NewsBite

Queen’s life in pictures: Running ‘The Firm’

Fay Gould
1 min read·September 09, 2022 - 7:31AM
News Corp Australia Network

Like all families, the Royals have had their share of joy and heartbreak, but through it all the Queen was a beacon of stability, fortified by her sense of dignity and duty.

Princess Elizabeth looks lovingly at her baby son Prince Charles in an image from 1948. Her first child and heir was born on November 14 at Buckingham Palace. Cheering crowds gathered at the gates as the official announcement was made that night, and newspapers quoted a palace insider as saying the newborn was “a lovely boy, a really splendid baby”.
Princess Elizabeth looks lovingly at her baby son Prince Charles in an image from 1948. Her first child and heir was born on November 14 at Buckingham Palace. Cheering crowds gathered at the gates as the official announcement was made that night, and newspapers quoted a palace insider as saying the newborn was “a lovely boy, a really splendid baby”.
The Queen Mother tries to keep track of a nearly two-year old Prince Charles at the October 1950 christening of his sister Anne at Buckingham Palace. Born at Clarence House on August 15, Anne was later granted the title of Princess Royal.
The Queen Mother tries to keep track of a nearly two-year old Prince Charles at the October 1950 christening of his sister Anne at Buckingham Palace. Born at Clarence House on August 15, Anne was later granted the title of Princess Royal.
Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II attend the funeral of King George VI in 1952. The King had died in his sleep, aged just 56, after suffering a coronary thrombosis. The Queen later reflected on her loss and the impact on her life. “My father died much too young,” she is quoted as saying. “So it was all a very sudden kind of taking it on and making the best job you can ... and accepting the fact that here you are and it’s your fate.”
Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II attend the funeral of King George VI in 1952. The King had died in his sleep, aged just 56, after suffering a coronary thrombosis. The Queen later reflected on her loss and the impact on her life. “My father died much too young,” she is quoted as saying. “So it was all a very sudden kind of taking it on and making the best job you can ... and accepting the fact that here you are and it’s your fate.”
Princess Margaret’s love for a divorced man, Group Captain Peter Townsend, 16 years her senior, created an early romantic crisis in the Queen’s reign. Margaret accepted his proposal in 1953, but needed the Queen’s permission to marry, and both the Church of England and Winston Churchill’s Cabinet stood against the union. Papers released years later revealed that by 1955 a compromise was being worked out with new PM Sir Anthony Eden, requiring Margaret to give up her right to succession. However she decided not to wed, being “mindful of the Church’s teachings that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth”.
Princess Margaret’s love for a divorced man, Group Captain Peter Townsend, 16 years her senior, created an early romantic crisis in the Queen’s reign. Margaret accepted his proposal in 1953, but needed the Queen’s permission to marry, and both the Church of England and Winston Churchill’s Cabinet stood against the union. Papers released years later revealed that by 1955 a compromise was being worked out with new PM Sir Anthony Eden, requiring Margaret to give up her right to succession. However she decided not to wed, being “mindful of the Church’s teachings that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth”.
Prince Charles admires his baby brother, Prince Andrew, shortly after his birth in March 1960. Editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward wrote in 2015 that the Queen’s second son “was forever making mischief as a child, but he was always a favourite with the Queen”. Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty
Prince Charles admires his baby brother, Prince Andrew, shortly after his birth in March 1960. Editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward wrote in 2015 that the Queen’s second son “was forever making mischief as a child, but he was always a favourite with the Queen”. Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty
The Queen’s family, pictured here in 1972 for her silver wedding anniversary, was completed with the arrival of Prince Edward in 1964. The Queen was reportedly able to make more time for her younger sons than she had for Charles and Anne, thanks to being more settled in her role as monarch. But Anne has rejected any suggestion that her early parenting was in any way lacking. “I don’t believe any of us for a second thought that she didn’t care for us in exactly the same way as any other mother did.”
The Queen’s family, pictured here in 1972 for her silver wedding anniversary, was completed with the arrival of Prince Edward in 1964. The Queen was reportedly able to make more time for her younger sons than she had for Charles and Anne, thanks to being more settled in her role as monarch. But Anne has rejected any suggestion that her early parenting was in any way lacking. “I don’t believe any of us for a second thought that she didn’t care for us in exactly the same way as any other mother did.”
