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Year in Review 2018: Three Weddings and a Baby!

As we prepare for another year of royal watching, it's time for our annual Year in Review post. 2018 was a year which heralded major changes for the British Royal family with the arrival of Prince Louis, family weddings, and the Cambridges' first full year in London as full-time royals to name just a few. Let's take a step back and reminisce over the year collectively; the engagements, highlights for the family, the fashion and more...

January

Following Christmas at Sandringham, the Cambridges made their first 2018 appearance on 7 January, attending Sunday service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate. The couple made the walk with the then newly-retired Prince Philip. That weekend they also celebrated Kate's birthday a little early with the Middletons and friends James and Laura Meade and the Cholmondeleys.

Princess Charlotte marked a special milestone as she attended her first day at Willcocks Nursery School. Adorable images taken by Kate at Kensington Palace before she and William dropped their daughter off for her first day were released to mark the occasion. Charlotte looked cute as a button in her burgundy coat. I recall thinking she looked 'so grown up' that day; they really do grow up so fast!

Kate kicked off engagements for the year with a visit to Reach Academy Feltham, a school working in partnership with Place2Be and other organisations to support children, families and the whole school community throughout their school career. The Duchess sported a Hobbs London coat teamed with her Seraphine Florrie dress - the first of countless repeats we would see from her wardrobe throughout the year.

The Duchess made a surprise appearance at the Amnesty International UK office for a conference on young people's mental health. The Anna Freud Centre said they were "delighted" to welcome their Patron to the Conference. The organisation added: "HRH is a committed champion of children's mental health and wellbeing and it is fantastic to have her here." The conference was co-hosted by the charity.

It was a sea of flowers and teddy bears for the Cambridges for their first away day of 2018. Kate brought back her vibrant pink Mulberry coat for the day which encompassed a variety of engagements. A constant highlight of visits across different parts of the UK is the walkabout and hearing stories from various members of the crowds. These trips are lifeblood of the monarchy; offering an opportunity to meet and engage with those around the country. During the walkabout, Kate noticed a little boy, Craig, looked particularly unwell. She went over to her protection officers and asked for a sick bag. Craig's mother Carmel Flynn said: "She really took time with him. You can tell she is a mum, and has got that caring side."

Kate sported the 'red pop' Boden Lena coat for a visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to officially open the Mittal Children's Medical Centre. Kate said a few words congratulating the team behind it: "It's been my first trip to Great Ormond Street Hospital and I've been so impressed with everything I've seen and the scale of the work that's going on here. It's been wonderful to meet so many families and young people, and I've been so inspired by their bravery and courage at such a difficult time. But really, my main message is congratulations to you all." During the visit, she met several incredibly brave children including Rafael who discussed his love of olives with the Duchess who revealed Charlotte's also a fan.

Following the engagement, it was a quick changes of clothes before Kate's second stop of the day - Bond Primary School in Mitcham - to see the work of the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative. Kate was in her element during tennis exercises; she adores the sport. There was a very sweet moment before she left when the pupils assembled in a uniform line to shake her hand, and one by one a row of little girls hugged Kate instead.

The Duchess visited Roe Green Junior School to launch Mentally Healthy Schools - Heads Together's new mental health project to support the mental health of young children in junior schools. The website is designed to give teachers and school staff the clarity and practical resources they need in order to support pupils. 'Mentally Healthy Schools' is a free and easy to use website, drawing together reliable and practical resources to improve awareness, knowledge and confidence in promoting and supporting pupils’ mental health.

Kate discussed Heads Together and progressing to the next stage during a speech: "Over the last two years, William and Harry and I have been honoured to take part in a national conversation on mental health through our Heads Together campaign. We know that mental health is an issue for us all – children and parents, young and old, men and women - of all backgrounds and of all circumstances. What we have seen first-hand is that the simple act of having a conversation about mental health – that initial breaking of the silence – can make a real difference. My own commitment is to the youngest and most vulnerable in their early years - babies, toddlers and school-children – and to support all those who care for them. The role of teachers here is absolutely vital. You see our children as they grow, learn and play, as they build their social skills that will make the difference to their futures. You are uniquely placed to help children speak out about their mental and emotional challenges, and direct parents and carers to the right support."

