35+ Real Photos Of The Royal Family Proving They’re Just Like Everyone Else
The British Royal family is frequently portrayed as this pristine family that always looks perfect and never does anything wrong. But nothing could be further from the truth than that. Even celebrities like Duchess Kate, Prince William, Harry, and even the Queen have occasionally been photographed by paparazzi looking rather silly. The following candid images show that the royals are actually just like us.
If you are visiting a bird sanctuary and are getting up, close and personal to a bald eagle, expect to have to lean back a couple of times in self-defense. Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla learned this the hard way back in 2015. While they didn’t have to go to a sanctuary, they did have to interact with a large bird of prey at that year’s Sandringham Flower Show. As soon as the eagle started flapping its wings, Charles immediately pulled a silly face, creating a classic candid photo.
Night Out With the Sis
If there was ever the chance that a candid moment of the royals might be captured, then it would most likely be during a night out on the town.
This photo was taken way back before Kate became the Duchess of Cambridge. She can be seen in a taxi with her sister Pippa Middleton, who seems to be having a jolly good old time together. Both sisters seem to know how to put their sibling rivalry to one side in order to let loose a little.
Sssibling Rivalry
It’s perfectly understandable that royals will find themselves in numerous extraordinary situations due to their philanthropic work. During their 2010 trip to Botswana, Princes William and Harry saw themselves in a candid situation that could have gone sour very quickly.
Even when the two had a large boa constrictor wrapped around their shoulders, they still managed to poke fun at each other. Harry couldn’t help teasing his brother and William managed to keep it all together despite the circumstances.
Watch Your Step!
There is no denying that the Royal Ascot is an important event in the royal calendar. It is a time when many spectators get to see royal figures dressed in audacious attire and looking their very best. What many don’t see though are some of the candid moments caught on camera, like this one.
While William and Kate were in their carriage, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex tripped while trying to join them. Thankfully, Kate saw the funny side of it and the two shared a moment of laughter.
Sink Your Teeth Into This
Royals have to eat too, you know! Sadly, if one of the princes gets spotted eating a burger in public, it becomes national news. Whereas if a random guy does it, no one even thinks about it.
This is what happened when Princes William and Harry went to watch a rugby match a few years ago. Harry thought no one was watching as he sunk his teeth into this burger. Ultimately though, someone was snapping away from the distance and another candid photo was born.
Two-Step Charlie
Some royal figures pull off some of the unlikeliest of moves in candid photos and this includes the likes of Prince Charles. The future King of England was spotted during a royal engagement to Mexico, enjoying some of the local culture and festivities.
Some of the workers at one of the events he was at urged him to join them in a classic clog dance to which Charles wholeheartedly obliged. Truth be told, everyone was a winner in this situation.
Even the Best Couples Fight
It’s not just kids who can enjoy playing around in the snow and engaging in epic snow fights. Royals have also been known to get rowdy in cold conditions and start hurling snowballs at each other.
Take Kate and William, for example, who went skiing after welcoming Princess Charlotte into the world. It’s clear that Kate couldn’t help herself and was desperate to see the reaction on her husband’s face. Let’s just hope he didn’t throw one back too hard!
The Fast and the Fabulous
When you are the Queen of the United Kingdom, you would think that it would be normal to be driven around wherever you go. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as far as Elizabeth II is concerned. She takes it upon herself to drive around the grounds of her home every once in a while.
This photo shows the Queen looking over the steering wheel during the Windsor Horse Show. This just goes to show that the Queen still likes having a bit of independence.
The Royal Races
There is no denying that Prince William and Prince Harry have always rivaled each other ever since they were kids. And it seems that in some aspects, that rivalry carried on into their adulthood.
Take this candid photo, for example, which sees the two, along with Duchess Kate, racing each other in front of a crowd of supporters. While it’s unclear who won this race, it looks like Harry is edging it by just an inch or two.
I Scream for Ice Cream
A royal figure eating ice cream is enough of an excuse for a candid photo. However, a photo of that same figure getting ice cream on their nose is just too much for us to handle. The Duchess of Cornwall was on a trip with Prince Charles when they stopped off at Brostræde Flødeis in Elsinore, Denmark.
This is the oldest ice cream store in the Scandinavian country and Camilla was desperate to have one of their famous cones. Things got messy quickly though!
Hands Off My Popcorn!
