Royal Central's Top 20 Royal Moments of 2013: 10-1

<![CDATA[The Royal Family enjoyed another busy and exciting year in 2013.
The birth of Prince George meant that for the first time in over 100 years a monarch and three future heirs were alive at the same time, while the Queen celebrated another milestone, the 60th anniversary since her Coronation.
Earlier this week Royal Central counted down 20-11, and now it is finally time to do the final countdown of 10-1.
10. William, Kate and George move into Kensington Palace
In September, after a short stay at the Duchess’s family home in Berkshire, William, Kate and their little Prince, George, officially moved in Kensington Palace which will become their official London residence.

9. Princess Eugenie moves to New York
In late 2013, Princess Eugenie moved to New York for a new job. The daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, relocated to the city for a position at online auction house Paddle 8.

8. Sophie visits India & Sri Lanka
In 2013, The Countess of Wessex undertook many overseas visits solo and with Prince Edward. However, it was her visit to India and Sri Lanka which won admiration from royal watchers. The caring Countess spent time listening and talking to patients with eye-conditions, as she carried out the official visit on behalf of ORBIS, of which she is patron.

7. Harrymania hits the USA
In May, ‘Harrymania’ swept the United States as Prince Harry undertook his second solo tour. After his successful tour to Jamaica in 2012, the Prince soon won the hearts of America and First Lady Michelle Obama. Just hours after arriving in the country, Harry visited the White House, where he gave a brief speech and was welcomed by Michelle. The Prince also found the time to team up with David Cameron for an engagement.

6. Zara Phillips announces pregnancy
In July, Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall announced they were expecting their first child. “Mr and Mrs Mike Tindall are very pleased to announce that Zara Tindall is expecting a baby in the New Year,” a statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed. The child, which will be 16th in line for the throne, will be Princess Anne’s third grandchild, and the Queen’s fourth great-grandchild.

5. William, Kate and Harry visit Warner Bros
In April, royal trio William, Kate and Harry let out their inner-wizard as they were given a special tour of the Harry Potter studios at the Warner Bros Studios in Hertfordshire. During the magical visit, William and Kate were learnt how to have a wand battle and the father-to-be got to ride the ‘bat-mobile’.

4. The Queen and Prince Philip meet Malala Yousafzai
After meeting Angelina Jolie and Queen Rania of Jordan, Malala was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet The Queen and Prince Philip. The 16-year-old has won worldwide admiration for her continued campaign to have all girls in education, despite being shot by the Taliban in 2012. During her visit to the palace in October, Malala even found time to give Her Majesty a copy of her book ‘I am Malala’.

3. Prince George’s christening
In October, senior members of the Royal Family gathered to celebrate Prince George’s christening at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived looking proud parents with Prince George in William’s arms. The Duchess looked stunning in an Alexander McQueen coat dress and a day later she revealed the little Prince had been very well behaved during the 30-minute ceremony.

2. Prince Charles presents Adele with MBE
In late December, at the last investiture of 2013, Prince Charles presented singer Adele with her MBE. The singer, who in February 2013 won Best Song at the Oscars, looked elegant as she collected the honour from Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace. ‘Miss Adele Adkins MBE’ as she will now be known as was given the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to music after releasing two successful albums which have topped the charts around the world.

1. A new heir to the throne is born!
It was simply the Royal moment of the year. On July 22nd, at 7.30am Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted to hospital and was in the early stages of labour. As the world waited, it was finally confirmed that evening that the Duchess had given birth to a healthy boy weighing 8 pounds 6 ounces at 4.24pm that afternoon. A day later, as the world celebrated, Prince William and Kate left the Lindo Wing revealed their little Prince to the world. As the new parents spoke to the media, Kate revealed it had been “very emotional” while William added he “has his mother’s looks”. A Nation rejoiced!

 
What will 2014 hold for the Royal Family?
photo credit: Christopher Neve via photopin cc, photo credit: internetsense via photopin cc, photo credit: MakieLab via photopin cc, photo credit: ORBIS UK via photopin cc, photo credit: GuitarStrummer56 via photopin cc, photo credit: stevecadman via photopin cc, Twitter/WarnerBrosStudioTour.
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