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Sarah Ferguson was among the first to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth, who would've turned 98 on 21 April.
The Duchess of York, who was married to the queen’s middle son, Prince Andrew, with whom she has daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, posted a poignant message along with a picture of Her Majesty at her platinum jubilee celebrations in 2022.
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“Today we are remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” it began.
“Thank you for all that you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are sorely missed.”
Fergie (64) was close to the queen and spent much time with her in her final years before her death on 8 September 2022, at age 96.
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Meanwhile King Charles and Queen Camilla spent the morning of the queen’s birthday attending a church service at Crathie Kirk near Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Charles (75), who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, looked in good spirits as he smiled and waved to onlookers.
According to Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles and Camilla for seven years in the 2000s, the royal family would've celebrated the queen privately.
“They won’t publicly do anything. Privately, I have no doubt they’ll raise a toast to her in the evening. I'm sure the day will very much be spent reflecting on the late queen,” he said.
He added he could “almost guarantee” the household would leave flowers on her tomb at Windsor Castle to mark her birthday.
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Many organisations paid tribute too, among them Westminster Abbey, which hosted her coronation in 1952 and her state funeral, as well as Royal Ascot where the queen loved to race her horses.
The racecourse shared footage on X of the queen's horse Estimate winning the Gold Cup in 2013, the first time a reigning monarch had won the race.
Today, in honour of what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, we look back with delight on Estimate's captivating Gold Cup win at #RoyalAscot. Pure jubilation. pic.twitter.com/BVjazUIpCF
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) April 21, 2024
Meanwhile a new statue of a youthful queen was unveiled in the town of Oakham in Rutland, Britain’s smallest county.
The stunning memorial shows the sovereign in flowing regal robes with three Corgi dogs at her feet. She was well known for her love of the dog breed and owned around 30 in her lifetime.
Sculptor Hywel Pratley believes the memorial will be popular, with people stopping to snap selfies with the statue.
“It’s just wonderful. We are the tiniest county but the first to honour the late majesty in such a big way. It is a very fitting tribute,” says resident Hilda Townsend.
Sources: dailymail.co.uk, people.com