It is no secret that Prince Harry is a bit of a naughty character. He is known for playing pranks on his friends and family, while also knowing how to get a rise out of them. This candid photo perfectly encapsulates this.
Harry was sitting in a crowd, watching a volleyball match at the 2017 Toronto Invictus Games when the cute daughter of his family friend asked if she could have some of his popcorn. He cheekily withdrew the popcorn from her before finally caving in.
Climbing the Throne
If you are wondering where Prince Harry got his mischievous ways from, well, half comes from his dad Prince Charles. Sure, Diana was also a bit of a rebel, but even until this very day, Charles is doing all sorts of naughty things and channeling his inner child.
This candid photo was taken in 2012 during a trip to New Jersey. For some reason, the Prince of Wales was in a situation where he was allowed to climb a rock climbing wall without any safety gear… This could have easily gone sour and turned into a rocky incident!
Harry, Not in Front of the Camera
It’s not just a new generation of royal kids who liked to stick their tongues out in public. The late Princess Diana had some trouble keeping her kids from acting appropriately during the biggest royal events.
When Prince Charles’s former wife was holding little Harry in her arms on the royal balcony of Buckingham Palace, he decided to stick his tongue out for everyone to see. Naturally, Diana didn’t approve of her son’s behavior but at least the public found it funny.
Killing Us With That Kilt
Every year, Queen Elizabeth and other members of the royal family will flock to Scotland to watch the Braemar Games. It’s usually a fun affair and there is rarely a time when the family will not be seen having a laugh.
Take this photo, for example, which sees Charles wearing a traditional kilt for the event. Again, it’s unclear what the two were laughing about. However, if the Queen finds it funny, then that must surely mean that it was hilarious.
Are You “Kidding” Me?
Even though they might be some of the most famous people in the world, members of the royal family are also allowed to geek out when they see a fellow celebrity. That’s exactly what Prince William did when he attended the BAFTA Brits to Watch event back in 2011.
During this memorable event, which took place in L.A., the starstruck future King of England got a chance to talk with one of his favorite actresses – the one and only Nicole Kidman.
Who Wants a Cupcake?
While he might be considered to be one of the more rebellious figures in the royal family, there is no denying that Prince Harry is just as generous and giving as the rest of them.
Despite being surrounded by a crowd of fans, Meghan’s husband was more than happy when someone gave him a tray of cupcakes. In typical Harry fashion though, he was happy to give them out to others. Moreover, he stuck his tongue out in a cheeky, candid way.
Queen Elizaphant II
Over the years, the Queen has had some truly mesmerizing encounters with a variety of creatures, both big and small. While it is no secret that she has a close relationship with her beloved corgis, she has also been known to interact with some truly exotic animals.
This photo was taken in 2017 and sees Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo during the opening of the Center for Elephant Care. This is Donna the elephant, who thoroughly enjoyed being fed bananas by Her Majesty.
The Force Is Strong With These Two
Princes are also allowed to be fans of Star Wars and this includes Harry and William. The two brothers got the chance to visit Pinewood Studios in London and were able to play around with some of the props used for the latest movies set in a galaxy far, far away.
In this photo, Harry and William can be seen having a playful lightsaber battle. Fittingly, Harry embraced the dark side, wielding Kylo Ren’s lightsaber, while William stayed on the light and used Rey’s blue one.
Rise of the Machines
You would never think that the Queen was a fan of gadgets but this photo seems to suggest otherwise. This photo was taken in Germany and shows Elizabeth II interacting with a robot. She was visiting Berlin’s Technical University and it was the Chancellor who gave her a tour of all of the exhibits on display.
When you think about it, it’s amazing how much the Queen has seen and how many changes she has lived through, especially when it comes to advances in technology over the last century.
For the Love of the Game
Anyone who is a fan of the royal family will also know how popular the sport of cricket is in Great Britain and the rest of the Commonwealth. As a result, members of the royal family are expected to attend the biggest cricket events.
So when Kate Middleton went on a royal tour of Australia and New Zealand, she was asked to compete against husband William in a little game. Despite not being dressed for the occasion, she still managed to hit the ball!
Cheeky Charlotte
It seems like cheeky faces are something that runs in the royal family. Not only does Prince Harry like to stick his tongue out in public every once in a while, but so does his adorable niece, Charlotte.
The daughter of William and Kate was attending Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, when all of a sudden, the little princess decided to stick her tongue out for the paparazzi to see. Candid photos know no age limits and this one proves just that.
