The VERY wholesome summer holidays of Europe’s royal families

From cycling trips to days at the coast, Europe’s royal families have enjoyed summer holidays packed with wholesome activities. 

And unlike the Cambridges and the Sussexes – who choose to keep their holiday plans a closely guarded secret – the royals of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Spain and Greece have all chosen to share photos of their getaways.

The snaps are shared either by an official photo agency, as in the case of Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe, or by the family themselves via a royal Instagram account. 

In each case, the photos offer their subjects insight into how the royal family spend their time away from official duties. 

The open approach to family holidays sits in stark contrast with Prince William, 36, and Kate Middleton, 37, who have made the decision to maintain upmost secrecy around their jaunts to Mustique, even once they have returned home.   

Meanwhile the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have similarly decided not to share details of their summer plans, although it is rumoured the couple will spend time with the Queen in Balmoral.  

It is yet another example of how the couples are attempting to maintain the highest level of privacy despite being funded by the public purse.

While Meghan, 37, and Harry’s love of Instagram means members of the public might one day get a glimpse of the Sussexes in holiday mode, for now Brits have to satisfy themselves with royals from across the continent. 

Here, a closer look at some of the royal summer holiday family albums… 

SWEDEN 

AN ISLAND ESCAPE

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 42, and husband Prince Daniel, 45, took their children Princess Estelle, seven, and Prince Oscar, three, pictured, on a ‘staycation’ last month

Victoria and Daniel shared a gallery of photos showing Estelle and Oscar looking out over crystal blue waters, pictured, on the island of Blå Jungfrun, off the east coast of the country

Another image shared from the holiday in July shows the family posing in a sculpture park in Bohuslän, pictured

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, 42, and husband Prince Daniel, 45, took their children Princess Estelle, seven, and Prince Oscar, three, on a low-key holiday to the island of Blå Jungfrun, in the Kalmar Strait off the country’s east coast. 

Taking to their official Instagram account after their return, Victoria and Daniel shared a gallery of photos showing Estelle and Oscar looking out over crystal blue waters. A third snap showed the adorable siblings giggling with each other. 

The photos were all taken by proud Crown Princess Victoria. 

The caption roughly translated into English reads: ‘Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar photographed during the Crown Princess family’s holiday earlier this summer. The pictures are taken on the West Coast [of the] Blue Maiden [island] in Kalmar Strait.’

Another image shared from the holiday in July shows the family posing in a sculpture park in Bohuslän.  

NORWAY 

CYCLING TOUR, TRUCK DRIVING AND HORSE RIDING

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway shared photos of her Norway cycle tour on Instagram

She went exploring with a woman, believed to be her sister-in-law, revealing in the caption that they kept their spirits up despite encountering rain and mist. Pictured, an Instagram photo

Her sister-in-law Martha Louise, who has made headlines with her high profile relationship with US-based shaman Durek Verrett, drove a truck through Norway’s countryside

Martha Louise, 47, also explored Norway’s countryside on horseback, pictured, and shared photos of the excursion on Instagram

Both Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and her sister, Princess Martha Louise, shared photos from their respective summer holidays on Instagram. 

Mette-Marit, 45, headed out for a cycle tour with a woman, believed to be her sister-in-law, revealing in the caption that they kept their spirits up despite encountering rain and mist. 

The Norwegian princess, married to Crown Prince Haakon, 46, is seen beaming for the camera in her helmet and practical padded jacket. 

Meanwhile her sister-in-law Martha Louise, who has made headlines with her high profile relationship with US-based shaman Durek Verrett, has spent time soaking up Norway’s natural beauty. 

The 47-year-old shared photos of her driving a truck out into the countryside and exploring a country trail on horseback. 

DENMARK

CULTURAL STAYCATION AND A SAILING TRIP

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Prince Frederik shared photos of her family exploring the beautiful island of Kattegat, pictured

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark shared candid snaps of her family embarking on a sailing trip with the Royal Ship Dannebrog. Prince Christian, 12, Princess Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were all smiles as they set sail on a boat, alongside their father who’s an avid sailor

Princess Mary made an appearance, alongside her husband Prince Frederick, as the royal couple enjoyed the evening overlooking a ‘beautiful sunset’ at sea

Seven-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were all smiles on holiday

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and her husband Prince Frederik have proved they’re just like any other family after snapping photographs of themselves and their young family on a summer break.

The Danish royal, 47, shared candid snaps of her family embarking on a sailing trip with the Royal Ship Dannebrog around Kongsøre Of Denmark before posing for several photos together on the docks.

Their children Prince Christian, 12, Princess Isabella, 11, and seven-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine were all smiles as they set sail on a boat, alongside their father who’s an avid sailor.

Crown Princess Mary later shared photos of her family exploring the beautiful island of Kattegat, where they learnt about how dry seaweed has been as a traditional material for roofing. 

SPAIN

STAY AT A MALLORCA PALACE

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain chose to release their summer holiday snaps via an official photo agency. Pictured, the family on the Spanish holiday island of Mallorca

Leonor, left, wore a blue tie dye dress, while her sister Sofia opted for a white dress with pink espadrilles 

Queen Sofia and Infant Leonor both looked relaxed as the family stopped to take in the view from the Des Galliner viewpoint

Unlike other royal families, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain chose to release their summer holiday snaps via an official photo agency. 

A photographer was first invited to capture the royals and their daughters Leonor, 13, and Sofia, 12, on their arrival at Marivent Palace, Mallorca, at the start of the month. 

Enjoying around a walk around the Marivent palace gardens on the island of Mallorca the family appear to be a glowing picture of health and happiness as they enjoy the time away from Madrid.

The family have returned to Marivent on the west coast of the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca for another year and later took part in a second photo call as they stopped off at sights on the  island. 

GREECE 

A SCOTLAND SHOOTING RETREAT

Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, 52, who shared photos of a Glorious Twelfth shoot on Instagram yesterday. He is believed to 

While Greece’s monarchy was abolished in the 1970s, there are still several members of the royal family who use the titles ‘prince’ and princess, thanks to their relation to Christian IX of Denmark.

Among them is Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece, 52, who shared photos of a Glorious Twelfth shoot on Instagram yesterday. 

The royal is joined on the trip by his wife, Princess Marie-Chantal and three of their sons.