Kate Middleton has delighted Royal fans with a never before seen picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during her final weeks on what would have been her birthday today, Friday.
The heartwarming picture had been captured last summer at Balmoral, just months before the late monarch sadly passed away after an incredible 70-year-reign on the throne in September. It detailed the late monarch on a sofa with the young royals all smiles next to their beloved 'Gan Gan'.
Pictured on the sofa next to the then 96-year-old is her oldest great-grandchild and eldest daughter of Peter Phillips Savannah, as well as Mia Tindall, nine, who is snapped cradling her baby brother Lucas, two, in her arms as they beamed proudly at the camera.
Behind them stands Lena Tindall, the middle child of Zara and Mike Tindall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla Phillips and Prince Louis.
And towering over the youngsters and Queen herself standing at the back of the image, as reported by the Mirror, are the Queen's youngest grandchildren, Lady Louise Windsor and James, the new Earl of Wessex, the son and daughter of the now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
Eagle-eyed royal fans however would be quick to spot that some of the late Queen's other great-grandchildren were missing from the beloved photograph. Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, August Brooksbank - the son of Princess Eugenie - and Princess Beatrice's daughter Sienna were not present for the photo.
It comes following a very similar snap that was taken by photography enthusiast Kate years prior, also featuring many of the same family members with the Queen alongside her late husband Prince Phillip.
The adorable image was shared by Kate and her husband Prince William on Thursday, April 21 to mark what would have been the late Queen's 97th birthday, the first birthday without her.
Traditionally, Queen Elizabeth would choose to spend her birthday in the Scottish Highlands at her much-loved estate where she would invite family along to stay for the break, enjoying quality time walking, hosting picnics and having a slice of the good life.
Last year, the 96-year-old had heartbreakingly spent her final few weeks at the Scottish estate carrying out her last duty as head of state as she appointed former Prime Minister Liz Truss to cabinet before passing away two days later on September 8.
The release of the unseen snap comes as King Charles also shared a beautiful image of the late Queen in a poignant tribute on a bittersweet day for the Royal Family.
The picture shows the late Queen with a beaming smile, clutching a bouquet of flowers during an outing in Edinburgh just last June. It was taken during the annual Holyrood Week at the Ceremony of the Keys, which was a mainstay in her calendar.
Alongside the photo, it said: "Today we remember the incredible life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 97th birthday."
And Royal fans have been leaving their own tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth on the anniversary of her birth.
One wrote: "Happy Heavenly Birthday Ma'am, thank you for all your sacrifice and service to us."
Another said: "The most wonderful lady - missed so much and loved always."
The poignant date comes just weeks before her son, King Charles, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey next month in the landmark ceremony where he officially becomes the new head of state.
The 74-year-old's Coronation will take place on May 6 - almost 70 years after the late Queen's Coronation in 1953. His wife, Queen Camilla, will also officially be given her royal title at the ceremony.
Prince Harry's attendance was confirmed only last week following mounting speculation, whilst his wife Meghan will stay back in California with their two children Archie and Lilibet who weren't invited due to being "too young."
It is set to be a rocky reception for the Duke of Sussex, as the widening rift between his own family unit in the US and the rest of the royal family members remains.
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