The Most Striking Royal Photos of 2021 (So Far)

Between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Philip's funeral, and the royals' post-pandemic return to work, 2021 has already been a shocking year for the British royal family. Here, the most notable photos from the royals' year thus far.

In the early months of the year, the UK was still under a pandemic lockdown, and the royals continued carrying out their duties virtually. Here, the Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Holocaust survivors and youth ambassadors from the Holocaust Educational Trust to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Watch a clip from the call.

On Valentine's Day, Prince Harry and Meghan shared the happy news that they are expecting their second child together. Along with the announcement, they issued this sweet photo.

Read the full announcement.

In March 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan shocked viewers with their candor during their sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey. The royals opened up about everything from their mental health struggles to why they chose to step back from the royal family. Here, a still from the program.

Read the most shocking revelations from the conversation.

Just one day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed they were expecting a baby girl this summer, sharing the happy news during their interview with Oprah, the photographer behind a recent photoshoot celebrated the couple's announcement by unveiling a never-before-seen image of the growing family.

Shortly after Prince Philip's death, Prince Charles and Camilla visited the gardens of Marlborough House to view the flowers and messages left by members of the public in his honor.

While this photo of Prince Philip, the Queen, and several of their great grandchildren was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge back in 2018, it was only shared with the public after the Duke of Edinburgh's passing.

Read the story behind the photo.

Prince Harry traveled from California to attend Prince Philip's funeral, though he did not walk directly alongside Prince William. Their cousin Peter Phillips walked between them.

Why Meghan wasn't in attendance.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, only 30 people could attend Prince Philip's funeral, and guests had to be seated near members of their own households, so the Queen mourned her husband of 73 years alone.

See all the photos from Prince Philip's funeral.

Prince Philip's casket passes by the Queen in the chapel.

Princess Anne looked stoic during the Ceremonial Procession of Prince Philip's funeral.

A skilled amateur photographer, the Duchess of Cambridge is known for documenting key moments in her children's lives. Here's the sweet photo she shared of her youngest, Prince Louis, in honor of his 3rd birthday.

See more photos Kate has taken of her kids.

Kate met an adorable lamb during a visit to Manor Farm in Little Stainton.

Princess Charlotte was also photographed by her mother in honor of the young royal's 6th birthday. Here, the portrait that was shared with the public.

See more photos of Princess Charlotte.

For little Archie's second birthday, Harry and Meghan shared this sweet photo of the youngster holding on to a bunch of balloons. They also launched a new initiative for COVID-19 vaccine equity.

Read about it here.

In a sign that things in the UK are returning to normal, the Queen attended the State Opening of Parliament in London on May 11, even though the event took place at a reduced capacity due to pandemic restrictions.

Prince William got competitive at the ping pong table during a visit to The Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton, England.

Kate, too, took part in an archery lesson during a visit to The Way Youth Zone.

This photo of Prince Charles smiling was captured during his visit to the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was there to celebrate the shipyard's 160th anniversary.

Princes William and Harry unveiled a new statue of their late mother Princess Diana on what would have been her 60th birthday. “Every day, we wish she were still with us, and our hope is that this statue will be seen forever as a symbol of her life and her legacy," they said in a statement.

A sweet snap of the Queen attending a polo match in a signature vibrant ensemble.

Ahead of Prince George's 8th birthday, the Cambridges released this photo of the future king looking quite grown up. Kate, ever the family photographer, took this sweet snap in Norfolk.

William, Kate, Camilla, and Charles sparkled on the No Time to Die red carpet, keeping up the tradition of royals appearing at James Bond premieres.

During a visit to Northern Ireland, Kate was introduced to a tarantula called Charlotte.

Harry and Meghan appeared at the Global Citizen Live festival in Central Park during their visit to New York City.