What Happened to British Royal Family?

The British Royal Family has undergone a transformative period marked by significant health issues, shifts in public roles, and ongoing internal dynamics from late 2023 through mid-2026. The most prominent developments revolved around the health of key senior members and the evolving status of non-working royals.

In early 2024, both King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced cancer diagnoses, which significantly impacted their public engagements and brought a period of national concern. The Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery in January 2024, followed by a public announcement of her cancer diagnosis in March 2024, leading to a period of preventative chemotherapy. She later confirmed she was in remission in January 2025 and gradually returned to full-time royal duties, expressing that her recovery was aided by immersing herself in nature and creative activities. King Charles III's cancer diagnosis was announced in February 2024, following a procedure for a benign prostate enlargement. He continued to undertake state business while undergoing treatment, and by December 2025, he announced that his cancer treatment schedule would be reduced in the new year, signaling positive progress. As of June 2026, the King is still receiving treatment but remains strongly engaged in his royal duties, having completed a state visit to the United States in April 2026.

Concurrently, the family has continued to grapple with the fallout from past controversies. In October 2025, King Charles III made the decisive move to strip his brother, Prince Andrew, of all remaining titles, styles, and honours, following renewed scrutiny over his connections to Jeffrey Epstein and allegations by Virginia Giuffre. Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was also set to be evicted from Royal Lodge. This move was largely supported by the public, with polls in early 2026 showing his favourability at an all-time low of just 3%.

Relations with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remained complex. After losing an appeal in May 2026 regarding his UK police protection, Prince Harry had expressed concerns about bringing his family to the UK. However, in June 2026, it was reported that King Charles III intervened, offering his own resources to ensure the safety of the family, paving the way for Harry, Meghan, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to visit the UK in July 2026 for the first time since 2022. This visit is anticipated to include events related to the Invictus Games, set for Birmingham in 2027.

The working royals maintained a busy schedule of engagements throughout 2026. Highlights included Princess Catherine hosting the England Women's Rugby team in January, King Charles and Queen Camilla undertaking a state visit to the United States in April, and the traditional Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot events in June, which saw significant royal participation. Public opinion polls in early 2026 indicated that while overall support for the monarchy remained positive (around 57-59%), it had seen a decline among younger age groups, with some polls showing overall support at 45% in February 2026, down from 63% in 2020. The late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana continued to hold the highest favourability ratings. The Prince and Princess of Wales remained the most popular living royals, with King Charles III also maintaining a largely positive approval.