10 big royal family moments: Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis to Harry and Meghan Markle’s marriage

10 big royal family moments including Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis

After more than two months of speculations about her health and wellbeing, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, revealed on March 22, that she had been diagnosed with cancer, per USA Today. While her diagnosis marks a major crisis in the royal family, here are ten such major royal family moments that took place in the last few years. 

1. May 2018: Marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

On May 19, 2018, Prince Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle in a ceremony attended by 600 guests. The couple were given the title of Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon their marriage which took place inside the St George's Chapel following royal and anglican traditions.

2. May 2019: Prince Harry and Meghan welcome their first child

Prince Harry and Meghan embrace parenthood for the first time as they welcomed their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor on May 6, 2019.

3. January 2020: The Sussexes step back from royal duties

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shocked the world by announcing they were stepping back from royal duties with a long statement. They wrote, "After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen," before adding, "We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages."

4. April 2021: Prince Philip's death at 99

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021, at Windsor Castle. Prince Philip was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II for more than 70 years after tying the knot in 1947.

5. June 2021: Prince Harry and Meghan welcome their second child 

On June 4, 2021, Harry and Meghan's daughter, the couple's second child, was born in Santa Barbara, California. Their daughter has been named, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

6. September 2022: Queen Elizabeth died aged 96

Queen Elizabeth II, died on September 8, 2022, aged 96, at the Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Great Britain's longest running monarch, Queen Elizabeth II was the state head for 70 years. The then-Prince Charles immediately became King Charles III and the monarch of England upon her death.

7. May 2023: King Charles III and Queen Camilla are officially crowned

Less than a year later, King Charles III and his wife Queen Consort Camilla were coronated on May 6, 2023. The coronation ceremony took place at the Westminster Abbey where the Archbishop of Canterbury placed St Edward's crown on top of the 74-year-old King Charles' head and Queen Mary's Crown on Camilla's head.

8. January 2024: Kate Middleton underwent 'abdominal' surgery

Kensington Palace announced on January 17, that Catherine, Princess of Wales, was admitted to a London clinic for a "planned abdominal surgery." They said that she underwent a "successful" surgery and "is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter," based on the then medical situation. Toward the end of January, the palace issued another statement saying she was discharged from the hospital and was making good progress.

9. February 2024: Buckingham Palace announces King Charles' cancer diagnosis

Amid the health scare of Kate, Buckingham Palace revealed a statement on February 5 that during King Charles' hospital visitation for procedure for prostate enlargement, "a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer." Following the diagnosis the monarch has been advised to postpone his "public-facing duties." 

10. March 22: Princess Kate reveals she has been diagnosed with cancer

Following Kate's January surgery, the princess kept largely out of the public eye which facilitated several social media conspiracy theories. Recently, on March 22, Kate shared an emotional video message on her social media where she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer. Nevertheless, the 42-year-old royal shared she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy and said she was "well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal in my mind, body and spirits."