What Makes 2026 an Exciting Year for the Royal Family: Milestones and Adventures Ahead

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Christmas Day service with Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William, and Prince George.
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OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The British royal family is bracing for significant changes in the new year.
• The royals are likely to embark on several overseas trips in 2026, including a potential visit to the United States.
• Prince George is preparing for a major transition after his 13th birthday.

As the British royal family approaches the close of 2025, key events loom on the horizon for the upcoming year.

In a reflection on the past year, Prince William described 2024 as the "hardest year" of his life, marked by the cancer diagnoses of both his father, King Charles, and his wife, Kate Middleton. Their ongoing healthcare journeys are set to continue into 2025.

Princess Kate, 43, announced her remission in January and characterized the months that followed as a "turning point," as she grew more involved in the royal family’s history-making state visits. King Charles also concluded 2025 on a positive note, revealing in a pre-recorded message on December 12 that his cancer treatment plan could be reduced next year.

"This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives," the 77-year-old monarch stated in his candid address recorded at Clarence House.

A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles’s recovery has reached a notably positive stage, although they did not officially mention the word "remission."

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Despite being open about certain health aspects, King Charles has chosen not to disclose the specific type of cancer he is facing. Buckingham Palace has stated that this is a deliberate decision made by the monarch and his advisors. "The advice from cancer experts is that, in his determination to support the whole cancer community, it is preferable that His Majesty does not address his own specific condition but rather speaks to those affected by all forms of the disease," a spokesperson confirmed last month.

As the family enters the new year, William and Kate, along with their children—Prince George (12), Princess Charlotte (10), and Prince Louis (7)—will be settling into a new home. They moved to Forest Lodge, a property in Windsor Great Park, during the fall of 2025, ensuring a larger residence that will remain their main base even after William becomes king.

During a state visit to Germany in early December, Princess Kate expressed her excitement about creating "mood boards" for decorating their new home after the holiday season. Royal historian Amanda Foreman noted that with this move, the Prince and Princess of Wales are emphasizing a lifestyle centered on their children.

Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at the Princess of Wales’ ‘Together at Christmas’ Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 5, 2025.

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Among the significant transitions in 2026, Prince George will turn 13 on July 22 and begin his secondary education. There is ongoing speculation about which school he will attend, with Eton College and Marlborough College—both of which his parents attended—being the leading contenders.

Previously, sources indicated that "all roads lead to Eton," but recent reports suggest that Marlborough may be the choice as communications have reportedly been sent to parents by the school, although no official announcement has been made by the royal family.

Attending Marlborough could align with Prince William’s plans to instigate "change" within the monarchy and would facilitate all three siblings attending the same school, as they did at Lambrook School.

As Prince George embarks on this new educational journey, he is also likely to receive his first mobile phone. During a recent trip to Brazil, Prince William indicated that the lack of phones for his children has become a "tense issue" and hinted that George may receive a phone—albeit without internet access—when he starts secondary school.

Prince George at Wimbledon on July 13, 2025.

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The new year will also see a busy travel schedule for the royals. During a September visit to Balmoral in Scotland, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended an invitation for Prince William and Princess Kate to return to Australia, potentially taking their children George, Charlotte, and Louis this time. The couple last visited Australia in 2014, when Prince George was a baby.

"There’s a standing invitation that the royal family is always welcome in Australia," Albanese stated, fueling speculation that the family might accept.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, and Prince George board a Royal Australian Air Force plane on their flight to Australia in 2014.

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Looking ahead to 2026, the year will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. President Donald Trump is planning various events to celebrate the milestone.

Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. in 1976 for the nation’s 200th anniversary, expressing gratitude to the founding fathers for their lessons learned by Britain.

Additionally, Prince William and his children might make a special visit to the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across 16 North American cities, with the final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026.

The royal heir has previously shown his support for England’s national team, who have already qualified for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Wales’ national team is still in contention for qualification, scheduled to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a mini tournament on March 26, 2026.

Prince William and Prince George attend the Emirates FA Cup Final on May 25, 2024.

Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty

Meanwhile, Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 44, concluded their year by sharing an intimate family portrait with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. This announcement followed their surprise participation in a pre-Thanksgiving event, where they helped prepare meals for the local community in Los Angeles.

The couple intends to continue their charitable initiatives in the new year, recently rebranding their Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies.

"This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family," their organization stated, emphasizing a commitment to making a meaningful impact.

The evolution of their organization also reflects their desire to include their children in their philanthropic journey.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, alongside their children, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie, prepare and package meals for community members experiencing food insecurity.

Eric Charbonneau for The Archewell Foundation

As they continue to navigate their public lives in 2026, Meghan has also returned to acting, taking a small role in the Amazon MGM Studios film Close Personal Friends, which features Brie Larson and Lily Collins.

Insiders noted that she appeared relaxed and friendly on set, engaging with the crew warmly.

Additionally, in August 2025, Harry and Meghan announced an extension of their creative partnership with Netflix, which will include a new connection to Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever. They also confirmed plans to produce an adaptation of the book The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory for the streaming platform.

“We’re proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As Ever brand," Meghan stated. "We are inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content that resonates globally."