The royal year ahead! What 2019 holds for the Cambridges, the Sussexes and more

January 22, 2019

Keeping up with <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/british-royals" target="_blank"><strong>the Royal Family</strong></a> is no easy feat! The hardworking members of 'the firm,' from <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-harry-and-meghan" target="_blank"><strong>Prince Harry and Meghan</strong></a> to the <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-william-and-kate" target="_blank"><strong>Duke and Duchess of Cambridge</strong></a>, are always on their feet supporting the causes they love. The future King, <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-charles" target="_blank"><strong>Prince Charles</strong></a>, is bound to be up to a lot entering his 71st year of life – and likely can't wait for another grandchild, Baby Sussex! Even the littlest members of British royalty, like the adorably mischievous <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/savannah-phillips" target="_blank"><strong>Savannah Phillips</strong></a> (remember <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018060945588/trooping-the-colour-2018-all-the-photos" target="_blank">last year's Trooping the Colour</strong></a>?) and the Cambridge trio – <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-george" target="_blank"><strong>Prince George</strong></a>, <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/princess-charlotte" target="_blank"><strong>Princess Charlotte</strong></a> and <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-louis" target="_blank"><strong>Prince Louis</strong></a> – are set to have a busy 2019.
<p><strong>Click through to see all you can expect from the family this year, month-by-month...</strong>
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

January

What a year! Looking back, 2018 was an eventful one for the Royal Family, led ever so ably by the Queen. From historic tours and outings to two royal weddings and a new great-grandson, the sprightly monarch, 92, must have been counting her blessings during Christmas services at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on her Sandringham Estate.

This month, while she continues her winter break at the Norfolk castle alongside husband Prince Philip, 97, other members of the family including the Sussexes, the
Cambridges and Princess Anne are undertaking public engagements on Her Majesty’s behalf – as well functions that are dear to their own hearts. Prince William, for instance, will attend the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, where he will take part in an on-stage conversation with Sir David Attenborough to highlight environmental concerns.

As the Queen heads into another eventful year – her eighth great-grandchild is set to arrive by spring – she will continue to rely on her loving and loyal children and grandchildren for support.

January has some exciting birthdays, too! Happy 37th birthday to the Duchess of Cambridge on Jan. 9, and Mia Tindall turns five on Jan. 17. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, turns 54 on Jan. 20.

Photo: © Getty Images

February

This month will mark an extraordinary 67 years since Princess Elizabeth, 25, ascended the throne following the passing of her beloved father, King George VI, who died in his sleep at just 56 years old. It’s a particularly melancholy time for the Queen as she looks back on her life and mourns those she has lost, including her only sister, Princess Margaret (who will be gone 17 years on Feb. 9). As usual, the monarch will find comfort by nestling at her Sandringham winter retreat.

As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spend February packing up and moving to Frogmore Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle, the expectant parents will
surely be considering the Queen’s exceptional legacy – she’s the longest-reigning British monarch and the world’s longest-reigning female head of state – as they ponder names for their wee one.

Birthday wishes for Prince Andrew, who turns 59
on Feb. 19.

Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>March</h2>
Sláinte! On March 11, watch for <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii" target="_blank"><strong>the Queen</strong></a> to preside over Commonwealth Day celebrations with a service at Westminster Abbey and a reception at Marlborough House. Meanwhile, on St. Patrick’s Day, the <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-william-and-kate" target="_blank"><strong>Duke and Duchess of Cambridge</strong></a> will be among those honouring the Irish Guards (<a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-william" target="_blank"><strong>Prince William</strong></a> is colonel of the Irish Guards) as they have done several times in the past few years since the Queen began relinquishing many of her duties to her extended family.
<p>Family matters! <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-edward" target="_blank"><strong>Prince Edward</strong></a> turns 55 on March 10 and newlywed <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/princess-eugenie" target="_blank"><strong>Princess Eugenie</strong></a> turns 29 on March 23. Adorable Isla Phillips turns seven on March 29, and the day after marks the 17th anniversary of the Queen Mother’s passing.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

April

Spring break? Not for this regal clan! April is chock full of reasons to party. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex could be a family of three this month! Kensington Palace originally announced that Meghan was having a spring baby, and the mom-to-be later let slip that she's expecting to welcome her baby in late April or early May. The world’s media will likely descend on two hospitals for the first glimpse of the child: the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in London, where Kate and sister Pippa gave birth, and Frimley Park Hospital, where Sophie, Countess of Wessex, delivered her two children – and which is near Frogmore Cottage.

