We've seen them so many times over the years, that it feels like we've seen every photo that exists of the British Royal Family in all their might and affluence. They are so much adored in public, and some pictures we so over and over again, like a favorite Royal in her designer dresses. But naturally, we couldn't have seen every picture, as not all would have been made public. So there are still those never-before-seen snapshots that would totally have you raving about the Royals again. So, here's a compilation of some of those photos we just know you'll enjoy viewing.
Life Is Just For Living Well
Here's Prince Phillip as a teen. He was a fairly good-looking chap. He had vibrant, thick hair, and all the hopefulness of youth. Here he is posing at his high school, the Gordonstoun Boys' School in Scotland. It's named after Sir Robert Gordon who was the original owner in the 17th century, of the 150-acre estate on which the school now sits. Phillip loved it there and believed fervently that it made him a man of character. That must be why he had Prince Charles attend it as well. However, Charles had a different sort of experience from his father and didn't like the school.
The Hilarity of The Gift You Just Gave Your Grandmother For Christmas
Oh, wow! If you look at how beautiful Prince Harry's smile is now, you might think he had always had it. But in 1999, he needed to wear braces for a while. This photo shows his boyish grin with those metal fittings. It was snapped on the Sandringham Estate on Christmas Day. No wonder he looks so happy. The Royal Family would spend the Christmas season up to the New Year there, doing what regular families do during the holidays. They exchange cheap gag gifts and open presents on Christmas Eve. Even the Queen does it. The Prince is now quite a handsome man and married, but it's fun to always reminisce.
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"Push Diana!"
The two lovable kids at play in this photo are the 9th Earl Spencer, Charles, and his older sister Princess Diana, then Lady Diana Spencer. They were playing at Park House at Sandringham, Norfolk. It was the summer of 1967, the year that their parents' marriage fell apart, made official in 1969. Diana remembered her years as a child as being unhappy and unsettled. And as if it was some sort of a bad omen, she herself became divorced decades after. Her two sons, who were young when it occurred, found it traumatic. Diana's brother, Charles, Earl Spencer, is the only original link to the Royals: the Queen is his godmother!
Here Comes The Young Prince Of Wales
The caption for this one should read, "Prince Charles celebrates his 7th birthday." He's dressed quite formally on his celebratory day in his kilt and coat. This pattern on his kilt is the Balmoral tartan. It's an original pattern whose designer was Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, back in 1853. You'll see Queen Elizabeth wearing it in a regular skirt style. Other members of Royalty can also wear it once the Queen gives them permission. Also approved to wear the Balmoral Tartan is the personal piper to the Queen. Charles really looks like quite the little royal - serious yet cute.
Laying The Groundwork For A Lifetime Of Diplomacy
To the left in this photo is the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, as a commoner then. And to the right is Pippa, Kate's younger sister. They're in Jordan, where the Middletons had lived for two years starting from 1984 when their father Michael, worked for British Airways. Back at the time, he went to work in Amman, the capital and most highly populated city in Jordan. Kate was only two when they went there and her sister Pippa was eight months old. They both looked really tanned under the Jordanian sun!
When It Looked Like It Could Work After All
Here's one bound to be a favorite of many - it's Prince William in the arms of his famous mother, Princess Diana, with his father, Prince Charles behind them. Prior to his birth, no other baby had been born to a Prince and Princess of Wales since 1905 when Prince John was born. The moment was captured at the couple's home in Kensington Palace in March 1983. Their home was to the north of the palace in a double apartment. It's a lovely picture, as Diana and Charles look to be so in love, and the whole family looks happy.
Dealing With The Formalities of Photographs Before She Can Go Play
This is ten-year-old Queen Elizabeth with a winsome look in her eyes. This was taken during the year that King Edward VIII gave up the monarchy so that he could wed Wallis Simpson. He became King of the UK and all its territories in January '36, but on December 11 in '36, he gave it all up to become the Duke of Windsor. The Church of England forbade their marriage, as the American, Wallis, who had divorced two times already, had a former husband who was still alive. Edward's abdication made George VI, Elizabeth's father, England's King, and his older daughter, Elizabeth, heir presumptive, thus forever changing her legacy and life.
"As Soon As This Is Over, I'm Going To 'Lose' This Dress."
Lady Jane Spencer was Diana's older sister. In 1978, three years prior to Diana marrying Prince Charles, her sister married Mr. Robert Fellowes. Lord and Lady Fellowes, in 2018, are parents to three children and grandparents to four. Dianna was one of her sister's bridesmaids. Here she is, a girl of 16, in an outfit that would have been chosen for the bridesmaids, therefore not representing her personal fashion sense. But in only a few years, her admirable style would be on display for the entire world as the Princess of Wales.
