The Queen has shared a rare childhood picture as she paid tribute to one of her important royal patronages ahead of the festive season.
- Her Majesty has posted an adorable childhood photo as she reflects on the vital work of one of her most long-standing royal patronages.
- The Queen has supported Friends of the Elderly for over five decades, whilst her cousin Princess Alexandra is their President.
- This royal news comes as it’s revealed the Queen will not turn her back on Prince Harry and will welcome him back if ‘America plans fail’.
The Queen might be preparing to celebrate Christmas with her extended family, but her selfless nature has shone through again in her latest social media post as the big day approaches. As the head of The Firm, Her Majesty is a patron of a number of charities and organizations and though the festive season is met with joy from some, for others it can be a difficult time of year. The Queen’s husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, passed away, meaning that for her too this Christmas will likely be tinged with sadness.
Now, with Christmas Day drawing nearer, the Royal Family Instagram Stories will soon be handed over to Friends of the Elderly. This vital charity supports older people throughout the festive season and the Queen has been their dedicated patron since 1953.
The caption explained, ‘Friends of the Elderly has had Royal support since its early days caring for WWI veterans. Her Majesty The Queen is currently Patron, and Princess Alexandra is President. The charity began in 1905 as ‘Friends of the Poor’ and went on to serve ‘Penny Dinners’ to WWI veterans and help elderly people in a London devastated by bombing during WWII.’
It added, ‘Today, it provides day care and care home support to older people as well as grants and specialist dementia care for those who need it.’
Alongside this powerful caption, the Queen shared three deeply personal pictures from throughout her life - including a rare childhood snap!
In the first photo taken in the 1930s, Her Majesty is a young child standing alongside the Queen Mother as they met a veteran at a sale of work which was organised by Friends of the Elderly.
With her proud mother beaming down at her, the then-Princess Elizabeth can be seen politely shaking the veteran’s hand, dressed smartly in a double-breasted jacket.
But this wasn’t the only insight the Queen has given fans into her long-time support for this significant charity. A second picture shows the monarch during a reception she hosted for them in 2009, eagerly greeting her esteemed guests.
Whilst in the third snap, her cousin Princess Alexandra attends the opening of a specialist dementia home, Bradbury Centre, in 2008. This rare childhood picture of the Queen has been met with particular delight from fans.
‘Wonderful to see, HM visits would have made such a huge difference to the elderly residents. Long live The Queen’, one person commented.
A second person agreed, declaring, ‘Love the first one, the queen with her mum ❤️❤️’.
‘A Beautiful moment, Your Highness 👏 ❤️’, someone else shared.
Whilst another fan expressed their belief that there’s a distinct resemblance between the Queen’s great-grandchild, Princess Charlotte, and the monarch herself.
‘Such a sweet photo. Anyone else see so much of the young queen on Princess Charlotte?’ they wrote excitedly.
With Christmas 2021 likely to prove challenging for many, the Queen's tribute to Friends of the Elderly at this time of year is incredibly inspiring.
-
Compromising may be killing your relationship - here are 5 ways to reach healthy compromises, according to relationship expertCompromising isn't always the best way to keep the peace in a relationship
-
Best interactive pets for kids: 15 gift ideas for children of all agesFrom puppies to axolotls, take a look at our selection of the best interactive pets you can buy that are sure to be a hit with little animal lovers
-
Queen Elizabeth was reportedly left ‘very upset’ by King Charles’ harsh and very public criticism of her parenting styleThe King has been open about growing up with 'emotionally distant' parents
-
King Charles set to abandon a £100 million royal family hobby that’s been passed down for generationsThe monarch doesn't share the same passion for this expensive royal hobby
-
Why Prince George, Charlotte and Louis might never call King Charles THIS nickname againThe Wales children could have to find an alternative name for their grandpa
-
Buckingham Palace set to make new documentary celebrating the King and there’s reportedly a ‘strict ban’ on family members mentioning Prince Harry and Meghan Markle"They've already caused enough trouble to last a lifetime"
-
Prince Harry drops his 'Prince' title in this unexpected and utterly 'adorable' greeting with young fans - and we're obsessed'Is this the biggest hint that the the Duke of Sussex is set to become the 'people's person'?
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton are ‘nervous’ Prince Harry will ‘overshadow’ first anniversary of the Queen’s death with ‘another outburst’ directed at the family“There's more ammunition in the bank which can be fired at the royals”
-
The sign Prince William still has to obey his father’s orders as King Charles appears to ‘pull rank’ over this royal formalityThe Prince of Wales was given this unexpected role during recent royal outing
-
This staple from the Queen’s afternoon tea menu is the perfect family desert and you don’t even need an ovenThe 'exceptionally beautiful dessert' is 'insanely easy to make'
