The Biggest Royal Moments of 2021

It's been a difficult year for everyone—members of the British royal family included. But beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the Queen and her family have seen changes this year that will have lasting impact on the monarchy, long after 2021 is over. From Harry and Meghan's interview with Oprah Winfrey to the death of Prince Philip and Barbados's decision to cut ties with the Queen, here are the biggest royal moments of 2021.

Harry and Meghan's Oprah Interview

Televised sit-down interviews with members of the royal family are not a common occurrence, and looking to history—think Diana's Panorama interview or Prince Andrew's sit down about Epstein with the BBC—they are rarely inconsequential. So it should come to no surprise that the bombshells dropped by Harry and Meghan in their conversation with Oprah Winfrey continue to reverberate, even months later.

Back in March, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke at length with Winfrey about their decisions to step back as working royals and move to the U.S. and the parallels between their situation and what Princess Diana went through with the press. Meghan also opened up about her mental health struggles and shared a concerning remark one member of the royal family made about her the complexion of her children. The couple also revealed to Winfrey that they were expecting a baby girl.

Even now, nine months later, as the Sussexes chart their own path in the States, that interview continues to be seen as a turning point in their relationship with the rest of the royals. Read all of the biggest revelations from the interview right here.

The Death of Prince Philip

On April 9, 2021, Prince Philip, the longest-serving British consort in history and Queen Elizabeth's "strength and stay" passed away at the age of 91.

"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," reads a statement released by the royal family at the time.

"His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."

His death was made all the more difficult by COVID-19, as plans for a large funeral were replaced with an intimate gathering of family and only the closest of friends. The Queen, mourning her husband, sat alone at the service to maintain social distancing.

The Queen's Illness

This fall, the Queen reminded the world that she is in fact 95 years old—despite maintaining a work schedule of someone much younger than that—when she was hospitalized for "preliminary investigations," and asked to rest for several weeks by her medical team. While she quickly returned to light desk-based duties at Windsor Castle, her health once again caused concern when she had to cancel an appearance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

According to a statement released by Buckingham Palace, the Queen sprained her back and was unable to attend. It was the first time she has ever missed the Remembrance Sunday service due to ill health. Fortunately, she has since returned to in-person engagements, and appears to be feeling much better, but it was a reminder that she is getting older.

Return to Work

As lockdowns eased and the United Kingdom began to get vaccinated, the royals slowly began to return to normalcy with regular public engagements, in-person events, and even overseas tours. That said, they've continued to utilize video calls and virtual meetings as necessary (like when the Queen wasn't feeling well this fall), continuing to modernize the monarchy in order to keep everyone safe.

A Royal Baby Boom

In 2021, Queen Elizabeth gained four new great-grandchildren. First was Princess Eugenie's baby boy, August. "Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie was safely delivered of a son today, 9^th February 2021, at 0855hrs at The Portland Hospital. Jack Brooksbank was present," reads a statement. Next to arrive—in quite dramatic fashion—was Zara Tindall's little boy, Lucas Philip Tindall in mid-March.

Zara's husband Mike Tindall confirmed the happy news, telling the somewhat hectic birth story. "Sunday got even better because a little baby boy arrived at my house," he said on the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugb‪y.

"Arrived very quickly. Didn’t make it to hospital. On the bathroom floor," he shared candidly. "So yeah, it was running to the gym, get a mat, get into the bathroom, get the mat on the floor, towels down, brace, brace, brace." He also called his wife "a warrior."

Then, in early June, Meghan Markle gave birth to her second child, a little girl named Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA," read an official announcement. Her name pays homage both to Princess Diana, and to the Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.

And in mid-September, Princess Beatrice welcomed her first child, Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi. "We are delighted to share that we have named our daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi. We are all doing well and Wolfie is the best big brother to Sienna," Beatrice wrote on Twitter, referencing her step-son, Wolfie.

These babies representing changing norms for members of the royal family. While Eugenie has shared photos of her son, the rest of these royal moms have yet to share images of their babies publicly.

Will and Kate's 10th wedding anniversary

It's hard to believe it's been a decade since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tied the knot, but earlier this year the royal couple celebrated ten years together, and the world looked back at their big day from the iconic hats to the wedding cake, and of course, Kate's iconic dress and tiara.

Prince Charles's trip to Barbados

At the end of November, Prince Charles made an official visit to Barbados, but this was no ordinary royal tour. The Prince of Wales was there to help mark the country's transition to a Republic, and it was "important" to him to be present as the country cut ties with the monarchy. Shortly after Sandra Mason was sworn in as the first President of Barbados, Prince Charles gave a speech directly addressing Britain’s colonial history and the “appalling atrocity of slavery.”

“The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum—a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built,” the Prince said.

“From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude. Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.”

Per reporter Victoria Murphy, “It is believed to be the first time a member of the royal family has publicly and directly addressed Britain’s slave trade while visiting the Caribbean.”

Read her full on-the-ground recap of Prince Charles's visit to Barbados, here.

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