Through it all, they adapted - just like we did – moving their engagements mostly online and altering their plans to keep things safe and stay in line with social distancing regulations. They even managed to get a wedding in over the summer!
While it hasn't been an easy year, it definitely has been a memorable one, with plenty of happy milestones, even if there were huge difficulties thanks to COVID-19 along the way.
Scroll through the gallery (or click through, if you're on desktop) to look back at what was a very memorable year for the Royal Family.
Photos: © Getty Images
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's announcement
The year began with Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan stepping out to Canada House on Jan. 7 to thank our country for its hospitality while they had been staying here for their six-week break from royal duties from November to early 2020.
The next day, the Sussexes announced they would step down as senior members of the Royal Family and "work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen."
The couple stated they planned to balance their time between the United Kingdom and North America, and would continue to honour their duties to the Queen, Commonwealth and the patronages they support.
Following the announcement, Meghan returned to Canada, while Harry headed to Sandringham for talks with the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince William.
The family agreed to a period of transition for the Sussexes in Canada and the United Kingdom, and it was later announced that their final engagements as senior members of the Royal Family would take place in March for Commonwealth Day and ahead of that service. Harry later rejoined Meghan and Archie in Canada.
Photo: © Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images
Kate turns 38
Duchess Kate turned 38 on Jan. 9.
To celebrate, the Cambridges released a sweet photo of the duchess sitting on a gate at the family's country home of Anmer Hall. She was wearing a grey sweater and jeans, and the image was from the photo session for the Cambridges' 2018 Christmas card.
Photo: © Karwai Tang/WireImage
Prince Charles visits Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Later that month, Prince Charles also travelled to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Prince of Wales attended the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, made a speech at the British Ambassador's residence in the Israeli capital, and also visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories when he stepped out to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
He also travelled to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to visit the resting place of his grandmother, Princess Alice. She is buried there (photo at left) and has been given the designation Righteous Among the Nations by Israel because she helped shelter Jewish people during World War II.
Photo: © Neil Hall-Pool/Getty Images
Kate's whirlwind U.K. tour
Late in January, Kate embarked on a 24-hour tour of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in support of her "5 big questions on the under fives" survey. The questionnaire was released later that month, and was intended to help figure out what childcare priorities need to be improved in the United Kingdom.
Royals fans were thrilled by the surprise mini tour, which saw the Duchess of Cambridge meeting with kids and parents and also showcased her excellent sartorial choices.
Photo: © Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
William and Kate at the BAFTAs
Red carpet time! William and Kate hit the BAFTAs in early February, where the duchess looked incredible in an Alexander McQueen gown we last saw her wearing during her 2012 tour of Malaysia with the duke.
William also made a speech at the event, where he and Kate rubbed shoulders with celebrities. The duchess was seen speaking with best actress winner Renee Zellweger at one point, and it looked like they were having an incredible conversation.
Photo: © Getty Images
Harry and Meghan's final royal engagements
In early March, the Sussexes returned to the U.K. to conduct their last outing as senior members of the Royal Family.
They hit up the Endeavour Fund Awards (pictured left), the Mountbatten Festival of Music and Meghan visited a London school in connection with International Women's Day.
Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage
Commonwealth Day
Who would have known what would happen after these photos were taken? The Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9 was the last time we saw all the royals together before the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns – and some royals contracting the virus! It was also Harry and Meghan's final engagement as senior royals.
Photo: © Phil Harris - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Queen is moved to Windsor
In late March, Her Majesty and Philip were sent to Windsor Castle as the United Kingdom went into lockdown due to COVID-19. In the summer, the Queen headed to Balmoral and Philip spent time at Sandringham. The two reunited at the Norfolk estate in September, and later returned to Windsor ahead of the country's second national lockdown.
Photo: © Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images
Prince Charles recovers from COVID-19
The Prince of Wales was one of the highest profile people to come down with the illness caused by the coronavirus later in the month, and isolated at his Birkhall estate with Duchess Camilla as he kicked the virus. The Duchess of Cornwall tested negative for it.
Charles continued with his royal engagements, which he held digitally, ad he recovered and after he had beaten the virus.
Photo: © Stefan Rousseau - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal engagements go digital
As lockdown made physical interaction impossible, the royals carried on their work with virtual visits and chats via Zoom and over the phone. William and Kate were some of the most active during the first lockdown, which also saw the Queen, Princess Anne and the Countess of Wessex and Duchess Camilla hold virtual chats.
Harry and Meghan also kept up with their patronages via video from their new home.
We saw a completely different side of the royals during this time, as they chatted about the difficulties of home-schooling and how they were keeping positive while having to stay inside.
Photo: © Samir Hussein/WireImage
Harry, Meghan and Archie move to the U.S.
In late March, the Sussexes relocated from Vancouver Island to Los Angeles, where they rented a home owned by Tyler Perry.
