Royal hay fever: Sneezes from the Queen, Kate Middleton and more caught on camera


Bless you, your highness!


royals sneezing© Photo: Getty Images
Melanie Macleod
Melanie MacleodDeputy Beauty and Lifestyle Editor
June 17, 2022

The Duchess of Cambridge gave an insight into her struggle with hay fever this week, being spotted with distinctly red-ringed eyes at an official engagement – but it's not the first time the royals have been seen suffering at the hands of hay fever.

MORE: Kate Middleton's severe allergy – did you spot it?

From Princess Charlotte's adorable sneezes to Prince Harry's dramatic atichooo on the sports field, here are the best photos of the royal family being struck by hay fever – we hope they had a tissue to hand!

WATCH: Prince William and Kate Middleton look amused at Prince Louis during Jubilee

Princess Charlotte's super-cute sneezes

A young girl in a white dress and flower crown appears surprised or excited in two poses.© Photo: Getty Images

Charlotte still managed to look adorable when she was pictured sneezing at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal wedding back in May 2018. The flower girl was captured politely putting her hand over her mouth and squeezing her eyes shut as she did so, before getting back to waving to the crowds. 

MORE: Will Princess Anne's rare royal title be given to Princess Charlotte?

The Duchess of Cambridge's severe hay fever

Kate Middleton in white suit and hat, hand to mouth, looking down.© Photo: Getty Images

Hay fever sufferer Duchess Catherine has been pictured a number of times sneezing during the spring and summer months - including during a ride in the carriage during Royal Ascot and on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Kate Middleton in a green dress holds a tissue to her nose, with Prince William in a blue suit behind her.© Photo: Getty Images

The Chelsea Flower Show is probably quite the ordeal for Prince William's wife - being surrounded by pollen is a hay fever sufferers worst nightmare! In 2016 she was spotted delicately dabbing her nose at the event.

SEE: How to handle the heatwave like the royals: 16 very relatable photos

A woman in a white dress and pink hat with a flower rides in a carriage, hand on her face.© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge was also hit by a case of the sniffles during a ride in the royal carriage during Royal Ascot. 

The Queen hay fever

An elderly woman with glasses and a blue headscarf blows her nose.© Photo: Getty Images

During her many years on the throne, there are remarkably few occasions where the Queen being struck with hay fever, This rare snap was taken in 2009 at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Perhaps the pollen was particularly bad that year!

MORE: The Queen's secret to ageing gracefully: Is this why the monarch looks so good at 96?

Prince William sneezing

Queen Elizabeth II, Prince William, and another man in military uniforms stand on a balcony.

Prince William seems to be less affected by hay fever than his wife, but has been spotted sniffling on the odd occasion, including on the palace balcony, and once when he was much younger at a public outing in 2008.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in a gray suit, holds his hand to his face, appearing emotional.© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Harry hay fever

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, holds another man's arm as he bends over on a grassy field.© Photo: Getty Images

Never known for being quiet, Prince Harry let out a dramatic sneeze when on the sports field playing polo with his brother Prince William. Perhaps they both inherited hay fever from their father Prince Charles?

MORE: Prince Harry's major physical change since US move – did you spot it?

Prince Charles sneezing 

A man in a maroon sweater and white pants blows his nose with a white cloth.© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Charles was certainly prepared for any allergies while out on a walk! The future King took out a giant handkerchief with him. 

Prince Philip sneezing

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, wearing a bowler hat and brown suit, riding a horse.© Photo: Getty Images

An attack of the sneezes certainly seems to run in the men in the royal family. Prince Philip was also spotted sneezing on occasion, including when indulging in his favourite sport, carriage riding. 

SEE: The Queen proudly watches granddaughter Lady Louise carriage driving at Royal Windsor Horse Show

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