, so I’m happy to be back home in Miami with my family and beloved dog Bucky before I set off on another adventure: London. I’ll be heading across the pond for a few months and celebrating Christmas in Norfolk. Can you believe it? Forget a white Christmas (not that we have those in Florida), but it will be a royal Christmas for me this year and I simply cannot wait to be back in the UK covering royal events.
My love for royalty goes beyond just reporting on the British royal family. Over the years, I’ve also covered the Spanish, Monegasque, Jordanian, Swedish, Danish, Dutch and Luxembourgish royals—and have even had the chance to interview Olympia of Greece.
Alex’s five favourite Princess Catherine looks
By now, you can probably tell that I am a royal enthusiast, and as a fellow royal watcher, I’m thrilled to join you here in The HELLO! Royal Club. Before I sign off, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite royal looks and would love to hear about yours in the comments.
PS. As a fan of the Princess of Wales’ wardrobe, there are many, many outfits that come to mind, but these are just a few of my favourites.