From Kensington to Hogwarts
Even royal figures should be able to channel their inner wizards every once in a while. This photo was taken on the set of Diagon Alley during the inauguration of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
William and Kate can be seen waving a couple of magic wands and pretending that they are Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, respectively. We would like to think that they were chanting a bunch of spells such as “Wingardium Leviosa,” but who knows?
Selfie Time!
If you thought that it was just mere mortals who took selfies, then you’d be wrong. Royals do it too, apparently. Photographer Lisa Hornal recalled the time she managed to have her selfie taken with Prince William of all people, in a truly candid moment.
It was taken during the opening of the Commonwealth Arena. “I took the opportunity to ask Prince William for a selfie which he happily agreed to,” Hornal said. “I’ll never forget gran’s shock when she heard I’d asked the future king for a photo.”
Mascot Madness
Another quality of Prince Harry is that he is awfully curious. This photo was taken during a trip to South Africa in 2015, and sees the Duke of Sussex playing around with the mascot during a game of barefoot touch rugby.
Harry had the audacity to try and open up the shark mask and look to check what was inside the mouth. There is no denying that whoever was inside that suit must have gotten quite a surprise. Word of advice, Harry – never do that with a real shark!
A Splashing Time
When you are attending so many big events, you are bound to get a little wet every once in a while. This candid photo was taken during a marathon that William and Kate attended. They were giving out bottles of water to the thousands of runners passing by.
However, in the middle of the chaos, a runner accidentally splashed an open bottle into the Prince’s face. Thankfully, no harm was done, but a moment of comedy was captured forever.
Cracking Jokes With Meghan
It’s not every day that one finds themself having a laugh with the Queen, of all people. However, there was a time when this was the norm for Meghan Markle, who had the opportunity to sit next to Queen Elizabeth II at a number of events.
During this trip to Cheshire, people were taken aback when they saw the odd couple laughing together. It appears that the Queen was amused by a joke that Meghan had told her.
An Uplifting Photo
Even royal figures make mistakes every once in a while. But what’s great about them is that they will always pick each other up and support each other, no matter what.
While they were walking to an event, Kate was a little worried when she saw that little Charlotte had tripped and fallen to the ground. Thankfully, no harm was done and Charlotte took it in her stride as you would come to expect from a classy royal.
Daddy’s Sleepy
Sure, royal ceremonies are special, but they’re not exactly the most exciting affairs. So how could you expect Prince William to keep his eyes open at this Anzac Day ceremony when, just a few days prior, he had welcomed his and Kate’s third child into the world?
The baby was bound to have kept him and his wife up all night for the first few days of his life. So you can forgive him for being extremely tired at this event in April 2018.
What a Shot!
It seems like there are some members of the royal family who will go to big national sporting events every year. One tournament that royal figures such as Kate and William seem to always attend is Wimbledon.
They always get really good seats so that they get the ideal view of two greats battling it out on the court. Take this photo for example, in which Kate seems to be completely enthralled by what just happened. You can see the action through the reflection in her Ray-Bans.
So Scruffy!
While he has always been a rowdy individual by royal standards, it seems like Prince Harry was born to be a dad. This is in no small part due to the number of cute encounters he has had with kids. Take this photo, for example.
The Duke of Sussex can be seen pulling a funny face for the child, who had the audacity to get a feel of his ginger beard! Harry seemed to see the funny side of it but had no idea he was having his photo taken.
Jersey Goals
Soon after giving birth to baby Archie, Meghan Markle was inundated with presents and good wishes from a variety of people around the world. The Duchess of Sussex ended up going backstage after watching the New York Yankees at London Stadium.
She was absolutely lost for words when one of the players presented her with a tiny jersey with Archie’s name on the back of it. Overwhelmed by the kind gesture, Meghan burst into laughter for everyone to see.
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Just because royals are expected to look proper at all times doesn’t mean that they do. This especially applies to younger members of the royal family, who are more likely to be caught on camera in a variety of candid ways.
During the inaugural King’s Cup Regatta, Kate Middleton could be seen encouraging her daughter Charlotte to wave at the crowds of people. However, the little princess decided to stick her tongue out instead! Thankfully, Kate kept her cool.
Same Sense of Humor, Apparently
Any successful couple needs to be able to laugh at the same jokes every once in a while and this also applies to William and Kate. The following photo was taken outside Buckingham Palace and sees the couple cracking up at something that someone was saying.
