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.
Kate Middleton & Prince William's Son Prince George Starts School at Eton College
On Sept. 8, the Prince and Princess of Wales' oldest son started his first day of school at Eton College, a boarding school Prince William attended in his youth.
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Return to U.K. for Extended Stay
Six years after stepping away from their senior royal duties and moving to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex returned to the U.K. for an extended stay.
While the move is not permanent, the couple—who touched down in England Aug. 26—reportedly enrolled their children Archie and Lilibet in a British school.
King Harald V of Norway Dies at 89
The king of Norway died after 35 yearts on the throne.
"It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away," the palace shared. "King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet Friday 28 August at 6:35 AM.
His son, Crown Prince Haakon, asceneded following his father's death.
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV Dies at 34
After taking the throne in 1995 at just 3 years old following the death of his father, King Rukidi tragically died Aug. 27 at the age of 34.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I announce the passing of His Majesty the Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, at approximately 10:00 p.m. this evening,” Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki wrote in a statement. “This is an immeasurable loss for the Royal Family, the people of Tooro, and the nation of Uganda."
Princess Eugenie Welcomes Baby No. 3
The British royal welcomed her third baby—a daughter named Adelaide Elizabeth Annina Brooksbank—with husband Jack Brooksbank in August.
“Named after three people we love and admire past and present, including her Great-Grandmother who we hold close in our hearts,” Eugenie, who is also mom to son August and Ernest, wrote in an Aug. 17 Instagram post. “Her name is part of English and Portuguese history, two places we love and call home."
Meghan Markle's Show With Love, Meghan Scores Daytime Emmy Nomination
Meghan earned her first-ever Daytime Emmy nod on July 14 for the 2026 award show after her series With Love, Meghan was nominated for Outstanding Lifestyle Program.
Prince Harry & More Lose $50 Million In Legal Fees After Privacy Lawsuit Loss
On July 7, British Justice Matthew Nicklin ruled against a group of high profile figures—including the Duke of Sussex, Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley—in a lawsuit accusing the Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail, of unlawful information gathering.
In the lawsuit, filed in 2022, the plaintiffs accused the newspaper organization of mobile phone hacking, landline bugging and even home bugging in 97 separate allegations.
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.)
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."
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."
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."
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.