Princess Anne was the first of the Queen’s children to wed, marrying Captain Mark Phillips – a commoner and Olympian – at Westminster Abbey on November 14, 1973. Prince Edward was page boy and the televised ceremony was watched by an estimated 500 million people around the world. They went on to have two children, but later divorced, and Anne went on to marry Commander Timothy Laurence in 1992.
Princess Anne was the first of the Queen’s children to wed, marrying Captain Mark Phillips – a commoner and Olympian – at Westminster Abbey on November 14, 1973. Prince Edward was page boy and the televised ceremony was watched by an estimated 500 million people around the world. They went on to have two children, but later divorced, and Anne went on to marry Commander Timothy Laurence in 1992.
Princess Anne gave the Queen her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, born in November 1977, but decided her children would not carry a Royal title. Peter, pictured here at Balmoral, aged two, recalled his relationship with the Queen in a 2016 interview: “We had great fun growing up on our holidays, going to stay with her at Sandringham, Balmoral and Windsor, and we were incredibly lucky to share a lot of our childhood time with her,” he said.
Princess Anne gave the Queen her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, born in November 1977, but decided her children would not carry a Royal title. Peter, pictured here at Balmoral, aged two, recalled his relationship with the Queen in a 2016 interview: “We had great fun growing up on our holidays, going to stay with her at Sandringham, Balmoral and Windsor, and we were incredibly lucky to share a lot of our childhood time with her,” he said.
“New life for Lady Diana” proclaimed The Sun newspaper in February 1981 in a special Royal engagement edition celebrating a future Queen. Prince Charles was 32 and his bride-to-be just 19 when they ended months of speculation by announcing their decision to marry to the world. Diana wore her sapphire and diamond engagement ring for the official pictures and asked if she was daunted by what lay ahead, said: “Next to Prince Charles I know I can’t go wrong ... he’s here with me.” Picture: AP
“New life for Lady Diana” proclaimed The Sun newspaper in February 1981 in a special Royal engagement edition celebrating a future Queen. Prince Charles was 32 and his bride-to-be just 19 when they ended months of speculation by announcing their decision to marry to the world. Diana wore her sapphire and diamond engagement ring for the official pictures and asked if she was daunted by what lay ahead, said: “Next to Prince Charles I know I can’t go wrong ... he’s here with me.” Picture: AP
Charles and Di give the crowd what they were waiting for with a kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after there July 1981 wedding. In a 1995 interview Diana reflected on her expectations of married life: “I think like any marriage, specially when you’ve had divorced parents like myself, you’d want to try even harder to make it work and you don’t want to fall back into a pattern that you’ve seen happen in your own family,” she said. “I desperately wanted it to work, I desperately loved my husband and I wanted to share everything together, and I thought that we were a very good team.” Picture: AP
Charles and Di give the crowd what they were waiting for with a kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after there July 1981 wedding. In a 1995 interview Diana reflected on her expectations of married life: “I think like any marriage, specially when you’ve had divorced parents like myself, you’d want to try even harder to make it work and you don’t want to fall back into a pattern that you’ve seen happen in your own family,” she said. “I desperately wanted it to work, I desperately loved my husband and I wanted to share everything together, and I thought that we were a very good team.” Picture: AP
Diana fell pregnant soon after her marriage and Prince William was born on June 21, 1982. The birth of a boy was an “enormous relief”. “I felt the whole country was in labour with me,” Diana said in her 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. Picture: Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Diana fell pregnant soon after her marriage and Prince William was born on June 21, 1982. The birth of a boy was an “enormous relief”. “I felt the whole country was in labour with me,” Diana said in her 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. Picture: Anwar Hussein/WireImage
Prince Henry of Wales – known as Harry – was born in September 1984 and was an immediate hit with his big brother. Prince Charles was quoted as saying, “William has taken to the new baby like a duck to water”, and, in a letter a few months later, Diana wrote: “William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near!”
