6 times royals have conquered the beach

What happens when you put royals on a beach? Either a row about invasion of privacy or a photocall with pitfalls including sand and waves. But some manage the beach look with style - here are 8 top moments when royals conquered the sand.

1. Proud parents

Beaches can be hard work for royals on a holiday press call. They've got to look relaxed, dress down without going the whole shorts and flip flop route and find interesting things to do while smiling for the camera. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands very sensibly opted for the proud parents watching the children route in the summer of 2015 and the result was the perfect royal beach look.

2. Grey but interesting

Think beaches, think sunshine but in Norway the family of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus gave us one of the most interesting royal seaside poses when they joined hands and stood on some rocks against very grey skies that promised rain. The image, taken to mark Haakon's 41st birthday, was striking and stand out and serves as one of the best portraits of this future king and his family.

3. On the rocks, again

Ending up on the rocks also helped the then new King of the Belgians to show off his family in relaxed style. For their first holiday photocall after his accession, the new ruling family of Belgium headed to France for a spot of relaxation on the Ile d'Yeu. The new monarch and his consort wore blue, the kids rode bikes and everyone looked rather happy.

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 4. Kate does Baywatch 

During her trip to Australia in 2014, The Duchess of Cambridge headed to Manly Beach to meet lifeguards and hear about water safety. She also ran along the side of the sea in a broderie anglaise dress and wedges while laughing quite a lot. Kate + lifeguards = Royal Baywatch. 

 

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  5. An heir in the water 

It wasn't quite as world famous as her father-in-law's Australian beach trip from 1979 when Charles went for a swim off Perth and was famously kissed by Jane Priest as he made his way out of the water. The still single prince looked suitably abashed and the photo became one of the best known of him from that time in his life.

 

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6. Strange shapes in the sand 

 When Crown Princess Mary of Denmark visited her home country in 2011 she had to share the beach with some rather strange shapes in the sand. The princess and her husband toured an art installation while dressed in white - a surreal beach image but a memorable one nonetheless.

 

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