Beyoncé Has Enjoyed a Wildly Successful Year . . . Even by Beyoncé Standards

In honor of Tina Knowles Lawson turning 65 in January, Beyoncé sweetly led the crowd through a happy birthday chorus.

It's hard to imagine anyone else rocking this structured Balmain masterpiece. Bey and Jay were the embodiment of glamour at the February get-together.

While Beyoncé and JAY-Z accepted the Brit Award for best international group in February, they honored Meghan Markle by standing in front of a portrait with the duchess wearing a tiara and pearls. And while that earned widespread praise, Bey's personal Black History Month ode to Meghan also warmed hearts. "She and Prince Harry have continued to push the race relations dialogue forward both near and far," Bey wrote on her website. "We bow down to one of our Melanated Monas."

And the fact that Bey called Diana "Ms. Ross" at the March soirée just shows how much she respects the legendary singer. You love to see it!

In March, Beyoncé took the stage with JAY-Z to accept the vanguard award for their support of the LGBTQ+ community. During their speech, the singer spoke about the importance of loving others. "Change starts with supporting the people closest to you," she said. "Who you make love to, and take that ass to Red Lobster, is your human right."

Donning a breathtaking Balmain gown, Beyoncé attended the NAACP Image Awards with JAY-Z in March and won the entertainer of the year award.

The mother and father of 7-year-old Blue Ivy and 2-year-old twins Sir and Rumi celebrated another year of marriage, over a decade after they tied the knot on April 4, 2008.

She announced a major partnership with Adidas through which she will rerelease activewear from her Ivy Park line. The news in April came shortly before a report surfaced that she declined to work with Reebok over diversity issues within the company.

When Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé dropped in April, we were changed forever. Giving viewers a sneak peek into the making of her historic Coachella performance, Bey revealed a handful of behind-the-scenes clips and anecdotes, including her tough pregnancy with the twins and Blue Ivy walking in her musical footsteps. The film is truly inspiring from start to finish.

Because Beyoncé knows the Hive is always aching for more, she also dropped Homecoming: The Live Album, allowing fans to enjoy the audio version of her high-energy Coachella set. She even included a few bonus tracks, notably a clip of Blue Ivy belting "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Beyoncé's track "Before I Let Go" — a rendition of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 1981 hit — sparked a dance challenge in which fans all over the world shared videos of them grooving along to the tune. Even Jenna Dewan got in on it!

Two impactful women supporting each other is always heartwarming, so it's no surprise that Bey's essay about Michelle in Time's April issue received so much praise. "I'm honored to know such a brilliant black woman who's spoken about the sacrifice it takes to balance her passions while remaining a supportive partner and mother, and now a best-selling author with Becoming," she wrote about the former First Lady. "She has continued to open herself up, even if it meant being criticized. She has continued to be a portrait of grace."

Beyoncé happily cheered on her beau who performed at the B-Sides 2 concert in celebration of Webster Hall's reopening in NYC. The powerful duo enjoyed a few fun festivities backstage at the April event, including showering themselves in Champagne.

Bey, a Houston native, made time to watch her hometown Rockets battle the Golden State Warriors during the NBA finals in May. (And she looked amazing, of course.) The following month, Bey and JAY-Z also sat courtside at a Golden State Warriors game where Nicole Curran — the wife of Warriors owner Joe Lacob — leaned over Bey. The moment went viral as fans cringed at the sight of Nicole invading the queen's personal space. But Beyoncé's publicist reminded the Hive to be kind and loving.

During Janet's Metamorphosis Vegas residency in May, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland joined Rhythm Nation as they grooved along to the music in the crowd — and their dance moves were eerily synchronized.

Since Beyoncé voices Nala in Disney's remake of The Lion King, it was only right that she went all out for the Wearable Art Gala in June. Rocking a golden jumpsuit with a lion's face, Bey absolutely stunned at the Lion King-themed gathering. And Blue Ivy looked just as amazing!

Beyoncé made a surprise appearance at the AFI Gala in June to present Melina — who directed the "Formation" music video — with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. "After over a decade of collaborating with Melina, we've become family," Bey said. "In 2005, she managed to shoot five videos with me in three days, creating beautiful imagery with little to no budget. We've come a long ways since those days."

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy stunted on the red carpet at the LA premiere of The Lion King in July. Bey also united with former Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams at the event.

After her endearing ode to Meghan back in February, it happened at last: Beyoncé met the Duchess of Sussex. At the UK premiere of The Lion King in July, the two powerhouse women crossed paths and enjoyed a nice chat. As they embraced, Bey even called the former Suits actress "my princess." Gah!

Bey's visually stunning music video for "Spirit" and "Bigger" left jaws aplenty on the ground when it dropped in July. Rocking a number of colorful ensembles, the singer croons the uplifting tracks — which are featured on her Lion King-inspired album, The Gift — against the background of Mother Nature. And it should come as no surprise that Blue Ivy was by her side throughout the video.

In July, Beyoncé also spoke to Good Morning America's Robin Roberts to promote her soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift. "This soundtrack is a love letter to Africa, and I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa," she said. Considering she doesn't do very many sit-down interviews, this was quite the treat.

The 27-track album that dropped in July features notable American artists, such as Kendrick Lamar and JAY-Z, as well as popular African singers, including Wizkid and Yemi Alad. Standout songs "Mood 4 Eva" and "Brown Skin Girl" especially struck a chord with fans as Bey sang about the importance of black women loving and embracing themselves.

Beyoncé made her official debut as Nala in The Lion King remake when the film hit theaters on July 19. The cast was packed with big-name stars — Donald Glover, James Earl Jones (who voiced the original Mufasa), Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner — but we got just a little more excited when we heard Bey's voice come out of a fierce lioness.

Sure, Bey and Jay's schedules are busy, but they have time for family! In late July, they celebrated their niece Teanna's birthday in NYC. The bash was inspired by The Great Gatsby, which you might be able to gather from JAY-Z's black-and-white tuxedo and Beyoncé's glitzy red gown.

The month of August started off with some pretty amazing news in the Bey world: one of the pictures from her historic September 2018 Vogue spread was admitted into Washington DC's Smithsonian museum. The snapshot — which was shot by 24-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell — shows Beyoncé modeling a golden Valentino gown with a spiked Philip Treacy London hat. We already knew the singer is a work of art, but we appreciate the confirmation!

Beyoncé released her BeySearch collection in August, and it includes bodysuits, dresses, windbreaker jackets, and bucket hats. All of the items are made from fabric printed with pictures of the singer walking the red carpet, performing on stage, and vacationing with family. We need all of it.

Beyoncé was happily aboard the Lizzo train at the Made in America event in August. She was photographed enjoying the "Truth Hurts" singer's concert in Philadelphia, which naturally sent Lizzo into a tizzy.

On Sept. 4, Bey turned 38 and celebrated the special day alongside friends and family as they sang and danced together.

As the queen of surprises, Beyoncé premiered an ABC special titled Beyoncé Presents: Making the Gift in September. The airing delved into her behind-the-scenes work with other artists, producers, and choreographers that brought her album The Lion King: The Gift to life. And, yes, it included a few adorable glimpses of Blue Ivy, as well as twins Sir and Rumi.

In October, Beyoncé popped up at the opening of Tyler Perry's Atlanta studio, along with JAY-Z and former Destiny's Child members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The event was so meaningful to Bey, she posted about it on Instagram with a caption (!!!), writing, "It makes me so proud, so full, I could not stop crying."