Royal tributes to Queen - teary prayers, unseen snaps and Harry's solo respects
Tributes have been pouring in from across the Royal Family as they mark the first anniversary of the late Queen's death.
The likes of King Charles, the Prince and Princess of Wales and even Prince Harry have all been seen today - 12 months to the day since Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at her beloved Balmoral home at the age of 96. The royals fanned out across the country to pay their respects while some even took to social media with their memories. Here's how the tributes unfolded...
'Lifelong service'
The first to pay tribute to the former monarch was King Charles who spoke movingly about the late Queen on what is also his Accession Day. Charles said: "In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty's death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us. I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all."
King Charles and Queen Camilla at Crathie Kirk today (PA)In addition, he also hand selected a picture to be shared of his mother. It was one captured at Buckingham Palace on October 16, 1968, as part of an official sitting granted to Cecil Beaton, who passed away in 1980. The photograph has not been released before now but was first shown at the National Portrait Gallery between November 1968 and March 1969, as part of its first photographic exhibition 'Beaton Portraits 1928-68'.
Later, a teary-eyed Charles and Queen Camilla led the nation in commemorating the life of Queen Elizabeth II as they attended the Scottish church where the late Queen worshipped for a poignant event where private prayers were said and a moment of reflection observed for the nation's longest-serving monarch.
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'Wonderful woman'
One royal quick off the mark to commemorate the poignant date was Mike Tindall, who paid tribute to his "wonderful" grandmother-in-law. The former England rugby player wrote on Instagram: "Massive day in the sport I love but I can't help but start the day thinking about this wonderful woman that we lost a year ago today #thequeen #rip".
Mike Tindall, the husband of Zara Tindall, alongside the late Queen (Corbis via Getty Images)Mike, who is married to Princess Anne's daughter Zara, shared the post alongside a viral video of the Queen which uses time-lapse photos to document her childhood, rise to the crown and subsequent reign. The clip was accompanied by Pink Floyd's title track, Wish You Were Here.
Instagram users were touched by the tribute, with one commenting: "She was truly a most remarkable woman." Another wrote: "Thinking of you and your family. She was an amazing lady RIP Your Majesty."
'We miss all you'
The Prince and Princess of Wales then released a heartbreaking statement about how they all miss the late Queen. Taking to social media, they posted a carousel of pictures of the former monarch and wrote: "Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W&C." The letters W and C denote the message is a personal one from William and Kate.
William and Kate reflect next to a portait of the late Queen (PA)Among the snaps they shared in the social media post were a charming shot of the late Queen beaming as she meets a pack of corgis. Others included a photo taken by Kate just last year at Balmoral of the late monarch surrounded by her great-grandchildren and one of the Wales family alongside the Queen on the Buckingham Palace balcony at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
Later William and Kate, who wore a pair of the late Queen's earrings, attended a small private service at St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire along with clergy, the choir and 20 invited guests. During the service the couple walked to a portrait of the prince's grandmother and the princess laid flowers in front of the image, and for a few moments the couple stood in solemn silence.
'She's happy we're together'
Meanwhile, Prince Harry paid his respects to Queen Elizabeth II privately in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Friday morning. Harry, who moved to the US and quit royal duties in 2020, was spotted quietly leaving the Berkshire chapel, which is home to the late Queen's final resting place, by a member of the public, who posted the image on social media.
Prince Harry leaves St George's Chapel, Windsor
A never-before-seen image released of the late Queen (PA)The duke is not expected to meet either his brother or his father, the King, on his whirlwind trip to the UK where he attended the WellChild annual awards held last night ahead of the Invictus Games in Germany. He paid his own public tribute to his grandmother in his speech at the charity's ceremony, saying: "She is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we're together, continuing to spotlight such an incredible community."
'I will always love you'
It wasn't just family members paying tribute - former staff members have too, including her former right-hand woman Angela Kelly, who said: "I will never forget you."
Ms Kelly, the former monarch's dresser and confidante, wrote on Instagram: "I will never forget you. I will always love you. I miss you my friend." She shared the post alongside a black and white photo of herself alongside a beaming Queen. The pair were introduced in the early 90s when the mum-of-three was taken on as a dresser after impressing the Queen Mother's personal stylist. She went on to become indispensable and revelled in delight at making the Queen look her absolute best.
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'You are always in my heart'
As well as messages, some tributes included never-before-seen pictures of the late Queen like Princess Eugenie's post on Instagram. She shared an unseen snap of herself sat with the late Queen outside her log cabin in Glen Beg, on the Balmoral estate, to mark the one-year anniversary.
A never-before-seen family snap of the Queen with Princess Eugenie (Princess Eugenie/Instagram)She wrote to her grandma: "Thinking of you today. Missing you so much but remembering what a life of service, love and dedication to everyone and to your family, who loved you so very much. Forever grateful to you. And always in my heart."
'Wise words'
Meanwhile Eugenie's mum Sarah Ferguson also paid tribute to her late former mother-in-law by sharing a thought-provoking quote. Taking to Instagram, Fergie, who is recovering from breast cancer surgery, shared: "Whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load". And in the caption, Fergie wrote: "I often remember the wise words Her Late Majesty the Queen shared with me and the wider world. At a time of great troubles in the world one year after her passing, today this quote of hers seems more apt than ever."
Elsewhere she also shared a picture of herself with the Queen's corgis Sandy and Muick, who are now cared for by her and her ex-husband Prince Andrew. She wrote: "As we mourn a year on, we also celebrate the wonderful times we shared with Her Late Majesty the Queen. She entrusted me with the care of her corgis Sandy and Muick and I am delighted to say they are thriving."
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