The Queen photographed with rarely-seen adorable family members in special new birthday portrait
The Queen looks majestic alongside rarely-seen adorable family members in special new portrait released to celebrate her 96th birthday.
- The Queen is a vision of beauty as she poses with her beloved ponies to mark her 96th birthday.
- Her Majesty also looks adorable as the palace releases a rare snap of her as a toddler.
- This royal news comes after Duchess Camilla reins in Prince Charles’ ‘ridiculous demands’ before he becomes King.
The Queen looks majestic as she poses with two of her fell ponies in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
The beautiful portrait, released by Royal Windsor Horse Show, was taken last month and captures her Majesty's love of animals as she holds the reins of white ponies Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee this year and is set to celebrate the occasion with a special four-day bank holiday weekend, concert at Buckingham Palace plus other traditions.
The latest image is the fourth in a series of photos released by the Royal Windsor Horse Show, following images that celebrated the Golden Jubilee, the Platinum Jubilee and Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday.
First staged in 1943, The Queen has attended every single Royal Windsor Horse Show and it's hoped her Majesty will feel up to attending this years show which will be held between 12th - 15th of May as the Queen has previously pulled out of events including Maundy Day service.
And fans are in admiration of the Queen birthday portrait. One fan wrote, "Oh this is JUST lovely❤️"
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Another fan wrote, "Her majesty with some of her most beloved creatures— horses. Second only to the corgis 😍"
A third supporter added, "What a wonderful photo of Her Majesty. She must be so proud of her beautiful ponies. They’re absolutely gorgeous."
In 2020 the Queen suffered heartbreak when five of her beloved ponies died. She has a love of equestrian and her favourite hobby is horseracing and has even passed on her love of horse riding to her great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis as it was reportedly their new hobby.
In addition to the Queen birthday portrait, Buckingham Palace released an adorable snap of the Queen as a toddler, grinning from ear to ear and captioned it, "Happy Birthday Your Majesty! Today as The Queen turns 96, we’re sharing this photograph taken when she was two years old.
"Then Princess Elizabeth, she was the eldest daughter of The Duke and Duchess of York and was never expected to become Queen. Her life changed in 1936 when her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated, her father became King George VI and the young Princess became the heir presumptive.
It added, "Following the sad death of her father in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II aged just 25, and this year is celebrating 70 years on the throne - a first in British history."
Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)
-
I tested the Lakeland Dual Basket air fryer and it made midweek family cooking a breeze
You can’t go wrong with the dual basket air fryer by Lakeland complete with easy-view windows to ensure burnt food is a thing of the past…
By Jessica Dady Published
-
Reframing one simple habit could get your sex life back on track after having a baby, new research shows
Many parents struggle to get their sex life back on track after having a baby, but new research has shown how one simple habit could make all the difference.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Carole Middleton has spent the entire Easter break with grandchildren Prince George, Charlotte and Louis - and enjoyed a surprise ‘low-key’ outing with son-in-law Prince William over the weekend
The grandmother is doing everything she can to help the Wales children through Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Princess Charlotte's favourite snack usually requires a 'refined palate' - would your kids choose it?
Princess Charlotte has inherited her love for this grown-up from her mum Kate Middleton
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
The sweet way Prince George, Charlotte and Louis are helping Kate Middleton through her recovery - and it proves they have inherited this important trait from their mum
The Wales children are keen to help their mum throughout her health struggles - and they're doing so in a way they've learnt from her
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William likely 'sugarcoated' cancer diagnosis for younger son Louis, the King's former butler says, but it was a little different for Prince George and Princess Charlotte
The Prince and Princess of Wales made sure to break the news in as 'positive' of a way as possible
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince William and Kate Middleton make surprise family trip for Easter - and it proves the couple are focusing on Prince George, Charlotte and Louis amid Kate’s health struggles
The Wales family are set to have a relaxing Easter break away from the public eye
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Rumours about Kate Middleton’s health have had a massive ‘impact’ on her children Prince George, Charlotte and Louis, reveals royal expert
"They are protective of their mother – especially as she has been unwell"
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Princess Charlotte is the spitting image of this royal relative in never-seen-before childhood photo
The resemblance has sent royal fans into a frenzy
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Prince William is ‘determined’ that Prince George, Charlotte and Louis will never experience the ‘same emotional turmoil’ as he did growing up
The Prince had a 'difficult childhood' and wants better for his own children
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published