Prince Henry of Wales – known as Harry – was born in September 1984 and was an immediate hit with his big brother. Prince Charles was quoted as saying, “William has taken to the new baby like a duck to water”, and, in a letter a few months later, Diana wrote: “William adores his little brother and spends the entire time swamping Harry with an endless supply of hugs and kisses, hardly letting the parents near!”
July 1986 saw another Royal wedding with the marriage of Prince Andrew – previously dubbed Randy Andy for his string of glamorous girlfriends (most notably American actress Koo Stark) – to Sarah Ferguson, widely known by the nickname Fergie. Princess Diana played Cupid in bringing the couple together and many years later – despite scandal and divorce – Sarah maintained: “I think my story with Andrew, I think our story is one of the great loves, definitely, definitely one of the great loves of the royal family too.”
July 1986 saw another Royal wedding with the marriage of Prince Andrew – previously dubbed Randy Andy for his string of glamorous girlfriends (most notably American actress Koo Stark) – to Sarah Ferguson, widely known by the nickname Fergie. Princess Diana played Cupid in bringing the couple together and many years later – despite scandal and divorce – Sarah maintained: “I think my story with Andrew, I think our story is one of the great loves, definitely, definitely one of the great loves of the royal family too.”
1992 was a year of turmoil for the Royal family. The Queen, who famously branded it an “Annus Horribilis” saw the Duke and Duchess of York separate in March, Princess Anne divorce in April and Charles and Diana separate in December. There was also the shock of a massive fire that ripped through Windsor Castle. Prince Andrew, who helped in the human chains of staff and locals rescuing the Castle’s many treasures, said his mother was “absolutely devastated”.
1992 was a year of turmoil for the Royal family. The Queen, who famously branded it an “Annus Horribilis” saw the Duke and Duchess of York separate in March, Princess Anne divorce in April and Charles and Diana separate in December. There was also the shock of a massive fire that ripped through Windsor Castle. Prince Andrew, who helped in the human chains of staff and locals rescuing the Castle’s many treasures, said his mother was “absolutely devastated”.
A year after her divorce, on August 31, 1997, Britain and the world was rocked by the death of Princess Diana, aged just 36, in a Paris car accident. The public outpouring of grief was like nothing ever seen before and the initial backlash against the Queen, whose reaction to the death was seen to lack compassion, was brutal. She responded in a special address to the nation, sharing her grief “as your Queen and as a grandmother”. “This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered,” she explained, as she remembered their mother as “an exceptional and gifted human being”. Picture: AFP
A year after her divorce, on August 31, 1997, Britain and the world was rocked by the death of Princess Diana, aged just 36, in a Paris car accident. The public outpouring of grief was like nothing ever seen before and the initial backlash against the Queen, whose reaction to the death was seen to lack compassion, was brutal. She responded in a special address to the nation, sharing her grief “as your Queen and as a grandmother”. “This week at Balmoral, we have all been trying to help William and Harry come to terms with the devastating loss that they and the rest of us have suffered,” she explained, as she remembered their mother as “an exceptional and gifted human being”. Picture: AFP
The funeral of Princess Diana took place on September 6, 1997 as a million people lined the streets of London to pay their last respects. The princess’s coffin was placed on a gun carriage for the funeral procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey and was topped with three floral tributes, one with a card to “Mummy”. William, 15, and Harry, 12, walked behind the coffin with Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, and the Queen bowed her head as the cortege passed Buckingham Palace.
The funeral of Princess Diana took place on September 6, 1997 as a million people lined the streets of London to pay their last respects. The princess’s coffin was placed on a gun carriage for the funeral procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey and was topped with three floral tributes, one with a card to “Mummy”. William, 15, and Harry, 12, walked behind the coffin with Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Earl Spencer, Diana’s brother, and the Queen bowed her head as the cortege passed Buckingham Palace.
The marriage of the Queen’s youngest son to public relations specialist Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999 was a low-key event by Royal standards – guests were asked to wear evening dress and no hats – but the ceremony at Windsor Castle produced a marriage that has endured. Sophie is said to be a firm favourite of the Queen, and despite some early stumbles when she continued to work in PR after her marriage, a safe pair of hands.
