The British royal family has had quite the year.
After a daunting 2024, in which multiple family members faced cancer, 2025 was a bit brighter for most. Princess Kate announced her cancer was in remission. And while her father-in-law, King Charles, who received his own cancer diagnosis in February 2024, is still being treated for the disease, he revealed earlier this month that his treatment will be reduced in 2026. The King may also have opened up a path to reconciliation with his youngest son, Prince Harry, as the two recently reunited in London for the first time in 19 months.
Meghan Markle debuted a new show and business venture, while Princess Beatrice welcomed a new baby. There were also some lows, particularly former Prince Andrew having his titles revoked as a result of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein receiving continued attention.
Below, check out the best, worst and most oops moments from the royal family in 2025.
Best Comeback: Kate Middleton Announces Remission and Resumes Royal Duties
CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty
In March 2024, the Princess of Wales announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer (of an undisclosed type) and retreated from public life for the majority of the year as she sought treatment and focused on her health. In January this year, she revealed she was in remission while also announcing that she will join Prince William as a patron of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, the hospital where she was treated.
“It is a relief to now be in remission, and I remain focused on recovery,” she wrote as part of her statement. “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am, however, looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support. C”
Oops, Blondes Don’t Have the Most Fun: Kate Middleton’s Lighter Hair Moment
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
Princess Kate made (long, blonde) waves when on Sept. 4, she debuted her most surprising look yet. While visiting the Natural History Museum’s newly transformed gardens with her husband, Kate appeared with long, noticeably lighter locks styled with volume at the crown and bouncy curls at the bottom.
The new look didn’t last very long, however. By Sept. 6, Kate’s hair appeared to be a darker tone as she observed the Women’s Rugby World Cup match between England and Australia. Two days later, at The National Federation of Women’s Institute, she was back to her signature look, and she later reportedly said to one well-wisher that her hair had “gone light in the sunshine.”
Best Bling: Kate Middleton Stuns in Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara
Aaron Chown / POOL / AFP via Getty
Princess Kate wowed when she showed up to a state dinner rocking Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara on Dec. 3. The breathtaking headpiece was the fifth tiara she’s worn since marrying Prince William, and it perfectly complemented her sparkling blue Jenny Packham dress.
She also opted for earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth for the night, and wrapped the look with the Royal Family Order and the Royal Victorian Order sash and star.
Best Cover Girl Moment: Meghan Markle Graces the Cover of PEOPLE
In March, ahead of the launch of her new Netflix series, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex opened up to PEOPLE in an intimate interview where she talked about everything from entrepreneurship, motherhood, being a wife and also a woman figuring it all out in real time.
“When your children get to a certain age — when you’re not just playing in the sandbox with them but almost playing in your own sandbox again — it’s super joyful,” she said of her new era.
“As a woman, a mom and a wife, to be able to find yourself again — in a way that was always present but that you maybe couldn’t put as much attention on as you now can when your kids are a little bit older — is a wonderful feeling.”
Best New Endeavors: Meghan Markle’s Netflix Show Debuts with a Bang
Courtesy of Netflix
On March 3, the Duchess of Sussex returned to the small screen with her new Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. One week in, the show ranked tenth on Netflix’s global Top 10 Shows Overview list. The streamer also reported that the lifestyle show had garnered 2.6 million views and 12.6 million hours watched at the time.
Oops! You Snooze, You Lose: As Ever Products Sell Out Quickly
Netflix
A month after her show’s premiere, Meghan Markle’s As ever line launched. Featuring an assortment of her widely popular raspberry jam, herbal teas, a crepe mix, those famous flower sprinkles from her show, shortbread butter cookies, the collection also came with a limited-edition wildflower honey that earned a ton of buzz (pun intended).
The entire collection sold out in an hour, with the honey getting snapped up within five minutes. Products were moving so fast that some shoppers who bought the honey learned that the stock was already gone by the time their purchase was confirmed.
The As ever team emailed customers affected to explain the situation, saying that they would be refunded and could choose another item from the line to receive for free.
“I was so sorry to hear about what happened with your order, and that due to overselling, we are not able to get you the Limited-Edition Honey. Please know the team worked very hard in every department and felt just as sad when we learned what had happened,” Meghan wrote.
“I know it’s not the same limited-edition item you had your heart set on (I would feel the same!), so I would also like to promise you something else: When our next limited-edition drop happens, you won’t just be the first to know…you’ll be the first to receive it. No need to order, it will come to you in the mail as a gift from me.”
