British royal family has twists, turns

2022 was quite a year for the British royals. Less than a year and a half after her husband of 73, Prince Phillip, died, Queen Elizabeth passed away, on September 8, at the age of 96.

Queen Elizabeth was the primary ruler of England for over 70 years, but upon her death her son became King Charles III and began a long-awaited reign with his wife Camilla Parker Bowles. While his mother was only 26 when she became queen, Charles took the reins at the age of 74.

The British royal family has had several challenges in the last 30 years, including the death of Princess Diana, who was beloved. She and then-Prince Charles got divorced only a year earlier amidst rumors regarding an ongoing affair with his current wife.

People regard the British royals as cultural icons and fans around the world have followed their progress. When William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales, got married in 2011, people watched the wedding live. Their family grew with the birth of Prince George (born 2013), Princess Charlotte (born 2015), and Prince Louis (born 2018).

In 2018, Prince Harry, the second son of now-King Charles III, married an American actress and singer, Meghan Markle. While they were considered the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, this marriage and the tabloid coverage of the couple caused a lot of controversy and these royals decided to step away from their roles in the family. They have two children: Archie (born in 2019) and Lilibet (born in 2021).

Other members of the royal family who help support the newest leader include King Charles’s younger sibling including Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar. Andrew’s former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York and Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar, have also fulfilled roles in the royal family over the years, as have several of their children.