20 photos that show how motherhood has changed in the royal family

Talia LakritzMay 29, 2024, 13:28 IST

Kate Middleton, Prince George, and Prince Louis toast marshmallows as they take part in the Big Help Out following King Charles III's coronation in 2023.Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's pregnancies weren't announced, but now royals announce them on social media.
Diana tried to give her kids normal childhoods with trips to Disney World and McDonald's.

Members of the royal family have taken different approaches to parenting and motherhood through the years.

While Queen Elizabeth II kept her pregnancies private, modern royals have shared more of their family's lives with the public on social media.

Photos show how royal maternity fashion has evolved, the varying ways royal births have been announced, and how royal mothers continue to navigate life in the spotlight.

Queen Elizabeth II's pregnancies weren't formally announced. Instead, the palace said she would "undertake no further public engagements."

Queen Elizabeth, four months pregnant with Prince Charles.David Levenson Collection/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth gave birth to all of her children at home.

Princess Elizabeth with Princess Anne and Prince Charles.PA Images via Getty Images

In an authorized biography of Charles, author Jonathan Dimbleby wrote that the young prince was mostly raised by nannies and staff.

Queen Elizabeth with then-Prince Charles driving in a toy car on the grounds of Balmoral Castle.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth still found quiet moments to spend with her children amid her busy schedule.

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Balmoral Castle.Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

Princess Diana's pregnancies were announced more clearly, and she made plenty of public appearances.

Princess Diana on her last official engagement before the birth of Prince William.David Levenson/Getty Images

She broke from tradition and became the first royal to give birth in a hospital.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana with a newborn Prince Harry.AP

Diana strived to give her children normal childhoods with trips to Disney World and McDonald's.

Princess Diana and Prince Harry ride Splash Mountain at Walt Disney World.Stringer/Reuters

After Diana's death, both Harry and William remained close with their grandmother.

Queen Elizabeth with her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Kate Middleton continued carrying out royal engagements during her pregnancies, though she canceled appearances due to extreme morning sickness.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry.PAUL GROVER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Kate also gave birth at the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital, and she said greeting the public immediately afterwards was "slightly terrifying."

Kate Middleton waves to photographers after giving birth to Prince George.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

She does regular mom things, like hand out snacks.

Kate Middleton with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at a polo match.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

She also uses her platform to advocate for maternal mental health.

Kate Middleton meets with a parent support group.HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY/AFP via Getty Images

In a discussion about how parents were impacted by the pandemic, Kate shared that pandemic parenting was exhausting.

Kate Middleton holds Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at a performance for frontline workers.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

As her children have gotten older, Kate has helped them step into their royal roles.

Kate Middleton and Prince George leave Westminster Abbey following the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate is on a break from royal appearances while she receives treatment for cancer.

Kate Middleton is receiving treatment for cancer.BBC Studios

As a working royal, Meghan Markle continued making public appearances while pregnant, and even went on a tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Meghan Markle.NIKLAS HALLEN/AFP/Getty Images

Markle gave birth to Archie at Portland Hospital in Westminster, and Lilibet was born in California.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose with their new son during a photocall inside Windsor Castle.Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Aside from a few occasional outings, Meghan and Harry kept Archie out of the spotlight as they went about their royal duties.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with their first child, Archie.Toby Melville/Getty Images

Meghan and Harry are now raising their family in Montecito, California, after stepping back from royal life.

Meghan Markle and Archie on the beach in Montecito, California.CBS

She has advocated for paid family leave in the US, and she wrote a bestselling children's book based on Harry and Archie's father-son bond.

Meghan Markle's book "The Bench."Leon Neal/Getty Images

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