On September 8, 2022 the world lost a beloved monarch when Queen Elizabeth II "died peacefully" at her Balmoral estate surrounded by her loved ones. To most people, Queen Elizabeth was an impressive figurehead for a powerful monarchy but to the royal children, she was simply their great-grandmother. And even though she was a regular member of their family, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Prince Louis — and even Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's children, Archie and Lillibet, have been taught of her importance as well. That's why the kids are used to quietly honoring Queen Elizabeth in large and small ways.
From taking style cues from the queen to attending her important events, to posing for pictures with her, here are 15 ways the royal children have shown their love and support for the queen as both their reigning monarch and their beloved great-grandma.
George's name comes from the queen's family
Attending Trooping the Colour
The annual Trooping the Colour parade is a celebration for the queen's birthday. All the important royals come out to honor the event, including the royal children. Prince George has been going since 2015, and his siblings joined when they were old enough as well. Archie was supposed to attend his first Trooping in 2020 to commemorate his great-grandma, but the event was canceled.
Sweet nickname for Queen Elizabeth
Another way the royal kids show their affection for the queen is via a sweet nickname. Reportedly, Prince George and Princess Charlotte — and presumably Prince Louis and Archie when they start talking — call the queen "Gan-Gan." It's an age-old tradition for the great-grandmother of the family to be referred to as such, with William and Harry also calling the Queen Mother Gan-Gan when they were young.
Celebrating the queen's 90th birthday
A milestone birthday called for a special family portrait. All of Queen Elizabeth's young grandchildren and great-grandchildren joined her for a picture. Baby Princess Charlotte even got to sit on the queen's lap! We love that Charlotte is subtly matching the queen in a pale pink sweater.
And Prince George appearing in an extra special photo shoot
Also to commemorate the queen's 90th birthday, the future kings all joined Queen Elizabeth for a special portrait that would later be used on an official stamp. We adore Prince George here, standing on a stack of objects to be tall enough —and like how Charlotte coordinated with the queen in the other photo. (Prince George wore blue for this one to match his great-grandma.)
Handmade gifts for Gan-Gan
A year later, for the queen's 91st birthday, Prince William revealed that his young children usually make their great-grandmother's gifts by hand. "It's quite hard to know what to give the Queen for her 91st birthday," William said. "Now [with] the great-grandchildren around, you see, they can make stuff and that goes down really well. It doesn't matter what it looks like." He added that George, in particular, was excellent at those sorts of arts and crafts.
Louis' christening date was meaningful to Queen Elizabeth
Prince Louis was christened on July 9, 2018, surrounded by his family. The queen was not in attendance at the time, but her presence was felt through a special nod to her. July 9 is also the day that the queen announced her engagement to Prince Philip back in 1947. Now, there are two special royal milestones to celebrate on that day.
