While people often show affection by spending time together, enjoying shared hobbies, or attending various events, expressing emotions openly isn't common among the royals. From Princess Diana in Liverpool in 1992 to the Duke of Sussex at the WellChild Awards, take a glimpse at these touching moments when the royals couldn't hide their feelings.
For decades, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, were a united force in Great Britain. When the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin was taken to St. George's Chapel from Windsor Castle, the Queen sat alone in the pews, dressed in black with a face mask, her emotions apparent.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022 had a profound emotional impact on her children and the royal family, including King Charles III, who was shocked by the loss.
Following his departure from Great Britain to California, Prince Harry disclosed the realities of royal life. He confessed that, when he was 12 years old and received the news of her death, he didn't shed a tear and even considered the possibility that it might have been a ruse.
In her public life, Princess Diana was known for her frequent hugs and her practice of conversing with children at their eye level. Touch played a vital role in her interactions, and during a visit to Southport in 1992, it moved her to tears.
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, became emotional while discussing her youngest son, Prince Louis, who provided comfort during the family's loss.
After Queen Elizabeth II's passing, the royals garnered significant attention during her state funeral. The Duchess of Sussex's emotional departure from Westminster Abbey was a moving moment.
The Duke of Sussex, as a senior royal and philanthropist, collaborates with charities that reflect his values. WellChild, dedicated to children with life-altering illnesses, is one such cause. In 2019, as its patron, Prince Harry became emotional while discussing his parenting journey at the WellChild Award.
Queen Elizabeth II's second child, Princess Anne, is a devoted member of the royal family. During the Queen's coffin transfer to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland, the princess shared a poignant final curtsy to her mother.
In 1995, the Queen Mother wiped away a tear during the 50th-anniversary celebrations of VE Day. Her late husband, King George VI, had been the monarch during World War II, and they had stood on the balcony of Buckingham Palace when victory was declared in Europe in 1945.
One topic on which The Duke of Cambridge has been emotional is the passing of his mother, the late Diana Spencer. He shared his thoughts on the moment he learned of her death during a speech at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Since taking the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has rarely displayed her emotions in public, and one of the few instances where she did was in 1997.
Queen Consort Camilla became emotional while visiting the Safelives Centre in London in January 2016. She took the time to connect with survivors of domestic abuse and had a conversation with Diana Parkes, whose daughter Joanna Brown tragically lost her life to her husband, Robert.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their departure from senior royal duties. However, things took a serious turn during their March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey when Markleopened up about her mental health struggles during pregnancy.
The Countess of Wessex showed her emotions at the 2021 Remembrance Sunday service in London. Alongside the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge, she honoured those who died in wars and conflicts from the balcony of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office building.
In July 2020, during a collective Zoom call, the royal sisters were visibly affected as they heard from a grandmother who has been fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust to honour her grandson's memory.
Shortly after the Queen's passing in September, Zara Tindall, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie were in tears at Balmoral.
In 1991, the young Princess Beatrice wept when her friend was denied access to the Royal Box at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club.
In November 2014, the Princess of Wales teared up as she left a charity event for East Anglia Children's Hospices.
In 1990, a young Prince William received comfort from his mother, Princess Diana, during a sports day event in Richmond, which brought tears to his eyes.
