17 Charming Throwback Photos of the Royal Family

Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

17 Charming Throwback Photos of the Royal Family

Family photo time! Prince Charles and Princess Diana followed in the royal tradition of sharing frequent pictures with their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as the young boys grew up. Now that the siblings are adults with kids themselves, it’s fun to look back at shots from their childhood. Charles and Diana tied the knot in a lavish royal wedding in July 1981. The couple went on to welcome William in June 1982 and Harry in September 1984. Although the pair divorced in August 1996, they treated royal watchers to many happy family memories in the interim. “I will fight for my children on any level in order for them to be happy and have peace of mind and carry out their duties,” Diana told BBC1 Panorama in November 1995. The Princess of Wales died in August 1997 at age 36 following a car accident. William and Harry, who were 15 and 12 at the time, are dedicated to carrying on her legacy decades later. [jwplayer NVAxJdxv-l3ahXupL] “[Prince] George and [Princess] Charlotte know all about their late grandmother and what an amazing woman she was,” a source exclusively revealed to Us Weekly of William and Duchess Kate’s children in August 2019. “William tells them she’s watching over them from heaven.” William and Kate even model Diana’s parenting with their kids. “Diana was such a wonderful mother,” the insider said. “William and Kate are doing their best to take after her when it comes to raising George, Charlotte and [Prince] Louis. They’re determined to give their kids a normal life, just like Diana did.” William and Harry also share photos of their own families with the public, as their parents did before them. As such, Harry and wife Meghan Markle released shots of son Archie in July 2019 following his christening. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son,” the Instagram caption read. “They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment.” Scroll down to revisit some of the royal family’s most charming throwback photos.

Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

17 Charming Throwback Photos of the Royal Family

Family photo time! Prince Charles and Princess Diana followed in the royal tradition of sharing frequent pictures with their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, as the young boys grew up. Now that the siblings are adults with kids themselves, it’s fun to look back at shots from their childhood. Charles and Diana tied the knot in a lavish royal wedding in July 1981. The couple went on to welcome William in June 1982 and Harry in September 1984. Although the pair divorced in August 1996, they treated royal watchers to many happy family memories in the interim. “I will fight for my children on any level in order for them to be happy and have peace of mind and carry out their duties,” Diana told BBC1 Panorama in November 1995. The Princess of Wales died in August 1997 at age 36 following a car accident. William and Harry, who were 15 and 12 at the time, are dedicated to carrying on her legacy decades later. [jwplayer NVAxJdxv-l3ahXupL] “[Prince] George and [Princess] Charlotte know all about their late grandmother and what an amazing woman she was,” a source exclusively revealed to Us Weekly of William and Duchess Kate’s children in August 2019. “William tells them she’s watching over them from heaven.” William and Kate even model Diana’s parenting with their kids. “Diana was such a wonderful mother,” the insider said. “William and Kate are doing their best to take after her when it comes to raising George, Charlotte and [Prince] Louis. They’re determined to give their kids a normal life, just like Diana did.” William and Harry also share photos of their own families with the public, as their parents did before them. As such, Harry and wife Meghan Markle released shots of son Archie in July 2019 following his christening. “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so happy to share the joy of this day with members of the public who have been incredibly supportive since the birth of their son,” the Instagram caption read. “They thank you for your kindness in welcoming their first born and celebrating this special moment.” Scroll down to revisit some of the royal family’s most charming throwback photos.

Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images

Royal Piano Posse

Young princes William and Harry posed with their mom for a musical photo op at a piano inside their home in Kensington Palace in October 1985.

Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images

Flowers and Frowns

A young Harry looked at the camera with a puzzled expression while posing with his dad and his brother and mom in a meadow of wild flowers outside their family's Highgrove House in July 1986.

Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images

Wheee!

The boys sported matching mini-uniforms of the British Army's Parachute Regiment while visiting the Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, England, in July 1986. In this photo, Diana proudly looks on while her boys play on a slide.

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Fly Zone

Whoaaa, mom! During the same visit to Highgrove House, the boys were completely in awe of a helicopter in the sky and the ensuing wind tunnel created by the aircraft in July 1986. (Side note: Who knew that William was a Dallas Cowboys fan back then?)

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Pro on a Pony

So stinkin' cute! William was already a pro at horseback riding in July 1986. Diana led her eldest son on an outdoor excursion at Highgrove, where he was photographed looking confident as he rode the miniature horse breed.

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Family Portrait Session!

William and Harry sported matching sweater-vests, button-down oxfords and red Mary Janes for an at-home portrait session at Kensington Palace with their parents in December 1986. Joining the family of four was their beloved puppy. 

Credit: Julian Parker/Getty Images

The Boots Have Eyes

They're watching you! Harry trailed his big brother on the banks of the River Dee near Balmoral Estate in Scotland in this sweet throwback photo from April 1987. The boys were well-prepared for the outing, braving the rocky river banks with corduroy pants, puffy jackets and wellies decorated with amphibian eyes.

Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

Same Blazer, Bro

Harry coordinated outfits with his big brother on William's first day at the Wetherby School in London in September 1989. 

Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

Gold Medal Poses

Diana and her boys goofed off while posing for a pic during their family ski trip in Lech, Austria, in April 1991. In this hilarious snap, Diana does the classic over-the-shoulder ski pose as she overlooks a slope, and her little princes mimic their mom. (Props to Harry, right, for stylishly rocking those neon ski goggles!)

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Denim on Denim

William and Harry sported matching Ottawa baseball caps, chambray shirts and jeans during an outing in Canada with their parents back in October 1991.

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Watch Out for His Watergun!

Harry gave a menacing face to the camera while holding a giant water gun during a visit to Britain's Thorpe Park in April 1993. 

Credit: Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images

Again, Mom!

A grinning Harry could hardly contain his excitement while going down a fast-moving waterslide at Thorpe Park in April 1993. 

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Tales From the Old Man

William and Harry took a break from sledding with their dad during a family vacation in Switzerland in January 1995. 

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The Honeymooners

Charles and Diana posed together in August 1981 during their honeymoon in Scotland.

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Good Tidings

William and Harry flanked their father in a field of flowers for the family’s 1994 Christmas card.

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So Prickly!

Harry couldn't resist making a face while holding "Spike" the echidna during a visit to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, in September 2003. 

Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

And So … Soft?

William was slightly more calm while posing with a sheep at the Duchy Home Farm at Charles' estate in Tetbury, England, in May 2004.