While it’s unclear what the person said, we can’t imagine a commoner finding the joke particularly funny. As long as they can share a similar sense of humor for the rest of their lives, we’re happy.
Born to Horn
When you think of the royal family, you think of a bunch of individuals who know exactly how to behave at any given time and for the most part, be quiet. However, this isn’t always the case. When the situation calls for some noise and rowdiness, the royals can be just as loud as the next person.
The following photo was taken in 2017 when Kate and William attended the Virgin Money London Marathon of that year. They were more than happy to blow some air horns during the cheering.
Family Goals
While a lot of these candid photos were taken over the last decade, some of them are much older, including this one. This photo was taken back in August 1951 and sees Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip hanging out in their garden with their two children – Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
It seems like Anne had enough of whatever her dad was talking about and decided to block his mouth with her hand. Of course, a lot has happened since this photo was taken.
A Very Special Day
In this wonderful candid shot, Queen Elizabeth is seen having a good laugh beside Prince Phillip. This was a special day all around, because the couple was celebrating their 72nd wedding anniversary. Can you imagine 72 years with the same person? Incredible!
Apparently, the Queen asked this fellow what the date was. When he told her, she laughed and said, “Well, of course, I know what the date is!” After signing, she remarked, “Now, well, that proves I came here.”
Pint-Sized Prince Harry
It’s no surprise that Prince Harry has been a touch mischievous throughout his life. With a face like that, who could blame him? Here, the red-headed Harry is a page boy at his uncle Charles’ Spencer’s wedding. Dressed in a frilly buttoned outfit with a wide-brimmed hat, he looks quite the picture.
Since it’s Harry, he’s obviously sticking his tongue out. This candid picture was taken in 1989 when Charles – Princess Diana’s brother – married Victoria Lockwood. He has remarried twice since then.
Love Is in the Air
Ordinarily, members of the British royal family act in a formal manner. They wear fancy clothes, they have good manners, and they follow a code of conduct. In this candid snap, we can see a young Kate and Will enjoying their time together as a couple.
This is from the 2012 Summer Olympics, which took place in London. At this stage, Kate Middleton and Prince William had only been married for one year. However, they met at college over a decade before.
Hats Off to Her
There are several reasons why Queen Elizabeth is always seen wearing a hat. Firstly, since the 1950s, it’s been royal protocol for ladies to cover their heads for a royal event. Secondly, wearing a hat gives the Queen a little bit of a lift height-wise.
Thirdly, when the Queen is out and about, people want to see her. A hat makes her easier to spot! Here, she can be seen getting out of a car without her signature headwear.
Do You Know Who I Am?
This candid snap shows Kate Middleton experiencing a bit of New York City charm. The Duchess of Cambridge was wrapping gifts for a charity event when a volunteer told her to stop chatting and keep wrapping.
The royal’s eye roll was caught on camera and broadcast around the world. This isn’t ideal for a member of the British royal family! Ideally, Kate should have laughed politely and continued to work. Regardless, we’re sure she’s gotten over it.
Don’t Be a Neigh-Sayer
Queen Elizabeth received her first-ever pony when she was just four years old. Throughout her life, she’s owned, ridden, and raced horses. In fact, it’s thought that the Queen owns over 100 horses and has earned millions from prize money.
Every year, the monarch attends the Windsor Horse Show and watches the Royal Ascot. This amazing picture shows the Queen riding one of her horses in Balmoral in 2021. Amazingly, she’s around 95 in this picture. Nice jodhpurs!
The Lovely Lady Diana
When Diana Spencer was just a young woman dating Prince Charles, photographers chased her to get a snap. This picture was taken in 1980 when Diana was getting into her car. At the time, she was a kindergarten teacher and lived in a London flat with her friends.
Despite looking fairly normal here, Diana was raised in an aristocratic family. She grew up on Sandringham estate close to the royals. In fact, her sister dated Prince Charles first.
It’s All Rather Exhausting
What’s the point in being an actual Queen if you can’t do what you want? While it might be more proper to have a chauffeur, Queen Elizabeth has always liked to drive herself.
This candid snap shows the monarch having a yawn while behind the wheel of her car. Hopefully, she’s had plenty of cups of tea to keep her energy up. Plus, did you know the Queen is the only person in the UK who doesn’t need a driving license?
I Said, “Stand Still!”
