It's become clear that no one is having a better 2018 than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In addition to attending lavish events like Britain's annual Royal Ascot on Tuesday, Elizabeth, who is the longest-reigning British monarch, has been spending much of the year celebrating her growing family as well.
In fact, the queen most recently welcomed her seventh great-grandchild after her granddaughter Zara Tindall gave birth to a second baby girl on Monday, according to a statement issued by the royal family on Tuesday. Tindall's newest arrival comes following a miscarriage in 2016. Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall, who have been married six years, are already parents to 4-year-old Mia.
And Elizabeth's sixth great-grandchild, Prince Louis, arrived earlier this year. Elizabeth's grandson Prince Harry and his wife Kate Middleton welcomed their third child—who is fifth in line to the British throne—just two days after the queen's 92nd birthday on April 21. Middleton gave birth on April 23 and made her way back to Kensington Palace with her new baby in tow on the same day. Louis joins royal great-grands Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 3.
The royal family welcomed more than just new babies into the family this year. Elizabeth found herself with another granddaughter-in-law when her grandson Prince Harry tied the knot with American actress Meghan Markle in May. The couple's union, pegged as the wedding of the year, brought thousands to the grounds of St. George's Chapel in Windsor while about 29 million people tuned into the wedding on various broadcast, cable and streaming networks.
The queen recently brought Markle along for their first joint trip to Chester, England on June 14, during which the royal duo attended the Mersey Gateway bridge opening. The event brought together 80 kids for a performance titled, "Bringing Communities Together," organized by the Andrew Curphey Theater Co.
In just a few months, Elizabeth will attend yet another royal wedding when her fifth grandchild, Princess Eugenie, marries her fiancé Jack Brooksbank in October. The couple is expected to tie the knot at the same chapel used by Harry and Markle, although Eugenie's wedding won't be nearly as large.
Despite growing older in 2018 and rumors of retirement swirling around, the queen doesn't appear to be handing over her royal title anytime soon. However, Elizabeth has relinquished some of her duties over to her son Prince Charles and her grandsons William and Harry. Her husband, Prince Philip, who turned 97 on June 10, retired from public life last year, although he has made a few appearances with his wife in 2018.
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