Kate brought back her much-loved baby blue Seraphine coat for an engagement with the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute at King's College. The Duchess also visited the Mother and Baby Unit at the Bethlem Royal Hospital, part of South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Kate talked about expectations on mothers to feel "super happy" after birth, adding: "One in four of us aren't."

As January drew to a close, the Cambridges began a four-day visit to Sweden and Norway. The European trip was one of a number designed to bolster relations and deploy a touch of soft diplomacy as Brexit unfolds. The tour began in Stockholm with a very fun bandy hockey event at Vasaparken, an outdoor ice-skating venue. The photo below is arguably a contender for 'Best of 2018', with many a caption suggestion following! :) Kate was wrapped up in a Burberry trench, Sorel Torino boots and a Eugenia Kim beanie for the outing.

It's long been a wish of mine to see the Cambridges with their European counterparts more frequently. A highlight of the Swedish portion of the visit was the interaction between William and Kate and Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. The couples joined forces for several events beginning with a luncheon hosted by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Communication Secretary Jason Knauf said "From our perspective, it's a chance for Their Royal Highnesses to build a strong relationship with the royal families of each country, and particularly the royals of their generation who they will know throughout their lives. Those close relationships between countries on a people-to-people level are something that royal visits are particularly good at highlighting.”

The first black-tie event of the tour brought the first of two very divisive Erdem dresses. When I saw the first photo, I suspected it would be a polarizing piece. A number of factors come into play when examining why this one just didn't seem to work, and the low lighting at the dinner made it incredibly difficult for media present (apparently there was unhappiness about it). Instead of photographing the dark hue it is in the product shots, it came out looking a shade of mustard. Ultimately, as with many Erdem designs, there was simply too many elements competing against a very busy print.

Kate was effortlessly stylish in Catherine Walker, McQueen and burgundy accessories for day two in Sweden. We saw lovely interaction between the Cambridges and the Swedish royal couple. The day focused on the country's pioneering work in the field of mental health and children's wellbeing, and in particular how this translates into support for children and young teenagers going through the Swedish education system.

The Duchess wore blue velvet Erdem for a glamorous reception at the beautiful Fotografiska Gallery. The dress was another unpopular piece from the designer and led to many a suggestion Kate retire his pieces from her closet. It's interesting because Erdem, in my opinion, designed some of Kate's early defining looks (the blue dresses from the Canada tour), but his love for a distracting print tends to steer what is a potentially fabulous look off course. I often think if designs were one simple shade it would transform a look, however that wouldn't be Erdem.

February

Catherine Walker became a staple choice during the four-day tour with the Duchess choosing several bespoke coats. For the second leg of the tour, William and Kate travelled to Norway where they were warmly greeted by Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. I was very sorry to read Mette-Marit was recently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. She's had a number of health problems of the years, but was on terrific form during the trip and excited to welcome to the couple to Oslo.

That night, a glittering dinner was held at the Royal Palace in the Cambridges' honour. True to form, Sarah Burton produced a stunning cape gown with crystal flower embellishment for the event. The gown was the sartorial highlight of the tour for me.

Kate donned Dolce & Gabbana for the final day of the tour. The morning focused on young people and coping mechanisms for mental health issues.

For their final engagements of the tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Holmenkollen's most iconic landmark – the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. The photos took me back to the early days of their relationship. Some of the first images we saw of William and Kate as a couple came from their skiing holidays. They both adore skiing and took George and Charlotte to the French Alps in 2016.

In support of Children's Mental Health Week 2018, the Duchess of Cambridge recorded a video message encouraging children "to be comfortable in their own skin" and encouraging parents, teachers and those in the wider community to help children become "the best version" of themselves. The Duchess also referred to the role that all adults play in helping children become the best versions of themselves: "Some children will be facing tougher challenges than others, but I firmly believe that while we cannot change their circumstances, we can ensure that every child is given the best possible support to ensure they fulfil their true potential. This is best achieved when we, the adults in their lives, work together to give children the emotional strength they need to face their futures and thrive."

