It has been an incredibly difficult year for the British royal family, with the King and the Princess of Wales both diagnosed with cancer within weeks of one another.

Tragedy also struck with the unexpected death of Lady Gabriella’s husband, Thomas Kingston, while the Princess Royal was also hospitalised this summer.

While 2024 hasn’t been the year that royal watchers were expecting, the public has seen a more human side of the Windsors as Charles has expressed his gratitude for healthcare workers and solidarity with fellow cancer patients, while Kate showed a rare glimpse into her private life with her family.

There has also been some joyful news this year, with two major weddings, one of which was covered exclusively by HELLO!, along with the impending arrival of a new member of the royal family.

Following his mother’s Queen Margrethe shock abdication after 52 years of reign, Frederik was proclaimed King of Denmark, making his Australia-born wife, Mary, his Queen. The accession took place on 14 January, with the couple’s four children proudly joining them on the balcony of Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.

Just two weeks into the new year, Kensington Palace announced that the Princess of Wales had undergone major abdominal surgery at The London Clinic, and would not be returning to public duties until Easter. Within 90 minutes of the shocking news, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the King would be treated for an enlarged prostate at the same hospital as his daughter-in-law. Kate spent almost two weeks in hospital recovering from the operation, before returning home to Windsor, while Charles was discharged after a three-night stay.

King Charles’ cancer diagnosis
On 5 February, the palace confirmed the monarch had begun treatment after being diagnosed with undisclosed form of cancer. Charles temporarily stepped back from public-facing duties for almost three months at the start of his medical care.

The husband of Lady Gabriella Kingston was found dead aged 45 at his parents’ home in the Cotswolds on 25 February. An inquest later found that the financier died from a head injury and a gun was found near his.

A coroner concluded in October Thomas took his own life and during the inquest his widow warned about the effects of drugs used to treat mental health problems after the hearing was told Mr Kingston was prescribed drugs following complaints of trouble sleeping following stress at work.