Kensington Palace releases moving unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth II surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Balmoral just weeks before her death – as the Royal Family pay tribute on the late monarch’s 97th birthday
Kensington Palace has published and released an unseen photo of the Queen – shortly before her death – on what would have been Her Majesty’s 97th birthday today.
The monarch’s photo was taken by the Princess of Wales at Balmoral in August, weeks before Britain and the Commonwealth lost their queen.
Happy in the Scottish Highlands she loved so much, Her Majesty is surrounded by some of her adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She appeared in her element with Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex, Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis, Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall and Savannah Phillips.
It is poignant that weeks later, on September 8, the Queen would die at her beloved home in Aberdeenshire, sparking mourning in the UK and around the world.
The Queen in her element with her grandchildren. Pictured next to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II are: Top row (L-R): Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, James, Earl of Wessex. Middle row (LR): Lena Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips, Prince Louis. Bottom row (L-R): Mia Tindall, Lucas Tindall, Savannah Phillips.
The photo was released today by Kensington Palace to mark Her Majesty’s 97th birthday.
The impromptu portrait was taken at the castle by keen amateur photographer, Kate, at the annual family gathering in August, shortly before she died.
Queen Elizabeth had eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren at the time of her death.
A similar family photo was released after the Duke of Edinburgh’s death in 2021.
Earlier today, the Royal Family paid tribute to their beloved matriarch, who passed away peacefully after celebrating her platinum anniversary, on their social media with a photo of Queen Elizabeth on duty with the message: ‘Today we remember the incredible life and legacy from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 97th birthday’.
Queen Elizabeth II waits in the drawing room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral. It would be the last photograph taken of the Queen on September 6, 2022