Forget Marvel's The Avengers - the most ambitious crossover event in history is a photo of Prince Charles' entire dynasty. Think about it. You haven't seen all those royals assembled for a photo, have you? If you're American, and trying to comprehend the significance, imagine the very first photo of the entire Kardashian-Jenner family. It's just like that! The royals are basically the British version of the Kardashians. (Okay, I'm kidding, don't @ me, Queen Elizabeth II.)
On November 14, Charles, Prince of Wales, and heir apparent to the British throne, celebrated his 70th birthday. It's quite a milestone, but the future king insisted that it just was another working day. His plans included a couple meetings at Clarence House, and a tea party in London with 70 other inspirational people who have turned 70. I hope one of them is Ozzy Ozbourne! (Yes, he's 70 years old, believe it or not. And I think he'd really be the life of this tea party. Especially if a bat flies in.)
The esteemed Prince Charles also guest-edited an issue of Country Life magazine, in which he describes his passion for nature, and blah, blah, blah, you don't really care about this, do you? Let's get to the historic photo, which taken in September, but released today. In this rare, exuberant royal portrait, we see Prince Charles holding his first-born grandson, five-year-old Prince George. Behind them are George's parents, Catherine and William, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The Duchess, who's wearing a polka dot midi dress by Alessandra Rich, holds six-month-old Prince Louis, who smiles adorably. Way to behave, Lou!
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, sits next to the birthday boy, wearing a cream dress by Fiona Clare. Next to Camilla sits three-year-old Princess Charlotte, Catherine and William's second born. The couple behind them needs no introduction, as the newest royal couple whom you read about everyday: Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan's wearing a cream sleeveless Givenchy dress, and at the time the photo was taken - again, September - would have been eight weeks pregnant.
The second photo is more candid, showing the royal family cracking up with laughter - possibly because Queen Elizabeth II is mooning them. (She's such a prankster!) Meghan Markle appears to be doubling over with laughter, and Camilla points out something to Princess Charlotte. Prince Charles looks pretty much the same, thrilled to be surrounded by family: his lovely wife, his two children and their lovely wives, and his three grandchildren - soon to be four!
The candid photo reflects how the royal family is attempting to be more modern. Meghan is the first biracial woman to join the family, as well as the first divorcée, and the first to have gone to Catholic school. She's even tried to buck archaic sartorial trends, by wearing the occasional pantsuit and homemade pasta necklace.
Well, happy birthday, Charles! It's fun Keeping Up With The Royals.