The Queen will turn 93 on April 21, just two days before her great-grandson Prince Louis turns one. Prince William and Kate will toast their eighth wedding anniversary on April 29, while Prince Charles and Camilla will celebrate their 14th on April 9. (The couple are also tipped to take on two tours in the spring – the Caribbean is said to be on the agenda, and possibly Cuba, which the Royal Family has yet to visit.) In between, they’ll all gather for Easter, one of the Queen’s favourite holidays. The monarch will move into Windsor Castle to hold what’s traditionally known as Easter Court. On Maundy Thursday (April 18), she will distribute special coins to local seniors for their community service. The following Sunday, she’ll be joined by her family at St. George’s Chapel for Easter services.

Photo: © Getty Images

<h2>May</h2>
April showers bring May fowers – and there’s no better place to show them off than at the exquisite Chelsea Flower Show (May 21-25). <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/queen-elizabeth-ii" target="_blank"><strong>The Queen</strong></a>, following in the footsteps of her parents, loves to attend the annual event in her role as patron of the Royal Horticultural Society. Having visited the show for years, she will likely bring back some new tips and tricks for her gardeners as they start preparing Buckingham Palace’s grounds for the upcoming garden party season. Before the floral fun comes to town, though, she’ll don a kerchief to take in the Royal Windsor Horse Show (May 8-12) alongside her animal-loving relatives. <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/prince-harry-and-meghan" target="_blank"><strong>Prince Harry and Meghan</strong></a> may attend this year, having missed both shows in 2018 as their wedding day approached. But the new parents will certainly be the talk of the town (and the family) once again when they celebrate their first wedding anniversary on May 19 as Windsor’s newest residents.
<p>May is full of milestones! The Queen’s granddaughter <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/zara-tindall" target="_blank"><strong>Zara Tindall</strong></a> turns 38 on May 15. May 3 will be the 41st birthday for Canadian <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/tags/0/autumn-phillips" target="_blank"><strong>Autumn Phillips</strong></a>.
<p>Photo: © Getty Images

May

April showers bring May fowers – and there’s no better place to show them off than at the exquisite Chelsea Flower Show (May 21-25). The Queen, following in the footsteps of her parents, loves to attend the annual event in her role as patron of the Royal Horticultural Society. Having visited the show for years, she will likely bring back some new tips and tricks for her gardeners as they start preparing Buckingham Palace’s grounds for the upcoming garden party season. Before the floral fun comes to town, though, she’ll don a kerchief to take in the Royal Windsor Horse Show (May 8-12) alongside her animal-loving relatives. Prince Harry and Meghan may attend this year, having missed both shows in 2018 as their wedding day approached. But the new parents will certainly be the talk of the town (and the family) once again when they celebrate their first wedding anniversary on May 19 as Windsor’s newest residents.

May is full of milestones! The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall turns 38 on May 15. May 3 will be the 41st birthday for Canadian Autumn Phillips.

Photo: © Getty Images

June

Happy (unofficial) birthday, Your Majesty! Though the Queen was born in April, the weather is much better this month so it’s a call for celebration (her Coronation 66 years ago was held in June, too). For her 93rd, she will once again inspect the troops and be fêted with bands, salutes and a carriage ride. Then the Royal Family, dressed in their finery, will take to the famous Buckingham Palace balcony for the patriotic airshow. Meghan made her first balcony appearance last year and could have a babe in arms this time around. Also on tap in June are the sombre D-Day Service, the festive Order of the Garter ceremony, the always stylish Royal Ascot and Father’s Day in the U.K., which will be a first for Prince Harry. The month is also notable for polo season, which kicks off in April but is at its busiest in the summer. The sport of kings has long been a favourite pastime of the Prince of Wales and his sons, William and Harry.

Birthday boys Prince Philip and his grandson, Prince William, celebrate their 98th (June 10) and 37th (June 21) birthdays this month respectively!

Photo: © Getty Images

July

This month is about tennis and all things Scottish. With Wimbledon getting under way on July 1, expect the Duchess of Cambridge (patron of Wimbledon since 2017) to be in the stands alongside her sister, new mom Pippa Matthews. Last year’s event was the first “girls” outing for Kate and her sister-in-law, Meghan, and they may join forces again this year – unless Prince Harry, his wife and their little one are already on their official tour of North America. As for the Queen, she’ll head to Edinburgh for Holyrood Week to meet the Scottish people and honour thousands for their service at her famous garden party.

Then it’s off to Balmoral Castle for the monarch’s annual summer vacation. Perhaps funny fellow Prince George will visit Great-Granny so she can help him celebrate his sixth birthday?

