The royal family is paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II [1] in the wake of her death [2]. On Saturday, 17 Sept., Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, said farewell to their grandmother in a touching Instagram post that included a candid photo of them with the queen.
In the lengthy post, the sisters talked about how difficult it has been since their "beloved Grannie" died on 8 Sept. "We've not been able to put much into words since you left us all," they wrote. "There have been tears and laughter, silences and chatter, hugs and loneliness, and a collective loss for you, our beloved Queen and our beloved Grannie. We, like many, thought you'd be here forever. And we all miss you terribly."
Eugenie and Beatrice's post comes just days after Princess Anne released a touching tribute to her mother on the Buckingham Palace website [3] on 13 Sept. "I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother's life," she said. "It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting."
She continued: "We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch."
Earlier in the week, Prince Harry released a tribute of his own. "Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace," he said.
His statement was published on the Archewell website [4], the organisation founded by Prince Harry and his wife. The Duke of Sussex went on to reference the personal moments shared with his grandmother and his family: "from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren."
Harry and Meghan Markle [5] joined Prince William and Kate Middleton [6], Princess of Wales, on a walk around the grounds of Windsor Castle to speak with mourners and view tributes to the Queen on Saturday. In video shared by The Sun [7], Harry can be seen speaking with the people who came to pay their respects to his grandmother. In the video, he said that Windsor is "a lonely place" without the Queen.
Also on Saturday, the Prince of Wales issued a moving statement about the impact the Queen had not only on her country, but on his life. "I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real," he wrote in part in a message posted across the official Prince and Princess of Wales's social media accounts [8].
The new king — the Queen's eldest son — took the lead in paying tribute to the Queen. On 8 Sept., Buckingham Palace confirmed via a statement on its website [9] that "the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral," just a few short hours after reports noted her family rushed to be by her side [10]. The Queen's death followed worries about her health, which were announced in a separate, earlier statement from the Palace that said the Queen's doctors were "concerned" for her.
Shortly after the Queen's death, her son Charles, who has now acceded the throne as King Charles III, issued a statement via the Royal Family's Instagram [11] to pay tribute to the late monarch. "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," it read. "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."
The following day, 9 Sept., Charles gave a televised address [12] — his first as king — speaking not only of his mother's legacy, but also about the future of the country. He then attended a service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. During his speech, King Charles spoke about his mother's "profound personal commitment" to her country, highlighting her "sacrifices" and "devotion." He concluded his message, "Darling mama, as you begin your last great journey, to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this: Thank you, thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all of these years. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
During her 70-years-long rule, Britain's longest-reigning monarch achieved many milestones. Her legacy began when she was appointed to the throne in 1952 at 25 years old following the death of her father, King George VI. In her day, the Queen was head of the Commonwealth, which currently includes over 50 countries, and celebrated her achievements with her Silver, Golden, Diamond, Sapphire, and Platinum Jubilees.
Tributes for the Queen have poured in. Read ahead to see how the royal family is mourning their loss.
King Charles III
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," a statement [14] from Prince Charles, now King Charles III, reads. "We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world. During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."
During his 9 Sept. speech, he said (in part), "In 1947 on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether that it be short or long, to the service of her people. That was more than a promise, it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life. She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never wavered through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service, we saw that abiding love of tradition together with that fearless embrace of progress which makes us great as nations. The affection, admiration, and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humour, and an unerring ability to see the best in people. I pay tribute to my mother's memory and I honour her life of service."
Prince William
On 10 Sept., the Prince of Wales released a statement about the passing of his beloved grandmother that highlighted both her life of service, and her impact on William's life. "On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute. So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign," he wrote. "I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful."
"I have had the benefit of The Queen's wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade," he continued. "My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real."
William added, "I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all. My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen."
"I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can," he concluded.
Prince Harry
On 12 Sept., Prince Harry released a moving statement on the Archewell website that referenced her unwavering service, as well as personal highlights when she met his beloved family. "In celebrating the life of my grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen—and in mourning her loss—we are all reminded of the guiding compass she was to so many in her commitment to service and duty. She was globally admired and respected," he wrote. "Her unwavering grace and dignity remained true throughout her life and now her everlasting legacy. Let us echo the words she spoke after the passing of her husband, Prince Philip, words which can bring comfort to all of us now: "Life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings.""
"Granny, while this final parting brings us great sadness, I am forever grateful for all of our first meetings—from my earliest childhood memories with you, to meeting you for the first time as my Commander-in-Chief, to the first moment you met my darling wife and hugged your beloved great-grandchildren. I cherish these times shared with you, and the many other special moments in between. You are already sorely missed, not just by us, but by the world over. And as it comes to first meetings, we now honour my father in his new role as King Charles III."
"Thank you for your commitment to service. Thank you for your sound advice. Thank you for your infectious smile. We, too, smile knowing that you and grandpa are reunited now, and both together in peace."
Princess Anne
On 13 Sept., Princess Anne released a statement that was shared on the Buckingham Palace website [15].
"I was fortunate to share the last 24 hours of my dearest Mother's life. It has been an honour and a privilege to accompany her on her final journeys. Witnessing the love and respect shown by so many on these journeys has been both humbling and uplifting.
We will all share unique memories. I offer my thanks to each and every one who share our sense of loss.
We may have been reminded how much of her presence and contribution to our national identity we took for granted. I am also so grateful for the support and understanding offered to my dear brother Charles as he accepts the added responsibilities of The Monarch.
To my mother, The Queen, thank you."