Back in London, Kate paid tribute to her patronage Action on Addiction at the opening of a new treatment centre in Essex. Kate's impromptu speech was very nicely done. She looked back on the six years since she began supporting the charity and credited getting involved with Action on Addiction as "the start of my learning" which led to her work in mental health. She added: "You're very special to me."

Kate's sartorial choice on the night of the BAFTAs in February sparked myriad conversations and debates. As actresses and attendees donned black in support of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, discussion on whether the Duchess would support the movement or not generated column inches globally. The choice was described as a "diplomatic minefield". I would have loved to see Kate in black; any woman who has experienced sexual harassment or knows someone who has is acutely aware it's a systemic problem across all industries; it's certainly not limited to Hollywood. While wearing black throughout awards season could not change deeply-rooted problems, it was a step in the right direction. In the end the Duchess chose a dark green McQueen gown.

The Duchess joined the Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice and host of well-known faces in fashion including Anna Wintour for the Commonwealth Fashion Exchange. It was a fascinating event showcasing fashions and textiles from all over the member nations. It was the night Erdem began to redeem himself too; the bespoke version of the Suzie dress worked perfectly as a maternity evening dress.

It was hard hats and a henna tattoo for the Cambridges varied day in Sunderland. Whilst chatting to a group from Young Asian Voices, Kate asked one of the girls to draw a design on her hand. Shajida drew a flower with a swirl and Kate loved it. Next, the Duke and Duchess travelled to see the Northern Spire, an ambitious and striking new bridge over the River Wear.

Late February brought the announcement of two new patronages for Kate: the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), and Patron of the Nursing Now campaign. The Palace added: "The Duchess has seen first-hand the impact of front-line medical professionals during visits to hospitals and hospices, and through her work in support of children's mental health and early intervention. The Duchess' patronages at RCOG and Nursing Now provide an opportunity to shine a light on these vital professions, both in the UK and internationally." Kate was in a bespoke Jenny Packham outfit.

February drew to a close with the inaugural Royal Foundation Forum at the Aviva Offices in London. William, Kate, Harry and Meghan came together to discuss their passions, projects and vision for the Foundation. Host Tina Daheley asked Kate about coming up with the idea for Heads Together. Kate replied: "It's very generous of you to say it was my idea but actually it was going back right to the beginning when we were looking at ways we could all work with the Foundation and I suppose I learned through meeting with some of my patronages that there was sort of all these underlying causes across so many different sectors. Mental health just kept on flagging up every time, where it's with addiction or school support and with vulnerable young children. It's something I felt very passionately about. It's something I felt all three of us at the time could make a far bigger impact together rather than just one of us. I've always felt really strongly about putting ideas together."

Kate visited her patronage the National Portrait Gallery to view the exhibition 'Victorian Giants: The Birth of Art Photography'. Kate wrote a foreword to the exhibition catalogue in which she discussed her interest in 19th century photography, the subject of her undergraduate thesis while an art history student at the University of St Andrews. "This period of history has long interested me. Photographs of children in particular, which feature predominately within the exhibition are of real interest to me. The photographs allow us to reflect on the importance of preserving and appreciating childhood while it lasts. Children held a special place in the Victorian imagination and were celebrated for their seemingly boundless potential. The notion still rings true for us today and it underpins much of my official work and the charities I have chosen to support, and, indeed, my role as a mother of a young family. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert became enthusiastic patrons of the new form of picture-making following its invention in 1839. Rejlander undertook commissions for the Royal family, and this exhibition contains photography by him borrowed from the Royal Collection at Windsor." The foreword was by far the most personal one Kate has written, drawing on her interests, education and the exhibition's connections to the Royal family.

March

March kicked off with a visit to Pegasus Primary School in Oxford to learn more about the work of the charity Family Links. Kate, wearing her cream JoJo Maman Bebe coat, was particularly taken with nine-month-old Tilly.

Kate was in her blue lace Séraphine dress to officially open the new headquarters of her patronage Place2Be. During her speech, Kate praised Place2Be for being at the forefront of efforts to give every child the best start in life: "We know that schools have a vital role to play in creating an emotionally healthy culture for children. In spite of often-challenging circumstances, and the ever-present focus on academic achievement, I have witnessed the determination of many teachers and head teachers, in schools across the country, to prioritise the mental health and social development of children in their care: to help them build social skills; to help them build emotional skills; and ultimately to teach them life skills that will last a lifetime, and be the foundation for becoming mentally healthy adults."

