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Family moments: The Queen as a grandmother

A beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; a celebration of Her Majesty's most beautiful family moments.

By Jodie Anderson
president of switzerland meets queen elizabeth ii
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As the nation mourns the death of the Queen, her family will also remember her as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

While many photos showed the Queen's famous sense of duty, more candid ones offered sweet glimpses of the affection she felt for her family. Whether watching Prince William's polo games and cheering him on or baking Christmas pudding with her great-grandson, Prince George, her deep love for her family was evident. The world was moved by her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

It was revealed by the Duchess of Cambridge that Her Majesty was affectionately called 'Gan Gan' by a then two-and-a-half-year-old Prince George. Here we remember some of the Queen's most special moments as a grandmother.

1

The Queen becomes a grandmother, 1977

queen elizabeth ii and princess anne with her first grandchild
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Queen Elizabeth smiles warmly with Princess Anne and her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, who was born in November 1977. They were photographed at their home in Balmoral, which was said to be the Queen's favourite residence.

2

Laughing with Prince William, 1984

queen elizabeth laughs with prince william playing at prince harry's christening
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Royal relatives and godparents amused by young Prince William. The Queen grins widely as she sits next to Diana, Princess of Wales, who is holding her fourth grandson, Prince Harry.

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3

The Queen and her grandson Peter, 1985

queen elizabeth and peter phillips at the royal windsor horse show
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Queen Elizabeth and Peter Phillips watch The Royal Windsor Horse Show together. The Queen was famously passionate about horses and horse racing.

4

A shared grin, 1985

queen and peter phillips at sandringham
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Queen Elizabeth and grandson Peter Phillips share a mischievous grin as they walk through the snow together after a church service at Sandringham.

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5

Grandchildren experience the Royal Yacht, 1986

queen elizabeth ii with prince edward, earl of wessex and her two eldest grandchildren
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Queen Elizabeth with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and her two eldest grandchildren, Peter and Zara Phillips, on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.

6

Reading to Zara, 1987

queen and zara phillips reading
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The Queen reading with her granddaughter, Zara Phillips, at The Royal Windsor Horse Show.

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7

Chatting with Zara, 1987

queen elizabeth and granddaughter zara phillips
Anwar Hussein//Getty Images

After reading together, Queen Elizabeth chats to her granddaughter Zara Phillips at The Royal Windsor Horse Show.

8

Enjoying the Polo, 1987

queen elizabeth with prince william and prince harry
Tim Graham//Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth looking out on a polo field from the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club with her grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who beam enthusiastically.

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9

All aboard the fire engine, 1988

queen elizabeth and her grandchildren at sandringham museum
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Queen Elizabeth looks on fondly as her grandchildren, Peter Phillips, Zara Phillips, Prince William and Prince Harry climb on the 1939 Merryweather Fire Engine at Sandringham Museum on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

10

Trooping the Colour, 1988

queen elizabeth ii with prince william and prince harry during the trooping of the colour ceremony
Anwar Hussein//Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II with her young grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, during Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace.

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11

Seeing Peter's schoolwork, 1991

queen and peter phillips port regis school
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Queen Elizabeth visits her grandson, Peter Phillips, at his school, Port Regis in Dorset in 1991. He is pictured showing her some work in a classroom.

12

Attending a gymnastics class, 1991

queen and zara phillips at school
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During her visit to Port Regis School in 1991, Queen Elizabeth talks to her granddaughter, Zara Phillips, who is taking part in a gymnastics display.

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13

Taking Beatrice to the Royal Windsor Horse Show,1991

queen elizabeth and princess beatrice at windsor
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The Queen explains what's going on to a young Beatrice at The Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1991. Princess Beatrice is Queen Elizabeth's fifth grandchild.

14

Trooping the Colour, 2003

queen elizabeth and grandsons prince william and prince harry
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The Queen, Prince William and Prince Harry share laughter at the Trooping the Colour Parade in 2003. The Princes stand on the balcony alongside their grandmother.

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15

Sharing laughter with Peter and Zara, 2007

queen elizabeth with grandchildren peter and zara phillips
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Queen Elizabeth laughs with her two eldest grandchildren, Peter and Zara Phillips, as they watch the racing from the Royal Box on day three of Royal Ascot.

16

Supporting Prince William, 2007

prince william and queen elizabeth at 10th anniversary service for diana princess of wales
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Prince William greets his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, with an embrace at the 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. The Queen was seen lovingly supporting her grandsons.

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17

Sharing a hug with Prince Harry, 2008

queen elizabeth and prince harry
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry share a touching moment as they leave St George's Chapel, Windsor, in 2008 after the marriage vows of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.

18

Chatting with Beatrice, 2011

princess beatrice and queen elizabeth
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Princess Beatrice and her grandmother appear deep in conversation at Royal Ascot.

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19

A family Christmas, 2012

britain royals christmas
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Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie speak with their grandmother as they leave the Royal Family Christmas Day church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk. The Queen can be seen in one of her signature, brightly-coloured coats.

20

Christening Prince George, 2013

prince william and catherine with prince george and queen elizabeth
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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and the Duchess of Cambridge smile with the Queen as they hold their newborn son Prince George, Her Majesty's third great-grandchild.

The couple gathered close friends and family for the christening at Chapel Royal in St James's Palace, for an intimate ceremony in 2013.

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