The Royal Family have experienced a difficult year in 2019. Most recently, Prince Philip was taken into hospital to receive treatment relating to a “pre-existing condition”. Buckingham Palace said the admission was planned and was a precautionary measure on the advice of the Duke of Edinburgh’s doctor. But what other events have made 2019 a “car crash” for the Royal Family?

The Queen used the phrase Annus Horribilis to describe 1992 at a speech to Guildhall on November 24 marking the 40th anniversary of her accession.

The Queen said: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.

“In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis.”

The “sympathetic correspondent” was later revealed to be her former assistant private secretary, Sir Edward Ford.

The year was described as such because the year included:

• The separation of three of her children from their wives
• The death of the Queen’s nephew, Prince Albrecht of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
• The publication of a tell-all book about Princess Diana
• The toe-sucking scandal involving Sarah Ferguson
• The publication of personal telephone conversations between Princess Diana and James Gilbey
• A fire at Windsor Castle

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But now it appears likely 2019 will be the next “horrible year” for the Queen – but why?

The year had a difficult start when Prince Philip crashed his car.

While no one was seriously injured, the Duke of Edinburgh surrendered his driving licence after an apology.

After an announcement that he would not face prosecution, a line was drawn under the incident.

There has also been strife for the younger royals throughout the year.

The split of the Cambridge and Sussex households has caused much controversy.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced this year their intention to launch their own foundation, while Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, would retain the existing one.

The couples defended the decision saying that they are each confidently established with their own bodies of work and their own distinct teams.

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The Queen faced fire again in September when she was dragged into politics when Boris Johnson suspended Parliament.

The decision was later ruled as unlawful and the entire affair was described as a constitutional crisis.

However, now there is a Conservative Party majority following the latest general election, it is unlikely the Queen will be placed in the same position again in the near future.

The Queen reopened Parliament officially at the State Opening of Parliament held on Thursday, December 19, before she travelled to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk the next day.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have additionally suffered this year.

The couple faced backlash for their expenditure on renovations for Frogmore House when the Royal Family’s spending report was published.

Later, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also caused outrage when they were discovered to have taken private planes, despite being strong advocates for environmental causes.

The negative media attention the couple has garnered throughout the year has caused Prince Harry to take legal action against the Sun and the Daily Mirror over alleged phone hacking.

In his statement released during the royal couple’s tour of South Africa, Harry accused parts of the media of “waging campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences”.

He added: “Though [my] action may not be the safe one, it is the right one … I’ve seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person.

“I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”

Prince Andrew has also been embroiled in controversy in 2019, being forced to step down from his royal duties.

Before stepping down, the Duke of York conducted an interview with the BBC’s Emily Maitlis where he hoped to clear his name and continue his public role.

But during the interview, the prince was accused of being unapologetic for his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In a statement about his decision, Prince Andrew wrote: “It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.

“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

“I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

“I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

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