2024 has been a year full of unforeseen challenges for the British royal family.
?In January, both King Charles and the Princess of Wales were admitted to hospital for medical procedures ¨C and in both cases, cancer was found to be present.
They respectively shared their cancer diagnoses with the public, with the news coming as a huge shock.?
With the monarch and Kate out of action as they undergo treatment, the "slimmed-down monarchy" Charles planned for his reign has unexpectedly come into action.?
Other members of The Firm have stepped up to fulfil their duties, including Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
2024 has also seen a return to the royal fold for Sarah, Duchess of York ¨C who also revealed her second cancer diagnosis at the start of the year ¨C and the announcement of new projects for Prince Harry and Meghan over in the US.
Keep reading to see the key images of the royals so far this year.?
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Queen Camilla hosted a reception inside Buckingham Palace on May 1 for those who support survivors of sexual assault.
The 300-strong guest list included former UK PM Boris Johnson's wife, Carrie Johnson, who wore a red midi dress and kitten slingback heels for the soiree.
Johnson appeared to greet Her Majesty with a kiss on the cheek after a curtsey. ?
Media starlet Zara McDermott (centre) also attended, alongside her mum Karen (far right).
Before her reality TV debut on Love Island and now Made In Chelsea, ?McDermott worked as a policy advisor for the Department for Education.
The two women both took to social media to gush about the evening and the "honour" of meeting Queen Camilla.
"Always such an honour to meet with Queen Camilla," Johnson began.
"[It's] Something I care deeply about. The Queen has done so much valuable work in this area, it's clear she cares about it a great deal too.
"It was such a pleasure to meet so many incredible women who do so much to help people in need. Left feeling so inspired and hopeful."
While McDermott told her followers: "Today I had the honour of visiting Buckingham Palace to meet with the Queen, and also so many other inspirational women.
"Her Majesty made a beautiful speech today, where she spoke about the 'importance of kindness of strangers'. We should all take this motto forward, with all that we do," she added.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May (right) was also in attendance and the two women appeared to enjoy quite the hearty chuckle during their conversation.
Queen Camilla also spoke with Cherie Blair, the wife of former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Queen Camilla gave an impassioned speech during the event, which also marked the relaunch of the Wash Bags Project - a scheme which provides a wash bag of toiletries, donated by UK pharmacy Boots, to people who have been affected by rape and sexual abuse after they have undergone forensic examination.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has lent her support to one of her closest friends for charity organisation Alliance of Moms.
Meghan, 42, posed for photos wearing a t-shirt which reads "Love Like a Mother" alongside co-founder Kelly McKee Zajfen and friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer.
Spencer shared the photos on Instagram, along with a tribute to her friends: "I CELEBRATE all those who mother & honor the kind of love that is determined, powerful, & unconditional. We lift each other up with love. We inspire & build community with this love. We give it to each other, and receive it - so deeply & boldly. I am grateful for the friends (especially these two) who love me like a mother."
Many fans in the comments cheered on the reunion, calling the pair by their character's names, Scotty and Rachel.
?The reunion comes amid news of a Suits reboot titled Suits: LA, which may see the original cast return.
Prince William has returned to public duties for the first time since Kate's cancer diagnosis was announced last month.
The Prince of Wales visited a surplus food redistribution centre on Thursday and a youth club it serves, where he was greeted by 71-year-old volunteer Rachel Candappa who, after shaking hands with Prince William and having a little chat, handed over two get well soon cards.
One was addressed to the King and the other for the Princess of Wales.
"Thank you, you are very kind," Prince William told Candappa, according to Telegraph UK.
When the 71-year-old asked the 41-year-old ?heir to the throne to look after his wife, he reassuringly put a hand on her shoulder and replied: "I will".
Meghan Markle has launched her lifestyle brand America Riviera Orchard with a decidedly British product ¨C strawberry jam.
The royal has sent the product to a select number of lucky recipients, including friends and influencers.
Her friend Tracy Robbins, the fashion designer and wife of Paramount CEO Brian Robbins, shared a picture of the jam, which seems to be number 17 out of the production of 50.
Meghan reportedly wrote these labels herself, having worked as a calligrapher during her acting days.
Robbins shared a photo showing her holding the jam along with the caption: "Breakfast, lunch and dinner just got a little sweeter."?
The Duke of Kent has, on April 15, 2024, stepped down as Colonel of the Scots Guard ¨C a role he has served for 50 years.
The Duke, 88, released as statement on the royal family's social media accounts describing the role as a "true honour."
"Serving as Colonel of the Scots Guards since 1974, the longest anyone has spent in this role, has been a true honour and one which will forever fill me with great joy," he said.
"Through those years, I have seen the work of the Scots Guards during peacetime and war. To my fellow Scots Guardsmen, I am immensely proud to have served you all," the Duke stated.
He added that the role will now be taken over by Prince Edward, ?The Duke of Edinburgh and younger brother to King Charles.
The Duke of Kent, who's name is also Prince Edward, added: "I am delighted that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will continue to champion all that you do and work towards preserving your great legacy."
Victory sealed with a kiss!
Prince Harry and Meghan were the picture of happiness as they attended a polo match benefitting the prince's charity Sentebale on April 12.
The Duchess of Sussex cheered on his husband as he led his team to victory in Wellington, Florida.
Meghan had the honour of presenting the trophy to Harry, congratulating him with a kiss.?
The couple looked incredibly chic as they arrived, with Harry in shades of white, blue and grey and Meghan in a white dress featuring a pleated skirt and a wrapped halter-neck-style bodice.
Changing out of his suit and into his polo uniform, H?arry reportedly scored the winning goal in the match.
M?eghan was joined on the sidelines by her close friend of a decade, Serena Williams.
The team competing against Harry in the game was captained by his close friend, Argentinian polo star ?Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras, with whom Harry plays polo in Santa Barbara.
His wife Delfina Blaquier was also there, as was the couple's daughter Alba.
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have plenty of famous friends, and they teamed up to support one of them on April 11.
The sisters attended singer Ellie Goulding's SERVED Private Party at Royal Albert Hall in London?.
Eugenie ?wore a grey ribbed dress while Beatrice teamed a green pleated skirt with a blousy black top.
It's a relatively rare outing for the sisters, who are both ?busy raising young children ¨C Beatrice has daughter Sienna and stepson 'Wolfie', while Eugenie has two sons, August and Ernest.
Royal fans were delighted by a sighting of Prince William and Prince George at the football.
?On April 11, the father-son duo were seen in the stands at the UEFA Europa Conference League in Birmingham.
They watched the 2023/24 Quarter-final first leg match between Aston Villa and Lille OSC.
This marked the first time the public had seen any of the Wales children since the Christmas Day walkabout in Sandringam in December 2023.
Prince Harry was joined by a face almost as famous as his as he attended a summit in San Francisco.
At the event, hosted by BetterUp, a life coaching firm of which he is Chief Impact Officer, the Duke of Sussex posed for a photo with Hollywood comedian and showrunner Mindy Kaling.
"Met my friend's husband at a work event," Kaling wrote as she shared the snap on Instagram.
"Seemed pretty cool. Said he wrote a book. Gonna go check it out!"
Kaling previously appeared on Meghan's cancelled Archetypes podcast.