The royal 1926 began quietly with King George V and Queen Mary at Sandringham, surrounded by their family. The newspapers reported, as the year got under way, that the Duke of York ad gone hunting with his brother, the Prince of Wales, while the Duchess of York had returned to her new London home at Curzon Street. And then....
A century ago, the Royal Family welcomed a baby who would change everything. No one knew on the day she was born that the whole future of the Monarchy would not only rest on her shoulders but be steered by her to a place of safety it had perhaps never known before. The arrival of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, on April 21 1926, was a family celebration that hid a turning point in royal history. Through the year, I'll be looking back at the Royal Family in 1926 as it lived a year that would alter its very existence even though it didn't know it at the time.
The year 2026 promises to be a big one for the Royal Family. After a time of change in 2025, these coming twelve months will see them in the spotlight more than ever with big events already planned and others already rumoured. In the midst of it all will be one, very special and rather poignant moment. For in April 2026, the Royal Family will mark 100 years since the birth of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen went for that all tie perennial Christmas colour of red for the big day at Sandringham in 2025. Queen Camilla chose a bright scarlet single breasted coat with a wide brimmed hat for the walk to church.