How the Royal Family Celebrated the Late Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday

Queen Elizabeth II will always have a special place in the hearts of the royal family, even if they don’t make it public.

Sunday, April 21, was the late queen’s second birthday since her death in September 2022. Most of the royal family did not honor Her Majesty outwardly, but according to former aide Grant Harrol festivities are said to have taken place behind closed doors.

‘They won’t do anything publicly. Privately, I have no doubt that they will toast her tonight,” said Harrol, who worked for King Charles III and his wife, Queen Camillefrom 2004 to 2011, Slingo told via People. “I’m sure the day will be dedicated to reflecting on the late queen.”

The former employee, who occasionally encountered Elizabeth, explained that the Queen’s family would pay tribute in subtle ways.

“I can almost guarantee that if you were to go to Windsor Castle that day, there would be a good chance that there would be flowers on the grave sent by the relatives,” he said. “Sometimes flowers are sent to royal graves on royal anniversaries. It is entirely possible that there are flowers on the gravestone.”

British residents (or visiting tourists) could also pay their respects to the late royal family by leaving bouquets at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the Queen was buried.

While the king, 75, and his sons, Prince William And Prince Harrydid not write a public tribute to Elizabeth, but the royal family did reveal it a statue in Rutland, England on the occasion of her birthday. (The family wasn’t there to see it happen in real time, though.)

Related: Royal family honors Queen Elizabeth II on anniversary of her death

The royal family has found subtle and heartwarming ways to honor Queen Elizabeth II after her death. King Charles III, who ascended the throne following the death of his late mother in September 2022 at the age of 96, mentioned Elizabeth in his first royal speech that same month. “I know how deeply you, the whole nation – and (…)

Travelers from far and wide flocked to the area on Sunday to see the new bronze monument, located outside a library in Oakham. Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furnesscommissioned the image by artist Hywel Pratley.

Not only was the piece over seven feet tall, but it also featured many of the Queen’s beloved corgis in statue form.

Back in London, the Queen’s ex-daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson honored the monarch on what would have been her 98th birthday.

“Today we remember Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” Ferguson, who was married to Elizabeth’s son Prince Andreas from 1986 to 1996, wrote Sunday via Instagram. “Thank you for all you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are greatly missed.”

The low-key celebration of the Queen’s birthday comes amid recent health concerns involving several members of the royal family.

Ferguson, 64, confirmed in January that she was diagnosed with skin cancer months after a mastectomy. She was previously diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer in June 2023.

Related: Kate Middleton and more royals diagnosed with cancer

Several British royals have been diagnosed with various forms of cancer since the start of their family’s reign. Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer a week after being admitted to the London Clinic to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate. “During the King’s recent hospital procedure (…)

Buckingham Palace announced in February that the king was battling cancer after undergoing successful prostate surgery. The type and severity of his illness have not been disclosed, but the monarch has returned to work during his treatments.

The next month, Princess Kate Middleton revealed that she was recently diagnosed with cancer after undergoing stomach surgery earlier this year.

“The surgery was successful, but tests after the surgery revealed cancer,” she shared in a March video statement. “My medical team therefore recommended that I undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”