Current Affairs

The British Monarchy in 2018: a royal wedding and a new prince

May 20, 2018

2018 has been a fantastic year so far for the British Monarchy. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had their third child in April, a baby boy who is already making history, and May saw the spectacular wedding of Prince Harry and Miss Markle, televised and watched by over 13 million people on the BBC.

Prince Harry, officially known as Prince Henry of Wales, proposed to American actress Meghan Markle at the end of last year, and preparations were made for them to marry 19 May 2018. As it turned out, the day was beautifully hot and the pair looked very much in love as they exchanged vows in St Georges Chapel, on the grounds of Windsor Castle. This picturesque location is where his father, Charles, Prince of Wales married his second wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Happy newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex © BBC

Happy newlyweds, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex © BBC

Meghan had already become very popular with some members of the public, both for her acting and humanitarian work, and the newlyweds will now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Users on Twitter have commented on how happy Prince Harry appeared on his big day, comparing him to the young boy who walked behind his mother’s’ coffin nearly 21 years ago.

Meghan looked stunning in her white, boat-necked wedding dress, designed by Brit Clare Waight Keller. Also in attendance was the Duchess of Cambridge, who was making her first public appearance following the birth of her third child, Prince Louis, in April.

Prince Louis, fifth in line to the throne

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cradling their newborn son outside of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, London, in front of an array of press © @kensingtonroyal on Instagram

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge cradling their newborn son outside of the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s, London, in front of an array of press © @kensingtonroyal on Instagram

Princess Charlotte celebrates her third birthday with a cuddle from new baby brother Prince Louis © HRH Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images

Princess Charlotte with new baby brother Prince Louis © HRH Duchess of Cambridge via Getty Images

The birth of Prince Louis is another reason for the Royals to celebrate in 2018. Louis Arthur Charles, born at 11:01am, 23 April 2018, weighing 8lbs and 7oz, will officially be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge.

Prince Louis is the third child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and has already made history due to the Succession of the Crown Act 2013. This historic act made by parliament in 2013 changed the old male preference primogeniture, a law passed in 1701, to one of absolute primogeniture – meaning the line of succession is in order birth and no longer based on gender. Prince Louis is fifth in line for the throne, behind his older siblings Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

We would like to wish the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a lifetime of happiness together, and extend our congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their new son.

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