The marriage of the Queen’s youngest son to public relations specialist Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999 was a low-key event by Royal standards – guests were asked to wear evening dress and no hats – but the ceremony at Windsor Castle produced a marriage that has endured. Sophie is said to be a firm favourite of the Queen, and despite some early stumbles when she continued to work in PR after her marriage, a safe pair of hands.
Prince Charles shares a laugh with his grandmother, the Queen Mother, while watching a special pageant on Horseguards Parade in London to mark her 100th birthday. The celebration was held in July 2000, a couple of weeks before her actual birthday on August 4, but the crowds were out again on the day itself, cheering outside Clarence House as she received her telegram from the Queen. Picture: AP
Prince Charles shares a laugh with his grandmother, the Queen Mother, while watching a special pageant on Horseguards Parade in London to mark her 100th birthday. The celebration was held in July 2000, a couple of weeks before her actual birthday on August 4, but the crowds were out again on the day itself, cheering outside Clarence House as she received her telegram from the Queen. Picture: AP
2002 was a year of emotional extremes for the Queen, who suffered the loss of both her sister, aged 71, and her mother, aged 101, within a few weeks of each other, but also saw a grateful nation unite to celebrate her 50 years on the throne. She reflected on the highs and lows in her Christmas message that year saying her sadness was “tempered by the generous tributes” to Margaret and the Queen Mother, while her “joyous” Golden Jubilee celebrations “seemed to evoke something more lasting and profound – a sense of belonging and pride in country, town, or community”. Picture: AFP
2002 was a year of emotional extremes for the Queen, who suffered the loss of both her sister, aged 71, and her mother, aged 101, within a few weeks of each other, but also saw a grateful nation unite to celebrate her 50 years on the throne. She reflected on the highs and lows in her Christmas message that year saying her sadness was “tempered by the generous tributes” to Margaret and the Queen Mother, while her “joyous” Golden Jubilee celebrations “seemed to evoke something more lasting and profound – a sense of belonging and pride in country, town, or community”. Picture: AFP
The Prince of Wales’ long-time love and controversial mistress Camilla Parker Bowles officially entered the Royal fold on April 9, 2005 when the couple tied the knot in a civil ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall, followed by a blessing at Windsor Castle. The Queen did not attend the Guildhall event, but was present for the blessing and then hosted a reception at the Castle. Toasting the couple, the Queen referred to a horse race run that day. “I’ve got two things to announce to you of the greatest importance,” she said. “The first is that the Grand National was won by Hedgehunter. The second is to say to you that despite Becher’s Brook and The Chair (fences in the steeplechase) and all kinds of other terrible obstacles, my son has come through and I’m very proud and wish them well.” Picture: AP
The Prince of Wales’ long-time love and controversial mistress Camilla Parker Bowles officially entered the Royal fold on April 9, 2005 when the couple tied the knot in a civil ceremony at Windsor’s Guildhall, followed by a blessing at Windsor Castle. The Queen did not attend the Guildhall event, but was present for the blessing and then hosted a reception at the Castle. Toasting the couple, the Queen referred to a horse race run that day. “I’ve got two things to announce to you of the greatest importance,” she said. “The first is that the Grand National was won by Hedgehunter. The second is to say to you that despite Becher’s Brook and The Chair (fences in the steeplechase) and all kinds of other terrible obstacles, my son has come through and I’m very proud and wish them well.” Picture: AP
It was the wedding we feared wouldn’t happen. William broke up with Kate in 2007, later saying he’d needed “a bit of space”, but within a matter of months they were back together with an understanding that they would eventually wed. “Waity Katie”, as she was dubbed, finally got a ring on her finger – Princess Diana’s engagement ring – at the end of 2010, and the big day was set for April 29, 2011. William says the Queen gave him some important advice as they prepared for the big day, telling him to dump the initial guest list prepared by officials because there was no one on it that he or his bride-to-be knew. “She went, ‘Get rid of it’,” he said. “‘Start from your friends and then we’ll add those we need to in due course. It’s your day.’” Picture: AFP
It was the wedding we feared wouldn’t happen. William broke up with Kate in 2007, later saying he’d needed “a bit of space”, but within a matter of months they were back together with an understanding that they would eventually wed. “Waity Katie”, as she was dubbed, finally got a ring on her finger – Princess Diana’s engagement ring – at the end of 2010, and the big day was set for April 29, 2011. William says the Queen gave him some important advice as they prepared for the big day, telling him to dump the initial guest list prepared by officials because there was no one on it that he or his bride-to-be knew. “She went, ‘Get rid of it’,” he said. “‘Start from your friends and then we’ll add those we need to in due course. It’s your day.’” Picture: AFP