It was a Beulah London repeat and Kate's chic Lock & Co. Tiffany hat for the Commonwealth Day Service in March.

The Duchess met with representatives from British Tennis, Wimbledon and Coach Core at Kensington Palace to discuss children's tennis initiatives in the UK and sports at grassroots level. Participants in the discussion included well-known faces Judy Murray and former British number one Tim Henman. Since his retirement from the court, Tim has been a familiar face commentating at tournaments including Wimbledon.

The Duchess wrapped up in Catherine Walker for the annual St Patrick's Day parade. 

Continuing her series of engagements focused on early years, the Duchess of Cambridge convened a symposium on the importance of early intervention to provide solid social and emotional platforms for children.

During a speech Kate said: "As I look around the room, I see friends from many different sectors: friends who have shared with me their knowledge, and who have answered my questions patiently whilst I’ve interrogated them in my endeavour to learn about this complex range of issues. I could name so many of you, but I'm utterly grateful to you all for giving your time and wisdom so freely. We all know how important childhood is; and how the early years shape us for life. We also know how negative the downstream impact can be, if problems emerging at the youngest age are overlooked, or ignored. It is therefore vital that we nurture children through this critical, early period."

For Kate's final engagements before taking maternity leave, she and William celebrated the Commonwealth. After an event with SportsAid, the couple participated in preparations for a Commonwealth Big Lunch at St Luke's Community Centre.

April

With just weeks to go until the arrival of William and Kate's third child, the couple joined Her Majesty for Easter service at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Kate chose the bespoke brown Catherine Walker coat she debuted for the 2015 St Patrick's Day parade when she was expecting Princess Charlotte. She teamed it with her Betty Boop hat and pearl jewellery.

Shortly after 8 am on the 23 April, the Palace shared very exciting news...

Kate was admitted shortly before 6 am on St George's Day and just five hours later a new prince was born. Louis weighed 8 lbs 7 oz. The joyous news was met with delight by both families and well-wishers all over the world. The arrival of a royal baby is one of those magical occasions that truly brings the royal community together. It was such fun covering the event on the Live Blog with you all. Of course, the news was particularly exciting for George and Charlotte who couldn't wait to meet Baby Cambridge. William left St Mary's to fetch them and we saw darling shots of their arrival. George, in his Thomas's Battersea uniform, seemed quite shy whilst Charlotte (echoing her great-grandmother the Queen) perfected the royal wave. In many ways, it feels such a short time ago William and Kate stepped out and introduced George to the world.

Prince Louis Arthur Charles of Cambridge.

William and Kate looked overjoyed as they stepped out with newborn Louis.

May

May began with the release of two official portraits offering our first look at Louis since he was born.

The release coincided with Princess Charlotte's birthday week and we saw a very sweet shot of the three-year-old giving her brother a kiss.

May brought the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Two days before the big day, the Cambridges were spotted arriving for a rehearsal. Kate wore the Michael Kors carnation dress.

On a sunny Saturday morning the Cambridges watched on as Harry and Meghan said 'I Do'. Kate wore a primrose yellow silk version of her favourite McQueen dress with a new Philip Treacy hat and Kiki McDonough earrings.

George and Charlotte did a splendid job in their roles as page boy and bridesmaid. They were adorably kitted out in Givenchy for the wedding.

The happy couple.

For George's half-term break in late May, the Cambridges decamped to Anmer Hall. Duchess Kate was spotted at the Houghton Hall horse trials with George and Charlotte. Houghton Hall is owned by William and Kate's Norfolk neighbours, the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley. Both couples have become great friends in recent years. Kate chose a blue print Zara dress for the family day out.

June

Kate made her first official public appearance since Louis' birth for Trooping the Colour on 9 June. The family came out in force for the Queen's annual birthday parade. Kate wore a bespoke McQueen pale blue dress with defined shoulders and a hat by milliner Juliette Botterill.