While we may be used to seeing the Duchess of Cambridge looking prim and proper, that’s doesn’t mean she’s always in a good mood. In this amazing candid snap from her sister’s wedding, Kate is seen disciplining the assembled page boys and flower girls.
We can just imagine her saying, “Enough is enough!” Kate’s younger sister, Pippa, got married to hedge fund manager James Matthew in 2017. Now, they have two kids of their own. Hopefully, Aunty Kate keeps them in line.
The Sussexes Watch Street Dance
In this picture, it looks like Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have seen the best thing in the world. Adorably, the couple was watching some street dance at a community center in Wales. When there, the much-loved couple also played some Jenga.
In the video footage of this trip, Prince Harry asks the kids to “give Meghan a group hug.” He then watched as they surround his then-fiancée, saying, “and release, she’s mine!” These two are so cute.
Are We There Yet?
Our next candid royal snap is courtesy of young Prince George. The mini-royal was on a week-long tour of Canada with his parents when this picture was taken. It shows little George on a seaplane being taken to another aircraft to fly the family home.
Supposedly, he kept telling everyone, “I’m going to fly us to England.” Adorably, when Will and Kate waved goodbye to Canadian crows, George dashed towards the plane. He kept his face pressed against the window like this for the entire journey.
The Terrible Two
For a while, Princess Diana and Sarah Ferguson were good friends. They were each married to one of the Windsor brothers, and grew up in the same social circles. They were basically the Kate and Meghan of their time.
Here, the two are seen chuckling at something while attending a polo match. Over the years, Fergie and Diana’s relationship had its ups and downs. They both left their Prince Charmings in 1992, and went on vacation together with their kids in 1996.
College Age Catherine
Since she became known as Prince William’s royal bride, Kate Middleton has been a fashion icon. Multiple items of clothing have sold out after they’ve been seen on the Duchess. This has even been named the Kate-effect.
However, before she was known for Cos dresses and Reiss shoes, Kate Middleton fell foul of noughties trends. Here, just before her 2005 college graduation, she’s wearing a white lace trim camisole. Not shown are the low-rise jeans she paired it with. Eek.
Care for a Sandwich?
We have to say, Prince Harry comes out of these candid snaps looking pretty great. He’s often seen sticking his tongue out, enthusiastically participating, or being warm with members of the public. In this picture, the Prince was attending the Streetgames’ Fit and Fed initiative in London.
Rather than being stuffy and out of touch, Harry makes people feel comfortable around him. Here, he’s playfully offering some kids sandwiches. We bet they’ll remember this moment for the rest of their lives.
Anne, the Equestrian Princess
How could we discuss candid snaps of the royals without giving this picture some love? Just look at Princess Anne here posing in her jodhpurs and hat. This photo of Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter was taken in 1982 at the Badminton Horse Trials.
Princess Anne is pretty impressive when it comes to horse riding. In the ’70s, she won gold and silver medals at the European Eventing Championships. She was also the first British royal to compete in the Olympics.
Royal Displays of Affection
Usually, the British royal family keeps a very stiff upper lip. In other words, they don’t show much emotion or affection. That’s why we’re surprised to see this candid shot of Prince Charles giving Prince William a kiss. Harry can just about be seen poking out from behind his father.
This shot was taken in 1990 when the Windsor family was attending a polo match. At this stage, Prince Charles and Princess Diana were still together. They would announce their separation two years later.
Someone Clean This Window!
In total, Prince William and Kate Middleton have three royal children. First came Prince George, then Princess Charlotte, and finally Prince Louis. These adorable mini-royals have given us plenty of wonderful candid snaps. Here, a curious Charlotte is seen squinting out the window. But, what was she looking at?
Well, every year there’s a parade for the Queen’s birthday. It’s known as Trooping the Color and has been happening for over 200 years. Perhaps Charlotte was admiring the horses.
Di Means Business
Incredibly, there’s more than one photograph of Diana Spencer running with no shoes on. On various occasions, Princess Diana gave it her everything during her sons’ Sports Day at school. This picture was taken in 1989 at Wetherby’s School during the Mother’s Race.
The Princess wasn’t worried about being formal or ladylike — she just wanted to win. This snap shows one of many reasons that Princess Diana was so beloved. She was considered very down to Earth and always willing to participate.
