The most familiar photo of Elizabeth II on the day she would have turned 97: happy, surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren

In the memory of the Windsors and the United Kingdom, this April 21 is a date marked in the official calendar: the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, who died on September 8 at the age of 96. To pay tribute to her, the princes of Wales have published an image of the monarch on her official profile. It is an unpublished family photograph, taken by Kate herself, in which Isabel appears surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The snapshot dates from a few days before her death.

“Today would have been Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 97th birthday. This photograph, showing her with some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was taken at Balmoral last summer.”

Today would have been Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 97th birthday.

This photograph – showing her with some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren – was taken at Balmoral last summer.

???? The Princess pic.twitter.com/1FOU4Ne5DX

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) April 21, 2023

These are the words that Guillermo and Kate have chosen to honor the sovereign. For the family, this April 21 is her first birthday without her. In this image, the queen appears the center of it, with a cardigan over her shoulders and a woolen kilt of tartan check. Joining her are Mia Tindall, who appears with her brother Lucas in her arms; and Savannah (right of image). In the second row of the photo, Lena Tindall, George, Charlotte and Isla Phillips and Louis. Behind them are Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James, the sons of Prince Edward.