51 Photos That Show How Special The Queen's Relationships With Her Grandkids Were

Updated on 9/8/2022 at 5:05 PM

She may have been head of state for many countries, but Queen Elizabeth was just "Granny" to her grandkids throughout her lifetime. The monarch first became a grandmother back in 1977, when Princess Anne gave birth to Peter Phillips, and since then her brood grew to include eight grandchildren (plus 12 great-grandchildren).

Queen Elizabeth died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96, but her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will surely hold onto their memories of her. No matter how busy the queen's schedule was, she always seemed to make time to share a laugh and create special memories with her grandkids at family gatherings and official royal events. Scroll through to see some of her cutest moments with her grandchildren through the years.

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Harry and Prince William in 1987.

Queen Elizabeth watches Prince Harry and Prince William play on a fire truck in 1988.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are often seen helping the queen carry her flowers.

Queen Elizabeth spends a lot of quality time with Prince William.

Queen Elizabeth was seen chatting with her two oldest grandchildren, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, at the Royal Ascot in 2007.

Prince Harry and the queen were in high spirits during the National Commemoration Day celebrations in 2005.

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Eugenie enjoyed themselves at the 2011 Epsom Derby.

Prince William escorted his grandmother as she visited the RAF Valley in 2011.

The queen presented her grandson Prince Harry with an award during the Royal Ascot in 2003.

The pair then shared a laugh during Trooping the Colour in 2009.

During her brother Peter Phillips's wedding, Zara Tindall made sure to spend some time chatting with her grandmother.

The queen and Prince Harry watched a horse race together in 2011.

Princess Beatrice helped her grandmother carry all her flowers on Christmas in 2008.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry never miss an opportunity to joke around with each other.

The queen enjoyed the Trooping the Colour parade in 2012 with granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, grandson Prince William, and William's wife, Kate Middleton.

Princess Eugenie coordinated outfits with her grandmother at the Royal Ascot in 2012.

Prince William and the queen are often seen chatting on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Princess Beatrice once again helped the queen hold her flowers.

Back in 2013, Prince Harry attended the Chelsea Flower Show with his grandmother.

Zara Tindall and Queen Elizabeth enjoyed a race during the Royal Ascot in 2012.

The queen sat with grandsons Peter Phillips and Prince William during a celebration for her 90th birthday. Granddaughters Lady Louise Windsor and Zara Phillips sat behind them.

Queen Elizabeth enjoyed Trooping the Colour in 2016 with her youngest grandchildren, James, Viscount Severn, and Lady Louise Windsor.

Prince William and Kate Middleton often attend official events with the queen.

Princess Eugenie helped her grandmother carry numerous bouquets of flowers in 2012.

Prince Harry chatted with Queen Elizabeth on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour ceremony in 2013.

Princess Eugenie and Queen Elizabeth posed for a silly photo together.

Queen Elizabeth and Peter Phillips wore similar hats to the Royal Ascot in 2014.

Prince Harry was his grandmother's date to the Chelsea Flower Show in 2015.

Queen Elizabeth watched the Trooping the Colour parade in 2015 with her youngest grandkid, James, Viscount Severn.

Princess Beatrice and the queen wore matching pastels to the Royal Ascot in 2015.

The queen shared a laugh with her oldest granddaughter, Zara Tindall, at the Royal Ascot in 2015.

Getty/Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

Princess Beatrice presented her grandmother with a prize during the Royal Ascot in 2016.

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice accompanied their grandmother to an official event.

The queen attended a celebration for her 90th birthday with her granddaughter Zara and Zara's husband, Mike Tindall.

Getty/Andrew Milligan - WPA/Getty Images

The queen was seen leaving the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with her youngest grandchild, James, Viscount Severn.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attended the 2018 Royal Ascot with the queen.

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Zara and Mike Tindall shared a laugh with the queen at an event back in 2007.

Peter Phillips enjoyed the 2018 Royal Ascot with his wife, Autumn, and his grandmother.

Prince William and Queen Elizabeth wore matching robes to the Thistle Service in 2018.

Peter Phillips celebrated the queen's 90th birthday with her.

In 2019, the queen was joined by Prince Harry and Prince William at Commonwealth Day service.

Princess Eugenie and Queen Elizabeth attended Royal Maundy service at St. George's Chapel in 2019.

Prince Harry and his grandmother shared a laugh at Lady Gabriella's wedding in 2019.

The queen visited the Chelsea Flower Show with Prince William and Kate Middleton in May 2019.

Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth dressed to the nines for a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2019.

Princess Beatrice and the queen matched in blue at Royal Ascot in 2019.

The queen was accompanied by Peter Phillips at Royal Ascot in 2019.

In 2020, the queen attended Commonwealth Day service with Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle.

Queen Elizabeth stands with King Charles, Prince George, Prince William, and Princess Charlotte following the Platinum Pageant on June 5, 2022.

Queen Elizabeth chats with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Royal Ascot on June 19, 2018.

Queen Elizabeth stands with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William, and Kate Middleton, to celebrate the Royal Air Force's 100th anniversary on July 10, 2018.