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28 times the royals showed off their impressive dance moves - see photos

The royal family love letting their hair down!

royals dancing
Fiona Ward
Acting Fashion and Beauty Editor
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In recent weeks we've seen the likes of Helen Skelton and Will Mellor dust off their dancing shoes on Strictly Come Dancing, but it's not just the celebs who secretly love to tear up the dance floor. We take a look at some of the best royal dancing moments, and you won't be disappointed…

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Dancing has long been a special part of royal family tradition – Queen Victoria was known for her love of Scottish jigs, even having a ballroom constructed at Balmoral for her dance parties.

WATCH: Kate Middleton and Prince William delight with dancing during tour of Belize

Over the years, the late Queen has of course danced in front of many during various visits and engagements - including during a visit to Ghana in 1961, when she beamed as she took hold of the country's president and tried the Ghanaian 'shuffle'. The moment was re-enacted in Netflix's The Crown series in 2018.

The late Queen dancing in Ghana© Photo: Getty Images

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Perhaps our most prevalent dancing royal, though, is Queen Consort Camilla who is known to be the first on the floor and has even gained the nickname of 'dancing Duchess' – though how can we forget Prince William gamely throwing some shapes during engagements over the years.

Prince Charles dancing in Canada© Photo: Getty Images

During Charles and Camilla's royal tour of Canada, the then-Prince of Wales couldn't help but get involved with a traditional Dene drum dance. The royal got encouraged to join in the conga-style dance, and he smiled as other dancers took selfies as the line wound around the room.

Meghan Markle dancing© Photo: Getty Images

It was an energetic start to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal tour of Africa in September 2019. The couple travelled to the Nyanga township and were greeted by amazing performances by the locals. Meghan couldn't resist joining in and couldn't contain her giggles as she clapped her hands and twirled around with the dancers.

Princess Kate dancing with Paddington© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Kate couldn't resist taking Paddington Bear by the paw during a charity event at London's iconic train station in October 2017 – to the delight of everyone watching! William and Harry, who were also at the event, couldn't stop giggling as she was spun around by the children's character.

Camilla dancing© Photo: Getty Images

Queen Consort Camilla was announced as Royal Academy of Dance's new vice patron during a video call with Dame Darcey Bussell and Angela Rippon CBE. Camilla revealed during the conversation that she had been taking part in the RAD's Silver Swans ballet classes once a week when she's in London and online from her Scottish home, Birkhall, during the coronavirus lockdown. Here's Camilla showing off some moves at a dance class led by the Royal Voluntary Service in Banbury in January 2020…

Camilla with Craig from Strictly© Photo: Getty Images

The 'dancing Duchess' in action! No doubt she was thrilled to meet Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood back in 2009, when he taught her the Cha Cha Cha during a visit to St Clement Danes School. The pair have met on a number of occasions since, and even seem to be unlikely friends – Camilla has also tried some moves with former Strictly professional Brendan Cole. Jealous, us? Never.

Kate and William on tour© Photo: Getty Images

Who can forget William and Kate's 2012 royal tour of the Far East, when they danced with local women during a visit to South Pacific island Tuvalu. If that's not joy written all over their faces, we don't know what is!

The Queen with Prince Philip© Photo: Getty Images

We adore this shot of Her Majesty (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip hand-in-hand at a square dance in 1951. The event was organised in their honour in Ottawa, during their tour of Canada – we are loving the 30-year-old Prince's Western-inspired outfit!

Diana dancing with John Travolta© Photo: Getty Images

This gorgeous snap of Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta is one of the most famous of the late royal. The picture was taken at the White House during her visit to America in November 1985.

Prince William doing the robot© Photo: Getty Images

Remember when Prince William tried to do the robot? Exhibit A. He learnt the move with the Scariofunk Dance Collective during a visit to Caius House Youth Centre in September 2016, and we have to say we're pretty impressed.

