The Queen's Grandchildren Gather for Emotional Family Portrait

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On the occasion of what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 97th birthday, the royal family shared a never-before-seen photo of the monarch with her grandchildren on their official Instagram and Twitter accounts. The photograph, which was taken at Balmoral last summer, shows the late Queen Elizabeth seated on a couch, surrounded by her smiling grandchildren.

A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth's Legacy

The photograph features 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, all gathered around their grandmother.

The picture was reportedly taken by none other than the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. However, it was not without controversy, as many followers noted the absence of three-year-old Archie and one-year-old Lilibet, the children of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle.

Some speculated that Prince William and Kate Middleton deliberately excluded the children, while others pointed out that other grandchildren, such as Princess Eugenia's son and Princess Beatrice's daughter, were also missing from the photo.

As a reminder, Queen Elizabeth passed away in September 2022, only three months after meeting Lilibet during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Despite Prince Harry's desire to have a photographer present for the historic meeting, the request was denied by the Queen's guards.

In addition to the photo with her grandchildren, the royal family also marked the late Queen's first posthumous birthday with a photo taken in Edinburgh in June 2022, shortly after her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The caption on the photo reads:

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When King George VI died in February 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II when she was just 25. Her Majesty went on to be Britain's longest reigning Monarch - the only one in history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee." The royal family's tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth serves as a reminder of her incredible life and legacy, and a celebration of her lasting impact on the monarchy and the world.