If there’s one thing the royals know how to do well, it’s putting on a spectacle. And boy did they manage to do exactly that in the 2010s.
It’s wild to think that this time 10 years ago, William and Kate were not yet engaged, Prince Harry was in the midst of his party years, and Charles and Camilla were pretty much newlyweds.
But as we all know, things are looking a little bit different for the House of Windsor these days – and it’s not least to do with its growth in numbers (read: royal babies galore).
There’s no denying the 2010s has transformed the royal family into a new chapter.
(All images: Getty)Now, as 2019 comes to a close and we round out the decade, it seems appropriate to take a look back at some of the royal moments that gripped the world this decade.
Some events drew millions upon millions of eyeballs as marriages, babies and milestones were celebrated.
Some stormed headlines for weeks on end as explosive revelations came to light.
But in the end, there is one big thing we’ve learned – the world’s desire to get a glimpse into the lives (and loves) of the royal family inexhaustible.
Keep scrolling as we round up the biggest of the lot.
Wills Kate engagement 2010
November 2010: Prince William and Kate Middleton announce their engagement
In a moment that collectively took the entire world’s breath away in the greatest way possible, Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement in 2010. The news was a decade in the making, so naturally, hearts were melting everywhere – quite rightly so.
Wills Kate wedding 2011
April 2011: William and Kate get married
Fit for a fairy tale, the pair married in Westminster Abbey the following year. Their nuptials, which was nothing short of a spectacle, was watched by tens of millions of people world-wide. Oh, and did we mention Kate’s heavenly Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen dress set the precedent for bridal style for the next nine years?
Birth of Prince George 2013
July 2013: Birth of Prince George
Her pregnancy announcement was exciting enough, but when Wills and Kate announced the birth of their first child, the future King of England Prince George, we were utterly besotted.
Birth of Princess Charlotte 2015
May 2015: The birth of Princess Charlotte
Two years later, the royal couple welcomed a baby sister for Prince George. The Princess’ big debut was met with wonder from the world, not least because it occurred when she was less than 10 hours old!
Prince George at Princess Charlotte Christening
Queen longest reigning monarch
September 2015: The Queen becomes the world’s longest reigning monarch
We already knew it, but Her Majesty the Queen reminded us once and for all that she was unstoppable in 2015. Indeed the ever-spirited leader officially became the world’s longest serving monarch of all time – and she’s still going strong!
William Kate and Harry launch Heads Together
May 2016: William, Kate and Harry launch Heads Together
In one of their most poignant moves to date, Prince William and Kate teamed up with Prince Harry to launch a brand new mental health campaign called Heads Together. The incredible charity continues to work with various organisations to this day to support those dealing with personal battles.
Prince Philip retires 2017
August 2017: Prince Philip retires
Shock waves swept the world when Buckingham Palace called a secret summit one day in August 2017. Many went as far to assume Philip, who was 96 at the time, had passed away. Shortly after, the Palace announced he would be retiring from his royal duties for good. A sigh of relief!
Harry & Meghan engagement 2017
November 2017: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their engagement
After months of speculation and sensational reports, Meghan and Harry, who had gone public with their romance that same year, announced they were engaged for real, and boy did the world go nuts.
Birth of Prince Louis 2018
April 2018: Birth of Prince Louis
Prince William and Duchess Catherine welcomed their third child to the world in 2018, and suffice to say we were smitten from the moment Kate stepped out onto the Lindo Wing steps with the adorable royal tot in tow.
Wedding of Meghan and Harry
May 2018: The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Rivalling only the monumental spectacle that was Wills and Kate’s nuptials, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made things officially official in May 2018. They married in a beautiful ceremony at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. The location clearly held a special place in their hearts – the pair moved to the area the following year!
See the never-before-seen photographs from Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding
Eugenie and Jack’s wedding
October 2018: The wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
Royal weddings galore! Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s youngest daughter Princess Eugenie married her long-time love Jack Brooksbank in a ceremony at St George’s Chapel a few months after Harry and Meghan’s big day. Eugenie’s stunning wedding dress, designed by Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos was coveted for its unique design, which showcased the Princess’ scoliosis scar.
Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan, Prince William and Duchess Kate arrive at Eugenie’s wedding
Prince Charles’ 70th
November 2018: Prince Charles celebrates his 70th birthday
Husband, future King and granddad to three (and soon to be four!), Prince Charles led quite the colourful life in the lead up to his seventh decade around the sun. 2018 was a year of big celebrations for the Prince of Wales, who had a number of milestone events to mark the occasion.
The fab four split houses
March 2019: William & Kate split houses with Harry & Meghan
In a move that originally floored us all, Kesington Palace and Buckingham Palace announced that William, Kate and Meghan and Harry would go their separate ways this year. The two couples, coined as the ‘Fab Four’ created two separated households to look after their communications and charitable work in their own capacities.
Birth of Baby Archie
May 2019: Birth of Archie Harrison
Harry and Meghan’s first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was welcomed to the world on a May morning in picturesque Windsor. A besotted Harry emerged from their home and delivered an unrehearsed interview to share his excitement at the time. A few days later, the pair posed for their first photo call as a family of three. Too cute!
Archie’s first official appearance in South Africa with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Beatrice and Edo engaged
September 2018: Princess Beatrice announces engagement to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
We felt this one coming, but that didn’t detract from the joy in hearing that Princess Beatrice was engaged to her partner of a year, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. The pair look set to tie the knot in 2020 – a new decade of royal weddings begins!
Harry and Meghan doco 2019
October 2019: Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s explosive documentary airs
After a year of constant media backlash, despite being brand new parents to a baby son, Meghan and Harry had had enough. While they toured Africa, the pair filmed a documentary where they laid bare their struggles. Meghan’s poignant admission to journalist Tom Bradby particularly struck a nerve: “I’ve really tried to adopt this British sensibility of a stiff upper lip… I’ve tried, I’ve really tried.”
Prince Andrew scandal
November 2018: Prince Andrew’s “trainwreck” interview, as he steps down from royal duties
In November, Prince Andrew delivered an unprecedented interview to the BBC on allegations made against him in relation to his connection to Jefferey Epstein.
Claiming he had never met a woman who accused the Prince of having sex with her when she was 17, his attempt to clear up the situation only riled the world more. After fiery backlash to his explosive BBC interview, the Prince formally stepped back from his royal duties, issuing the statement: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.”
