20 Rarely Seen Photos of Royal Siblings
Updated: Jun. 08, 2021Although we've yet to see a photo of young Archie with his newborn sister, Lilibet, we can flip through the royal family album for snapshots of royal siblings past and present.
A future Queen and her little sister
In 1933, the future Queen Elizabeth II stands beside her four-years younger baby sister, Princess Margaret Rose, holding a handbag that was reportedly made by disabled soldiers.
Same family, divergent destinies
Elizabeth and Margaret were born “minor” royals in that they were the daughters of the Duke of York, who was the second son of the King and therefore not expected to become a monarch. But when King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in December 1936, the Duke of York ascended, thrusting Elizabeth into the role of heir presumptive. Nevertheless, the two always remained close, although this photo from 1955 (when Elizabeth had been Queen for three years already) poetically catches the sisters as they gaze on in different directions.
Cheeky sisters
Princess Beatrice of York and her little sister, Princess Eugenie of York, enjoy playing in the snow in Switzerland. Both women are first cousins of Prince William and Prince Harry and are natural redheads, just like Harry.
The Princesses of York, looking chic in the present
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice are still playing happily together, only now Beatrice smiles for the camera at the Serpentine Gallery Summer Party in London’s Kensington Gardens in 2018.
Can you guess the British royal family member from their childhood picture?
A private joke among public brothers
In April 2018, Prince William joined his younger brother, Prince Harry, who was just one month away from his wedding day at the opening of the Greenhouse Sports Centre in London. The two share a laugh.
Don’t miss these heartwarming photos of Prince Harry and Princess Diana.
King Edward VII’s five children
Prince Albert Edward was the eldest son of Queen Victoria. “Bertie,” as he was known, grew up to be King Edward VII, but at the time this photo of his five children was taken in 1875, Victoria was still reigning. Bertie’s two sons, Prince George and Prince Albert Victor stand behind their sisters, the Princesses Louise, Maud, and Victoria. George was the second son, but after the tragic death of Albert Victor of flu in 1918, he ascended the throne as King George V.
Find out 50 more little-known facts about the British royal family.
The once and future kings
The two brothers pictured here in their dapper chapeaux are Prince Edward and Prince Albert, the first two sons of King George V. In a highly unusual turn of events, both of these brothers would become Kings… while both were still alive.
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The future kings with their sister, Princess Mary
Pictured when they were much younger, Edward and Albert are shown with their sister, Princess Mary, who would one day become Princess Royal. The title, “Princess Royal” is an honour the monarch may bestow on his/her eldest daughter. The current Princess Royal is Princess Anne.
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Queen Victoria’s baseball team-sized brood
When you have nine children, you need a cheat sheet to keep them all straight! Pictured here are all Queen Victoria’s children, from left to right, top to bottom:
- Princess Victoria “Vicky,” Princess Alice, and Prince Alfred ‘”Affie”
- Princess Helena “Lenchen,” Prince Edward (later King Edward VII), and Princess Louise
- Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice.
Queen Victoria was a talented artist, and one of her daughters was a famous sculptor.
Find out 24 more fascinating Queen Victoria facts.
The ones in the middle
The three siblings shown here in 1856, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, are three out of four of the youngest children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The youngest sibling, Princess Beatrice, would not be born until 1857.
Read up on the biggest unsolved mysteries surrounding the British royal family.
Queen Victoria’s “Baby”
Many people believe Queen Victoria wasn’t particularly maternal. But she is believed to have had a favourite child—the youngest of her brood, Princess Beatrice. Queen Victoria referred to as Beatrice as “Baby” and showered her with more attention than her other siblings, resulting in enduring bitterness on the part of her older brother, the eventual King Edward VII.
Check out more legendary royal family feuds.
The eldest children of Queen Elizabeth II
When this photo was taken in 1954, Princess Anne and Prince Charles were the only two children of Queen Elizabeth II. The next to be born, Prince Andrew, wouldn’t come along until 1960, and the fourth and last, Prince Edward, was born in 1964.
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The next two
Prince Andrew is 10 years younger than Princess Anne and 12 years younger than Prince Charles, which meant that he and younger brother Prince Edward barely shared their childhood with their elder siblings. The two younger brothers are pictured here in 1966 on Edward’s second birthday.
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Half a century later…
In June 2017, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew are still “playing” together as they ride in a carriage at the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony.
The four siblings together
Marking their Diamond Wedding Anniversary at Clarence House in London in 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh enjoy a photo opportunity with their four children, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Prince Charles.
Take a look back at the incredible life of the late Prince Philip.
Siblings and the next generation of siblings
In 1988, Princess Anne and Prince Charles brought their respective kids together, along with their parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The children, pictured left to right, are Prince Harry, Zara Phillips (the daughter of Princess Anne), Prince William, and Peter Phillips (the son of Princess Anne).
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Kate and Pippa
The former Kate Middleton (now the Duchess of Cambridge) and her sister, Pippa Middleton, hang out together watching Andy Murray play Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2012.
Check out 15 tiny details you probably missed from Prince William and Kate’s wedding.
A new sibling for Charlotte and George
Princess Charlotte and Prince George hold the hands of their father, Prince William as the family arrives at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace for the christening of their new baby brother, Prince Louis, who is being carried by their mum, Kate Middleton.
Next, meet the Queen’s great-grandchildren—from oldest to youngest.
