Five reasons July will be a right royal month

It's turning into quiet time as the royals, like the rest of us, start thinking about holidays which means a regal agenda a bit emptier than we're used to. That doesn't mean that July is a completely royal free zone. In fact, it has some pretty special events of its own lined up. Here are five royal reasons to look forward to July 2015

1. More Mario Testino photos of royals

Royal christenings are usually a great chance to spot lesser known members of regal clans and gurgle over cute babies while secretly hoping the younger children at the event play up to give us a glimpse of mum and dad doing firm but fair in public. But there's even more reason to look forward to the baptism of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge which takes place on July 5th in Norfolk.

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge will be photographed by one of her paternal grandmother's favourite artists, Mario Testino, following her christening in Norfolk on July 5th

The first official photos of this little royal with her whole family will be taken by Mario Testino, one of the world's most famous snappers who has given us some of the world's most famous snaps of royals. His images of Charlotte's paternal grandmother, Diana, are some of the best known royal photos of the 20th century so his choice as official portraitist for her first granddaughter's christening will ensure and link between the two women and some cracking images to boot.

2. Holiday pictures are us

July is going to be a pretty photo heavy month as many royal families head off on holiday. It may well be exactly the same behind the scenes as fights go on over who can pack what but royal holidays do differ in one sense - they nearly always start with an official photo call.

One of several holiday photos for the Belgian royal family in 2014

The Belgian, Dutch and Danish royal families usually head off somewhere in July with a family press conference to start things off. It's another chance to see how youngsters are growing up and how the older ones do summer chic.  Keep everything crossed it doesn't rain.

3. The Queen does Scotland - without politics

Speaking of holidays, as July comes to an end Balmoral will beckon for the Queen and her family as they head to their Scottish estate to pass the summer. But there will be plenty more of Scotland to see in July for the Queen and this year without the added issue of politics hanging over her.

Some more photos from today's Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the 1st day of #QueeninScotland pic.twitter.com/Lzv1hQZmg1

— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) June 30, 2015

The start of the month usually sees the Queen head to Edinburgh to take up residence at Holyroodhouse for several days for an annual Scottish stay. Last year, the spectre of the referendum on independence meant that was a trickier ask than usual with the possibility looming that it might be the last time the Queen made that trip while still monarch of a United Kingdom. In 2015 we can expect this to be a politics free zone. There will be garden parties and walkabouts for the Queen of Scotland as she carries on a long standing royal tradition.

4. Two successful years for a new king

The accession of King Philippe of the Belgians on July 21st 2013 was a bit of a surprise but as he steps out on his country's National Day to celebrate his second anniversary as a monarch he will no doubt be grinning from ear to ear. July 2015 marks a triumph for the king who has been more successful in his role than anyone predicted.

The day he became a king - Philippe of the Belgians with his family on July 21st 2013

Philippe and his consort, Mathilde, will spend the day with their fellow country people marking the big national holiday but the day is now all about the new monarch as well. His queen has been a huge support to him but this once seemingly shy and quiet man has turned into a confident king who tackles his role with gusto and appears to be enjoying every second of it. July is Philippe's month now.

5. It's wedding memory time

And we're back to photographs again. Expect to see lots of old wedding snaps through July as a series of anniversaries are marked. It all starts at the start of the month - July 1st is the 20th anniversary of the wedding of Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece. Their nuptials, in London, were a huge royal gathering and two decades on they remain among the most glamourous of all regal couples.

View image | gettyimages.com

The end of the month brings another wedding anniversary - Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on July 29th 1981 and although 34 years isn't a major milestone for anyone to look back on the princess' presence looms larger now that at any time in recent years as William and Kate give her name to their baby girl. You can also expect to see a few more glimpses of Prince Andrew and Fergie's wedding this July too - they wed on July 23rd 1986 but with Sarah, Duchess of York recently seen at Ascot with her former husband and their daughters talk of a reconciliation has once more sprung up.  And royal newlyweds Prince Amadeo and Princess Lili of Belgium mark their first wedding anniversary on July 5th while Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden will be back from honeymoon. Keep the camera handy - July is all about photographs.