George and Charlotte were in a very playful mood on the balcony with their cousin Savannah.

It was a fun-filled day at the polo as Kate, George and Charlotte cheered on Prince William as he participated in the Maserati Royal Charity Polo Trophy at the Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury. It was an unexpected surprise marking Charlotte's first appearance at the polo. Kate wore a gorgeous summery Zara dress for the day.

July

Prince Louis was baptised at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace on 9 July. The intimate christening was attended by the Charles, Camilla, the Sussexes, Middletons and godparents. The couple chose Kate's cousin Lucy Middleton and close friends Nicholas van Cutsem, Guy Pelly, Harry Aubrey-Fletcher, Laura Meade and Hannah Gillingham.

The event marked the first time we saw the Cambridges as a family of five.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined members of the Royal family for a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force the day after Louis' christening.

It was a duchess duo at Wimbledon, as the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex took pride of place in the Royal Box to watch a spectacular afternoon of tennis for the women's Wimbledon final which saw Angelique Kerber defeat Serena Williams to take the title.

Kate returned the next day in a vibrant yellow Dolce & Gabbana dress for the men's final with William.

We also saw the release of Prince Louis' christening portraits. The portraits were taken in Clarence House's Morning Room following the christening at the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, by renowned photographer Matt Holyoak. The photographer said: "I was truly honoured at being asked to take the official photographs at the christening of Prince Louis, and to witness at first hand such a happy event. Everyone was so relaxed and in such good spirits, it was an absolute pleasure. I only hope I have captured some of that joy in my photographs."

A photo taken the day of the christening was released to mark George's fifth birthday. The Prince celebrated the day on the paradise island of Mustique as the Cambridges joined the Middletons for a relaxing holiday at their favoured haunt.

August

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their annual sojourn to Balmoral with George, Charlotte and, for the first time, four-month-old Louis in August. The Duchess was spotted travelling to Crathie Kirk with Her Majesty for Sunday service wearing a grey Catherine Walker coatdress. We saw a change to the Cambridges summer schedule in 2018. They would usually visit Balmoral in September and travel to Mustique in January, but due to George's school schedule we've seen a shift in that pattern.

September

As we awaited an announcement confirming Kate's return to duties in September, the Cambridges enjoyed a family day out at the Norfolk wedding of Kate's close friend Sophie Carter and Robert Snuggs. Sophie is Charlotte's godmother and fittingly the Princess and big brother Prince George were on hand for bridesmaid and page boy duties. Michael, Carole and James Middleton were also present. We saw an array of fabulous photos by veteran royal photographer Mark Stewart. Kate repeated her cornflower blue Catherine Walker coatdress with a matching floral headband. The hue matched the shade of blue worn by members of the wedding party.

October

Kate elected to take a longer period away from the limelight and duties following Louis' birth compared to George's and Charlotte's. She made her much-anticipated return in early October with an engagement very much in her wheelhouse - a visit to Sayers Croft Forest School and Wildlife Garden - combining her love of the outdoors and children. Kate wrapped up in a jacket and jumper by Fjallraven, a Joseph Rainer Bud Print Shirt and her Zara biker trousers.

The Duchess repeated her lilac Emilia Wickstead dress for the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit. The summit was described as "the next step in a journey to a new level of co-operation so that we can improve mental health around the world". We saw outstanding photos of William and Kate sitting on the Friendship Bench, part of an innovative programme from Zimbabwe which has taught elderly Zimbabwean women the skills to become city lay health workers.

Kate made a splash in Erdem for her first visit to new patronage the Victoria & Albert Museum. The designer won over many a critic that night when Kate arrived wearing the Iman off-the-shoulder boucle tweed dress. I loved this look, and in fact it's a contender for my favourite of the year. The fabric, cut, encrusted faux embellishments, length and accessories offered a very fresh, effortless style.

It was a return to Windsor for the autumn wedding of Princess Eugenie and her longtime love Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel. Kate chose a raspberry pink McQueen dress.

George and Charlotte undertook page boy and bridesmaid duties for the third time in 2018. Photo caption: "This is a doddle. Another wedding? No problem!"

