Royals off-duty: The best candid moments of 2015

December 29, 2015Dec 29, 2015, 9:21 PM GMT

What a year it's been for royal families around the world. From Prince George's spontaneous jig to the Queen saddling up to weddings and christenings galore, 2015 was full of love, laughter and plenty of fun off-duty moments for a group that's usually hard at work. Here, Hello! rounds up the best candid snaps of the year.

Proud big brother Prince George gave his baby sister, Princess Charlotte, a sweet kiss during the pair's first photo shoot. The darling portrait was photographed by their mum, Kate, and released a month after Charlotte's birth on May 2.

Photo: © HRH the Duchess of Cambridge

A sporty Duchess of Cambridge tried her hand at abseiling during a visit to North Wales. After a briefing session, Kate, who giggled a bit when asked if it was her first time, let go of her fears and successfully made her way down the 12-metre climbing wall while her husband, Prince William, looked on.

Newlyweds Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia share their first dance following their lavish and romantic wedding ceremony on June 13 in Stockholm.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden tried to calm down his grandson, Prince Nicolas, during the baby's christening service at the Drottningholm Palace Church on Oct. 11. Princess Madeleine and Chris O'Neill welcomed Nicolas on June 15, just two days after Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia said "I do."

Photo: © CP Images

The world was treated to two charming photographs of Princess Charlotte in late November. Pictured at six months, Prince William and Kate's little treasure posed happily alongside her favourite stuffed toy at the family's home in Norfolk.

Photo: © HRH the Duchess of Cambridge

Queen Letizia of Spain and her daughter Princess Leonor were picture-perfect during a photo shoot at the Marivent Palace in Majorca.

Former rugby star Mike Tindall received some loving support from his wife, Zara, and their daughter Mia before setting off on the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon in Scotland. It took Mike 13 hours and 50 minutes to complete the 90km trek.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene bundled up their adorable twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, and took them to Monaco's march for climate change on Nov. 29. The adorable tots later celebrated their first birthday on Dec. 10.

Reminiscent of his uncle, Prince Harry, two-year-old Prince George had his own silly face moment while watching Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace.

Princess Josephine of Denmark hitched a ride with mum Princess Mary during the Danish royal family's annual skiing photo call in Switzerland.

It might have been his baby sister's big day but Prince George stole the show at Princess Charlotte's christening on July 5. The toddler mugged and danced for onlookers while his parents and grandparents revelled in the special occasion.

The love between Pierre Casiraghi and Beatrice Borromeo couldn't be contained in one wedding ceremony. Instead, the couple tied the knot twice, once during a civil ceremony in Monaco followed by a private affair, seen here, on Beatrice's family-owned Borromean islands in Italy.

Photo: © Armani

Kate could hardly keep up with her lively son, Prince George, as the mother and son watched Prince William play in a charity polo match in June. When he wasn't dancing around the field, the energetic youngster was climbing up hills and kicking around a ball.

The Queen showed that even as she nears 90 years of age, her passion for riding is as strong as ever. The monarch was often spotted taking leisurely rides along the River Thames near Windsor Castle.

Photo: © CP Images

Montreal native Autumn Phillips and her eldest daughter, Savannah, had a blast riding the Ferris wheel at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

Princess Mary couldn't stop taking photos of her darling twins, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, at Denmark's fox hunt on Nov. 1.

Princess Estelle of Sweden welcomed the cooler weather with a big thumbs-up. The little princess will soon be a big sister as her parents, Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel, are expecting another baby in the New Year.

Best brothers Prince William and Prince Harry were all smiles after competing against each other in a charity polo match on May 31 in London.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, shared a special moment with a blind rescue horse during a visit to the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in Essex.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark struck a pose for husband, Prince Henrik, during their visit to the Prambanan Temple in Indonesia.

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