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

Talia LakritzMar 11, 2022, 12:26 IST

Kate Middleton with Princess Charlotte.Chris Jackson/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.

Queen Elizabeth'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 in 1948.David Levenson Collection/Getty Images

The Queen 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 prince was mostly raised by nannies and staff.

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

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

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Balmoral Castle in 1952.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 in 1982.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 in 1993.Stringer/Reuters

Since Diana's death, both Harry and William have 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 in 2018.PAUL GROVER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Middleton 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, in addition to royal engagements.

Kate Middleton with Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at a polo match in 2019.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

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

Kate Middleton meets with a parent support group in 2017.HEATHCLIFF O'MALLEY/AFP via Getty Images

In a discussion about how parents have been impacted by the pandemic, Middleton shared that pandemic parenting has been exhausting.

Kate Middleton holds Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at a performance for frontline workers in 2020.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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 in 2019.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, Markle and Harry kept Archie out of the spotlight.

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

Markle is now raising her 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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