Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boast the most popular Instagram posts of 2020 out of the Royal Family

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge boast some of the most popular Instagram posts across the Royal Family’s accounts this year, it has emerged.

Prince William and Kate, both 38, who share their photographs on the Kensington Royal page, secured the two top liked snaps in 2020, according to Twitter account Gert’s Royals.

The first shows the duke and their three children, Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, sitting together on a swing in their garden at Anmer Hall, Norfolk, to celebrate Prince William’s birthday and it received 2.4million likes.

Meanwhile, the young Cambridges clapping for NHS workers in the first lockdown gained 2million likes – showing just how popular Kate’s candid photographs and footage is with royal fans.

In third place, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Sussex Royal Instagram account, which they no longer post on, made an appearance, with their announcement about ‘stepping back as senior royals’ getting nearly 1.9million likes.

Here, FEMAIL reveals the nine most popular Instagram posts from the Royal Family’s Instagram accounts over the past year…  

1. Prince William’s 38th birthday portrait (2.4million likes)

Leading the most liked Instagram posts was the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with this candid snap taken of Prince William and his children to mark his 38th birthday this year.

The Queen’s grandson sits on a swing in his Norfolk estate Anmer Hall, with Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two, all surrounding him.

Taken by the Duchess of Cambridge, the photograph shows the family beaming at the camera while sitting on the swing, which was a wedding gift from Prince Charles.

Kate was flying the flag for British brands when dressing her children for Prince William’s birthday – with her youngest son Prince Louis dressed in a £12.95 Gap t-shirt and £22 Navy Hampton Canvas Nantucket shoes from high street chain the Trotters.

Meanwhile, Princess Charlotte sported £10 John Lewis embroidered dungaree shorts for the snaps, taken in June.

2. The young Cambridges clapping for carers (2million likes)

During the UK’s first lockdown, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a video on Instagram of their three children laughing and clapping together in the garden in celebration of the NHS.

The post on Kensington Palace’s account, which secured the second most amount of likes this year, read: ‘To all the doctors, nurses, carers, GPs, pharmacists, volunteers and other NHS staff working tirelessly to help those affected by #COVID19: thank you.’

The trio joined people from around the country as they took to their windows to show their appreciation for the efforts produced by the key workers, NHS and volunteers working during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Many of those who watched the clip were charmed by the ‘adorable’ children as the Cambridges clapped and laughed during the video, with one commenting: ‘Love to see Prince George leading his people already.’ 

While Prince George lead the applause, Princess Charlotte could be seen offering a shy smile. Meanwhile Prince Louis appeared to gaze up at his elder siblings as he joined their clapping tribute in March.

3. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Megxit announcement

In third place, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Sussex Royal Instagram account, which they no longer post on, made an appearance, with their announcement about ‘stepping back as senior royals’ getting nearly 1.9million likes.

The couple, who now live in the US, shared a photograph from when they revealed their engagement, standing together at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017.

In a statement, they said: ‘After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. 

‘We intend to step back as “senior” members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.

‘It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment. We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.’

4. Princess Charlotte’s fifth birthday portrait (1.7million likes)

To mark her fifth birthday, Kensington Palace released new pictures of Princess Charlotte as she helped her parents deliver home-made pasta to vulnerable Norfolk residents isolated by coronavirus in May. 

The new commemorative portraits were, as usual, taken by keen amateur snapper Kate, 38, in between homeschooling sessions at Anmer Hall, the family’s Norfolk home on the Queen’s Sandringham estate. 

It appears the most loved photograph from the four which were shared, is the one in which Princess Charlotte is seen crossing her arms and sharing a mischievous smile.

Princess Charlotte appeared smartly dressed in a black and white checked dress with grey tights and black Mary Jane shoes for the image.

5. The Queen’s statement over Megxit

Following an unprecedented Royal Family summit at Sandringham in January to thrash out the way forward after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to quit their duties, the Queen released a statement.

The deeply personal message by Her Majesty was shared on the couple’s Instagram page, and gained 1.7million likes.

It read: ‘Following many months of conversations and more recent discussions, I am pleased that together we have found a constructive and supportive way forward for my grandson and his family.

‘Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family. I recognise the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.

‘I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family.

‘It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.’ 

6. Prince Louis’ birthday snap (1.6million likes)

With his little hands smudged with paint and a broad grin on his face, Prince Louis was clearly pleased with his artistic creation in this photograph, shared as part of a series in April.

Released to celebrate his second birthday, the charming picture showed that – just like millions of other children across Britain at the time – his parents kept him busy by painting rainbows to celebrate the NHS. 

Taken at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk home, by his doting mother Kate, the image showed that Louis is growing up fast.

The adorable photograph was praised by fans and liked 1.6million times by royal enthusiasts.

7. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding anniversary photo (1.5million likes)

In April, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a photo from their wedding to celebrate their ninth anniversary – and it was liked a staggering 1.5million times.

The stunning photograph shows the beaming newlyweds standing in the doorway of Westminster Abbey after exchanging vows on 29 April 2011 in a service that was watched around the world. 

Both William and Kate have wide smiles on their faces as they emerge to face the adoring public. 

Sharing the stunning image on Instagram, William and Kate thanked supporters for their well-wishes. 

They wrote: ‘Nine years ago today – thank you for all your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding anniversary!’ 

8. Prince Louis’ second birthday photo (1.5million likes)

Prince Louis’ second birthday portraits again made an appearance in the list, with 1.5million Instagram users liking a second photograph of him having fun with paint on his hands.

Louis, dressed in a blue checked shirt, appeared to love his arts and crafts – thought to be one of Kate’s favourite things to do with her children – and had no fear of getting his hands dirty.

He looked positively ecstatic to be getting so covered in paint as he made a rainbow patterned handprint to stick up on the front window of the family home.

Pictures of rainbows started springing up up in windows across the country after schools closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

They originated in Italy and quickly spread to the UK, where they were seen as a message of hope and something fun for children to spot on their daily hour of exercise. 

9. Princess Charlotte’s second birthday image (1.5million likes)

Another photograph shared by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark her daughter’s fifth birthday in May, captured Princess Charlotte elegantly holding a bag of pasta.

The image was like 1.5million times and was taken by keen photographer Kate before being shared on the Kensington Palace Instagram account.

Taken as part of the series, the little royal can be seen thoughtfully holding one of the parcels of pasta which she helped her parents deliver to vulnerable Norfolk residents isolated by coronavirus.

The Cambridges, all keen cooks, rustled up some home-made pasta which they separated into 12 large bags and tied up with raffia to add to the food parcels. Sources said all the children – even little Louis, two – were involved. 

The following day, the family – Charlotte smartly dressed in a black and white checked dress with grey tights and black Mary Jane shoes – then helped to load bags of fresh produce into a van from the Sandringham Visitors’ Centre ready for delivery.