The couple were very active in the local community during this time, dropping off food to hungry Los Angelinos through Project Angel Food and visiting numerous businesses during the summer months, when things opened back up.
Later in the year, the family of three moved to Santa Barbara's Montecito neighbourhood, which is also home to Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
Photo: © Twitter
The Queen's COVID-19 address
In early April, Her Majesty made a speech to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, in which she addressed the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
Quoting the late Dame Vera Lynn, she said while everyone must follow the social distancing requirements, they are temporary and the COVID-19 era will eventually end.
Drawing parallels with the First and Second World War, she said the Commonwealth has faced grave threats before and come together in a remarkable way to overcome them, and we will do the same with the pandemic.
Photo: © John Phillips/Getty Images
Prince Philip makes rare statement during COVID-19
Philip released a rare statement to praise health care and front-line workers for their response to COVID-19.
It was a rare occurrence for the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public duties in August 2017.
"As we approach World Immunisation Week, I wanted to recognise the vital and urgent work being done by so many to tackle the pandemic; by those in the medical and scientific professions, at universities and research institutions, all united in working to protect us from Covid-19," he said on April 20.
His message continued, "On behalf of those of us who remain safe and at home, I also wanted to thank all key workers who ensure the infrastructure of our life continues; the staff and volunteers working in food production and distribution, those keeping postal and delivery services going, and those ensuring the rubbish continues to be collected."
Photo: © Samir Hussein/ Samir Hussein/WireImage
The Cambridges cheer front-line workers
The youngest Prince of Cambridge hit a milestone on the same day the Cambridge family appeared on a BBC special to clap for carers and recognize front-line workers during the pandemic.
Photo: © Comic Relief/BBC Children in Need
Prince Louis turns two
Royal watchers got a huge shot in the arm during the pandemic as new portraits of Prince Louis were released to mark the little lad's second birthday on April 23. They featured him covered in rainbow paint, and were likely taken while he was making pictures to honour front-line workers during the pandemic.
Photo: © The Duchess of Cambridge
Prince William reportedly recovers from COVID-19
Later in 2020, it was reported the Duke of Cambridge came down with the disease caused by the novel coronavirus in April.
At the time, it wasn't publicly revealed William was suffering from the illness, from which his father had recovered the previous month. He was said to have kept it quiet because he didn't want to worry the public.
Photo: © JACOB KING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Princess Charlotte turns five
Royal watchers' hearts were warmed when Kensington Palace released new photos of the princess delivering homemade pasta to vulnerable people near the Cambridge family's country home of Anmer Hall. It reminded us all of the importance of kindness, no matter who we are or what our station in life.
Photo: © The Duchess of Cambridge
Archie turns one
It was hard to believe Meghan and Harry's little boy had already made one trip around the Sun, but on May 6, he turned one year old!
To celebrate, Meghan released a video of her reading one of his favourite books, Duck! Rabbit!, through Save the Children. The sweet video featured him giggling throughout, and likely brought a smile to many royal watchers' faces.
We'd last seen Archie in a video posted to the Sussexes' Instagram on Dec. 31, 2019. In it, Archie was featured in a photo where he was being held by his dad as they stood on a British Columbia coastline.
Photo: © Getty Images
The Queen celebrates her 94th birthday
Her Majesty's actual birthday is in April, but every year she celebrates it officially with Trooping the Colour. While the coronavirus pandemic made the traditional gathering in London impossible in 2020, the Royal Family improvised, and a much smaller, socially distanced celebration was held at Windsor Castle in the quadrangle.
Royals fans were thrilled to see the Queen smiling brightly as she watched the official guard and bobbing her head along happily to the music.
Photo: © Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Meghan makes a moving convocation speech
Also in June, Meghan appeared via video to make a convocation address to Immaculate Heart, a Los Angeles Catholic high school that is her alma mater.
During her address, the Duchess of Sussex touched on the coronavirus pandemic, social inequalities and systemic racism, mentioning the name of George Floyd and saying "Black Lives Matter."
Photo: © Twitter
Prince Philip turns 99
The Duke of Edinburgh celebrated his 99th birthday on June 10 and Buckingham Palace marked the birthday by releasing a new portrait of Prince Philip and the Queen.
In the image, the Duke of Edinburgh and Her Majesty posed in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, where they had been isolating during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Photo: © Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images
Prince William turns 38
The Duke of Cambridge's birthday in June saw the release of several adorable photos featuring his and Duchess Kate's children. In one image, taken at Anmer Hall, George, Charlotte and Louis pile on top of their dad, who is lying on the ground and grinning. In another (at left) the Cambridge kids join their grinning dad on a swing. The photos were taken by Kate.
Photo: © The Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via Getty Images
Princess Beatrice marries Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
The elder Princess of York was initially to wed her beau in May, but coronavirus restrictions made the ceremony they wanted to have in London impossible.
