The 20 Best Photos We Saw of the Royals in 2020

To kick off 2020, the royals released this portrait of the Queen and the three future kings. Although we think this photo is pretty cool to see (especially because George finally got to wear pants for it), there are some claims that it angered Harry. It's a future-focused picture that apparently shows that the monarchy doesn't have a space for Harry and Meghan's part of the family.

Whether or not they had a true place in the monarchy, Meghan and Harry didn't really need one. Their own bond was so strong that they felt comfortable enough leaving it all behind. This photo was snapped during their farewell tour in March, and it perfectly emphasizes the Sussex bubble and how happy they are to be in it.

During another stop on their farewell tour, someone took this sweet photo of Meghan and Harry holding hands at an event. They liked it enough to post on their own Instagram page. There's no denying that they truly love one another. And their PDA legacy will hopefully encourage future royals to not worry so much about expressing that love in these sweet ways.

For one of her areas of philanthropy, Kate has really focused on children and mothers — especially in those crucial early years. So her work has regularly put her in contact with kids, and she's just so good with them. The look of delight on her face is so sincere here as she plays with this little girl.

What's something that the duchess loves just as much as children? Puppers! Kate Middleton is always getting distracted by dogs at events. At this particular event, she was supposed to be meeting with Ireland's president, but she couldn't help but greet his pooch as well. What a good dog!

Also during Prince William and Kate Middleton's tour of Ireland in early March, the duo visited the Galway Circus. The event gave William the perfect excuse to show off some of his awesome juggling skills. Kate was clearly impressed with her husband, and we are, too. If the circus ever needs a new juggler, they know where to look!

We love how candid Meghan and Harry always are, and this photo is a great example of that. It's an outtake from a video they filmed for the Commonwealth Trust, and it features the Sussexes totally cracking up on the job. The pure joy in Harry's eyes makes him almost look as gleeful as a child. We miss seeing these moments with them.

To mark each of her children's birthdays, Kate Middleton always takes a new portrait of them to share with the public. We're big fans of the ones she took of Louis playing with rainbow finger paint for his second birthday. Kate later joked that she was just as messy as he was by the end of the photoshoot.

Next up on the birthday list was Charlotte, who turned 5 in May. She looks so grown-up and sassy in this portrait. As many also pointed out, she seems to be taking some style cues from her grandmother Diana and great-grandmother the Queen, who both also loved a black-and-white houndstooth print.

In July, fans got a couple of new photos for George's 7th birthday, including this one of him beaming and dressed in camo. It's so hard to believe that we've seen the prince grow up from the tiny baby outside the Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital into this big boy. He looks so much like his father here.

Prince William had to share his birthday portrait with his kids, but we don't mind because it's such a sweet shot. Kate captured the picture in early June as her kids played with dad during one of their several months of staying at home. William is such a hands-on father, and we love to see it.

All that time staying at home together could have wreaked havoc on a marriage, but William and Kate emerged closer than ever, it seems. This picture was captured at one of their first events back in the real world, with Kate sweetly putting her hand on her husband's back. Are we going to see more PDA from the Cambridges in 2021?

All of the royals had to get used to virtual meetings and events this year, even the Queen. While it probably wasn't hard for someone like William or Kate to pick up Zoom, the Queen's been doing things in a very particular way for decades. But even at 94 years old, she was willing to try something new to engage with people.

As anyone who's watched The Crown knows, Princess Anne is not a typical storybook princess. She isn't afraid to get out into nature, she loves riding her horses, and she tends to prefer practical clothing over dresses. But in 2020, we got to see her get a little fancy for her 70th birthday. It's a whole new side of Anne!

To celebrate Father's Day, the Cambridges released this sweet picture of Prince Charles and Prince William. It was a throwback photo, since the two of them haven't been able to spend much time together in 2020. Both father and son had a tough year health-wise, and we look forward to being able to see them together once again. Not everyone is a fan of Prince Charles, but there's no denying that he loves his sons.

In October, Princess Eugenie posted this photo of her mom, Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson. "There were too many pictures to choose from that show how completely unique you are," Eugenie wrote. It's truly one of the most epic pictures, and we have so many questions. Why are there miniature mushroom seats? How does she still look so proper sitting on one? Why is this happening? We'll never know.

This year also marked the announcement that a new royal baby is on the way. Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are expecting a child in early 2021, and they broke the news on Instagram with the cutest pic. We can't get over the tiny bear slippers. This baby is already so fashionable.

Eugenie's sister, Beatrice, also had a pretty big year. Bea secretly got married in a small ceremony with just a handful of people (including the Queen) in attendance. Beatrice kept things pretty casual by re-wearing one of the Queen's old dresses and re-wearing her wedding shoes as well. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Royal fans got another look at the Cambridge kids in December, when the whole family attended an event together. They were there to see a performance to celebrate the essential workers from this hectic year. And like the stars they are, Louis, Charlotte, and George walked the red carpet in their Christmas best.

To close the year out, Kate and William released their family Christmas card to the public. The family of five looks so casual and relaxed in the photo. They're not wearing fancy clothes or standing in a palace. They could be any family if we didn't know who they were. And the kids are just getting so big! Side note, where can we purchase Princess Charlotte's sweater, and does it come in adult sizes?