The year 2025 proved to be a defining chapter for the British Royal Family, marked by significant personal health milestones and a decisive move to confront long-standing scandal. While the King and the Princess of Wales delivered hopeful news regarding their cancer battles, the monarchy was forced to permanently sever ties with the Duke of York in a dramatic act of banishment.
A Year of Health Progress and Steadfast Duty
King Charles III provided the nation with Christmas cheer by announcing in December that he had been given approval to reduce his schedule of cancer treatment in the new year. The monarch, who had been undergoing weekly treatment for nearly two years, described this development as a "personal blessing". Despite this health challenge, Charles maintained a remarkably busy programme of duties. He became the first British monarch to address the Italian parliament during a state visit in April, which also celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with Queen Camilla. The King poignantly reflected that his cancer experience had brought into "sharp focus the very best of humanity".
Other notable engagements included a trip to Poland for Holocaust Memorial Day, a visit to Canada as its King and Queen, and overseeing three incoming state visits—the most in a single year for nearly four decades. These included the controversial visit of US President Donald Trump, who was hosted at Windsor. In lighter moments, the King shared a personal playlist featuring Beyoncé and knighted football icon David Beckham.
The Princess of Wales, Kate, began the year with momentous news, announcing she was in remission from cancer in January after a surprise visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital. She described the news as a "relief" and focused on a gradual return to public life. Kate supported the King at state events, delivered a warning about the "epidemic of disconnection" from smartphones, and staged her annual carol concert at Westminster Abbey. The Prince of Wales, William, publicly declared his love for his wife on her birthday, praising her strength, and represented the monarch internationally at events including the COP30 summit in Brazil.
The Final Fall of Prince Andrew
The year was dominated by the final resolution of the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. Following the suicide of his accuser Virginia Giuffre in April and the intensified release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, pressure on the King to act mounted. In October, after Andrew had agreed to stop using his Duke of York title, Charles took the drastic step of formally stripping his brother of both his princely title and his dukedom, rendering him a commoner. This formal banishment was described as a move to draw a line under the controversy.
The fallout continued with the so-called 'siege of Royal Lodge', as Andrew faced pressure to vacate his 30-room mansion. He finally agreed to move to a home on the Sandringham estate, with the King funding his new life through an annual stipend. The loss of titles also meant his ex-wife reverted to using her maiden name, Sarah Ferguson.
Other Royal Developments
The year also saw movements from the Sussexes and other family members. Prince Harry settled a High Court case against a newspaper group and was briefly reunited with his father for afternoon tea at Clarence House in September after 19 months apart, though no meeting with William occurred. He and Meghan launched a new lifestyle brand and Netflix series, which received poor critical reviews. Meanwhile, Princess Beatrice, daughter of the now-former Duke of York, welcomed her second child, Athena, in January.
Overall, 2025 was a year where the monarchy navigated profound personal challenges with public fortitude, while taking unprecedented constitutional action to protect the institution's integrity, reshaping the public face of the royal family for the years to come.
