As 2025 draws to a close, the Royal Family reflects on a year of profound personal milestones, unprecedented public engagements, and seismic shifts within the institution. The past twelve months have been a rollercoaster, blending heartwarming health news with deep scandal and historic firsts, setting a complex stage for the monarchy's future.
A Year of Personal Triumphs and Profound Loss
The year began with a moment of national relief and joy. In January, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, publicly announced she was in remission from cancer. Her return to royal duties was met with widespread public support, marking a positive start to the year for the family. In a lighter personal development, Princess Anne's son, Peter Phillips, announced his engagement to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling in August.
However, the year was also marked by sorrow. September saw the passing of Katharine Worsley, the Duchess of Kent, at the age of 92. The Royal Family farewelled her at a service in Westminster Cathedral, a sombre moment amidst the year's busier schedule.
Unprecedented Actions and Royal Rifts
One of the most significant and controversial actions of the year came from King Charles III. In October, following months of damaging headlines, the King stripped his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, of his royal titles over the Duke's association with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This decisive move was described as an effort to protect the monarchy's reputation and permanently altered the public face of the Royal Family.
Meanwhile, the long-standing rift between Prince Harry and his father showed tentative signs of a thaw. The pair were reunited for a private tea at Clarence House in September, a meeting that sparked global speculation about a potential reconciliation. This personal moment contrasted with Harry's legal setbacks in the UK, where he lost an appeal in May challenging the decision not to reinstate his taxpayer-funded police protection.
Historic Engagements and a Shifting Monarchy
2025 was a year of remarkable royal diplomacy and public duty. King Charles hosted US President Donald Trump for a second unprecedented state visit in September. Even more historically, in October, the King prayed alongside Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, becoming the first British monarch to do so since the Reformation centuries ago.
The younger generation also stepped firmly into the spotlight. Prince George undertook more royal engagements, including a notable visit to The Passage homeless charity with his father, Prince William, in December. William himself embraced modern media, appearing on the travel series 'The Reluctant Traveller' with Eugene Levy in October. The family also settled into a new home, with the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children moving into Forest Lodge on the Windsor Estate in November.
Beyond the UK, Meghan Markle launched her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and the first season of her Netflix show, 'With Love, Meghan'. As the year ended, a significant health update came from the monarch himself, with King Charles announcing in December he would be reducing his cancer treatment, offering a hopeful note for the coming year.
From the highs of recovery and historic diplomacy to the lows of scandal and loss, 2025 has been a defining chapter for the House of Windsor, demonstrating both its enduring traditions and its inevitable, ongoing evolution.
