【1998 Archives】

What a year it's been for the royal family!

While 2018 has been a mean old year for us mere mortals998 Archives those whose blood runs blue have had a festive year with not one but two weddings and some pretty major announcements.

Now that the year is coming to an end, it's time to look back at the most memorable royal family moments from 2018.

1. *The* wedding

Two different royals may have tied the knot in 2018, but the first wedding of the year was also the most spectacular.

The whole world (or at least 29 million people, per Nielsen figures) watched Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle tie the knot in St George’s Chapel on May 19th. Not only was the ceremony quite the showstopper, the guest list was out. of. this. world. In attendance was the Queen of England *AND* the Queen of the Universe, Oprah.

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Come on, just look at the two of them.

Awwwww Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The entire ceremony was just one moving scene after another.

Like when Prince Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle, as her own father could not attend.

US actress Meghan Markle (L), accompanied by Britain's Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (R) walks down the aisle toward her husband-to-be Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on May 19, 2018 during their wedding ceremony. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP/Getty Images) Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Serena Williams was also there. NBD.

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2. The baby announcement

Five mere months after their wedding, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex) rocked our world once more.

On Oct. 15 Kensington Palace made the announcement that the Duchess is expecting a baby in the spring of next year.

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3. Prince Charles turned 70 and revealed his favourite dish

On November 14th Prince Charles celebrated his 70th birthday and we all learned a new word; "groussaka". In a birthday interview with Country Life, His Royal Highness revealed that he prefers the classic Greek dish moussaka with grouse, not lamb, giving us the groussaka. Thanks for sharing, your highness.

Clarence House also released some lovely family photos in celebration of the Prince's big day.

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4. Prince Louis was born

Prince William and Kate Middleton (the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) welcomed their third child, Louis Arthur Charles in April.

The name Louis was perceived to be a nod to Lord Louis Mountbatten, a well-loved relative of the royal family who was killed in an IRA attack in 1979. 

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A lot of people people thought Kate Middleton paid tribute to Princess Diana when she introduced Louis to the world. The Duchess wore a red dress with a white collar, much like the red and white outfit worn by Diana when she left the hospital after giving birth to her second son, Harry.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry Credit: Getty Images

5. Meghan Markle released a cookbook

One of Meghan Markle's first solo projects as a Duchess was the charity cookbook Together: Our Community Cookbook. The Duchess came up with the idea of the cookbook after a visit to the Hubb Community Kitchen, a community kitchen that helped feed survivors in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017.

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The proceeds from the cookbook, the foreword of which is penned by the Duchess herself, all go to the Hubb Community Kitchen, to help keep it open.

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6. Princess Eugenie got married

Prince Harry was not the only young royal who got married this year.

His cousin, Princess Eugenie, tied the knot with wine merchant Jack Brooksbank in October. Their wedding, also in St. George's Chapel, was quite the star-studded affair with Kate Moss, Liv Tyler, Demi Moore, and Naomi Campbell in attendance, to name a few.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

When Cara Delevingne showed up to the ceremony in a suit and top hat, she pretty much stole the show.

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7. Princess Charlotte started school

Three-year-old Princess Charlotte started school and we're mostly including this because of how unbelievably darling she is in this photo.

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8. Meghan Markle bonded with the Queen

Everyone knows that hanging out one-on-one with your in-laws can be a tad strenuous, but Meghan Markle sure makes it look easy.

The Duchess had her first solo outing with Queen Elizabeth in June, when the two attended the opening of the Mersey Gateway bridge in Cheshire.

Even though looking at a bridge all day might not sound all that interesting to a lot of people, these two managed to make it look like a hoot.

Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth II Credit: Getty Images

9. The first same-sex wedding in the Royal Family's history

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, the Queen's third cousin, made history when he married his partner, James Coyle, in September. Mountbatten is the first member of the royal family to be openly gay and marry a same-sex partner.

The wedding was held privately, but Mountbatten shared a photo of the two on Instagram.

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10. The Queen met President Trump

Brits weren't too fussed when U.S. President Donald Trump visited the UK in July. Neither was the Queen when the president reportedly showed up 15 minutes late to their meeting.

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Donald Trump denied being late, and actually claimed that the pair got along brilliantly.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - JULY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II inspect a Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards at Windsor Castle on July 13, 2018 in Windsor, England. Her Majesty welcomed the President and Mrs Trump at the dais in the Quadrangle of the Castle. A Guard of Honour, formed of the Coldstream Guards, gave a Royal Salute and the US National Anthem was played. The Queen and the President inspected the Guard of Honour before watching the military march past. The President and First Lady then joined Her Majesty for tea at the Castle. (Photo by Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

11. Harry and Meghan's first royal tour

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first royal tour overseas was a trip to Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand (in fact, they made their aforementioned pregnancy announcement right as they landed in Sydney.)

During their trip they experienced a lot of local culture and also served up so. much. cuteness.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA - OCTOBER 26: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre on October 26, 2018 in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on their official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - Pool/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

12. Prince William spoke his mind about social media

Let's face it; it's the tech bros' world and we're all just living in it. Well, Prince William will not accept that.

The Duke of Cambridge spoke candidly at an event at the BBC about how Big Tech and social media companies have failed to live up to the responsibilities that come with their immense power.

"Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating," the Prince said as he urged social media companies to "reject the false choice of profits over values."

13. Kate Middleton received the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II

One of Kate Middleton's most-talked about looks this year was at a Buckingham Palace state dinner, where the Duchess of Cambridge wore a tiara formerly worn by Princess Diana along with what is probably the most beautiful 19th century pearl and diamond necklace you'll ever see.

But, noticeably, the Duchess also wore a brand new order; the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II, given to members of the Royal Family for their service (that's the yellow ribbon with the Queen's face, in case there was any doubt.)

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on October 23, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands accompanied by Queen Maxima are staying at Buckingham Palace during their two day stay in the UK. The last State Visit from the Netherlands was by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus in 1982. (Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images

14. Prince Harry and Megan Markle released a never-before-seen photo from their wedding

As the year drew to an end, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex got one more moment in the spotlight as they released an unseen photo from their wedding reception.

The photo, which is featured on the couple's official 2018 Christmas card, is a black and white shot of the couple watching fireworks while holding hands.

What's more romantic than that?

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Thanks for all the memories, your royal highnesses. May 2019 be as full of glitz, glamour and royal grandeur.

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