The world loves a royal love story. Take Princess Catherine's fairytale romance with Prince William, which proved that meeting an actual prince at university really can happen, or the royal weddings that regularly dominate global headlines. Yet many fans are unaware of the significant age gaps between some of these famous couples.
For instance, Lady Kitty Spencer found love with her husband Michael Lewis, who is 32 years her senior, while Meghan Markle is three years older than Prince Harry. Proving that age is truly just a number when it comes to true love, let's take a look at the royal couples with age differences...
Prince William and Princess Catherine
© Getty ImagesBoth Prince William and Princess Catherine were born in 1982, but with her birthday falling in January and William’s in June, the Duchess is five months older than her husband.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
© Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Sussex is three years older than her husband Prince Harry. Having been born on 4 August 1981, Meghan is now 45, while the Duke is 42.
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco
© Getty ImagesThere is a 19-year age gap between Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife Princess Charlene. Albert was born in 1958 while former swimmer Charlene's birthday was in 1978, and they tied the knot in 2011.
Lady Kitty Spencer and Michael Lewis
© @kitty.spencerIn 2021, model Lady Kitty Spencer married fashion tycoon Michael Lewis, who is 32 years her senior. Princess Diana's niece has been dating the Whistles owner since the summer of 2018, a year after her split from boyfriend Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, with the former couple also having a similar age gap of 20 years.
Lady Gabriella Windsor and Tom Kingston
© Photo: Getty ImagesThere was a two-year age gap between Lady Gabriella Windsor and her late husband Tom Kingston. While Lady Gabriella was born in April 1981 her financier partner's birthday was in June 1978. Sadly, Thomas Kingston passed away on February 25, 2024.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
© InstagramThere is a four-year age difference between Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson's youngest daughter is 36, while Jack is currently 40.
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
© Getty ImagesPrincess Beatrice's husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi is five years older than her - they were born in 1988 and 1983 respectively.
Zara and Mike Tindall
© Getty ImagesThere is just a small age gap between Zara and Mike Tindall. Princess Anne's daughter Zara is two-and-a-half years younger than former rugby player Mike, who was born in 1978.
Peter and Autumn Phillips
© Photo: Getty ImagesThere was just a six-month age difference between Peter Phillips and his ex-wife Autumn. While Princess Anne’s son was born on 15 November 1977, his wife was born a few months later in May 1978.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
© Getty ImagesThe late Prince Philip was almost five years older than Queen Elizabeth. While the monarch's actual birthday was on 21 April, Trooping the Colour was celebrated on the second Saturday in June, which was usually near her husband's birthday on 10 June.
King Charles and Queen Camilla
© Photo: Getty ImagesQueen Camilla is 16 months older than her husband King Charles. They were born in July 1947 and November 1948 respectively.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana
© Tim Graham Photo Library via GetMeanwhile, then-Prince Charles had a bigger age gap with his first wife Princess Diana, who was 12 years his junior. They married in 1981 when she was 20 and he was 32.
Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie
© Getty ImagesThere is less than a year's age difference between Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie. Edward turned 62 in March, and Sophie is 61 years old.
Princess Anne and Timothy Laurence
© UK Press via Getty ImagesPrincess Anne is more than four years older than her second husband, Timothy Laurence. The Princess Royal was born on 15 August 1950, while Timothy was born on 1 March 1955.
Lord Frederick Windsor and Sophie Winkleman
© Getty ImagesLord Frederick Windsor is two years older than his wife Sophie Winkleman, whom he married in September 2009.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesThere is a four-year age gap between this couple, with King Felipe born in January 1968, while Queen Letizia was born in September 1972. They tied the knot at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid in May 2004.
Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel of Sweden
© Getty ImagesPrince Daniel is four years older than Sweden's heir, Crown Princess Victoria. The royal couple had a famous meet-cute when he became her personal fitness trainer, leading them to marry in June 2010.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
© Getty ImagesThere is another four-year age gap between this European royal couple, with the King born in 1967 and the Queen in 1971. They married in Amsterdam in February 2002.
Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden
© GettySweden's royal heartthrob, Prince Carl Philip, is five years older than his wife, Princess Sofia. The 47-year-old was born in May 1979, whereas former model Sofia is 41, having been born in December 1984.
King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark
© GettyKing Frederik is nearly four years older than Queen Mary, and they famously met in a Sydney pub during the 2000 Olympic Games before marrying in May 2004.
