Beyoncé Has Enjoyed a Wildly Successful Year . . . Even by Beyoncé Standards

In honour of Tina Knowles Lawson turning 65 in January, Beyoncé sweetly led the crowd through a happy birthday chorus.

It's hard to imagine anyone else rocking this structured Balmain masterpiece. Bey and Jay were the embodiment of glamour at the February get-together.

While Beyoncé and JAY-Z accepted the Brit Award for best international group in February, they honoured Meghan Markle by standing in front of a portrait of the duchess wearing a tiara and pearls. And while that earned widespread praise, Bey's personal Black History Month ode to Meghan also warmed hearts. "She and Prince Harry have continued to push the race relations dialogue forward both near and far," Bey wrote on her website. "We bow down to one of our Melanated Monas."

In March, Beyoncé took the stage with JAY-Z to accept the vanguard award for their support of the LGBTQ+ community. During their speech, the singer spoke about the importance of loving others. "Change starts with supporting the people closest to you," she said. "Who you make love to, and take that ass to Red Lobster, is your human right."

Donning a breathtaking Balmain gown, Beyoncé attended the NAACP Image Awards with JAY-Z in March and won the entertainer of the year award.

She announced a major partnership with Adidas through which she will rerelease activewear from her Ivy Park line. The news in April came shortly before a report surfaced that she declined to work with Reebok over diversity issues within the company.

When Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé dropped in April, we were changed forever. Giving viewers a sneak peek into the making of her historic Coachella performance, Bey revealed a handful of behind-the-scenes clips and anecdotes, including her tough pregnancy with the twins and Blue Ivy walking in her musical footsteps. The film is truly inspiring from start to finish.

Beyoncé's track "Before I Let Go" — a rendition of Frankie Beverly and Maze's 1981 hit — sparked a dance challenge in which fans all over the world shared videos of them grooving along to the tune. Even Jenna Dewan got in on it!

During Janet's Metamorphosis Vegas residency in May, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland joined Rhythm Nation as they grooved along to the music in the crowd — and their dance moves were eerily synchronised.

Since Beyoncé voices Nala in Disney's remake of The Lion King, it was only right that she went all out for the Wearable Art Gala in June. Rocking a golden jumpsuit with a lion's face, Bey absolutely stunned at the Lion King-themed gathering. And Blue Ivy looked just as amazing!

Beyoncé made a surprise appearance at the AFI Gala in June to present Melina — who directed the "Formation" music video — with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal. "After over a decade of collaborating with Melina, we've become family," Bey said. "In 2005, she managed to shoot five videos with me in three days, creating beautiful imagery with little to no budget. We've come a long ways since those days."

Bey's visually stunning music video for "Spirit" and "Bigger" left jaws aplenty on the ground when it dropped in July. Rocking a number of colourful ensembles, the singer croons the uplifting tracks — which are featured on her Lion King-inspired album, The Gift — against the background of Mother Nature. And it should come as no surprise that Blue Ivy was by her side throughout the video.

In July, Beyoncé also spoke to Good Morning America's Robin Roberts to promote her soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift. "This soundtrack is a love letter to Africa, and I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa," she said. Considering she doesn't do very many sit-down interviews, this was quite the treat.

Sure, Bey and Jay's schedules are busy, but they have time for family! In late July, they celebrated their niece Teanna's birthday in NYC. The bash was inspired by The Great Gatsby, which you might be able to gather from JAY-Z's black and white tuxedo and Beyoncé's glitzy red gown.

The month of August started off with some pretty amazing news in the Bey world: one of the pictures from her historic September 2018 Vogue spread was admitted into Washington DC's Smithsonian museum. The snapshot — which was shot by 24-year-old photographer Tyler Mitchell — shows Beyoncé modelling a golden Valentino gown with a spiked Philip Treacy London hat. We already knew the singer is a work of art, but we appreciate the confirmation!

Beyoncé was happily aboard the Lizzo train at the Made in America event in August. She was photographed enjoying the "Truth Hurts" singer's concert in Philadelphia, which naturally sent Lizzo into a tizzy.

On Sept. 4, Bey turned 38 and celebrated the special day alongside friends and family as they sang and danced together.