Royals
Babies, birthdays and more – that's coming up in 2021
From baby anticipation in Sweden to jitters in front of the court process in the UK: This is coming up for the Royals in 2021.
© (M) imago images / TT, PA Images
2020 was not an easy year for the royal families either. Will 2021 get better? That's up to the Royals.
The royal diaries were unusually empty in 2020, and the royal highnesses also largely went into self-isolation. Will there be more reason to be happy again in 2021? After all, at least three royal babies are expected. There are also numerous special birthdays and wedding anniversaries. For Queen Elizabeth II (94), however, it could be an "annus horribilis".
These royal babies are coming in 2021
The crowd of Queen's great-grandchildren has increased by at least two this year: Princess Eugenie (30) and her husband Jack Brooksbank (34) are expecting their first child in early 2021, as Buckingham Palace announced in September. Her cousin, Zara Tindall (39), and her husband Mike (42) are also expecting children. Their third child is expected to be born in mid-2021.
In Sweden, too, the royal family is happy about the addition of the family: Prince Carl Philip (41) and Princess Sofia (36) have their third child in spring.
These royals celebrate big birthdays
Queen Elizabeth II saw the light of day on April 21, 1926 and will celebrate her 95th birthday in 2021, she is the oldest regent of the British monarchy. Their official birthday party, the Trooping the Color Parade, takes place on the second Saturday in June. In 2020 it was canceled due to the corona pandemic. Queen husband Prince Philip also breaks a record with a special birthday: He will be 100 years old on June 10 and would be the first male family member to reach that age. Whether the Duke of Edinburgh can celebrate despite Corona is still in the stars.
King Carl Gustaf of Sweden celebrates his 75th birthday on April 30th. For the 70th there was a parade in Stockholm and the king invited all European royals to a party. How will he celebrate this year? Máxima of the Netherlands will probably not celebrate her 50th birthday as pompous as her husband Willem-Alexander (53) three years ago. She will be half a century old on May 17th. Princess Märtha Louise of Norway will also be 50, on September 22nd she will celebrate her special day.
Round wedding anniversaries
Carl Gustaf of Sweden not only celebrates his 75th birthday, but also shortly afterwards 45th wedding anniversary with his Silvia (77). The two tied the knot on June 19, 1976 in Stockholm. There is also a reason to celebrate in Norway: Crown Prince Haakon (47) and Princess Mette-Marit (47) tied the knot on August 25, 2001 in Oslo, celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2021.
In July 2011 Prince Albert of Monaco (62) gave his Charlène (42) the word of consent, making her princess – this year the Monegasque rose wedding. Prince William (38) and Duchess Kate (38) are also heading for this anniversary: the future British monarch married Kate Middleton on April 29, 2011. William's cousin Princess Beatrice (32) also has a small anniversary to celebrate: After she had to deviate from her original date in May due to the corona pandemic, she was able to say yes to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (37) in a small ceremony on July 17 give. The day will be celebrated for the first time in 2021.
"Annus horribilis" in Great Britain?
The British royal family is facing another difficult year in 2021. Will it be an "annus horribilis", a year of horror, for Queen Elizabeth II, like 1992? The prospects are not rosy: Prince Andrews (60) alleged involvement in the Epstein abuse scandal has been burdening the image of the Royal Family since 2019. Andrew's acquaintance Ghislaine Maxwell (59), a former confidante of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (1953-2019), has to go to court in July and could possibly incriminate the Queen's son.
"Megxit" negotiations
But Andrew is not the Queen's only problem child: How will Prince Harry (36) and Duchess Meghan (39) continue? With their "Megxit" they caused a lot of excitement in 2020, the "trial year" is now over. As "The Sun" reported, there will be a "Megxit" meeting of the British royals – probably held online – in January, which will take stock. In 2021, the Sussexes also want to start their first projects of their charitable "Archewell" foundation. There will probably also be more to hear and see from their deals with Netflix and Spotify. In addition, her trial against the "Daily Mail" is due in the fall. Meghan had sued the British newspaper after it published a letter from Meghan to her father.
The couple is also expected in the UK this summer to unveil a statue of Princess Diana (1961-1997) with Prince William and Duchess Kate on July 1st, which will be erected in the gardens of Kensington Palace. William and Harry's mother would have turned 60 on July 1st.
Is the Queen abdicating?
Royal experts also speculate that 2021 could be the year the Queen abdicates. On her 95th birthday, she could hand over the throne to her son Prince Charles (72), who has had to wait for his coronation longer than anyone else, for 68 years. Queen consort Prince Philip also withdrew from his public duties at the age of 95.