Two years after the spectacle of Prince William’s wedding, the UK was gripped by Royal baby fever. Prince George – third in line to the throne – was born on July 23, 2013, weighing in at 3.8kg. “He’s a big boy,” said the proud dad. Catherine and William happily introduced their son to the world, with both admitting it was “very emotional”. In her Christmas message that year, the Queen reflected that “my own family is a little larger this Christmas” and that the arrival of a baby “gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope”. Picture: AFP
Two years after the spectacle of Prince William’s wedding, the UK was gripped by Royal baby fever. Prince George – third in line to the throne – was born on July 23, 2013, weighing in at 3.8kg. “He’s a big boy,” said the proud dad. Catherine and William happily introduced their son to the world, with both admitting it was “very emotional”. In her Christmas message that year, the Queen reflected that “my own family is a little larger this Christmas” and that the arrival of a baby “gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope”. Picture: AFP
The young Royals were out in force to help the Queen celebrate her 90th birthday in 2016. The weekend of her “official” June birthday was marked in traditional style, with Trooping the Colour and an RAF flypast watched by the Royals from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, pictured. There was also a giant street party, The Patron’s Lunch, which saw 10,000 guests, most representing charities and organisations supported by the Queen, seated along The Mall. Addressing the crowd, the Queen joked: “I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes, and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received. How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday to me in December, remains to be seen!” Picture: AFP
The young Royals were out in force to help the Queen celebrate her 90th birthday in 2016. The weekend of her “official” June birthday was marked in traditional style, with Trooping the Colour and an RAF flypast watched by the Royals from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, pictured. There was also a giant street party, The Patron’s Lunch, which saw 10,000 guests, most representing charities and organisations supported by the Queen, seated along The Mall. Addressing the crowd, the Queen joked: “I much appreciate the kindness of all your birthday wishes, and have been delighted and moved by the many cards and messages I have received. How I will feel if people are still singing Happy Birthday to me in December, remains to be seen!” Picture: AFP
The Queen’s sixth great-grandchild and William and Catherine’s third child, Prince Louis, was christened in July 2018 when he was about 11 weeks old. In her Christmas message later in the year, the Queen reflected on a “busy year for my family, with two weddings (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank) and two babies (Louis and Lena Tindall), and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied”. She also noted the 70th birthday celebrations for Prince Charles. Picture: Getty
The Queen’s sixth great-grandchild and William and Catherine’s third child, Prince Louis, was christened in July 2018 when he was about 11 weeks old. In her Christmas message later in the year, the Queen reflected on a “busy year for my family, with two weddings (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank) and two babies (Louis and Lena Tindall), and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied”. She also noted the 70th birthday celebrations for Prince Charles. Picture: Getty
Meghan Markle was seen as a fresh and modernising influence for the Royal family with her engagement to Prince Harry and then marriage in May 2018, and while the media focused on dramas in her own family, there was little warning of the shocks to come for the Queen less than two years on. Harry asked Prince Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle after her own father said he would not attend, and later told a TV documentary: “I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’.” Picture: AFP
Meghan Markle was seen as a fresh and modernising influence for the Royal family with her engagement to Prince Harry and then marriage in May 2018, and while the media focused on dramas in her own family, there was little warning of the shocks to come for the Queen less than two years on. Harry asked Prince Charles to walk Meghan down the aisle after her own father said he would not attend, and later told a TV documentary: “I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’.” Picture: AFP
Prince Harry and wife Meghan introduce their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world after his birth in May 2019, with Meghan gushing: “I have the two best guys in the world so I’m really happy.” The couple chose not to use a tittle for their son, then seventh in line to the throne, but the Queen made special mention of Archie in her Christmas message that year. “Two hundred years on from the birth of my great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Prince Philip and I have been delighted to welcome our eighth great grandchild into our family,” she said. Picture: AFP
