If you feel like the royals dominated 2018, you’re not wrong. For the first five months of the year, the world scoured the internet to dissect every detail of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, news broke every time the now-Duchess stepped outside, launching a Meghan Markle effect, a third royal baby, Prince Louis, was born in April, a second royal wedding happened in October, and three days later Kensington Palace announced Harry and Meghan were expecting their first child right before their 16-day royal tour.
This year has had its moments, but at least we have the Brits to thank for distracting us from it. Here, a review of the best, most memorable royal moments of 2018.
1. Prince Louis’ Birth
Don’t feel bad if you kinda, sorta forgot about 7-month-old Prince Louis. Kate gave birth to her and William’s third child on April 23, but we didn’t get a good glimpse of him until he made an appearance in Prince Charles’ 70th birthday portrait in November. Still, his birth was a very exciting royal moment this year—George and Charlotte gained a new sibling, Charlotte made history by not losing her place in line to her little bro, and Louis could be king one day.
2. Meghan Walking Herself Down the Aisle
There were a lot of amazing moments at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, but one of the most memorable was when Meghan, modern woman, walked herself down the aisle looking like a literal angel who descended from heaven. Her father-in-law, Prince Charles, joined her closer to the altar, but her grand entrance became an inspiring moment for women everywhere.
3. The Lip Bite
The effortless gaze, the perfect precision, and there it was—The Lip Bite—followed by Prince Harry’s whisper, “You look beautiful,” when his bride arrived next to him at the altar. I expect nothing less from men in 2019.
4. Prince George Playing with a Slinky
This summer, I remembered that a slinky exists thanks to my favorite person in the world, Prince George, which qualifies as an iconic moment. Do yourself a favor and enjoy these amazing photos of George and Charlotte running around carefree at their dad’s polo match and Kate looking like a regular mom (in the best way).
5. Nacho Figueras Third-Wheeling That Epic Kiss
No, I am still not over this, thanks for asking! Harry and Meghan smooched in public for the first time besides their wedding after the Sentebale Polo Match on July 26 (I wrote about it here), but the best bit came when Nacho sealed his fate and picked that exact moment to hand Harry his trophy. No sporting event will ever compare.
6. Savannah Phillips’ Ascendance to the Throne
Savannah Phillips, granddaughter of Princess Anne, introduced herself—and her dominance—this year when she covered her cousin Prince George’s mouth in the middle of the Trooping the Colour ceremony in June. As far as I’m concerned, there’s one queen, and it’s not Elizabeth.
7. Meghan Touching a Car Door
In September, the world was shocked to learn that Meghan Markle had the capability of closing her own car door, and it sent many royal stans into a frenzy over whether or not doing so broke royal protocol. Plot twist: It didn’t.
8. Meghan’s First Charity Initiative
The Duchess experienced a lot of first’s this year as a royal, but the one she truly made her own was the launch of her first charity initiative—a cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook—when she brought together women affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.
9. Kate Playing with Children
It’s been a long year without the Duchess of Cambridge (she went on maternity leave from April to October). So it was a beautiful, refreshing event when she attended her first work engagement at the Sayers Croft Trust Forest School and Wildlife Garden. She couldn’t have looked happier playing with children and enjoying nature.
10. Jack Brooksbank Fumbling to Put on Princess Eugenie’s Ring
Not sure which adorably awkward moment I love more: the face Jack made while fumbling to put Princess Eugenie’s wedding ring on her finger, or when he put on his glasses to watch his wife walk down the aisle…only to take them off as soon as she arrived at the altar. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
11. Meghan Announcing She’s Pregnant!
As if the incredible royal wedding wasn’t enough for one year, five months later Meghan and Harry revealed that they were expecting their first child together. Their baby will be born in the springtime, which means 2019 will likely be another royal-dominated year.
12. This Little Boy Playing with Harry’s Beard
Name a cuter slash more adorable moment than this little boy playing with Prince Harry’s beard during his and Meghan’s royal tour in October. I’ll wait.
13. Meghan Becoming a Symbol of the Royal Family’s Progress
The Duchess gave Hubb Community Kitchen coordinator Zaheera Sufyaan a big hug when she made her second public visit to the kitchen in November. Aside from the pure happiness between the two women, the photo sends a powerful message to the world about the royal family’s embracement of all cultures and backgrounds—an idea that wasn’t always the norm.
14. Kate Middleton’s Fabulous Pants
In early December, Kate Middleton swapped her skinny jeans and tartan skirts for some very Meghan Markle-esque pants. She looked so fabulous that, yes, this deserves inclusion on this list. You can shop the look here.
15. Meghan Presenting the British Designer of the Year Award
This angelic photo of Meghan Markle around five months pregnant truly embodies what a monumental year the Duchess has experienced. Here, she made a surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards and presented Clare Waight Keller of Givenchy the British Designer of the Year award for designing her wedding dress—now a beautiful artifact recognized across the globe.
This article originally appeared on marie claire US.
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