The Royal Family's Astrological Placements Expose So Much About Their Personalities

You may have wondered how Catherine, Princess of Wales came to be a style icon. Or how Meghan, Duchess of Sussex had the conviction to step back from the royal family. Or how King Charles III had the patience to wait so long as an heir to the throne. But for some people, the answers to all these questions — and more — are literally written in the stars. They say if you study the birth charts of the British royal family, you'll be able to see how all of these things were inevitable. So come with us as we take dive into the astrological signs of the world's most famous family.

What we're looking for

Astrology is not a hard science, and the terminology used by many astrologers can be confusing to the uninitiated. Before we start throwing all sorts of unfamiliar words at you, then, here is a super-quick rundown of the phrases you'll be hearing a lot. The ones you probably know already are the 12 signs of the Zodiac: Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, etc. But there are a couple of other facts to consider, too.

Birth charts 101

Astrologers also look at the placement of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets at your exact time of birth. Their interpretation of each of these elements on your "birth chart" will determine what they think your inevitable personality characteristics will be. That's why, astrologers say, even people with the same star sign will have different personalities. So what do the heavens tell us about the royals?

King Charles III

Star sign: Scorpio

Birth date: November 14, 1948

Birth time: 9:14 p.m.

The countries under King Charles III's rule could perhaps be comforted by Charles' birth chart. His Sun, Moon, and rising signs are Scorpio, Taurus, and Leo, respectively. These three signs are described as "fixed" and suggest to astrologers that he is a man of great stability. It's not too much of a stretch, then, to extrapolate that he will look to bring some order to his territories during his reign.

Moon: Taurus

Charles' Moon sign is Taurus: astrologers have been quick to point out that this links to his mother's birth chart. No spoilers, but Queen Elizabeth II was a Taurus Sun. And the way Charles' Moon and the former Queen's Sun line up is "as rare as it is amazing," according to astrologer Shelley von Strunckel. It suggests that Charles had a unique bond with his mother — and we can see from their years of service together that this had to have been the case.

Rising: Leo

The rising Leo, the Taurus Moon, and the Scorpio Sun tell astrologers that Charles is sincere, smart, and pensive. Yet the traditional Scorpio also suggests that Charles is a fiercely private person. You could argue that this personality trait was present during the public scandals involving Princess Diana and his infidelity. And as Charles has now ascended the throne, it remains to be seen how he will deal with his very public profession.

Camilla, Queen Consort

Star sign: Cancer

Birth date: July 17, 1947

Birth time: 7:10 a.m.

The big question here is how whether Camilla, Queen Consort and Charles are compatible on an astrological level. And the answer seems to be that they are very compatible, which is either good or bad news, depending on your own feelings toward the royal couple. This is partly because Cancer and Scorpio are both Water signs, meaning that they perhaps share similar feelings and interests.

Moon: Cancer

Camilla's Moon sign is also Cancer. And when astrologers have compared her birth chart to her husband's, they've found that her Cancer Moon is in a "sextile" with his Taurus Moon. This is a good thing, indicating that the pair have a cooperative relationship. Again, it's the idea that they have shared passions and that they can support each other emotionally and physically. That will no doubt come in handy while ruling as King and Queen.

Rising: Leo

Camilla has a Leo ascendant, which is also the same as Charles. As you might expect, this tells astrologers that the pair have a deep, almost spiritual connection. It also apparently means that the King and Queen will have the same feelings in given situations and will look to avoid unnecessary drama at all costs. Women's Health magazine also speculated that their Leo rising signs suggest the rulers will "spend their time focusing on humanitarian endeavors."

William, Prince of Wales

Star sign: Cancer

Birth date: June 21, 1982

Birth time: 9:03 p.m.

Astrologer Kyle Thomas said William, Prince of Wales' Cancer Sun sign revealed that he had a "sensitive" side. Thomas told newspaper the New York Post in 2022 that William's birth chart "has a strong level of water and air" in his elemental energy, too. This combination apparently means that while William can be emotional, he also has the ability to be objective and thoughtful about ongoing events.

Moon: Cancer

Thomas was actually blown away when he studied William's birth chart. "His chart repeatedly speaks of power, public influence, and being precisely able to handle it," he wrote. The astrologer added, "He will be a respected, beloved, and gracious heir to the throne." He pointed out that both he and his wife have Cancer moons, so they have a strong emotional connection, too.

Rising: Sagittarius

Astrologer Inbaal Honigman spoke to Marie Claire magazine in 2022 about William's birth chart. She was particularly interested in the prince's ascendant Sagittarius sign. "Sagittarius is a generous sign, with a love of travel," she said. "William's ascendant is the reason he enjoyed his foreign expeditions so much!" Honigman also added that William's birth chart revealed that he "will be a just and attentive King."

Catherine, Princess of Wales

Star sign: Capricorn

Birth date: January 9, 1982

Birth time: Unknown

Thomas wrote in the New York Post that Kate "has a very strong emphasis on Air, with Water and Fire coming up nearly tied after" on her birth chart. "This shows that above and beyond, [she] is tremendously talented at working with people, in partnerships and the public," he wrote. It seems written in the stars, then, that Kate was born to be a princess.

