Disappointing photos show what it was like to attend royal engagements in 2022

The year 2022 will likely go down in the royal history books. In June, the royal family gathered to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70th anniversary on the British throne, and Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attended their first joint royal engagement in the UK in two years. 

The British royal family had an incredibly busy year filled with historical milestones and major life changes.

Then on September 8, the Queen died at the age of 96, and her eldest son, King Charles, ascended the throne.

Insider's lifestyle reporters Mikhaila Friel and Maria Noyen were on the ground to cover many of the royal family's engagements throughout the year. They thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to witness history unfold and to see royals such as Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, and King Charles in real life. However, they also found that the large crowds and media restrictions made some of these events disappointing.

William and Kate were at the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 11 to speak to students and alumni about mental health.

Since Friel is based in Glasgow, she was invited to cover the couple's walkabout after the event, where they spoke to members of the public outside. While she enjoyed the engagement, Friel didn't get the chance to interact with the royals like some members of the public did. 

Mikhaila Friel's first royal event of the year was Kate Middleton and Prince William's engagement at a university in her hometown in Scotland.

Friel was escorted to the designated press area, which was adjacent to the barriers where members of the public stood. There were only a handful of press there, and it was mostly photographers.

Kate and William finally exited the building and greeted the public, and Friel thought it was lovely to see them shaking hands and interacting with so many of their supporters. That being said, she felt she didn't have the best view in the press area, as for the majority of the time she could only see William and Kate in profile or from behind.

It was also difficult to hear anything the couple were saying.

Next time there's a small-scale royal event, Friel concluded, it would be better to attend as a member of the public.