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How the Royal Family Honored Queen Elizabeth II on 100th Birthday
This photo is royally sweet.
When Prince Louis—the youngest of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s three kids, in addition to Prince George, 12, and Princess Charlotte, 10—celebrated his eighth birthday on April 23, his parents marked the occasion by unveiling his annual birthday portrait on social media.
In the image, a smiling Louis stands in front of an ocean backdrop, his arms crossed over a blue knit quarter zip. Shared to William and Kate’s official Instagram account, the post’s caption included a red balloon emoji and the words, “Happy birthday, Louis! 8 today!”
The Prince and Princess of Wales also shared some BTS footage from Louis’ birthday shoot, which showed the now-8-year-old digging in the sand, running along a beach and jumping into the sea. As the caption noted, “8 is great!"
Louis’ grandparents King Charles and Queen Camilla also got in on the well wishes, resharing the post to the Royal Family’s Instagram Story and wishing the young prince a happy birthday.
But Louis’ special day isn’t the only milestone the British royals have commemorated in April: On the 21st, Charles, Camilla, William and Kate all gathered to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday.
The day began with a tour for Charles and Camilla of the "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" exhibition at The King's Gallery at Buckingham Palace. There, the couple enjoyed looking at more than 300 items from the late monarch’s personal clothing collection.
The King and Queen also attended a viewing at the British Museum of a scale model of the forthcoming Queen Elizabeth Memorial, which is slated to be built overlooking The Mall in central London.
But the festivities didn’t stop there: That night, at Buckingham Palace, the Charles and Camilla were joined by Kate and William for a special reception celebrating Elizabeth’s centennial.
In addition to partaking in a large sheet cake bearing the number 100, the royal family members enjoyed mingling with members of the late Queen’s charities and patronages, as well as members of the public who were also celebrating their 100th birthday on April 21.
A video of the celebration shared to the Royal Family’s Instagram declared, “It was a delight to come together and share memories from the past 100 years!”
Charles also shared an additional video message reflecting on his late mother, who died in 2022 at the age of 96.
"Her near century was one of remarkable change," the 77-year-old said, "and yet, through each passing decade, through every transformation, she remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served."
"Millions will remember her for moments of national significance," he continued. "Many others for a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits or for that marvelous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life."
For more news from the royal families around the world this year, read on.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Arrested
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The arrest came amid renewed controversy over Andrew's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. (Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.)
Aaron Chown - WPA Pool / Getty Images
Prince William and Kate Middleton Break Silence on the Epstein Files
The Duke and Duchess of Wales spoke out amid the release of millions of documents in connection with Jeffrey Epstein, sharing their support for the victims of the late convicted sex offender.
"I can confirm The Prince and Princess have been deeply concerned by the continuing revelations," a Kensington Palace spokesperson shared in a statement obtained by MS NOW Feb. 9. "Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images
Marius Borg Høiby, Son of Norway's Crown Princess, Arrested Ahead of Rape Trial
Marius Borg Høiby—the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit and step-son of Crown Prince Haakon—was arrested Feb. 1 for assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order, Oslo police confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press.
The 29-year-old—who does not carry a royal title or official duties—is being kept in detention for up to four weeks over risks of reoffending after the Oslo district court granted the request. His attorney Petar Sekulic told the outlet that they are considering appealing the decision.
Høiby is expected in court Feb. 3 as part of a separate indictment regarding four alleged rapes between 2018 and 2024, as well as two alleged acts of violence against a partner and violating a restraining order.
His defense team addressed the allegations in a statement to the AP, saying that Høiby "denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence."
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Cartier
Flora Vesterberg, Queen Elizabeth's Cousin, Announces Pregnancy
Flora Vesterberg, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin Princess Alexandra, announced that she is pregnant with her and husband Timothy Vesterberg's first baby.
"Delighted to share that Timothy and I are expecting our first child," she wrote on Instagram Jan. 19. "We're truly over the moon."
Photo by Brook Mitchell / AFP via Getty Images
Prince Harry Appears in Court for Lawsuit Against U.K. Tabloids
Harry appeared at London’s High Court Jan. 19 for the start of what is expected to be a weeks-long trial against Associated Newspapers—the media group that publishes the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, and Mail Online—over allegations of unethical newsgathering tactics
Other stars including Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, and Sadie Frost are also taking aim against the publishing company in the lawsuit.
Associated Newspapers has “vigorously denied” the claims, according to the BBC.
Instagram/Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrate 10 Years Together
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated ten years together by sharing a romantic black and white video of themselves dancing in their backyard.
Set to Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” the couple revealed that the clip was recorded by none other than their 4-year-old daughter Lilibet. Alongside a camera emoji, Meghan—who also shares 6-year-old son Archie with Harry— added in the caption of the Jan. 16 Instagram post, “cred: our daughter.”
The couple also shared a throwback photo from their first year of dating. In the adorable snap, the pair embraced each other during a nature-filled getaway.
“When 2026 feels just like 2016….,” Meghan wrote in the caption. “You had to be there.”
Photo by Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images
Princess Irene of Greece Dies at 83
The Greek royal family’s private office announced Jan. 15 that Queen Sofia of Spain’s sister died at the age of 83.
As the statement read, "It is with deep sadness that the Greek Royal Family announces that HRH Princess Irene, beloved sister and aunt, passed away on Thursday, January 15th 2026, at 11:40 local time, in Zarzuela Palace in Madrid surrounded by loved ones."
Her funeral was held Jan. 19 at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Athens following her death, with the burial at the Royal Cemetery of Tatoi.
Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Kate Middleton Celebrates Her Birthday With Moving Message
On her 44th birthday, the Princess of Wales shared a message on the power of nature to heal.
“Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration,” Kate said in a voiceover alongside footage of snowy landscapes in her Jan. 9 video. “Where the stream slows just enough for us to see our own reflection, to discover the deepest parts of ourselves, alongside the whispers and the pulse of every living thing.”
She added, “I find myself reflecting on how deeply grateful I am. For the rivers within us flow with ease, fears washed away, cleanse and purify, come to peace with our tears and discover what it means to be alive, to be at one with nature—a quiet teacher and a soft voice that guides in memory helping us to heal in.”
(Photo by Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Kate Middleton Makes Surprise Appearance With Prince William
The Princess of Wales marked her first public appearance of 2026 as she joined her husband during an engagement at the Charing Cross Hospital in London. The outing in support of healthcare workers came almost a year after she announced she was in remission following her cancer diagnosis.
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