Remembrance weekend

Big Changes: The Royal Family Sure Has Shrunk In Just 2 Years

The Royal Family's public presence has really shrunk in recent years. At a remembrance ceremony on Saturday evening, the change was quite clear. The royals have lost a handful of faces who long represented the monarchy.

This weekend, the British Royal Family led commemorations to fallen servicemen and women of the World Wars and other military conflicts. It's an important week for the royals, who attend annual ceremonies and remembrance events.

Royal Family shrinks at Festival of Remembrance 2021

On Saturday evening, for example, the annual Festival of Remembrance took place at London's Royal Albert Hall. The Royal Family made their way together, but it was a much smaller posse than we're used to seeing.

If you compare the picture above (from Saturday's ceremony) to those from 2019, it becomes clear just how much the family has shrunk. Here they are two years ago:

Royal Albert Hall 2018

A lot has happened since 2019 (the 2020 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19). Shortly after, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan left for a new life in the US.

Prince Andrew resigned over his connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse. In addition, the royals said goodbye to Prince Philip this year — but he did not attend the festival two years ago.

The Queen missed appointments on Remembrance Day

Most noticeable this year, however, was the absence of Queen Elizabeth II. She missed not only the Festival of Remembrance but also her appearance on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph.

The Queen was expected to be at the Sunday service, but she had to cancel last minute due to a back sprain. The injury is believed to be unrelated to the recent health issue that sent the 95-year-old to hospital for one night.

On Sunday morning, the Palace broke the news in a statement: "The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today's Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph."

The Queen was "disappointed" to miss the service, and fans and well-wishers are hoping she'll recover and be attending appointments again soon.

Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, Prince William, and Duchess Kate led the family at the Saturday service without the Queen. Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Prince Michael, and their spouses were among the others in the royal box this year.