Pop Culture

Welcome to Shelf Life, ELLE.com’s books column, in which authors share their most memorable reads. Whether you’re on the hunt for a book to console you, move you profoundly, or make you laugh, consider a recommendation from the writers in our series, who, like you (since you’re here), love books. Perhaps one of their favorite titles will become one of yours, too.How Not to Drown in a Glass of WaterHow Not to Drown in a Glass of WaterAngie Cruz was studying to be a fashion designer at FIT and working...

After two weeks of grieving Queen Elizabeth II and being scrutinized by the British press, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are heading home to Montecito, California, pretty much ASAP, Us Weekly reports. Don’t chalk their hasty exit up to family tension, though: The couple just really misses their children, three-year-old Archie and one-year-old Lilibet, from whom they’ve been separated.“Meghan and Harry are preparing to return to Montecito almost immediately after the funeral , where they’ll be reunited with Archie and Lilibet after being separated for over two weeks,” the Us...

Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered for countless things, including her historic 70-year reign, her children and their children, her infectious smile, her colorful outfits, her timeless jewelry collection, and her beloved corgis.GLYN KIRK//Getty ImagesToday, on the day of the late monarch's state funeral, her dogs, Muick and Sandy, were walked by guards inside Windsor Castle. Prince Andrew was seen standing with them for a few minutes before heading to his mother's service. The funeral took place at Westminster Abbey in London at 11 a.m. U.K. time. Attendees included the...

Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin makes its final journey today during its ceremonial procession from Westminster Hall, where the Queen laid in state the past couple of days, to her final resting spot at Windsor Castle. During the funeral procession and the Queen’s period lying in state in the days preceding the ceremony, the Sovereign’s crown, orb, and sceptre were placed on top of coffin—objects with deep history and meaning to her reign and the royal family’s history. So, why were they there? And what happens to them after? WPA Pool//Getty...

Emily Carey is leaving. Unless you’re well-practiced in the particular art of spoiler-dodging online, you knew this was coming. HBO has been forthcoming about very little when it comes to their hit Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon, but they’ve been transparent about this: After episode 5, the actresses portraying Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower will be replaced with older ones, thanks to a significant mid-season time jump. Emma D’Arcy will take over for Milly Alcock, and Olivia Cooke for Carey. But anticipating the move does little...

On Saturday afternoon, Kate Middleton honored the late Queen Elizabeth by wearing one of her favorite jewelry pieces to a lunch reception at Buckingham Palace. The newly named Princess of Wales was photographed wearing the Queen's famous three-strand pearl necklace. The piece was one of her favorites and she wore it almost daily. A royal source confirmed with Entertainment Tonight that it was indeed the same necklace and that Kate was wearing it with a pair of pearl and diamond earrings and a pearl bracelet that also belonged to Elizabeth.WPA...

Brothers Prince William and Prince Harry will take part in the vigil for Queen Elizabeth II tonight, appearing in military uniform alongside their grandmother as she lays in state in Westminster Hall. Their wives Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle won’t be alongside them—but that’s not a snub. Only the grandchildren of the Queen were asked to participate, as Queen Elizabeth II’s children did in a vigil on Friday night. Per Hello!, the family decided that the grandchildren would appear without their partners, so both Kate and Meghan will remain at...

On Thursday, September 15, Blake Lively revealed she is expecting her fourth child with husband Ryan Reynolds by showing off her baby bump on the red carpet of the 10th annual Forbes Power Women’s Summit. According to a source speaking with US Weekly, it's a huge relief that her pregnancy is out in the open.“Blake is relieved that the secret is out. She held it in until she couldn’t anymore!” the insider said. “She loves dressing up her baby bump and wanted to make a statement. She’s truly glowing.”Lively certainly...

David Beckham met Queen Elizabeth numerous times, but he joined the rest of the public to queue to pay his respects one last time. “We all want to be here together and experience and celebrate the amazing life of our Queen. I think that something like this today here together is meant to be shared,” he told reporters. Beckham joined the queue at 2 A.M., and made it inside Westminster around 3:20 P.M.—a total of over 13 hours in the queue. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI//Getty ImagesHe was pictured wearing a suit, newsboy...

When my Moroccan-born partner and I decided to go on vacation together to his home country, he volunteered to take on the Fez leg of the trip if I’d organize our time in Marrakech. Immediately, I was worried: How would I, an American, be able to arrange a relaxing and indulgent experience for a local in Marrakech, a city I’d only been to once? Turns out I had nothing to worry about. When we pulled up the long, shaded driveway of the Royal Mansour hotel, we could both feel the...

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are expanding their family once more. Lively sartorially shared the news that she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child today, showing off her pregnant stomach in a sequined dress while attending the Forbes Power Women's Summit, where she is being honored.Taylor Hill//Getty ImagesTaylor Hill//Getty ImagesLively joked about her and Reynolds being “breeders” back in 2016, hinting that they wanted to have a big family. “I’m one of five kids,” she said then. “My husband is one of four, so we’re officially breeders. You can...

The Handmaid's Tale has been renewed for a sixth and final season on Hulu, and the news arrived just days before the premiere of season 5. “It has been a true honor to tell the story of Margaret Atwood’s groundbreaking novel and chillingly relevant world, and we are thrilled to bring viewers a sixth and final season of The Handmaid’s Tale,” Bruce Miller, the show's creator, showrunner, and executive producer, said in a statement. “We are grateful to Hulu and MGM for allowing us to tell this story, which unfortunately...

Spoilers for season 5 of The Handmaid’s Tale below.When season 4 of The Handmaid’s Tale came to a violent end, every character’s fate hung in the balance. Would June (Elisabeth Moss) be held accountable for killing her former commander? How would Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) recover after losing the father of her unborn child? And what would happen to Esther, the teenage wife played by actual-teenager Mckenna Grace, who was found harboring former handmaids and, as punishment, is now forced to be one? Thankfully, audiences don’t have to get far into...