Prince William attempting a new move© Photo: Getty Images

Even earlier, in 2011, he danced with with Vanessa Boateng on a day out at charity Centrepoint, as wife Kate looks on and laughs. The royal has joked about his dance moves in the past, asking one young dancer: "Can you spin on your head? That’s always what I ask people who do street dancing. I can't do it, I can't even dance properly anyway. If I were to break dance, I'd literally break myself!"

Prince Harry dancing© Photo: Getty Images

You can't visit the Caribbean without getting into the island spirit can you? Here's Prince Harry dancing with soca singer Claudette Peters and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne.

Prince Harry doing ballet© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Harry showcased his ballet skills during a visit to the YMCA East Ealing. His dance moves went down a treat with his young audience.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles dancing© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Charles and Princess Diana dance together at a ball during their tour of Australia on October 31, 1985 in Melbourne.

Charles dancing in clogs© Photo: Getty Images

Charles was photographed having a go at traditional Mexican clog dancing in November 2014.

Kate dancing with Guy Pelly© Photo: Getty Images

A 2006 photograph of the then-Kate Middleton dancing with close friend Guy Pelly, who is now godfather to baby Prince Louis. The pals danced up a storm at a pre-Wimbledon party hosted by Sir Richard Branson at London's The Roof Gardens.

Camilla ballroom dance© Photo: Getty Images

Camilla dances with royal photographer Arthur Edwards as she attends a tea party during her visit to Bristol in February 2017.

The late Queen dancing© Photo: Getty Images

Her Majesty was pictured dancing with Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, colonel of the 8th Hussars, at a ball held at the Hyde Park Hotel, London, in November 1954. The ball celebrated the centenary of the Battle of Balaclava. Just look at her beautiful ballgown!

Charles dancing with Zulemita Menem© Photo: Getty Images

King Charles dances with Zulemita Menem at the President's Dinner in Buenos Aires, 1999, during his two day visit to Argentina.

Princess Victoria dancing© Photo: Getty Images

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden beams as she dances at her royal wedding to husband Daniel in 2010. The happy couple took to the floor after their wedding banquet at the royal palace in Stockholm, to the delight of all their guests.

Prince Albert dancing at the Olympics© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Albert of Monaco does a celebratory wiggle during the women's team final in Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. He has been spotted showing off his moves on a number of occasions, including when he celebrated ten years on the throne in 2015 – with a Robbie Williams concert! The popstar performed at the palace, with Albert getting straight up on his feet during the hits.

The Monaco royals dancing© Photo: Getty Images

In fact, Monaco's royal family are never afraid to strut their stuff! Here's Prince Albert, his then-fiancée Charlene Wittstock and Princess Caroline showing off some very bold moves at an Iggy Pop concert on the Prince's Palace square in 2010.

Annual Rose Ball © Photo: Getty Images

The annual Rose Ball in Monaco is also the ideal excuse to hit the dancefloor – here's siblings Charlotte and Pierre Casiraghi dancing together in 2007.

Queen Mathilde with Phillipe© Photo: Getty Images

Prince Philippe of Belgium danced with Queen Mathilde during their engagement party at the Royal Castel in Brussels 13 November 1999.

Queen Maxima dancing© Photo: Getty Images

Princess Maxima was pictured dancing during a cultural festival at the Historical Foundation Museum in Saint Eustatius in November 2011.

Charles and Camilla in Ireland© Photo: Getty Images

In March this year, Camilla and Charles learnt the steps of a traditional Irish dance at the Bru Boru Cultural Centre in Cashel, County Tipperary. And judging by the King's face, he was fully engrossed! 

Prince Harry dancing in Lesotho© Photo: Getty Images

Royal brothers Prince William and Prince Harry enjoyed a sweet bonding moment during their 2010 tour of Africa. The duo were spotted dancing with Prince Seeiso in Lesotho – and Prince Harry appeared to nail the lively sequence.

Zara doing gymnastics© Photo: Getty Images

Equestrian star Zara Tindall adored gymnastics as a youngster. The royal performed a gymnastic display for her grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who were visiting her school, Port Regis.

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