the royals

There's not much time left before the royal baby arrives, and Kate and Will have been getting their practice in with lots of sweet kiddie time. A big part of the duke's and duchess's duties include working with children and carrying on the legacy that Princess Diana left with her extensive charity work. Over the years, they've visited hospitals, schools, and orphanages and shown just how great they are at interacting with their smallest fans.

We couldn't be more excited for the royal baby, and as Kate and Will prep for parenthood, we're taking a look at their cutest moments with children all over the world. These photos are sure to make you smile!

Now that Kate Middleton has officially begun her maternity leave, she can focus her time on relaxing with Prince William and preparing for her baby's arrival. With that in mind, we're taking a look at the royal family's best off-duty moments — from slipping into bikinis on exotic vacations to hitting the polo field with their relatives and pals. Click through to see how Kate, William, Prince Harry, and the rest of the royals let loose when they aren't making official appearances.

With Kate Middleton's anticipated due date approaching, we're diving into all the details of what to look forward to in the royal baby's first year. Taking the monarch's traditions and Prince William's upbringing into account, we've compiled a short guide filled with the fun milestones, special dates, and adorable photo ops we may be seeing in the coming months. As we await the birth of the royal baby, get excited with a glimpse into the future heir's first year!

Prince William and Prince Harry took part in a friendly competition when they played against each other in a charity game at the International Audi Polo Match in Tetbury, England, today. The match fell on the same day as the Cartier Queen's Cup finals, which were attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Beatrice. The royal brothers' game came just 24 hours after they donned their dress uniforms to attend the Trooping the Colour parade in London on Saturday. They were joined by the entire royal family (minus Prince Philip, who is recovering in a hospital) for the occasion, which serves as a belated public birthday celebration for the queen. Kate Middleton made her final public appearance at the event, where she wore a pink Alexander McQueen coat, fueling speculation that she is pregnant with a baby girl.

Kate Middleton made what many believe will be her very last public appearance in London yesterday when she attended the Trooping the Colour parade. She wore a pale pink Alexander McQueen coat as she rode alongside Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Prince Harry at the annual event that serves as a belated public celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday. Prince William and Prince Charles did not ride with Kate's group as they were taking part in the military ceremony alongside Anne, Princess Royal. Prince William is the Colonel of the Irish Guards while Charles is the Colonel of the Welsh Guards and Anne is the Colonel of the Blues and Royals, so they all rode in the ceremony on horseback. Later, the whole group met up, along with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and other royals, to look out from the balcony at Buckingham Palace. Notably absent was Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who is still recovering in the hospital after undergoing surgery. Princes Harry and William paid their grandfather a visit at the hospital yesterday, fueling speculation that he was on the mend.

The Duchess of Cambridge's visit to the Trooping the Colour comes just two days after she made her final solo appearance on Thursday in Southampton. She was on hand to christen a Princess Cruises ship, which, interesting enough, Princess Diana also did in 1984. Be sure to check out all of Kate Middleton's official appearances while pregnant, and don't forget to weigh in on the royal baby's name before Kate gives birth in July!

Kate Middleton made her final public appearance today when she attended the Trooping the Colour parade in London. She has wrapped up her official obligations before she goes on royal maternity leave ahead of the July birth of her baby. With that in mind, we're taking a look back at all of the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnant appearances over the past several months. From her first step out of a London hospital after undergoing treatment for acute morning sickness to her and Prince William's fun visits to Scotland and a Harry Potter set in London, Kate didn't scale back on her royal work while carrying her unborn child. Click through to take a look back at all of Kate's official engagements while working her baby bump!

Kate Middleton made her last solo official appearance as a pregnant woman today when she christened a Princess Cruises ship in Southampton, England. She covered her baby bump in a leopard Hobbs coat as she smashed a bottle of Champagne over the ship, named Royal Princess, while the Royal Marines Band and Irish Guards played music. Singer Natasha Bedingfield will also sing at the event. The cruise company's CEO shared his excitement about Kate christening one of his ship's in a statement, saying, "We are delighted that the duchess will launch our new ship and can think of no better way to celebrate our company's British heritage and our commitment to the country." Kate is in good company when it comes to christening Princess Cruises ships, as Audrey Hepburn, Sofia Loren, and the late Princess Diana have all named vessels for the line. Diana even christened the first Princess Royal ship back in 1984.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been deemed the godmother of the ship and will take a tour of the new vessel, and will later reportedly host a gala dinner with guests from her various charities. While this marks Kate's final solo engagement, she may make one final official appearance on Saturday when she attends the annual Trooping the Color at Buckingham Palace. Don't forget to check out all of Kate Middleton's official appearances as a pregnant woman!