Greatest moments from the Queen’s 96th birthday celebrations
Queen Elizabeth II has celebrated her milestone 96th birthday this week, April 21, with fans and family alike taking to social media to share special portraits of Her Majesty as they pay tribute to her incredible long-standing reign. Special celebrations also took place at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate in London on Thursday, April 21, where a number of photos have been released of the memorable day.
The Queen’s birthday milestone comes at a particularly significant time as the Monarch also celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year, marking an incredible 70 years on the throne. We’ve put together the best photos from Her Majesty’s birthday week, including touching tribute posts made to her from the Palace and close family.
On Thursday, April 21, a stunning portrait of the Queen holding the reigns of two of her fell ponies was released to the royal family’s official Instagram page. The magical image, which was taken two months ago on the grounds of Windsor Castle, was accompanied by a touching tribute to Her Majesty’s special day. The capture was originally released by the Royal Windsor Horse Show as part of a series of images in honour of the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee year.
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The wonderful Princess Eugenie also took to Instagram to share a touching throwback photo of herself alongside her grandmother the Queen and Prince Phillip on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The Queen is seen smiling widely as she waves to royal onlookers dressed elegantly in a long-sleeve blue and white ensemble, matching wide-brimmed hat and white gloves. The caption read, “Happy 96th Birthday Granny! You have been such an inspiration to me and so many across the world. Thank you for your support, love and strength. Xx”.
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge too took to Instagram to post a tribute to Her Majesty, sharing two heart-warming images of the Queen. The first image sees the Queen sharing an intimate moment with Kate and William as they toured the Chelsea Flower Show. The second image came as a particularly welcomed photo for fans as the Queen and late husband Prince Phillip are pictured sitting happily on a couch with their seven great-grand-grandchildren. The caption read, “An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it’s particularly special to be celebrating this #PlatinumJubilee year”.
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The Royal family’s official Instagram posted a second photo of the Queen on her birthday, sharing an adorable portrait of Her Majesty as a young child – just two years old. The special photo sees the Queen perched on what looks to be a bed as she smiles brightly into the camera, hands cradling either side of her face. The angelic photo was accompanied by a particularly heartfelt recognition of all that the Queen has achieved in her reign to date.
The caption read, “Then Princess Elizabeth, she was the eldest daughter of The Duke and Duchess of York was never expected to become Queen. Her life changed in 1936 when her uncle, King Edward VII abdicated, her father became King George VI and the young Princess became the heir presumptive. Following the sad death of her father in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen II aged just 25, and this year is celebrating 70 years on the throne – a first in British history”.
Special celebrations took place at Hyde Park in London, England on April, 21, to celebrate the Queen’s 96 birthday and Platinum Jubilee year which saw members of the Band of the Grenadier Guards perform a gun salute. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery also put on a performance for Her Majesty as they fired 41 rounds during another gun salute.
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