Best Delivery from the Stork: Princess Eugenie Welcomes Her Second Daughter
Dave Benett/Getty; Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi/Buckingham Palace
The royal family added another bundle of joy to the mix (and an 11th to the line of succession) as Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi welcomed their second baby together, a daughter named Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi.
A statement from the palace revealed she was born on Jan. 22 at 12:57 pm, weighing 4 pounds and 5 ounces.
“We welcomed Baby Athena into our lives last week. She is tiny and absolutely perfect,” Edoardo shared on his personal Instagram. “We are all (including Wolfie and Sienna) already completely besotted with her. Our hearts are overflowing with love for you, baby Athena.”
“A massive thank you from my wife and I goes out to all the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and support during this incredibly special time,” he continued.
Baby Athena joined older siblings Wolfie, Edoardo’s son from a previous relationship, and Sienna, whom the couple welcomed in 2021.
Best Throwback Moment: Meghan Markle’s Goes Viral for Her ‘Baby Mama Dance’
Meghan Markle/Instagram
To commemorate Princess Lilibet’s fourth birthday on June 4, Meghan Markle dug into her personal archives and pulled out one of the best viral moments of the year. The Duchess of Sussex shared a video of herself and Prince Harry getting down to Starrkeisha’s “Baby Mama,” as they awaited Lilibet’s arrival.
“Four years ago today, this also happened,” Meghan captioned the post. “Both of our children were a week past their due dates… so when spicy food, all that walking, and acupuncture didn’t work — there was only one thing left to do! 😂”
While speaking to Emma Grede on the Aspire podcast, Meghan said she was enjoying the chance to show her life outside of royal duties.
“That was four years ago,” she said of the video. “So it’s also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still a whole life — a real, authentic, fun life — that’s happening behind the scenes.”
“I’m just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms,” she added.
Oops, Your People Should Call My People: The Sussexes Vanish from Kris Jenner’s Birthday Party Pics
BACKGRID
Prince Harry and Meghan were among the many celebs who joined the Kardashians as they celebrated Kris Jenner’s milestone 70th birthday party on Nov. 8. The James Bond-themed party attracted dozens of prominent people, as evidenced by the many photos shared — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex among them.
However, on Nov. 11, fans quickly noticed that Harry and Meghan had been deleted from the posts, and it wasn’t long before speculation began.
PEOPLE understands the Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn’t agree to have photos of them taken inside the party shared and checked “no” on a photo consent form, leading to the images posted on Instagram being removed.
However, a source close to the event refuted that claim, telling PEOPLE: “There were no consent forms.”
Best Twist (Literally): Princess Anne’s Surprise New Hairdo
AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty
Princess Kate was hardly the only royal who shook things up a little bit in the hair department. On July 8, Princess Anne wore her hair in a new way for the first time in decades at the state banquet honoring French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, at Windsor Castle.
Instead of her signature bouffant, the Princess Royal had her tresses coiffed in a chignon, making the change subtle but still quite significant.
Worst Case Scenario: Prince Harry Loses Court Appeal for U.K. Security
Belinda Jiao/Getty
On May 2, Judge Sir Geoffrey Vos dismissed the appeal Prince Harry filed to reinstate his state-funded United Kingdom security. For years, the Duke had been fighting for the restoration of automatic, state-funded security during his visits to the U.K.
Harry and Meghan lost their police protection in the U.K. when they stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Harry’s legal team argued that RAVEC [the government’s Royal and VIP Executive Committee] failed to properly assess the unique risks posed to Harry and his family, offering a case-by-case arrangement based on current needs, which they deemed to be “inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective.”
Without the guaranteed security, the Duke of Sussex told BBC News, “I can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point.”
“They’re going to miss, well, everything. I love my country. I always have done. Despite what some people in that country have done,” he said. “I miss the U.K., I miss parts of the U.K., of course I do,” he told the outlet at the time. “I think that it’s really quite sad that I won’t be able to show my children my homeland.”
Best Hope for the Future: King Charles and Prince Harry’s Reunion
Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage
King Charles and Prince Harry reunited for the first time since 2024 this September. Harry was in the U.K. supporting some of his charities and causes when he was pictured arriving by car at Clarence House, the King’s London residence.
Buckingham Palace later confirmed that the King had a private tea at Clarence House with the Duke of Sussex and said no further details would be shared. A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the same.
Asked whether he saw himself bringing his kids to his homeland, Harry told The Guardian, “Yes I would. This week has definitely brought that closer.”