Moon: Cancer

We've mentioned before that William and Kate share the Cancer Moon in their birth charts. But their charts reveal more than just that, according to von Strunckel. "They, as a couple, are an example of the 'whole being greater than the sum of its parts,'" the astrologer wrote for Tatler magazine in 2020. "They are on an exciting track to explore and inspire the British public and the world."

Rising: Leo

Thomas agreed, saying that Kate's Leo ascendant and William's Sagittarius ascendant were both compatible Fire elements. He said that this means that they are in tune with each other in how they want to spend their time. Overall, then, he said that they are almost perfectly compatible, which can only be a good thing for a future King and Queen.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Star sign: Virgo

Birth date: September 15, 1984

Birth time: 4:20 p.m.

Astrologer Penny Thornton spoke to TV show Today about Harry, Duke of Sussex's birth chart in 2022. Thornton is uniquely qualified to discuss Harry in this way because she was Diana's astrologer for six years. "I often think about him as this little boy in short trousers," she said. And for Thornton, Harry's Earth signs — Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn — are a very big indicator of his destiny.

Moon: Taurus

"He has huge care and concern for the job that he does," Thornton explained. "His commitment to making life better to making the planet better is a really heartfelt thing." His Taurus Moon sign also symbolizes his relationship with his mother, she said. "It's a really loving and deep connection without words — one of the most beautiful connections to have," Thornton claimed. "Harry’s Moon in Taurus is an echo and a resonance with Diana."

Rising: Capricorn

Thornton also pointed to Harry's Capricorn rising as a possible explanation for his decision to step back from his royal duties. Someone with a Capricorn ascendant apparently takes their responsibilities "very seriously" and would only do something if they can do it well. So when Harry realized he couldn't "do the good that he wanted to do in the world," according to Thornton, he was forced to strike out on another path.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Star sign: Leo

Birth date: August 4, 1981

Birth time: 4:46 a.m.

Strangely enough, the Zodiac sign Leo is said to be "the royal sign." Von Strunckel told Newsweek that in theory, Leos are "ideal for the job [of monarch], but usually wait in the wings." Yet we know, of course, that Meghan purposefully stepped away from the royal family and any hope of becoming a queen consort. So what happened?

Moon: Libra

Von Strunckel got more in-depth with Meghan's birth chart for Tatler. Here, she explained that Mercury, a communication planet, was in Leo at Meghan's time of birth. This meant that Meghan might "struggle to adjust to new ways of living, habits, or dealing with the press." On this reading, then, Meghan's sociable, likable Libra energy was overwhelmed by her conflict with the media.

Rising: Cancer

But the same can seemingly not be said about her relationship with Harry. The prince has a Capricorn ascendant, and Meghan has a Cancer ascendant. And while this might not seem like a match at first glance, astrologers believe theirs is a solid union because they balance each other out. He is the proverbial yin to her yang. Thomas also told the New York Post that their stars suggest they'll stay together for a very long time.

Prince George of Wales

Star sign: Cancer

Birth date: July 22, 2013

Birth time: 4:24 p.m.

Newspaper the Daily Express spoke to Honigman about the birth chart of Prince George of Wales. And the astrologer seemed to have little doubt that the young prince would make an excellent King one day. "Cancerians are kind and caring and excel at any job," she said. "Whether his family business was a chippy or a plumbing shop, Prince George would do the right thing when he's come of age and step up when his family needed him."

Moon: Capricorn

George also seemingly has the benefit of sharing a sign with the late Elizabeth. "Capricorn is a stable, business-minded sign that keeps their mood even and calm at all times," Honigman said. "George is likely to take the most appealing qualities of each of his predecessors to the throne. With a Capricorn Moon sign, he will be even-tempered like the Queen."

Rising: Scorpio

The same idea applies to his rising Scorpio sign, which is also the Sun sign of Charles. "With his Scorpio ascendant, he will allow for new ideas like... Charles, as long as they benefit his subjects," said Honigman. We have seen George seemingly playing up a little in the past — think those wonderful photos from the Trooping the Color — but he'll get over that soon enough.

Princess Charlotte of Wales

Sun: Taurus

Birth date: May 2, 2015

Birth time: 8:34 a.m.

Princess Charlotte of Wales has never been one to cause a scene; astrologers might argue that's down to her birth chart. One expert has said that her Taurus sign means that she has a "love for nature" and all things outdoors. And you could argue that that fits with her mother's description of her daughter as spending "most of her time upside down." Yet Charlotte might also apparently be stubborn.

Moon: Libra

Astrologer Reda Wigle wrote in the New York Post that Charlotte's Libra Moon will complement that determined Taurus trait, too. "Libra is ruled by Venus, planet of attachment and aesthetics; this explains Charlotte's preternatural poise, bows, braids, and her obnoxious quelling of Louis’ spirited carriage-waving," she wrote. The expert said the Libra Moon might also explain the princess' seemingly impeccable manners during royal outings.

