The crown in focus: The royals’ 2024 in pictures

Less than a year after finding out she had breast cancer Sarah, Duchess of York shared the news she also had melanoma. Fergie, who recuperated from surgery at a clinic in Austria, said another cancer diagnosis was devastating but added, “I’m in good spirits.”

The King waved to concerned well-wishers as he left the hospital in London after undergoing a procedure for an enlarged prostate. The palace made His Majesty’s health problems public on January 17. Two hours later, they revealed that his daughter-in-law, Kate, was in the hospital after having had abdominal surgery. An initial statement said Charles’ condition was non-cancerous. But on February 5, they announced that he did, in fact, have an unspecified type of cancer.

Just over two months after the news broke about Kate undergoing surgery. And after weeks of often wild speculation about why she hadn’t been seen. The Princess of Wales revealed via video that she had cancer, and would be taking more time off to have chemotherapy. Kate said the diagnosis was “a huge shock”, but she was getting stronger every day.

The King carried out his first official engagement after taking time off to start treatment for his cancer. Fittingly, it was at a cancer centre in London. And His Majesty told patients there he would be receiving his own treatment later that day.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex went on a three-day tour of Nigeria that was deemed to be a success. Despite royal insiders saying it didn’t go down well with the palace. Only because they made a private trip look like an official state visit. The Sussexes enjoyed cultural events, met injured military personnel and played sports. Meghan was honoured as African nobility, thanks to a DNA test showing that she is 43 percent Nigerian.

The palace released an update on Kate the day after, in which she said she was making progress but having ‘good days and bad days.’ The following day, she made her first public appearance of the year at Trooping the Colour. The princess rode in a carriage with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, then appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with the rest of the royals.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh took time out from a hectic schedule to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. The couple stepped up their number of engagements in 2024, with Sophie doing almost twice as many this year as last. Including trips to Ethiopia, Chad, Tanzania, Malta, France, Italy and Ukraine.

Prince William took on extra duties to help cover for the absences of his wife and father. But also made time to have fun with his kids. He took George and Charlotte to a Taylor Swift concert, where they posed for a selfie with the superstar.

Princess Anne showed up to her first official engagement three weeks after a horse injured her on her Gloucestershire property, sporting a faint black eye. The incident caused her concussion, which she couldn’t remember.

Kate arrived for her second public appearance of the year, this time at the Wimbledon Men’s Singles final, where a standing ovation greeted her. The princess, joined by her daughter Charlotte, looked visibly moved by the reception.

Kate announced via a video that she was cancer-free and had finished her course of chemotherapy. The clip showed her, William and the children at home in Norfolk. Walking through the woods and playing on the beach and enjoying a picnic. In it, Kate said, “My path to healing and full recovery is long. And I must continue to take each day as it comes.”

Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi announced they were expecting their second child. Their daughter Sienna is three. Beatrice is also stepmother to Edo’s son Wolfie, eight.

Harry was off doing solo engagements in New York. The UK and Lesotho, Meghan made a surprise appearance at a charity gala in Los Angeles. The duchess, who has devoted much of this year working on her American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand, turned heads in a upcycled red gown.

The King and Queen embarked on their first official visit to Commonwealth nations since Charles became Head of State. Travelling to Australia and Samoa. His Majesty took time off from his cancer treatment to attend and scaled the visit down.

During his visit to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize awards, William admitted that 2024 had been “brutal”. Thanks to his wife and father having cancer. He said dealing with it was a “case of just crack on”.

Kate capped off a traumatic 2024 by hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. Joined by William and their children George, Charlotte and Louis, she told singer Paloma Faith, “I didn’t know this time last year it was going to be the year I have just had. But I think lots of people this year have had challenging times.”