What’s Next For The Royal Family In 2021? Kate, Queen Elizabeth And Others Plans

2020 was certainly an interesting year for the members of the royal family, as they, like others, contended with some big changes to their lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with many plans shifted and adjusted as the year wore on, the family will certainly be looking ahead to 2021 with fresh eyes, and hopefully, some plans to slowly make their way back into the public eye.

Outside of the pandemic, the royals were also faced with another big crisis in 2020, as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their plans to step away from their roles as senior members of the family in January—a move that was finalized in March with their final engagements and eventual move to California in the United States. With their exit quickly followed by the COVID-19 outbreak effectively changing the family’s plans for the rest of 2020, it could be a busy year ahead as they start to look forward. Here are some things to potentially look forward to.

Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

After starting 2020 trying to move forward after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s shocking announcement, the most senior members of the royal family were faced early on with the COVID-19 pandemic, after Charles contracted the illness for himself in March. Since then, the three have all dealt with extended time away from other members of their family and reducing their public appearances.

In 2021, provided the Pandemic starts to ease, the senior members will likely start to resume some of their previous duties, and continue looking towards the future. However, rumors continue to persist regarding the Queen potentially abdicating her throne in favor of her son stepping up and finally taking the role he was born for. While some suggest she may be forced into giving up her duties because the pandemic is a risk for her at 94 years old, it was previously hinted she would consider invoking the Regency Act upon her 95th birthday, not officially giving up her title, but allowing her son to step up significantly.

One major event they will all celebrate however will be a major milestone birthday for the Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Though he is retired from public service, he will turn 100 years old in June.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

Prince William also secretly battled the Coronavirus in April, but has since resumed some of his duties alongside his wife, Kate. While the two also had virtual events, they also embarked on a recent train tour to meet with frontline workers who have been battling the pandemic, as well as others. As for 2021, in addition to continuing to step up their duties, the couple will also celebrate a big milestone—April will mark their 10th wedding anniversary.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex

Though they are no longer senior royals, or even living in the same country as their royal relatives any longer, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a lot to look forward to for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. After making some big deals in terms of future projects in 2020 and also revealing devastating news regarding a miscarriage, the couple appears to be in good spirits about what the new year will bring—including the launch of Archewell.

“We will see more of them and in a different way to how we saw them as working royals,” a source told Vanity Fair. “It will be more in line with who they are and the way they want to operate from now on.”

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice

The royal family will grow a little more in 2021, with Princess Eugenie announcing that she and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, are expecting their first child together early in the year—a baby which will become 11th in line for the throne. Her sister, Beatrice, married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a surprise small ceremony in 2020, meaning fans will likely be waiting to hear if they too will expand their family in the coming year.

As for duties the two part-time royals may have, some have speculated they could step up their roles following their father, Prince Andrew, stepping down in 2019 and Harry and Meghan also stepping down.