The 48 best pictures of the royal family this year

It's been an eventful year for the royal family, what with the birth of Prince Louis, swiftly followed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's star-studded wedding at Windsor Castle.

And there's more to come, with Princess Eugenie's nuptials just around the corner. But before that (sure to be) fabulous day arrives, why not look back at some of this year's most exciting royal moments so far?

News Media Association (NMA) has published a selection of 48 of the best photographs taken of royal rota events — by local, regional and national newspaper photographers - as part of its 2018 Royal Rota photography competition.

Best of all, you can help pick the winning snap by voting for the image you want to make the shortlist.

You have until 5 p.m. to cast your vote, so make sure you do so here.

Some of the photos capture the royals, young and old, at strikingly candid moments.

Like Prince Charles playing with a dog (below)...

... And the moment Kate Middleton first steps out with newborn Pince Louis, captured here by Evening Standard photographer Jeremy Selwyn ...

...To Princess Charlotte sticking her tongue out on her way to the royal wedding...

...And Prime Minister Theresa May curtseying for the Duke of Cambridge...

...Prince Harry having his beard pulled by a child as Markle giggles...

...And of course the newly weds sharing their first kiss as man and wife at the chapel at Windsor Castle.

The results of this public vote will be used to create a shortlist which will then be judged by a panel of industry experts to crown the winners in four categories.

Click through the gallery above for all 48 of the best entries for NMA's 2018 Royal Rota photography competition.