Why 2026 Is Going to Be a Major Year for the Royal Family, from Prince George's Milestone to Trips Abroad Meredith KileDecember 23, 2025 at 7:11 AM 0 OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Christmas Day service with Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George The British royal family is looking ahead to big changes in the new year The royals are set to possibly make multiple trips overseas in 2026, including to the United States Prince George is gearing up for a major change after his 13th birthday As the British royal family he...
- - Why 2026 Is Going to Be a Major Year for the Royal Family, from Prince George's Milestone to Trips Abroad
Meredith KileDecember 23, 2025 at 7:11 AM
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OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Christmas Day service with Kate Middleton, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Prince George -
The British royal family is looking ahead to big changes in the new year
The royals are set to possibly make multiple trips overseas in 2026, including to the United States
Prince George is gearing up for a major change after his 13th birthday
As the British royal family heads into the end of 2025, they have some major events to look ahead to in the new year.
Following Prince William's admission that 2024 was the "hardest year" of his life following cancer diagnoses for both his father, King Charles, and his wife, Kate Middleton, the family's healthcare journey continued into 2025.
Princess Kate, 43, announced in January 2025 that she was in remission and reached a "turning point" in the months that followed as she became a large presence for the royals' history-making state visits. Meanwhile, the King capped off the year with a positive health announcement of his own. The 77-year-old monarch appeared in a pre-recorded message ahead of Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer broadcast on Dec. 12, announcing that his "schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new 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," he continued in the candid message, which was taped at Clarence House.
While a Buckingham Palace spokesperson did not use the word "remission," they did confirm that the King's recovery has reached a notably positive stage.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Despite his candor with the public about some aspects of his health, King Charles has not revealed what type of cancer he is being treated for. Buckingham Palace has said that it's a deliberate choice on behalf of 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," said a spokesperson last month.
William and Kate, along with their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — will also be starting the new year in a new home. The family moved to Forest Lodge, a property in Windsor Great Park, in the fall of 2025, embracing a larger residence that will continue to be their home base even when William, 43, eventually becomes king.
During a state visit with the German president and first lady in early December, Princess Kate spoke enthusiastically about creating "mood boards" and starting the redecoration process after Christmas.
Royal historian Amanda Foreman told PEOPLE that, with their new home, the Prince and Princess of Wales are "signaling a different kind of lifestyle — it's very centered on their children."
Chris Jackson/Getty
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
Prince George is perhaps facing one of the biggest changes in the new year, as he is set to turn 13 on July 22 and begin his secondary school career in the fall. Speculation continues over where the young prince will attend, with the two frontrunners being his parents' alma maters: the all-boys Eton College, where William attended, and the co-ed Marlborough College, where Kate matriculated.
While a source previously told the Mail on Sunday that "all roads lead to Eton," The Telegraph reported in early December that Marlborough was the choice, claiming the school had "sent letters out to parents." However, the royal family has yet to make an official announcement.
Marlborough could align with Prince William's plans to bring "change" to the monarchy, and it would also allow all three siblings to eventually attend the same school, as they did at Lambrook School.
For Prince George, going to secondary school might also mean getting his first cell phone. Prince William admitted during his November trip to Brazil for the Earthshot Prize that his children not having cell phones is becoming a bit of a "tense issue." The royal heir then hinted that George may get a phone — without internet access — when he moves onto secondary school.
Tim Clayton/Getty
Prince George at Wimbledon on July 13, 2025
The new year will also see the royals traveling quite a bit. During a September visit to Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended an invitation for Prince William and Princess Kate to return Down Under, and they could possibly make it a family trip with George, Charlotte and Louis. The couple last visited Australia in 2014, bringing along Prince George, who was then just a baby.
"There's a standing invitation that the royal family are always welcome in Australia," Albanese said, leading to speculation that the family might take him up on the offer.
Hagen Hopkins/Getty
Kate Middleton, Prince William and Prince George board a Royal Australian Air Force plane in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 16, 2014
Additionally, the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' independence, and President Donald Trump has been planning a litany of patriotic events to mark the occasion.
Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. in 1976 to mark the nation's 200th anniversary, where she spoke in Philadelphia and expressed the monarchy's "sincere gratitude" to the founding fathers for having "taught Britain a very valuable lesson."
It's also possible that Prince William and his children could make a special visit to the U.S. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is being hosted in 16 cities across North America, with the championship match taking place 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. When the Welsh national team qualified in 2022, he also cheered them on. Currently, Wales' national team still has a chance to qualify for 2026; they will face off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first round of a mini play-in tournament on March 26, 2026.
Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty
Prince William and Prince George attend the final match of the Emirates FA Cup tournament on May 25, 2024
Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 44, ended their year by sharing their most intimate family portrait yet with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. The reveal came just weeks after the couple made the surprise decision to bring their kids along for a pre-Thanksgiving event at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), where they helped prepare meals for the local community.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to continue their charitable efforts in the new year. They recently announced that they were renaming 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, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good," the organization said in an announcement.
The evolution of the organization after five years also includes Harry and Meghan's desire to include their children and expand upon their global philanthropic endeavors as a family," according to a message on their new website.
Eric Charbonneau for The Archewell Foundation
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
The couple is also continuing their creative endeavors in 2026. Meghan returned to acting in November 2025, playing herself in the Amazon MGM Studios film Close Personal Friends. The movie stars Brie Larson, Lily Collins, Jack Quaid and Henry Golding.
"She has a small part," an insider told PEOPLE when Meghan was spotted on the set of the film. "She seemed very relaxed and happy. She introduced herself to everyone and was very sweet and down-to-earth."
Harry and Meghan also announced in August 2025 that they were extending their creative partnership with Netflix, which will include a new connection to Meghan's lifestyle brand, As ever. In December, PEOPLE confirmed that they were signed on to produce an upcoming adaptation of the book The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory for the streaming service.
"We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As ever brand," Meghan said in a statement. "My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision."
on People
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 23, 2025 at 05:36PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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