DATES with destiny

THE QUEEN’S CLAN IS FACING SOME MAJOR EVENTS IN 2021

For many members of the royal family, 2021 is destined to be a milestone year. There are babies due, a special wedding anniversary and several noteworthy birthdays. But it will also be a year of challenges for some members of the family, with upcoming court cases that could have a big impact on their lives.

Baby joy

There’s nothing like the birth of a baby to give people something to look forward to, and this year the royal family has two impending births – at least – to get excited about.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, 34, announced in September last year that they are expecting their first child early in the year. It’s likely that Eugenie, 30, will give birth to her baby in The Portland, the private hospital where she and older sister Princess Beatrice were both delivered. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, also gave birth to baby Archie there.

Granny-in-waiting Sarah, Duchess of York, 61, is said to be beside herself with excitement over the impending arrival of her first grandchild.

Her former sister-in-law, Princess Anne, 70, is probably a bit more chilled about the fact she’s going to have another grandchild this year. Her daughter Zara is expecting baby number three with Mike Tindall, which makes it five grandkids for Anne. Zara, 39, and Mike, 42, haven’t revealed a due date, but it is thought the baby will be born around May.

Kate and William are also looking forward to being an uncle and aunt all over again with the arrival of Kate’s sister Pippa Matthews’ second child mid-year.