Remembering Queen Elizabeth II: The Royal Family's Tribute on Her Second Birthday After Passing

Inside How the Royal Family Celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 2nd Birthday Since Her Death

Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince William, Princess Catherine. Chris Jackson/Getty Images For Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth II will always hold a special place in the hearts of the royal family, even if they choose not to show it publicly.

Sunday, April 21, was the late queen's second birthday since she passed away in September 2022. Although most of the royal family did not publicly honor Her Majesty, former staffer Grant Harrold mentioned that there may have been private celebrations behind closed doors.

"They won’t make a public display of it. But I’m certain they will raise a toast to her in private," Harrold, who served King Charles III and Queen Camilla from 2004 to 2011, shared with Slingo through People. "I believe they will spend the day remembering the late queen."

Harrold, who had occasional encounters with Queen Elizabeth, mentioned that her family would honor her in subtle ways.

If you visit Windsor Castle, chances are you'll see flowers on the tomb, sent by family members or on royal anniversaries. It's a common practice to honor the late royals with floral tributes at their graves.

British locals and tourists can also show their respects by leaving bouquets at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, the final resting place of the queen.

The king, 75, and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, did not write a public tribute to Elizabeth. Instead, the royals revealed a statue in Rutland, England to celebrate her birthday. However, the family was not present to witness the event.

On Sunday, visitors from different places came to the area to view the new bronze statue placed outside a library in Oakham. The sculpture was commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr. Sarah Furness, and created by artist Hywel Pratley.

The piece not only stood 7 feet tall but also included statues of the queen's beloved corgis.

During what would have been her 98th birthday, the queen's ex-daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson paid tribute to her in London.

Inside How the Royal Family Celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s 2nd Birthday Since Her Death

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Today, we are honoring the memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Ferguson, who was married to Elizabeth's son Prince Andrew from 1986 to 1996, shared a heartfelt message on Instagram on Sunday. She expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from the Queen, praising her as a strong leader and cherished friend. Queen Elizabeth II is deeply missed.

The subdued tribute to the queen's birthday comes at a time when several members of the royal family have faced health concerns.

In January, Ferguson, who is 64 years old, revealed that she had been diagnosed with skin cancer following a mastectomy. She had previously been diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer in June 2023.

In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the king had cancer and had undergone a successful prostate surgery. The specific type and seriousness of his illness have not been made public, but he has resumed his duties while receiving treatment.

In the following month, Princess Kate Middleton shared that she had been diagnosed with cancer after having stomach surgery earlier that year.

In a video statement in March, she mentioned, "Although the surgery went well, further tests revealed the presence of cancer. As a result, my doctors recommended that I start preventative chemotherapy, which I have just begun."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the subtle ways in which the royal family honored Queen Elizabeth II on her second birthday since her passing. While public displays were minimal, former staffer Grant Harrold suggests that private celebrations likely took place. The family's tradition of placing flowers on the Queen's tomb and the unveiling of a statue in Rutland serve as understated tributes to her memory.

Despite their absence at the statue's unveiling, King Charles III, Prince William, and Prince Harry have faced health concerns in recent months. The King's prostate cancer diagnosis and Princess Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis add a somber note to the commemoration of the Queen's birthday. These events remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing memories of loved ones.