The defining photos of the British royal family in 2022

2022 was already proving to be a very busy year for the British royal family with major events like the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration and numerous royal tours on the calendar.

However, the death of Queen Elizabeth on September 8 added a new layer of pressure and grief for the family, who are now coming to terms with the loss of their monarch and matriarch – and adjusting as a new era begins under King Charles' reign.

Scroll through the gallery to see snapshots of the family's public appearances and biggest moments from 2022.

Mike and Zara Tindall were among the royal family members who gathered at Sandringham to celebrate the feative season.

As they undertook the traditional walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church for the Christmas Day service, the couple were joined by their two eldest children, Mia and Lena (pictured) for the very first time.

Their son Lucas, who turns two in March, is still too young to take part in the annual ritual.

Eagle-eyed fans noticed something particularly sweet about little Lena's outfit – it's seemingly a hand-me-down from one of her older cousins, Isla Phillips.

Scroll to the next slide to see the evidence.

Here's Isla – pictured with dad Peter Phillips, mum Autumn Kelly and big sister Savannah – on Christmas Day in 2017, wearing what appears to be the same red coat.

Even royal families love a hand-me-down!

The Tindall girls and Prince Louis weren't the only little ones to make their debut during the royals' Christmas Day walk to church.

Princess Beatrice's stepson Christopher, known as 'Woolfie', also made his very first appearance at the special event.

Woolfie held hands with Beatrice and his dad Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi for the walk to the church.

The young'un's outfit was colour-matched to Dad's, with a hint of burgandy peeking out of his navy coat.

In years to come, Woolfie will be joined by his younger sister Sienna – whom Beatrice and Edo welcomed in 2021 – but given she's only a year-and-a-half old, we have a while to wait before we're treated to that sweet moment.

Naturally, royal fans were delighted to see Prince Louis in his first Christmas Day appearance alongside parents Prince William and Kate and his siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Here's the Wales family in all their Christmas Day glory!

In one sweet moment captured on video by a fan, Louis ran after his big sister to present her with a bouquet of flowers from one of the people who'd gathered to greet the royals.

The Princess of Wales looked appropriately festive (and chic, as always) in her olive green outfit.

This Christmas was a poignant one for the royals.

It marked their first Christmas together at Sandringham since the Queen's death, and since the COVID pandemic began.

Here's King Charles III completing the walk for the first time as monarch.

Camilla, Queen Consort beamed as she greeted the crowds at Sandringham.

Here's Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank, whose son August is still a little too young to join his parents for the walk.

Controversially, Prince Andrew – who has stepped back from public life over his personal ties to Jeffrey Epstein and a settled sexual assault case – also joined his family members for the Christmas tradition.

Peter Phillips walked to church with daughters Isla and Savannah. It was his first Christmas appearance since his divorce from wife Autumn.

The royal family put on a united front just hours after the final episodes of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive Netflix series dropped.

King Charles III was joined by Camilla, Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and more senior royals at the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 15, 2022.

Harry and Meghan's absence on the night was painfully obvious, as the event fell shortly after Harry made bombshell claims about his father and brother's treatment of him and Meghan when they were senior working royals.

Though no one expected the Sussexes to attend and none of the royals in attendance commented on the new allegations, rumours were rife on the evening.

Prince William was all smiles despite his brother's claims that he "screamed and shouted" at Harry when he announced his decision to leave the monarchy. William's press office have declined to comment on the accusations.

He and Princess Catherine brought their two eldest children along for the festive occasion, with George and Charlotte dressed in outfits that closely resembled their parents'.

Most royal fans were delighted to see the Wales children at the event, however some suggested on social media that William and Kate's decision to bring George and Charlotte was a calculated move to "distract" from negative claims about the royal family in the Harry & Meghan docuseries.

The Princess of Wales donned a monochromatic burgundy outfit for the occasion, pairing a bespoke Eponine London Chi Chi Wool Crepe Coat Dress with matching gloves and clutch.

She wore her long hair in loose curls and accessorised with drop earrings from budget brand Accessorize and her signature Gianvito Rossi pumps in burgundy suede.

Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi were also in attendance, taking a rare night away from their young daughter Sienna Elizabeth.

Beatrice's sister Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank also showed up for the royal occasion, Eugenie dressed in a similar coat to her sister's.