Queen Elizabeth passed away on Thursday, leaving behind a legacy as the country’s longest running monarch and proud grandmother and great-grandmother to a whole brood of royals. She was beloved by Prince Harry and Prince William, who have spoken affectionately about the impactful relationship they shared. The Queen was equally well-loved by the next generation — including Prince George, who called her “Gan Gan.”
“From a personal point of view, I am privileged to witness the private side of The Queen, as a grandmother and great-grandmother,” Prince William wrote in the preface to the Queen Elizabeth biography, Elizabeth II: The Steadfast. “The Queen’s kindness and sense of humour, her innate sense of calm and perspective, and her love of family and home are all attributes I experience first-hand.”
We looked back on some of Queen Elizabeth’s best granny and Gan Gan moments, from throwback snapshots from the early years to some more recent gems.
Queen Elizabeth celebrates the birth of Prince William
Queen Elizabeth can be seen alongside Diana, Princess of Wales, at Buckingham Palalce following Prince William’s christening ceremony.
Enjoying sports with her grandsons
The Queen was spotted with Prince William And Prince Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, getting in some quality bonding time. What a throwback snapshot!
A royal snapshot for the ages
Multiple generations of the royal family were captured in this official photo, with Queen Elizabeth posing beside the Prince of Wales and Prince William at a dinner that marked the 50th anniversary of her Coronation.
Supporting Prince William’s early career
Queen Elizabeth was spotted with her grandson when he was stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot in Holyhead, United Kingdom. The duo’s relationship has grown and evolved from his years as a teen to adulthood.
“My relationship with my grandmother has gone from strength to strength. As a shy, younger man it could be harder to talk about weighty matters. It was: ‘This is my grandmother who is the Queen, and these are serious historical subjects,'” William said, according to The Independent. “As I’ve got older, she’s become an even more important part of my life, so it’s much easier.
Sharing some affection with Prince Harry
Prince Harry gave his granny a sweet peck on the cheek at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. When it came to their relationship, the two fluctuated between the personal and the professional.
“I still view her more as the queen than my grandmother,” Harry said during an interview with ITV in 2016. “You have this huge amount of respect for your boss and I always view her as my boss, but occasionally as a grandmother.”
Prince Harry, Queen Elizabeth and their quality time
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry were photographed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony on June 15, 2013 in London.
The Queen was candid about life as a granny and being the leader of the royal pack. “Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements,” she noted, according to Town and Country Magazine.
Making appearances at royal events with Prince William by her side
Queen Elizabeth and Prince William can be seen attending the ceremony of The Keys at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland together.
The Queen, William told journalist Robert Hardman, has always been one for “sound advice” and a “reassuring” presence.
And Harry too!
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry were attendants at the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel. His smile around his grandma says everything!
Spending time with her grandson Prince George
Prince George, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth were all spotted gathering on the balcony during the annual Trooping The Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.
The Queen had such a sweet relationship with her great-grandchildren. George called her “Gan Gan,” according to Kate.
“She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay,” the royal toldITV in 2016. “That just shows, I think, her love for her family.”
All smiles with Princess Charlotte
Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Queen Elizabeth were photographed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after celebrating the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Bonus points for that big smile!
“We love to have another girl,” the Queen said after Charlotte was born, perPEOPLE.
Bonding with her grandson’s significant other
In 2018, Meghan Markle, Duchess Of Sussex, attended her first official engagement with Queen Elizabeth.
Despite a reportedly rocky relationship with many members of the royal family, Markle and Prince Harry remained close to the Queen after leaving England for America. She even met their baby Archie via Zoom.
“I’ve spoken more to my grandmother in the last year than I have done for many, many years,” Harry said during an interview with Oprah in 2021. “My grandmother and I have a really good relationship and an understanding. And I have a deep respect for her. She’s my Colonel-in-chief, right? She always will be.”
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