This July, we'll be raising a toast on July 17 to mark the Duchess of Cornwall's 72nd birthday. Prince George will be turning six on July 22, while Mike and Zara Tindall are set to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary.

Photo: © Getty Images

August

Just as she has done almost every summer since she was a baby, the Queen will move into Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, this month for some much-needed R & R. As usual, the monarch will start
each day with official correspondence and then let down her hair. She is so relaxed at Balmoral, often donning kilt, kerchief and boots to meander around the property. Perhaps a head of state will show up for an informal visit (Canada’s Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean and her young daughter were hosted in 2005). Or loved ones may visit, in between their own engagements – equestrian Zara Tindall, for instance, could make an appearance at the Magic Millions Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on her mom’s estate. Zara’s brother, Peter Phillips, helps organize the three-day equestrian event and his family go along for the ride.

It’s a big month for a number of royals, including Princess Anne, who’ll be 69 on Aug. 15, the Duchess of Sussex, 38 on Aug. 4, and Princess Beatrice, 31 on Aug. 8.

Photo: © Getty Images

September

After a summer break, young ones like Prince George and Princess Charlotte head back to school. Amateur photographer Kate loves snapping pictures of her kids – as she did on their respective first days and will likely do again this year. With her older children out of the house, she and Prince William will get back to doing what they do best: representing the Queen at official engagements and supporting their own charitable causes. While George, Charlotte and their school-aged cousins work on their ABCs, the Queen will take a front-row seat at Scotland’s Braemar Gathering for the Highland Games (she’s a patron).

Her kilt-clad son, Charles, and daughter, Anne, will join her, as they did in 2018. Watch for their customary gigglefest during the sack races, tug of war and traditional Highland dancing.

Prince Harry and his mother-in-law, Doria Ragland, share more than their unconditional love for Meghan: they’re both Virgos! She turns 63 on Sept. 2 and he will be 35 on Sept. 15.

October

While Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank look back on their glorious wedding day that took place one year ago this month, other British subjects will be celebrating their own glory: royal recognition for outstanding achievement, personal bravery or service to the U.K. and British Overseas Territories. The Queen or senior members of her family preside over the investiture ceremony, doling out MBEs, OBEs, knighthoods and other special awards. In 2018, actors Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson were among those honoured at Buckingham Palace, joining the prestigious ranks of such recipients as the Beatles, Kate Winslet and Bono.

With everyone back at work this month, the younger royals and their parents, uncles and aunts will resume their patronages and tours. The Queen, meanwhile, will be busy hosting official state visits that have been in the planning stages for months.

Sarah, Duchess of York, turns 60 on Oct. 15, and Mike Tindall celebrates his 41st birthday on Oct. 18.

November

Whether in London or abroad, the Royal Family pays their respects to the fallen soldiers who fought for their country by laying wreaths, singing hymns, visiting memorials and wearing poppies. One of the most special of the many services is held at Westminster Abbey, where last year the centenary of the Armistice was honoured on the second Sunday in November. Look for the Queen, who served as a junior officer in the Second World War and as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, to wear a bouquet of five poppies. It is believed each poppy represents a branch of service – the navy, the army, the air force, civil defence and women. For the third straight year, future King Prince Charles will likely lay the wreath at the Cenotaph memorial in London on behalf of the Queen, as his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, take turns laying their own wreaths in their military uniforms.

Three cheers for Prince Charles and his parents, the Queen and Prince Philip, as they celebrate his 71st birthday on Nov. 14 and their 72nd wedding anniversary on Nov. 20.

December

Her Majesty prepares her Christmas Day address, a tradition she has carried out since 1952. Her address was first televised in 1957 and was the most-watched program on Christmas Day last year. Another yuletide tradition is the Queen’s mode of travel to Sandringham, where she and the Royal Family spend Christmas and New Year’s: public transit! As a girl, Queen Elizabeth II often departed for the winter break in Sandringham at King’s Cross station in London. Sure to join the Queen at Sandringham: her son, Prince Charles, and grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, with their wives, Kate and Meghan. Meghan looked very pregnant on her second holiday spent there in 2018 – and no doubt expectant parents Harry and Meghan can’t wait to spend their first Christmas with Baby Sussex at the Royal Family’s beloved winter retreat.

The Queen’s youngest grandchild, James, Viscount Severn, turns 12 on Dec. 17, and Savannah Phillips, the Queen’s great-granddaughter, turns nine on Dec. 29.