Prince Harry and wife Meghan introduce their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world after his birth in May 2019, with Meghan gushing: “I have the two best guys in the world so I’m really happy.” The couple chose not to use a tittle for their son, then seventh in line to the throne, but the Queen made special mention of Archie in her Christmas message that year. “Two hundred years on from the birth of my great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Prince Philip and I have been delighted to welcome our eighth great grandchild into our family,” she said. Picture: AFP
Broad smiles in March 2020 belied months of turmoil that rocked the House of Windsor, as Harry and Meghan first signalled their unhappiness and then laid out their plans for more independent lives. Furious insiders slammed the couple’s moves as a “shoddy way” to treat the Queen, with Prince Charles said to be “incandescent with rage”. Things started to go downhill in October, with Harry slamming the press and Meghan revealing she was struggling. The couple flew to Canada rather than spending Christmas with the Queen, then in January said they were quitting The Firm. Tense negotiations determined they would quit royal duties on March 31, would not use HRH in their titles, would pay back the public funds spent on renovating their UK home, and would not use their chosen branding “Sussex Royal”. But the Queen publicly offered her support saying: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.” Picture: WireImage
Broad smiles in March 2020 belied months of turmoil that rocked the House of Windsor, as Harry and Meghan first signalled their unhappiness and then laid out their plans for more independent lives. Furious insiders slammed the couple’s moves as a “shoddy way” to treat the Queen, with Prince Charles said to be “incandescent with rage”. Things started to go downhill in October, with Harry slamming the press and Meghan revealing she was struggling. The couple flew to Canada rather than spending Christmas with the Queen, then in January said they were quitting The Firm. Tense negotiations determined they would quit royal duties on March 31, would not use HRH in their titles, would pay back the public funds spent on renovating their UK home, and would not use their chosen branding “Sussex Royal”. But the Queen publicly offered her support saying: “Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved members of my family.” Picture: WireImage
Towards the end of 2019, the Queen had also had to endure Prince Andrew’s carcrash TV interview over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but January 2020 saw a public show of support for her second son when he accompanied her to church at Sandringham. The headlines continued though, and the same month it was announced Andrew’s daughter Beatrice’s upcoming wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi would not be televised. Picture: Getty
Towards the end of 2019, the Queen had also had to endure Prince Andrew’s carcrash TV interview over his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but January 2020 saw a public show of support for her second son when he accompanied her to church at Sandringham. The headlines continued though, and the same month it was announced Andrew’s daughter Beatrice’s upcoming wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi would not be televised. Picture: Getty
March 9 2020 saw the final engagement for Harry and Meghan with his family, including the Queen, at a Commonwealth Day Service in London. The couple had flown back to the UK without son Archie for a handful of public appearances before giving up royal duties and resuming their new overseas. Reports suggested the Queen was disappointed Archie didn’t make the trip and “heartbroken” at the thought of not seeing him grow up. Picture: Getty
March 9 2020 saw the final engagement for Harry and Meghan with his family, including the Queen, at a Commonwealth Day Service in London. The couple had flown back to the UK without son Archie for a handful of public appearances before giving up royal duties and resuming their new overseas. Reports suggested the Queen was disappointed Archie didn’t make the trip and “heartbroken” at the thought of not seeing him grow up. Picture: Getty
In April 2021, Prince Philip died, aged 99, and the Queen was forced to say a sad, final farewell, sitting alone for his funeral in St George’s Chapel at Windsor because of Covid-19 protocols. Harry flew from his new home in the US to pay his respects, while a pregnant Meghan stayed away. Their daughter named Lilibet, the Queen’s childhood nickname, was born in June. Picture: Getty
In April 2021, Prince Philip died, aged 99, and the Queen was forced to say a sad, final farewell, sitting alone for his funeral in St George’s Chapel at Windsor because of Covid-19 protocols. Harry flew from his new home in the US to pay his respects, while a pregnant Meghan stayed away. Their daughter named Lilibet, the Queen’s childhood nickname, was born in June. Picture: Getty
More related stories

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/world/queens-life-in-pictures-running-the-firm/news-story/5bda68e32987c35cd5ca37585e9c130f