Rising: Cancer

If it seems like Charlotte really understands the assignment when it comes to her royal duties, that might be down to her Cancer rising sign. Wigle argues that this is a sign that the youngster will be very aware of other people's moods and will want to look after anyone feeling down. On the other hand, though, having a Cancer ascendant could result in a frequently grumpy temperament. She might keep Kate and William on their toes as she grows up!

Prince Louis of Wales

Star sign: Taurus

Birth date: April 23, 2018

Birth time: 11:01 a.m.

Prince Louis of Wales is a character. While the other royals seemingly take their duties very seriously, Louis is out there in front of the cameras pulling faces, yawning, and generally being as un-royal as possible. But had William and Kate consulted his birth chart after he was born, they might have realized that they were going to be in for a bumpy ride.

Moon: Leo

Louis' star sign is Taurus and his Moon sign is Leo. These are both fixed signs in astrology — the other two fixed signs being Scorpio and Aquarius — and that may explain his wild performance at the Jubilee in 2022. "It tracks that Louis would treat the world’s stage as his own personal china shop, throwing cushions and fits alike," Wigle wrote in the New York Post at the time.

Rising: Cancer

You might think that the Cancer rising in Louis' birth chart — the same as Charlotte's — would go some way to balancing out his seemingly Devil-may-care attitude. But according to Wigle, it's his Leo Moon that is his dominant personality trait. It means that he will always want to be the center of attention and will be grumpy when he isn't.

Queen Elizabeth II

Star sign: Taurus

Birth date: April 21, 1926

Birth time: 2:40 p.m.

Elizabeth was a beloved member of the royal family, right the way up until her death in 2022. And according to astrologer Thornton, the late Queen's long rule can be defined in much the same way as the Taurus star sign. "Taurus is very much a sign of steadfastness and solidity, but also continuity and constancy, all words that have been used to describe the Queen," she told Today in 2022.

Moon: Leo

"The Moon in astrology symbolizes your emotions, your childhood, your private life," Thornton told Today. And the late Queen's Leo Moon is supposedly a sign that symbolizes a bright, outgoing, and regal personality. The Queen would never have been able to display the full facets of her private character in public, of course, but others — including Charles — have said she had a wicked sense of humor.

Rising: Capricorn

The Capricorn rising sign was equally interesting to Thornton, too. Capricorn is governed by the planet Saturn, Thornton explained, and the Queen apparently had Saturn at the top of her birth chart. "Saturn becomes a planet of huge importance and significance in her life," Thornton said. "With Saturn, we get responsibility. We get duty. We get a strong sense of tradition."

Princess Diana

Star sign: Cancer

Birth date: July 1, 1961

Birth time: 7:45 p.m.

As previously noted, astrologer Thornton worked directly with Diana for six years, and she has spent considerably more time studying the birth chart of the "People's Princess." "There was a great element of sacrifice in Diana's chart," Thornton told Today in 2022. "She had Neptune in the first house and you know, that is once a very mystical and spiritual kind of placement. But it also has a lot to do with betrayal."

Moon: Aquarius

Astrologers could argue that this sense of sacrifice is also present in Diana's Aquarius Moon. When this is combined with a Cancer Sun sign, it reportedly means the person will be progressive, slightly radical, and very caring. There were plenty of moments in Diana's life that exemplified this: perhaps none more so than her famous engagement with people suffering from HIV in 1987.

Rising: Sagittarius

During her infamous 1995 interview with Martin Bashir, Diana said, "I do things differently because I don't go by a rulebook, because I lead from the heart, not the head." She also once described herself as "a free spirit." And for astrologers, this seems obvious from her birth chart. The Sagittarius ascendant is a "seeking, adventurous, good-will-bringing sign," according to the New York Post's Wigle.

Prince Philip

Star sign: Gemini

Birth date: June 10, 1921

Birth time: 9:46 p.m.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was a Gemini, and his wife Elizabeth was a Taurus. Taken at face value, these star signs would usually spell an incompatible match for the pair. But astrologers have looked closer to reveal that that wasn't the case for the late royal power couple. "Venus is at five degrees of Taurus [for Philip] and the Queen is at one degree of Taurus, [so] they connect well that way," astrologer Francesca Oddie told the website of the Daily Express.

Moon: Leo

The other thing that Philip and Elizabeth had in common, astrologically speaking, was a Leo Moon. This apparently made the pair feel comfortable with each other and meant their ambitions were aligned. "Their identities are slightly different because he has somewhat more a mercurial and extroverted personality than the Queen, who is quite introverted," Oddie said.

Rising: Capricorn

Philip and Elizabeth also shared a rising Capricorn. This meant, according to Oddie, that "they both put on a front of power, professionalism, and establishment." Oddie also said that people with a rising Capricorn are known to only put their trust in a select number of people. In the end, though, Oddie concluded that Philip and Elizabeth were compatible. But as the pair were married for almost 74 years, you perhaps didn't need to read the stars to know that...