Not This Time
When it comes to some sports, Kate Middleton is an absolute pro (we’ll get to that shortly). However, she doesn’t seem to be the best cricketer. In 2016, the Duchess and her husband took a seven-day royal trip to India and Burma.
While there, they attended a children’s cricket match. However, as you can see in this picture, she didn’t exactly take to it. The game royal picked up a paddle and gave it a go, but it’s definitely not where her skillset lies.
Meghan Gets a Gift
When American actress Meghan Markle married into the British royal family, she took on new duties. While Megs and Harry have now ditched their royal titles and moved across the pond, for a while, they were working members of the family.
This picture shows Meghan on her first-ever royal visit with Queen Elizabeth. The pair spent the day in Northwest England and spent some time with the public. In this candid snap, Meghan can be seen accepting a bouquet from a baby.
Sharing a Laugh
And here’s another royal outing, this time with Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth. Though she’s not pictured, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall was also in attendance. The trio was celebrating the unveiling of a plaque in Piccadilly, London.
In this candid snapshot, it looks like the Queen has said something amusing and Kate is cracking up about it. We bet she laughs extra hard at all of her husband’s grandmother’s jokes. As is common for the royals, the pair are dressed in complementary colors.
Bored at the Ballet
Isn’t Princess Diana just the most lovable royal there’s ever been? We can certainly relate to nodding off during a posh gala. Here, a young Diana Spencer was caught snoozing during a gala at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1981.
Later, it was discovered that she was actually pregnant with Prince William. Members of the royal family have to attend numerous functions and events. Diana probably wanted to go home, put her slippers on, and lie down for a while.
Where’s the Private Jet?
It’s strange to think of members of the British royal family in a regular airport. We picture them getting on private planes on private airstrips, away from all the bothers of ordinary life. But alas, this candid picture shows a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne in JFK airport.
The family had been visiting Jamaica for the Commonwealth Games and had to stop for a layover on their way back to London. Hopefully, they had time to grab an airport snack.
Move Slowly Into Child’s Pose
We bet you didn’t expect to see this! While it might look like Prince William is getting into mischief here, he’s actually just exercising. Before playing in the Audi Polo Challenge charity match in 2016, the Prince did some stretches.
Rather than warming up in his polo gear, Wills decided to do some yoga in his white chinos and a button-down shirt. Did no one teach this guy the benefits of a yoga mat? Get him some joggers, stat!
Sack Race Shenanigans
All over the world, people race from inside sacks. It sounds weird, it is weird, but it’s true. Sack races are most common at school Sports Days, but they also take place in other contexts. For example, professional athletes have had a go.
In fact, Somali-British runner Mo Farah held the record for some years. Clearly, sack races aren’t too good for the royals. Here, the Queen and Prince Charles laugh amongst themselves during the sack race at the Braemar Gathering in 2017.
The Siblings in the Snow
We’re a sucker for childhood candid photos like this one of Prince Charles and Princess Anne, taken in 1965. These royal siblings are only two years apart in age, so they spent lots of time together. However, they then went to separate boarding schools.
In fact, Anne was one of the first royal women to be educated outside the palace. In 2018, a clip circulated of Charles sneaking up on and surprising his younger sister. They’re also both really into horses.
Can’t Argue With That
Remember we mentioned that Kate Middleton is really good at certain sports? Well, she might not be much of a cricketer, but she’s an excellent yachtswoman. When the royal and husband Prince William went on a royal visit to New Zealand, they decided to make things interesting.
The couple had a boat race around Auckland harbor, and Kate emerged victoriously. In fact, she even gave her husband a victory salute when she (literally) sailed past him. Kate’s been sailing her whole life.
Mind the Grass Stains
It might seem like a small thing to most people, but it’s very uncommon for royals to sit on the grass. Think about it — these people live in palaces and wear crowns. They definitely want something to sit on! But, as usual, Princess Diana bucked the trend.
In this picture taken in 1989, the Princess of Wales watched a polo match from the grass. Beside her is a pleased-looking Prince William. You’d think she would at least have a blanket to sit on!
Master of the Reigns
The Queen’s late husband, Prince Phillip had a pretty extraordinary life. He was born into the Greek and Danish royal families, and eventually became the Duke of Edinburgh. He was also the longest-living member of the British royal family — impressive!
In this candid picture from 2018, Prince Phillip can be seen at Windsor Castle in one of his beloved carriages. The senior royal actually developed the sport of carriage racing and wrote several books on the subject.