A Navyman Living Life On The Edge
This lieutenant of the Royal Navy is none other than Prince Philip. He was assigned to HMS Wallace as a first lieutenant. During the 1943 invasion of Sicily, he rescued his ship from a bomber attack one night, by having smoke floats and wooden rafts thrown overboard, to look like debris burning in the water. The enemy, thinking they had already made that kill, moved on and his ship was thus able to escape unseen. He was not only able to save the lives of his men, but also save the Navy a lot of money! The invasion of Sicily by the Allies during WWII, codenamed Operation Husky, took Sicily from the Axis powers.
Setting A Precedent For Royal Education
The teenaged Prince Charles, who had attended the Gordonstoun School, left the institution with two A-levels - French, B and History C - along with five O-level subjects. In 1967, he went on to study at Cambridge University's Trinity College, instead of immediately serving in the British Armed Forces, which was the norm. Prince Charles studied history, archaeology, and anthropology, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. His graduation in 1970 made him the first British monarch to graduate from a university. He received a history degree with honors, Class 2, Division 2.
"It's Great To Be Smart."
In 2001, Kate Middleton graduated from the University of St. Andrews, located in an area called Fife in Scotland. This is Kate on graduation day. She attended the same university as Prince William. During their first year there, the pair lived in the same dorm, and that was where they met. They even had some classes together, graduating in 2005, both with masters degrees - Kate's was in art history, and William's was in geography. Kate had always been an independent and smart lady, and likely had the drive to succeed in her career and command huge earnings. However, fate had different plans for her which would change her life forever.
A Little Male Bonding Time
This is an even older Prince Charles with his sons Prince Harry (left) and Prince William. This was in 1988 while Diana and Charles were still together. How adorable that the boys are in similar outfits and not a single hint of would-be-thinning hair more than two decades later! It's appropriate because although they're not twins, they've always been close. It's a happy moment, showing that the boys even then had been looked after by their father, Prince Charles. This was evident when, in 2018, at Prince Harry's wedding to Meghan Markle, Charles walked his new daughter-in-law down the aisle in place of her father.
"Here Come My Friends!"
This excited little kid is four-year-old Charles in 1952. He's with his Mom, Queen Elizabeth II, on his birthday. Prince Charles had a very formal relationship with his mother while growing up - even terming it as 'cold.' However, the image here doesn't reflect this. The two have huge smiles, are dressed in expensive clothes, and seem happy. However, Charles might be showing his joy at the people arriving or the celebratory treat waiting for him outside. Newspaper archives show that a tea party was held to celebrate Charles' fourth birthday, in which he hosted six little friends at Buckingham Palace.
As Cute As a Button!
Little Lady Diana Spencer sits for her picture. It was snapped at home at Park House when she was two. She lived with her family at Sandringham, in Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, the Queen's country estate. This is the same Sandringham at which the Royals still spend the Christmas season, and the meals are fit for a Queen, having boar's head in dinner, and turkey during lunch. Reportedly, even the Queen's corgis eat lavishly, served fresh rabbit, chicken or beef by a gourmet chef. For a good sum of money, Diana's parents had rented their home from Queen Elizabeth. As a child, Lady Diana played with Charles' little brothers, Edward and Andrew.
First Comes Love, Then Comes Marriage ...
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Philip announced to the world on July 9, 1947, that they were engaged to be married. However, though the announcement was made then, they had actually gotten engaged one year earlier. But her father, King George VI, said that the announcement should be made after Elizabeth's 21st birthday, in 1947. Phillip gave her a 3-carat round diamond ring, with diamond stones on the sides, arranged in platinum. Meeting in 1934, the duo started sending letters to each other. When he met Elizabeth, he was Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, renouncing his citizenship just before their engagement announcement, and becoming a British citizen.
We Just Love Royal Life
King George with his spouse Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, had Princess Elizabeth three years after they were married. Four years later, they had Princess Margaret Rose. The Princesses' closet must have been filled with lovely and matching dresses, like what they're wearing in the photo. The girls' mother deeply doted on them and hated going to royal engagements abroad without them. Shortly following Elizabeth's birth, the Queen Mother and her husband opened the Parliament house in Canberra, Australia. She was miserable the whole time about leaving her baby behind. Australia at the time was a member of the Commonwealth, having already gained its independence in 1901.
