Best Photos of the Royals Being Normal Parents

The royal family is perhaps the most unrelatable family on planet Earth. They can’t go anywhere without an elaborate security detail, they have confusing titles, their outfits are always immaculate, they’re constantly jetting off for charity events and glamorous galas, cameras permanently fixed on their heels. They can barely sneeze in public without it becoming a major news story, let alone enjoy a “normal” dynamic between themselves and their children.

True as all of the above may be, parents in the royal family do occasionally get caught sharing a relatable moment with their kids, and there’s something all the more touching about these infrequent instances due to just how rare they seem to be.

Take, for example, the playful moment Kate Middleton captured on camera of Prince William being dog-piled by their children, looking like any other dad laughing at his kids’ antics.

And who could forget the many photos of Princess Diana having a laugh with Prince Harry and Prince William after descending an amusement park ride? Her free-spirited, childlike personality always made her seem closer to the public than the royal family.

While Harry and Meghan Markle have taken a more private approach to raising their kids, the few public photos of the couple with baby Archie capture two elated parents, bursting with love, beaming at their child. What’s more normal than that?

For these and more of the very best photos of the royals being normal parents, scroll on.

Family Bike Ride

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Although Prince Charles is wearing a jacket that seems a bit stuffy for a bike ride, this sweet photo captured the now-king, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry on a bicycle outing in the Scilly Isles in 1989 — normal family vacation things!
Doting Dad

Image Credit: MEGA.

During Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa in September 2019, Prince Archie came along. Here, proud papa Harry dotes on his baby boy while Meghan smiles, holding Archie on her lap.
Matching in Denim

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For Prince William and Princess Kate’s 2022 Christmas card, they chose to wear coordinating denim outfits with their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They smiled while strolling along a scenic path, looking like any other family on a lovely fall day.
Ski Trip With Pa

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Prince Harry and Prince William enjoyed an annual ski trip with Prince Charles as teens, and here, the two shared a laugh while on either side of their pa — William’s hand resting casually on his dad’s knee.
Princes on Picnic

Image Credit: AP.

Sitting on a grassy lawn, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were all smiles with 8-month-old Prince Charles in 1949.
Queen of Cuddles

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While on a trip to Majorca, Princess Diana and Prince Harry were captured sharing this sweet, cuddly moment. It’s arguably one of the best-known photos of the late princess and her loving son.
Cuteness Overload

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Prince Harry was gifted a tiny onesie for baby Archie during the annual Invictus Games, and his elated face says it all: How stinking cute!
Capture the Child

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When Princess Charlotte tried to run off at the Maserati Polo Match in 2018 Kate Middleton relatably grabbed the back of her daughter’s skirt to stop her from jetting down a grassy hill — and looks like she didn’t skip a beat to do it.
Rafting at the Water Park

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Proving Diana was the most fun, childlike mother, this photo shows her having a hearty laugh after rafting down an amusement park waterslide with Prince Harry.
Laughter on the Log Ride

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William got in on the waterpark fun, too! Here, Diana is once again captured mid-laugh with her sons after descending the hill of a water ride.
Bonding with Baby

Image Credit: MEGA.

This adorable moment was captured in a video Meghan made for Save the Children on Archie’s birthday. The mama looked radiant as she helped her son flip through a picture book.
Tailgating with the Tots

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Kate Middleton doesn’t need a red carpet rolled out for her. In fact, during a charity polo match at Beaufort Park, the royal mom sat right in the grass to wrangle Prince Louis while her eldest kids hung out in the open tailgate of their SUV.
Dog Pile on Dad

Image Credit: The Duchess of Cambridge/PA Wire/Shutterstock.

This gem, released by Kensington Palace for Father’s Day 2020 (which also happened to be Prince William’s 38th birthday) was captured by Kate herself. What’s more relatable than a dad letting his kids dog pile on him?
Holiday in the Snowy Hills

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Diana loved to ski, and she spent a lot of time on the slopes with her boys during their childhood.
Polo Playdate

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While Prince William and Prince Harry played in a polo match, Kate and Meghan enjoyed a leisurely play date with their kids. The two women looked like any other moms during the sunny outing, complete with casual clothing, dozing babies, and rambunctious kiddos.
No Wipe, No Problem

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During the 2022 Platinum Pageant on The Mall — part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations — Kate pulled the ultimate mom move: Using her hand as a wipe to clean off Prince Louis’ face.
Laughing After Lunch

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Taken just 10 days before Diana’s tragic passing, this 1997 photo captures the late princess and 15-year-old William sharing a laugh on their walk home from a Chelsea restaurant.