In Another Life
It’s interesting to think about the alternate lives members of the British royal family could have had. At one point, Kate Middleton admitted that she’d “secretly like to be a young farmer.” Hey, with all that royal land, surely that could be arranged?
We can imagine Kate decked out in Hunter boots and a Barbour jacket while she tends to her chickens. Though let’s be honest, she definitely already has a couple of pairs in her royal wardrobe!
Prince Harry’s Best Behavior
As we’ve seen, Prince Harry has always been a joker. He stuck his tongue out as a child, grinned as an adult, and made goofy faces as a teenager. In this amazing picture, his adoring grandmother smiles at him while he pulls a weird expression. Typical Harry!
This candid photograph was taken at Prince Charles’ 2005 wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles. The pair had dated before Charles met and married Diana, and have been together ever since.
Garden Games With Diana
Throughout their lives, Princess Diana always made sure that her kids had the chance to be kids. Many royal children grow up attending stuffy events, flying in private jets, and living in palaces. But, Diana didn’t want that for her boys — she wanted them to have a chance to just play.
Here, the kids are dressed up in army gear and having fun in the garden. She also took them to McDonald’s, homeless shelters, and Disney World. Plus, they were allowed video games like other kids.
A Harry-Style Handshake
No one can deny that Prince Harry is an enthusiastic and friendly guy. In most pictures, especially candid ones, he’s smiling, laughing, or really engaging with someone. In this picture, he’s giving a very wholehearted handshake to English rugby player James Haskell.
Prince Harry wasn’t exactly academic at school but he did play sports. He was the house games captain at his private school, and played rugby. Until he recently stepped down from his royal duties, he was the patron of the Rugby Football Union.
Young and Wild and Free
Somehow, we suspect that many more candid photographs of Princess Charlotte will be taken. As well as being totally adorable, the tiny royal has bags of personality. In this joyful picture, she’s dancing on the grounds of Beaufort Park during the Maserati Royal Polo Trophy event.
She even has a little pair of sunglasses in her hands. Truly, we can’t blame Charlotte for taking a break from the polo. Sometimes a royal needs to take a little time to dance in the sunshine.
Black Sheep Royals Unite
This snap of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Princess Anne is rather rare — or at least, it might not be replicated again any time soon. Since Harry and Megs have left the UK for the US, the senior royal has made some critical comments.
In fact, it’s now thought that Princess Anne deemed Meghan “unsuitable” for life in the Royal family. Regardless, the trio looks like they’re getting along well enough here.
Don’t Burst His Bubble
There is something about bubbles that captures the imaginations of children all around the world and this also applies to kids in the royal family. Take Prince George, for example, who was spotted by photographers playing around with some bubbles at a birthday party.
It was 2016, and the young prince was with his family on a royal tour of Canada. What makes this photo candid is that George has no idea that anyone is watching him while he’s fixated with the bubbles.
Let’s Do the Twist
At the end of the day, royal figures are human beings as well and are bound to make mistakes, from time to time. High heels definitely don’t help in this respect and Kate knew this all too well when the following candid photo was taken.
It must have been very difficult to walk around in these heels for Kate to get in a bit of a twist. At this formal parade, it turns out that she got her heel stuck in a grate.
Mixing With the Locals
While you would think that the royal family would be gated off from non-royal individuals, this isn’t exactly true. Royal figures still take time out of their busy schedules to connect with members of the public.
This was perfectly captured in the following photo, which sees Prince Charles hanging out with a couple in the village Froncysyllte. “My mother’s excitement and Prince Charles’ amusement is written all over their faces and demonstrated by their frenetic gesturing,” the couple’s child said.
Even Anne Gets Caught Sometimes
Even if you are a member of the royal family, you can not guarantee whether or not a photographer will catch your bad side during an event. You just have to hope that no bad photos of yourself will be shared with the public.
Sadly, Princess Anne was in for some bad news when she stumbled across this candid photo of her holding her face with the palm of her hand. She was a guest at a party that was raising funds for the charity Save the Children.
Just Kidding
Despite the fact that royals have extremely tight schedules and have so many responsibilities, nothing trumps the importance of maintaining a happy family and giving your children plenty of attention. There is no denying that William and Kate are raising three beautiful children in George, Charlotte, and Louis.
One thing is for sure – William knows how to entertain his kids and this playtime in their garden clearly demonstrates this. They are growing up in an environment where play is the name of the game.