40 Photos of the Royals Living Their Best Lives in the Summer
From family time at Windsor Castle to extravagant vacations on yachts.
While it may seem like all work and no play, the royals always find time to enjoy the summer. For starters, they take their travels very seriously — from honeymooning in Spain to sailing on the royal yacht to visiting the pyramids in Giza. But they also make the most of the warm season by spending quality time as a family outside on the grounds of Windsor Castle or visiting Balmoral for the weekend.
Feeling nostalgic? We found photos from as early as the 1930s of the royal family on holiday. From Queen Elizabeth II's days as a young girl to Princess Diana's vacations with her boys, get ready to see the royals soaking up the sun on trips for business, pleasure and, most times, a little bit of both!
1936
A 10-year-old Princess Elizabeth (before her current reign as queen) on the grounds of the Royal Lodge in Windsor during a July trip. The Little Cottage (pictured behind the Princess) was gifted to Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret, by the people of Wales in 1932.
1960
Princess Margaret and her newly wedded husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, wave to onlookers as they set sail on their honeymoon in 1960. For six weeks, the couple sailed through the West Indies on their gorgeous Caribbean vacation.
1941
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret catch some rays on the lawn during their time at Windsor Castle in July of 1941. While the sisters spent a great deal of time at Windsor, their parents — King George VI and Queen Elizabeth — would visit on occasional evenings and weekends.
1992
Dressed in an iconic beige outfit designed by Catherine Walker, Diana, Princess of Wales, takes in the sights on an official tour of the pyramids in Giza during a May trip to Cairo in 1992.
1933
While at a celebration at Abergeldie Castle in Scotland, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret sold white heather to help the funds for Crathie Church. During a break in the festivities, the two girls found some rope to play with, because, why not?!
1946
King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret relax as a family in the summer sun at the Royal Lodge in Windsor.
1959
Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret watch a race at the Derby Day at Epsom in 1959. The pair cheered on the Queen's colt, Above Suspicion, but Parthia — owned by Sir Humphrey de Trafford — took home the win.
1987
Princess Margaret makes the most of her summer holiday in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy by taking a dip in the ocean.
1987
Princess Diana enjoys a family holiday at the Spanish palace in Mallorca with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
1965
Princess Anne and Prince Philip participate in the Cowes Regatta off the Isle of Wright by setting sail on the famous royal yacht, Bloodhound.
1959
Two years after Princess Elizabeth visited the country, Princess Margaret traveled to Nazare, Portugal for a private visit during the summer of 1959.
1985
Setting sail! Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles arrive in Aberdeen, Scotland by boat to soak up an annual summer holiday.
1997
A month before her tragic death, Princess Diana, her sons and her boyfriend, Dodi Al Fayed, sail in the clear waters of St. Tropez, France during a summer vacation.
1978
Catching some rays and waves, Prince Charles attempted to surf in the sun in Deauville, while vacationing in Normandy, France.
1969
During the royal family's summer vacation to Norway, Queen Elizabeth II tried her luck at the classic European lawn game, Boules.
1991
Princess Diana and her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, visit Canada to take in Niagara Falls. The family donned matching rain jackets as they sailed by the towering falls on a sightseeing boat tour.
1967
Princess Margaret (accompanied by Lord Snowdon in a bright blue suit) celebrates a holiday with the Aga Khan at his summer vacation resort.
1959
The royals spent frequent retreats at Windsor Castle after Queen Elizabeth II took up the throne. Here, the Queen spends time with Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and, of course, one of her beloved corgis, Sugar.
1990
Princess Diana and her family vacation in Spain with the Spanish royals in August 1990. The Princess of Wales found some alone time while sailing over the Palma de Mallorca harbor on Juan Carlos' boat.
1966
While on a royal tour of Jamaica, Princess Anne and Prince Philip had an adventure when they embarked on a guided raft tour of the fast-moving rapids of the Rio Grande river.
Expertise: Food writing and editing. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas (rock chalk!) About Me: As the Digital Culinary Editor at Delish, Taylor writes and updates recipe intros with an SEO-focus, co-creates and sends the daily newsletter, and offers team-wide support to ensure that recipes are the best they can be. She worked previously as a Freelance Editor on the Hearst Lifestyle group, where she updated recipes and galleries and contributed ideas for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Prevention, and more. Taylor loves to try out different restaurants and bakeries around Brooklyn and is always hunting for her new favorite coffee shop and wine bar. When she's not writing about everything lemon-blueberry or one of our many margaritas, she can most likely be found reading, browsing her favorite bookstores, or enjoying a little treat.
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