They share a unique bond like no other: exclusive membership, by birth or by marriage, into some of the most regal families in the world.
So it’s little wonder that when the British Royal Family get together with the European royals, they’re far more relaxed around one another.
“They’ve all known each other for a million years. These royal families are all connected one way or another — when you look at the family tree they all go way back. They’ve all interacted a fair bit and there is much more of a familiarity,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter explained to Insider.
Thanks to their equal-standings in the pecking order, Arbiter says these kind of royal interactions are far more genuine than a stage managed meet-and-greet with a member of public.
“They’re all royal, so there’s allowed to be a slightly more familial approach than if they were meeting the head of a charity or somebody that wasn’t royal,” Arbiter revealed.
“These are extended family members and everybody’s on a level playing field, so that’s why you see that slightly more relaxed approach.”
With their enormous privileges come a level of duty and service to one’s country few are likely to ever understand… That is of course unless you’re also a Queen.
During her 68-year-long reign, Queen Elizabeth has forged a special relationship with her Danish counterpart – Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. The formidable leaders are the only two female monarchs in Europe and keep in regular contact.
They’re not the only royals who share a firm friendship, either! Keep scrolling as we take a look at the best photos of royals rubbing shoulders with other royals
Now that’s a double date for the ages! Prince William and Duchess Catherine meet with Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary during a visit to Copenhagen in 2011.
Mary and Kate make for the ultimate power duo.
Firm friends! Duchess Catherine and Prince William got on famously with Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden during their royal tour of Sweden in 2018.
Duchess Catherine and Princess Victoria share a warm kiss hello.
Sophie of Wessex was delighted to share a carriage with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark at Royal Ascot in 2016.
Perhaps the best thing about being friends with other royal families is getting to stay at their stunning palaces. In August 1987, Prince Charles and Princess Diana enjoyed a family holiday with the Spanish royal family at the Marivent Palace in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Three royal families unite: (L-R) Former Queen Anne-Marie and King Constantine of Greece with their daughter Princess Theodora, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, King Juan Carlos of Spain with his daughters Infanta Cristina and Infanta Elena, Prince William, Prince Harry and Queen Sofia of Spain relax on board a yacht during a holiday in Majorca, Spain in August 1990.
Showing her respect to her royal counterpart, the Princess of Wales curtsies to King Juan Carlos of Spain, who kisses her hand, in 1987.
It’s the hottest ticket in town and you can bet the British Royal Family extend an invite out to their close European royal chums to attend Royal Ascot.
Here King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands share a laugh with Prince William, Duchess Catherine, Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles on day one of Royal Ascot in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands
Queen Elizabeth shares a special bond with Queen Margrethe of Denmark. The pair are in fact third cousins and keep in regular contact.
Prince Joachim of Denmark and Prince Harry sure know a thing or two about being the younger brother of the future king. The jovial duo got on like a house on fire during Prince Harry’s visit to Copenhagen in 2017.
Sealed with a kiss: Prince Charles greets Crown Princess Mary of Denmark with a smooch of the hand during his Diamond Jubilee tour of Scandinavia in 2012.
Mary, Fred, Camilla and Charles sure know how to make an entrance.
Caught in the middle: Princess Mary shows off her best poker-face as Charles and Fred chat over her.
While a member of the public would never be allowed to touch the Queen, it’s a different story for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands.
Royal quartet: Queen Letizia of Spain, Duchess Camilla, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and Duchess Catherine attend the Order of the Garter service at St George’s Chapel in June 2019.
Duchess Catherine and Queen Letizia share an animated exchange at the event.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Silvia of Sweden and Prince Philip are the epitome of old school glamour at a royal ball in 1983.
How low can you go? Crown Princess Mary is a pro when it comes to the royal curtsey. The mother-of-four greets Queen Sofia of Spain at Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen in 2009.
Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrik of Denmark were at complete ease when they hosted an official dinner at Amalienborg Palace in Denmark for the Prince of Wales and Duchess Camilla’s visit to Scandinavia in 2012.
How many royals does it take to fill a VIP Box?
Prince Daniel of Sweden, Prince Carl Philip of Sweden, Duchess Camilla, Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Autumn Phillips, Peter Phillips, Prince William, Duchess Catherine and Prince Harry watch the show jumping equestrian at the 2012 London Olympics.
Kate and Mary made for such a dazzling duo at Royal Ascot in 2016.
Considering how close Prince Harry is with his own grandmother, it was touching to see such a familiar ease play out between the 36-year-old and Queen Margrethe during a visit to Copenhagen in 2017.
Prince Charles is also very fond of Queen Margrethe.
Before he stepped down from his royal duties, Prince Harry was tasked with hosting several high profile European Royals, including Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain during their 2017 visit to the UK.
Two heirs walk into a room… Prince Fred and Prince Charles catch up at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony in London in 2014.
Princess Mary of Denmark and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were in seriously stylish sync when they donned similarly-toned royal-blue gowns for the wedding of Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden in 2015.
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