2024 is a challenging year for the British Royal Family, with major health events for King Charles and Princess Kate.
However, 2024 also marked more positive moments as the year progressed. There were high-profile visits to Nigeria and Colombia by Prince Harry and Meghan, and more appearances by some members of the family, such as Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Here are some memorable images of the British Royal Family – one of the most followed royal families in the world – in 2024:
Front pages of a series of British newspapers reported on the health of King Charles and Catherine, Princess of Wales in January 2024.
In just a few weeks of the year, it was revealed that King Charles and Princess Kate were both facing serious health issues that required hospital stays. Statements from the Palace did not specify the exact diagnosis of either, which led to much speculation, but it was confirmed that both prominent British royals would be out of action for several months.
February
Prince William attends the London Air Ambulance Charity Dinner on 7 February.
Prince William – faced with his father’s cancer and his wife recovering from an unspecified abdominal operation – was asked to take on some of the responsibilities of the King. He found himself thrust into a larger role. Queen Camilla and Princess Anne also took on more duties.
March
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits John Martinez, the nephew of Irma Garcia, a teacher killed in 2022 in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas (USA).
Across the Atlantic, Prince Harry and Meghan visited Uvalde, Texas, to spend time with the family of a teacher killed in a school shooting there in May 2022. The couple has been in touch with the victim’s family since the massacre. Within days of the tragedy, Meghan traveled to Uvalde to pay her respects after two teachers and 19 children were murdered by a gunman.
April
King Charles III holds flowers as he leaves the Macmillan Cancer Centre at University College Hospital in London on April 30.
In April, King Charles looked cheerful as he made his first public appearance since announcing his cancer diagnosis in early February. The king took the opportunity to visit a cancer treatment centre in London run by the UK charity Macmillan Cancer Support, of which he has been a patron for nearly three decades.
May
Queen Camilla, artist Jonathan Yeo, fifth from left, and family watch as King Charles unveils his portrait in the drawing room of Buckingham Palace on May 14.
The first official portrait of King Charles III since his coronation was unveiled, and caused controversy due to its striking red hue. Soon after its unveiling, the painting became the target of attacks by radical environmentalists.
Taylor Swift shared a photo with Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Travis Kelce at her concert in London on June 21.
Prince William celebrated his 42nd birthday in style as he attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at Wembley Stadium in London. He was spotted dancing in the crowd and even posed for a photo backstage with the singer, along with his two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Taylor Swift later posted on her official X account: “Happy Birthday M8!”.