Like Two Peas In a Pod
On the right is Princess Margaret, the future Countess of Snowdon (notice how the sisters had a similar hairstyle!). Margaret became infatuated with a married man, Peter Townsend, a Group Captain. In 1952, he got a divorce and asked Margaret to marry him. But the rules of the Church of England stipulated that she couldn't marry a divorcé. Eventually, she ended her association with Townsend. Margaret went on to marry photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, in a beautiful dress. They divorced 18 years down the road. It's said she afterward attracted other suitors. Her daughter-in-law, Serena Alleyne Armstrong-Jones, is now the Countess of Snowdon.
The Queen Keeps Her Own Picture of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle
Most grandmothers love to frame pictures of their family and adorn their living rooms with them, right? It seems that grandmothers are the same no matter their financial state or the affluence they are living in. Even the Queen seems to have a photo of the newlyweds, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle, framed to decorate her audience room! As we can imagine, this photo will be replaced with a picture of a family of three very soon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting their first baby on Spring of 2019!
It's The Fantastic Four
Though things were basically kept private concerning what went on between the Royal Family and Meghan Markle, sources have said that she has a good relationship with everyone in Harry's family. She's become particularly close to Kate Middleton and Prince William. Harry said in an interview following his engagement to Meghan, that the two ladies have easily become friends. The ladies are apparently a lot similar. In October 2018, only a few days apart, they both wore a polka dot dress. It can only be said that the two have a distinctive taste in fashion. They both love Mulberry handbags, dresses by British designer, Erdem, and Cartier watches.
It's Not A TV Show, She's Really A Royal
Things are so different now for Meghan Markle since she played Suits' "Rachael Zane." Now, she's Prince Harry's wife, the Duchess of Sussex. This picture was taken on the couple's wedding day in May 2018. They looked splendid! Her dress was a white, silk Givenchy gown. Fans enjoyed watching the live stream of the wedding and about two billion watched online. Markle was so elegant, and like all brides, she will never forget her special day. Meanwhile, an announcement came in October 2018 that Markle is with child, and is expected to deliver the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first child in the spring of 2019.
Smiling For The Camera ...Again
Following her engagement to Prince Phillip, 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth had a photoshoot with him to mark the occasion, and the pictures would be released to the public. Among them was this one. She looked quite lovely and sweet in this photo, even if it was not one of her perfect smiles. Quite a number of people had felt that Phillip wasn't a good candidate for a husband for her. But they loved each other very much. Today, she's in her nineties, and she and the Duke of Edinburgh are still together! In early 2018, the Queen had cataract surgery while the Duke had hip surgery. The couple will have been married for seventy-one years in November 2018.
"Awwww, He's So Amazing!"
Not much longer after she and Prince Phillip were married, Elizabeth became pregnant. She had their first baby in 1948. This little baby lying there is Prince Charles. It was a new era of life for her. First, she became a wife, and then, a mother. Elizabeth was very proud of her son, and loved him from the moment she saw him. Soon after birth, his parents started taking photos with him. As the first-born and male, Charles is the next in line to the throne of Britain. Today, in 2018, he is the longest-serving and oldest heir apparent Prince of Wales.
Just Like Mom Does It
The Royal family members are usually cute as kids. Elizabeth was no exception, and additionally, she had a keen sense of style since she was quite young. She loved playing dress up and loved to dress like an adult. She also had a purse with the letter "E" prominently affixed to it. Her love of fashion didn't wane with the passage of time. Eventually, she was wearing the best outfits that you would expect from royals and even cosmetics. That child to her right is Princess Margaret, her little sister. Her grandfather, George V, loved having her visit him when he was seriously ill in 1929, as it always made him feel happier.
Dogs Are So Much Less Complicated Than People
The young Queen Elizabeth loved animals, much as she still does today. It's common for the Royals to have pets; Elizabeth just adores her dogs and would always hug and play with them whenever she could. And as we can see from the photo, the feeling is mutual. Apart from dogs, Elizabeth also loves horses. And being Royals who have an opulent way of living, they would have the best quality and breed of animals. Traditionally, the dogs that pass away are laid to rest at the Sandringham estate, Norfolk, which is the Royal residence.
Doing Your Duty For King & Country
It's traditional for the Royals to serve in the British Army, though it used to be just the men. However, Princess Elizabeth decided that she wouldn't be an exception, and so became the first woman in the Royal Family to join the military. She served with the Army's women's branch, the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and was known as Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor. Wearing uniform and not caring if she didn't wear any makeup, Elizabeth trained as a military truck driver and mechanic in London, to achieve the rank of honorary junior commander. Her duties were mainly carried out during World War II. She is the only surviving head of state to have served during WWII.