So the couple improvised, and held a surprise wedding in Windsor Castle in July!
Beatrice wore one of the Queen's vintage Norman Hartnell dresses, to which she added ruffled sleeves. The couple looked absolutely in love as they posed for gorgeous photos taken outside the chapel.
The guest list was limited due to COVID-19, but everyone looked incredibly happy for the pair!
Photo: © Benjamin Wheeler - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Philip hands a duty over to Duchess Camilla
The 99-year-old made a rare appearance on July 22, when he handed his duties as Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles over to the Duchess of Cornwall in two separate ceremonies.
Philip beamed as he appeared at Windsor Castle, while Camilla stood outside Highgrove House in Gloucestershire and received the honours and new duties.
Photos: © Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images and GEOFF PUGH/AFP via Getty Images
Prince George turns seven
The birthday boy's big day was celebrated with the release of several new portraits that were taken by Kate. In them, the third in line to the throne grins confidently at the camera, sporting a green shirt in one (at left) and a camouflage shirt in another. The photos were taken in July, and show George enjoying time outside at Anmer Hall.
Photo: © The Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via Getty Images
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's baby announcement
The youngest Princess of York and her husband of two years shared their happy news with the world late in September. Their first child is due in early 2021.
Taking to Instagram, Eugenie posted a photo of two small slippers, along with a picture of her beaming proudly at the camera with her husband.
"Jack and I are so excited for early 2021," she wrote, posting a baby emoji.
Sarah Ferguson, who will be a grandma when Eugenie gives birth, was overjoyed by the news.
"Thrilled for them both and in my 60th year cannot wait to be a grandmother," she wrote on Instagram. "Welcoming a new baby into the York family is going to be a moment of profound joy."
Photo: © Getty Images
Meghan's sad news
In November, Meghan wrote a heartbreaking editorial in the New York Times in which she revealed she'd had a miscarriage earlier in the year.
In the piece, she said she felt a "sharp pain" one morning in July and realized she'd lost what would have been her and Harry's second child when they went to the hospital.
The duchess went on to describe 2020 as a year full of loss, writing that's something we've all experienced in our own lives this year, from people who have died from COVID-19 and sudden changes in how we live day-to-day due to the pandemic, to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
"Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few," Meghan wrote. "In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from miscarriage," she stated. "Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning."
In closing, Meghan urged people to commit to asking "Are you okay?" in the hopes it brings us collectively together. She wrote that even if we are still physically distanced because of COVID-19, the events of this year have proven how deeply interconnected we all are.
Photo: © Getty Images
Remembrance Sunday
In their first major joint appearances since Commonwealth Day, the Queen, William, Kate, the Countess of Wessex, Charles, Camilla and many others joined for a socially distanced ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.
While it wasn't the happiest event, it was lovely to see them all back together. The Queen also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey that week.
Photo: © Pool/Max Mumby/Getty Images
Zara and Mike Tindall's baby news
It was revealed at the end of the year that Zara and Mike Tindall are expecting baby number three.
The former rugby player confirmed Zara is pregnant during an interview on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast on Dec. 9.
"It's been a good week for me, had a little scan last week – third Tindall on its way," Mike told co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne.
Princess Anne's daughter and Mike already have two daughters, Mia Tindall, 6, and Lena Tindall, 2.
Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
William and Kate's royal train tour
Fresh out of lockdown, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge borrowed the Queen's royal train for a whirlwind trip across England, Scotland and Wales. They met with front-line workers, students and parents, hearing about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their lives.
Photo: © Jonathan Buckmaster - Pool/Getty Images
Carol sessions
At the end of William and Kate's trip, they headed to Windsor Castle, where they met up with the Queen, Charles and Camilla and Sophie and Edward for a carols session in the Quadrangle. It was lovely to see them all together, celebrating the festive season!
Photo: © Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
The Cambridge kids' first red carpet
Just before the holidays, royal fans got to see George, Charlotte and Louis accompany their parents to a pantomime performance in London. They looked happy as they walked the red carpet outside the venue, and then took in the entertainment inside. Charlotte and George could be seen peering over the balcony railing to get a better look, while Louis watched the whole thing from his mom's lap.
Photo: © Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Philip makes rare statement
The Duke of Edinburgh released a second rare statement this year thanking teachers and school staff for their perseverance during the coronavirus pandemic as part of his role as the Patron of the Chartered College of Teaching.
The message was shared on the Royal Family's Instagram account on Dec. 18 to coincide with the start of the Christmas holidays for students in the United Kingdom.
"I commend all teachers and school staff for your professional and resolute commitment throughout the past year to teaching our children and young people in the most challenging conditions," Philip said.
He continued, "As Patron of the Chartered College of Teaching, I wish to thank you all for your selfless dedication and send you my best wishes for a well-deserved break over Christmas and the New Year."
Photo: © Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images
