Queen Elizabeth II turned 93 on April 21 and spent her birthday attending Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor’s Castle with royal family members including her grandsons, Prince Harry and Prince William, his wife, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and more.
Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend #EasterSunday Service at St Georges Chapel along with other members of The Royal Family #Windsor #Easter @ShutterstockNow pic.twitter.com/vayLag8FDr
— Rookie (@royalfocus1) April 21, 2019
Members of the royal family also celebrated by posting tributes to the monarch across social media, including this video from each decade of the queen's life.
Happy 93rd birthday to Her Majesty The Queen!
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2019
Our video includes a photograph from each decade of The Queen’s life, from an image of her as a baby in 1926, to her visit to King’s College last month. #QueensBirthday #HappyBirthdayHerMajesty pic.twitter.com/E2J8c5rziD
As the head of state for 66 years and patron of approximately 3,000 charities, she’s an international icon that has been a constant through many tumultuous times for the U.K.
To most she’s “Your Majesty,” but to her eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, she’s “Granny.”
“Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma’am, Granny,” shared the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Instagram. “Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan.”
“I have the utmost respect, not just for her, as a grandmother,” Prince Harry candidly said in 2016 interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts. “It’s really nice because I can go to her for advice and bend her ear with all the experiences she’s had.”
(MORE: Prince Harry Opens Up on Princess Diana, Having Kids and What Drives Him in Candid New Interview)
As the world awaits the birth of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex's royal baby, we’re looking back at some of the sweet moments the queen has shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
1. Young Prince William during a photo session for Prince Harry’s christening
Prince William made everyone crack a smile in this family portrait session for his brother’s christening in 1984. You can see Queen Elizabeth in the background smiling at William’s antics.
Surrounded by Royal relatives and godparents who are amused at the antics of young Prince William, Prince Harry is christened at Windsor Castle on December 21, 1984 in Windsor, England.
2. Quality time at a polo match
This sweet moment of Queen Elizabeth talking to her grandsons was captured in 1987. In this photo, William and Harry watch a polo match.
Queen Elizabeth with Prince William and Prince Henry at a polo match.
3. Reading with Grandma
A young Zara Tindall reads with the queen at an event in 1987. Zara Tindall is the eldest granddaughter of the queen and the daughter of Princess Anne.
Queen Elizabeth II reading with her granddaugter Zara Phillips at Windsor Horse Show.
4. Grandmotherly Inspection
Prince Harry holds in his laughter in this photo as Queen Elizabeth inspects soldiers during the Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy.
Queen Elizabeth II as proud grandmother smiles at Prince Harry as she inspects soldiers at their passing-out Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy, April 12, 2006, in Surrey, England.
5. Taking a walk with Great Granny
In this rare photo, young Prince George captures the attention of his great-grandmother while leaving the Church of St. Mary Magdalene after Princess Charlotte’s christening in 2015.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince George leave the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham Estate for the Christening of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, July 5, 2015, in King's Lynn, England.
6. All fun and 'Invictus' Games
In 2016, Kensington Palace shared a video on Twitter of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry responding to an Invictus Games challenge by former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama. After Michelle Obama challenged the prince, the queen quipped, “Really? Please!”