Unconditional Love
Elizabeth's favorite bod breed is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. That breed dates back to the 10th century, but Elizabeth first got to know about them in 1933 when the Royal Family first got the Corgi - Dookie. As she matured, Elizabeth continued to enjoy the company of her pet dogs, and one such companion given by her mother for her 18th birthday was a Corgi named Susan. It seems that to Elizabeth, her pets are like members of the family!. The Corgis enjoy a privileged life in Buckingham Palace (the only thing lacking might be their own bank account!). They live in the Corgi Room and sleep in wicker baskets that are elevated.
Taking Time To Pose With The Children As A Family
As Queen Elizabeth had a lot of Royal duties and engagements to tend to, taking care of kids was not something she really did. The Royal nannies did much of that task. Nannies have always been a part of British royal households, and how much care they give the children would depend on the parents' stature. Some parents were more 'hands-on' than others. Royal nannies live on the compound of the family they work for and travel with them on Royal excursions. The paychecks must be sweet! In her 90s, the Queen is still going to her Royal engagements but in 2017, Prince Phillip officially retired from his royal duties.
"We Are So In Love With What We Made."
This baby is Elizabeth. And the people gazing at her so tenderly are her parents, the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. When Elizabeth was born, her grandfather, King George V, was sitting on the throne, and before she got to age ten, there were no expectations of her ever becoming Queen with millions in the bank. She had more of a regular upbringing and it wasn't too lavish. The family sometimes washed dishes and cooked their own meals. Elizabeth's dad died in 1952, in his sleep, due to a coronary thrombosis at age 56; the Queen Mother died fifty years later.
Another Animal That Is Easier To Handle Than People
Affluent families usually own horses and have good equestrian skills. Queen Elizabeth has always had a fondness for horses, being surrounded by them her entire life. There is a book, The Little Princesses, which captures so well how much Elizabeth loves horses. Sometimes, she pulls on something fashionably appropriate and visits the palace horses. When you are the Queen, you need to always be ready for the cameras when in public. And her spouse, Prince Philip, is dressed in a matching outfit. As a girl, Elizabeth would ride her Shetland mare Peggy at the family's Sandringham estate, in Norfolk.
A Love So Strong ...
The public absolutely loved Princess Diana. When a car accident claimed her life in 1997, her death sent shockwaves throughout the world. There was some talk of conspiracies that resulted in her death, like for example that Charles was behind it so he could remarry. With all the nasty rumors, it was very hard on the Royal family, especially on her sons. William and Harry were 15 and 13, respectively, at the time. It was heart-rending for them, especially since they were so close. This picture captures Diana with William. It's because of his experience that Prince William is involved with Child Bereavement UK, helping kids to deal with the grief of losing a parent while so young.
We May Argue But We're Still Sisters
Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth were four years apart in age, but they were so close that they were best friends. Margaret, like everyone else in the family, called Elizabeth "Lilibeth" because that was how Elizabeth pronounced her own name when she was little. The two had spent a lot of time together, and as adults in separate homes, they still communicated frequently. The direct phone line between Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace made this easy. Margaret had caused a lot of controversy because of her affairs, divorce, and smoking. Her wedding to photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey was the first British Royal wedding broadcast on TV, attracting over 300 million audiences globally.
The Royals' Ever-Present Love of Horses
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II are now sharing more than seventy years of marriage. They have four children, three of them boys. Princess Anne, like her mom, adores horses. Anne is a superb equestrienne, and once took the individual gold at the 1971 European Eventing Championships. Also, she is the first Royal to have competed in the Olympics - during the 1976 games. She didn't win a medal, but in 1975, she won team silver medals at Luhmuhlen. Her first husband, Mark Phillips, had also competed and won team gold medal at the 1972 Olympics.
A Long Time Being Queen
With respect to how long she has been on the throne, Queen Elizabeth II has broken the record for British monarchs at more than sixty years. But then the monarchy really does suit her, especially when considering her bejeweled crown that sits at her perfectly coiffed hair. The Queen is very savvy when it comes to politics, allowing her to survive through various Prime Ministers and Cabinets. She is only a constitutional monarch and politically neutral, but each week, she has an audience with the Prime Minister during which they discuss Government affairs. She has earned a lot of respect from her Prime Ministers.
Making Lemonade Out Of Life's Lemons
Marrying into the Royal Family is a unique experience that very few would ever have - like a fairytale coming true. Princess Diana here with her family, in 1981, married Prince Charles with over 750 million people watching on television. Standing between them are their sons Prince Harry (the younger of the two) and Prince William. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 1996 and had to separate their affairs, like their joint bank accounts. It was said that Princess Margaret's divorce in 1978, paved the way for Diana and Charles to follow suit, as it was (Margaret's) the first time in modern times that a senior Royal had gotten a divorced.