The bride looked radiant in a Peter Pilotto gown. The low back feature on the dress was at the specific request of Princess Eugenie, who had surgery aged 12 to correct scoliosis. She has been widely praised for choosing to show her scars on her big day.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted a reception for the finalists of  BBC Radio One's Teen Hero Awards at Kensington Palace in mid October.

It was a sparkling appearance for the Duchess at the glittering State banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima's visit. Kate was draped in jewels including the Lover's Knot Tiara, Diana's Collingwood pearls, a stunning pearl necklace from the Queen's vault and shimmering bracelet. The story from the night was news Kate had received the Royal Family Order from the Queen. Traditionally the order was made of ivory, but we knew we wouldn't see the Duchess wearing the material and instead Kate's was created with glass. The Order is awarded by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom to female members of the Royal family as they typically do not wear the commemorative medals men do. The order is a personal memento rather than a State decoration.

The Duke and Duchess visited Coach Core Essex today to meet new apprentices, hear from graduates, and learn how the scheme in Essex is engaging a diverse local community with sport.

It was a poignant and reflective visit to the Imperial War Museum for the Duchess who viewed letters relating to the three brothers of her great-grandmother, all of whom fought and died in the First World War. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about Kate's family history and to gain a closer insight into the role several of her relatives played. As Kate looked through documents she said: "It's all so sad." When I look back on 2018, this was one of the standout events. The personal connection added another dimension to the visit, it offered an insight into Kate's family history and given the centenary commemorations last year it felt especially timely.

November

The Tusk Trust Awards saw the return of Kate's teal Jenny Packham gown to the delight of many fashion watchers. 

Kate was in Roland Mouret for the moving Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The Royal British Legion's annual festival commemorates those who have lost their lives in service of their country. We saw a large turnout by the Royal family and touching performances throughout the event.

Kate and Camilla joined Her Majesty on the balcony at Whitehall for Remembrance Sunday.

That evening, the Duke and Duchess joined Her Majesty and other members of the Royal family for a service at Westminster Abbey in honour of those who lost their lives in the First World War and the Centenary of Armistice Day.

Ahead of Prince Charles' 70th birthday, the Palace released a fantastic pair of photographs to mark the milestone. Official images tend to be largely formal, so the choice of a shot depicting the future king with his family, taken in the gardens of Clarence House in September, made for a delightful choice. Kate selected an Alessandra Rich dress for the photos. She held her mini-me Louis in the shots. I noted the prince's resemblance to his mother several times last year. Similarly to his brother and sister, Louis is a delightful baby and changes so much with each photo.

William and Kate served lunch during a day of engagements in South Yorkshire. After a visit to automaker McLaren, their next port of call was homeless charity Centrepoint. Over lunch, they chatted with a group of young people about their experiences with the organisation.

A glamorous Kate was photographed en route to Prince Charles' 70th birthday celebrations in a pink one shoulder gown, dazzling earrings and a gorgeous updo. We await a repeat of the look to see it in its entirety.

To mark Anti-Bullying Week, William and Kate made a surprise visit to the BBC to view the work the broadcaster is doing as a key member of the Duke's Task Force on the Prevention of Cyberbullying. William discussed his disappointment at the lack of progress and willingness by tech giants to take steps to truly combat the mammoth issue of online abuse.

William and Kate joined Harry and Meghan for the Royal Foundation dinner at Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square. The annual event offered a chance to celebrate the successes of the year with staff from the Foundation and representatives from organisations the royals work with closely. The event is private, but luckily this year a couple of images emerged. Kate donned her red Preen Finella dress for the evening.

Kate made an unannounced visit to a University College London's developmental Neuroscience Lab to learn more ahead of the launch of her 'early years' initiative. UCL is conducting world-leading neuroscience research into the critical importance of the early years, and developing new treatments and ways of supporting children and parents. Its work includes a focus on the early parent-infant bond and how it develops.

It was a poignant visit to Leicester for the Cambridges, as they paid tribute to those who were tragically killed in the helicopter crash at Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium.

December

William and Kate got into the festive spirit with a Christmas party at the Orangery at Kensington Palace for families and children of deployed personnel from RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham serving in Cyprus. The party was beautifully planned to ensure families in attendance had a wonderful time. Kate was seasonally attired in a red print Emilia Wickstead skirt and Brora cardigan. 

