2018 a year full of crowning events for royal family
Weddings, births and milestone birthdays made for a busy year. Top moments on the royal stage
It was an especially busy year for the British royals, what with weddings, babies and birthdays on the calendar. And once again, the masters of pomp and pageantry showed off their skills to the delight of billions watching around the world.
Here are some top moments on the royal stage in 2018:
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say ‘We do’
This was the marquee event, especially for Americans, given that the royal bride for Harry is historic: Older, divorced, biracial, American and an actress, she is the first such bride to be welcomed into the royal family in ... well, forever.
The Los Angeles-born Markle, who gained modest fame on USA’s “Suits,” was the undisputed star May 19 in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle in an ancient ritual that featured the first gospel choir and gospel preacher from Chicago to shake up a royal wedding. Even her father’s pre-wedding dithering about whether he show up (he didn’t) failed to ruin Meghan’s day; she glided down the aisle on the arm of Prince Charles, her father-in-law-to-be.
To all that, add Markle’s stunning couture gown by Givenchy, with a veil that paid special tribute to the queen, a second gown by Stella McCartney for the two receptions, and a colorful carriage procession under brilliant skies through Windsor as thousands lined the Long Walk to cheer in person and people all over the world watched on TV and social media.
‘The boss’ takes to Meghan
The queen is the head of the royal “firm,” so her approval is crucial. Whenever a new bride joins the family, custom calls for the queen to carry out a joint engagement with the newbie.
For Duchess Meghan, this debut came surprisingly quickly, in June less than a month after the wedding, and featured an unprecedented invitation to board The Royal Train for a day of solo engagements with Her Majesty in Cheshire.
Meghan not only got to spend the night on the train – something even Harry hasn’t done – she got a master’s-class lesson in her royal job from her new boss. And both appeared to enjoy the experience, judging from the photos of the two giggling together.
Prince Louis of Cambridge is born
Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge welcomed their third child on April 23, 2018, a new little prince of Cambridge, a historic royal baby and the new fifth in line to the British throne.
Like his brother, Prince George 5, and sister, Princess Charlotte, 3, he was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Louis entered the world shortly after 11 a.m. local time, weighing 8 pounds, 7 ounces.
About seven hours later, Will and Kate emerged from the hospital, baby in arms and she looked none the worse for wear. The baby was named Prince Louis Arthur Charles, with the name Louis pronounced in the French way.
The baby is historic because he is the first male heir born in the royal family who will not displace his older sister Charlotte in the succession to the throne. Louis is the queen’s sixth greatgrandchild. Shortly before Prince George was born, the United Kingdom changed its law on royal succession so that girls are no longer automatically displaced by their younger brothers in line to the throne.
Harry and Meghan’s baby news
The new royal couple announced Oct. 15 that they will welcome their first baby in spring 2019.
When the baby is born, he or she will be the eighth great-grandchild for the queen and Prince Philip, and will be seventh in line to the throne behind Harry.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the spring of
2019,” the palace announced in a pair of tweets that landed as the couple landed in Sydney to begin their tour of Down Under and the South Pacific.
Immediately, people began more closely examining Meghan’s midriff in person and in pictures as the duo explored the region.
There was widespread delight, especially on Twitter, but also in the royal family, including the queen and Philip, Prince Charles the Prince of Wales (this will be his fourth grandchild), and Prince William and Duchess Kate of Cambridge.
Doria Ragland, mother of Meghan,
37, also appeared overjoyed in a statement from the palace. “Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild,” the statement said.
“A big congratulations to the #dukeandduchessofsussex,” was a typical tweet. “You’re both an amazing couple and very inspirational. Love you both so very much. Best news ever! I’m sooooo over the moon!”
Prince Charles turns 70
The Prince of Wales, already the longest-serving heir to the throne in history, turned the big 7-0 on Nov. 14 and was celebrated by his family and friends at a major bash at Buckingham Palace hosted by the queen.
She toasted her firstborn with a warm tribute to his lifelong environmentalism, his dedication to conservation and the arts, his charitable work, his dedication as the heir to the throne, and as a “wonderful” father.
“It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday. It means you have lived long enough to see your child grow up. It is rather like – to use an an analogy I am certain will find favor – planting a tree and being able to watch it grow,” she said in remarks shared by the palace.
It was only the latest of a series of birthday year celebrations for Charles, which began as early as May with a garden party at the palace. His just-married second son, Harry, and his new wife, Meghan, even postponed their honeymoon to make their first appearance together since their wedding.