As we conclude 2019 and another decade, the Royal Central editors have shared some of their favourite moments from 2019:
Brittani Barger, Deputy Editor:
It should probably come as no surprise that my favourite royal event of the year was then Princess Tessy of Luxembourg (now Tessy Antony de Nassau) opening and closing the Professors Without Borders conference in Bangkok on Women, Development, and Education. I was lucky enough to be able to experience that moment firsthand and see how much heart and effort she puts into every single thing she does. Her passion for education, and women’s education specifically, is remarkable and inspiring.
You can read my articles on that trip to Thailand here and here.
My other favourite moment is the release of the annual Swedish Christmas video by the Crown Princess Family. It is always such a lovely video that gets shared with the public where everyone gets to see young Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar’s personalities as they grow and see their excitement for Christmas.
Moniek Bloks, Assistant Editor:
My favourite moment of 2019 is the presentation of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle on 8 May. And perhaps not even the photos of Archie himself (cute as he is!) but when the new parents were walking away and leaned into each other. It just showed so much love.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother favourite of mine is The Duchess of Brabant’s 18th birthday, where she held a speech and was awarded the Order of Leopold by her father King Philippe. Most of the family was there to support her and, everyone was just very proud. It looks like Princess Elisabeth will have a promising future ahead of her and plenty of support as a future monarch.
Embed from Getty ImagesLydia Starbuck, News Editor:
The moment that Spain’s young heir to the throne, Leonor, made her first speech at the Princess of Asturias Awards in October this year is a real stand out moment for me. The princess, who was a few days short of her fourteenth birthday at the time, was so calm and confident as she addressed the huge crowd in Oviedo that it was impossible not to be impressed.
Embed from Getty ImagesAs if that wasn’t enough, her dad King Felipe VI really did look like he was about to burst with pride. No wonder, Leonor is a royal star in the making.
Speaking of proud parents, the happy scenes of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their youngest child, Prince Louis, during his Buckingham Palace balcony debut are real highlights of 2019. I also just loved the enthusiasm shown by little Louis. There’s no doubt the little royal stole the show when he appeared alongside his family after this year’s Trooping the Colour.
Embed from Getty ImagesFrom almost knocking off the (as always magnificent) hat chosen by the Duchess of Cornwall to waving at everything that went past, Louis had the time of his life. And just as special were the laughs and looks exchanged by his mum and dad. Every parent, everywhere, knew just how they felt as they saw their little boy so happy.
Charlie Proctor, Editor-in-Chief:
2019 wasn’t a great year for the Royal Family, it started in a car crash and ended in a car crash (meteorically speaking). One moment of light relief in the aftermath of the Duke of Edinburgh’s car crash came in the form of Princess Anne.
Despite her father being involved in a serious collision, she carried on business as usual, visiting a university in Lancashire. When asked by a reporter how her father was doing after the collision, Her Royal Highness replied: “Do you know where I am? Same place as you!” With Princess Anne, you are sure to be told how it is – no sugarcoating involved.
My favourite moment of the decade was when President Trump visited the United Kingdom on a State Visit and visited Clarence House as a guest of the Prince of Wales & the Duchess of Cornwall.
Even by Donald Trump’s standards, it was quite a mundane affair – until the photocall. Standing in a row for the photographers were the President and the First Lady beside Charles and Camilla.
Just as the photocall comes to an end, a rolling news camera captures Camilla make a sly wink to an associate out of shot. It was definitely a knowing wink of some sort. What did it mean though? We will never know.