Following the Christmas party, it was time for the annual white-tie Diplomatic Reception. In a change with tradition, a photographer was invited inside to take photos and we saw the royals in their finery properly. We've seen Charles take on increasing responsibility from his mother over the past year, I suspect the decision was his and will mark a change in coverage of the reception. Kate was every inch the princess in a shimmering bespoke Jenny Packham gown.

The next morning, William and Kate travelled to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to meet with serving personnel, families living on the base, wider station personnel, and members of the local community. The royal couple brought Christmas cards and gifts from the party at Kensington Palace to present to loved ones who would be away over the festivities. I would love to see this become an annual engagement involving different bases each year. Kate teamed her army green blazer with a stylish pair of navy trousers; a very professional look for her.

Kate chose a green polka dot L.K. Bennett dress for a pre-Christmas visit to her new patronage Evelina London Children's Hospital. Kate delivered a short speech at the event: "It’s always such a pleasure to come and meet patients and families who are here. A huge thank you to everyone here at Evelina for doing such an amazing job on a daily basis in supporting children and their extended families both here and also out in the community. Early years is such a big part of that work I am really interested in and that's really the main focus that you have here, supporting children at the earliest stages of their lives but also seeing them through to adulthood and supporting them in every way you can so it's a real privilege to be part of this organisation and I look forward to many happy years, hopefully ahead and congratulations to everyone here."

The Cambridges chose an autumnal family portrait taken at their country home in Norfolk for their Christmas card.

Kate was pretty in pink for the Queen's pre-Christmas luncheon. 

The Cambridges concluded 2018 with a family-filled Christmas at Sandringham. We saw William and Kate make the annual walk to St Mary's with Charles, Harry and Meghan. Kate told well-wishers George and Charlotte were "up very early" to open their gifts from Father Christmas. The Duchess was elegant in a berry red Catherine Walker coat for her final public appearance of the year.

In his annual letter to The Times, Tim O'Donovan noted the Duchess carried out 87 engagements in 2018.

For 2019, we should see Kate's number rise substantially. I would love to see a continued focus on core issues like young people and mental health (particularly the continuation of Heads Together) with a programme of 'away days' around the UK included. William and Kate haven't undertaken a joint Commonwealth tour since autumn 2016, and it would be great to see them tour countries they haven't yet visited. Perhaps a tour over the summer which works with the children's term times? With Brexit at the forefront for the Government, I anticipate the Foreign Office may deploy them on another European visit or two during the year. I'm hoping we'll see William and Kate involved in more State visits too. Before that, we can expect news on Kate's 'early years' initiative. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the project, Kate's aspirations and the plan of action. 

I'd be remiss to conclude the post without mention of the media storm which has snowballed in recent months. It's been an intense year in royal watching filled with a rollercoaster of headlines. Such is the popularity of the young royals, the voracious appetite to fill column inches has seen a shift in coverage. A shift geared towards the most sensational, salacious pieces possible. As a monarchist, it's worrying to see the conversation move from the royals' actual roles and functions as ambassadors for the UK and representatives of Her Majesty to gossip pieces. Whilst the private lives and more frivolous elements of the royals have and always will be of interest, recent coverage seems completely disinterested in the substantive aspects. In my opinion, the coverage is a disservice to the work members of the Royal family are doing at home and abroad. Royal watchers online, and particularly those active on social media, will have noticed the deplorable dissension and breakdown in communication. One of the saddest elements for me has been seeing women pitting two women against each other, using one to tear the other down. It's a desperately ugly situation. I greatly hope 2019 will signal a return to a kinder community; a community with more understanding and tolerance. I'm enormously thankful to those of you who have striven to continued reasonable and fair discussion and endeavoured to disagree respectfully.

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each one of you for taking the time to pop in and read the blog. I look forward to another year of royal watching with you all! :)

Thus articles Year in Review 2018: Three Weddings and a Baby!

that is all articles Year in Review 2018: Three Weddings and a Baby! This time, hopefully can provide benefits to all of you. Okay, see you in another article posting.

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