9 Photos of the British Royal Family Vacationing Over the Years
9 Photos of the British Royal Family Vacationing Over the Years
Samantha StutsmanSun, July 26, 2026 at 9:30 AM UTC
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Prince Charles and Princess Diana vacationing at Balmoral in May 1981; Princess Diana and Prince Harry having fun on a jet ski in St. Tropez, France.Credit: MSI/Mirrorpix/Getty; Ken Goff/Getty
When they’re not carrying out royal duties, members of the British royal family have long made time for memorable getaways with their loved ones.
For generations, the royals have retreated to Scotland, where summer stays at Balmoral Castle offer a chance to enjoy the outdoors and spend time together away from their public responsibilities. While they have escaped to warmer destinations and taken beach vacations around the world, they have also headed to the mountains for family ski trips.
Princess Diana enjoyed a variety of holidays with Prince William and Prince Harry before she died in 1997, from sunny seaside getaways to ski vacations in the Alps. The young princes were frequently photographed on the slopes with their parents, beginning a tradition they would later continue with their own families.
Over the years, both William and Harry have enjoyed winter getaways with their wives and children, but they’ve also created new memories with visits to places like Disneyland.
Here’s a look back at nine photos of the British royal family vacationing over the years.
01 of 09
Newlywed Voyage
King Charles and Princess Diana aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia for their honeymoon cruise in August 1981.Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
King Charles and Diana spent part of their August 1981 honeymoon aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. After departing Gibraltar, they cruised the Mediterranean, sailing near the coasts of Algeria and Tunisia, through the Greek islands and on to Egypt before ending the trip in Scotland.
02 of 09
Gone Fishing
Prince Charles in Scotland in 1982.Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty
Balmoral Castle in Scotland has long been one of King Charles’ favorite places to unwind. He’s pictured at the royal estate in 1982, heading out for an afternoon of fishing.
03 of 09
Mallorca Memories
King Charles and Princess Diana with their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, while holidaying in Mallorca with the Spanish royal family in 1987.Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
King Charles and Diana brought Prince William and Prince Harry to Mallorca, Spain, in 1987 for a sun-soaked vacation with the Spanish royal family.
04 of 09
Sand Shenanigans with Mom
Princess Diana with her sons on Necker Island in 1990.Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Diana treated Prince William and Prince Harry to a tropical getaway on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands in April 1990. They were joined on the vacation by Diana’s sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, and her children.
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05 of 09
Mom’s Ski Crew
Princess Diana and her sons, William and Harry, on a ski holiday to Switzerland in 1995.Credit: Kent Gavin/Mirrorpix/Getty
Diana was known for her talent on the slopes. Here, she’s pictured with Prince William and Prince Harry on a ski lift in Switzerland in 1995.
06 of 09
A Royal Retreat
Prince Charles with Prince Harry and Prince William in Switzerland.Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Klosters in Switzerland has long been King Charles’ favorite ski destination. In January 1996, he brought Prince William and Prince Harry to the alpine resort.
07 of 09
Snow Much Fun
Prince William and Kate Middleton with Prince George and Princess Charlotte in the French Alps in 2016.Credit: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty
Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, enjoyed a snowy getaway to the French Alps with their two oldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, in March 2016. Here, the family bundled up for an adorable photo before spending time on the slopes.
The photo continued a longtime royal tradition. During King Charles and Diana’s marriage — and for years afterward — the royal family would pose for a brief photocall with the press at the start of their ski holiday in exchange for being left alone to enjoy the rest of their vacation.
08 of 09
The Happiest Place on Earth
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their kids at Disneyland.Credit: Meghan Markle/Instagram
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle brought their children — Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet — to the Happiest Place on Earth in May 2026. They enjoyed a two-day Disneyland getaway alongside Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
“They were celebrating the kids’ birthdays together. The kids did lots of rides, and it was a special way to extend Mother’s Day for Meghan and her mom,” a source told PEOPLE.
09 of 09
Fun in the Sun
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with their kids at the beach.Credit: Meghan Markle/Instagram
During their 2026 summer vacation, Prince Harry and Meghan brought their children to the beach.
In this photo shared on Meghan’s Instagram, Harry is seen splashing in the waves with Archie and Lilibet as the family soaked up the sun by the shore. “Summer Holiday ☀️,” she captioned the post.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
