The greatest of Great grannies

Since her death she has been dubbed ‘Elizabeth the Great’ – but in her later life she became known as ‘Lilibet the Great Gran Gran’, writes

The 2000s brought a swathe of celebrations for the Queen, beginning with the wedding of Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles on April 9, 2005. Aged 56, Charles finally married his true love Camilla, 57, in a small civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall. The Queen and Philip attended the blessing afterwards at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and she gave a witty speech at the reception. Referring to the Grand National horse race that was being run that day, Her Majesty welcomed the couple to the “winners’ enclosure”.

“They have overcome Becher’s Brook and The Chair and all kinds of other terrible obstacles,” she said. “They have come through, and I’m very proud and wish them well. My son is home and dry with the woman he loves.”

Anne’s son Peter Phillips was the first grandchild to get married, to Autumn Kelly in St George’s Chapel in May 2008, although the couple would separate in 2020. There was more happiness when William married Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in April 2011, followed by Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall’s more modest nuptials in Edinburgh that July.

“The importance of family has, of course, come home to Prince Philip and me personally this year with the marriages of two of our grandchildren, each in their own way a celebration of the God-given love that binds a family together,” she reflected in her Christmas broadcast that year.

Harry also found love, marrying Meghan Markle in St George’s Chapel in May 2018. And Princess Eugenie wed Jack Brooksbank in the same venue that October. Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the private chapel at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, in July 2020.

The babies also began to arrive – her last two grandchildren came with Lady Louise Windsor in 2003 and brother James, Viscount Severn, in 2007, and the arrival of Savannah Phillips made the

Queen a great-grandmother in 2010, followed by 11 more, including George in 2013. “Here at home, my own family is a little larger this Christmas,” she said, adding: “As many of you know, the arrival of a baby gives us the chance to contemplate the future with renewed hope.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in May 2018. William, now Prince of Wales, with his wife Catherine on their wedding day in 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with their great grandchildren, photographed by Catherine in 2018. The picture was released by Kensington Palace in April 2021 to mark the death of Prince Philip.

Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Phillips marries former England rugby player Mike Tindall in Edinburgh, Scotland, on July 30, 2011.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank 2018. marry at St George’s Chapel on October 12,

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie with their baby boy James, Viscount Severn.

Anne’s son Peter Phillips marries Autumn Kelly at St George’s Chapel on May 17, 2008.

Charles finally marries his Camilla at a civil ceremony in Windsor in 2005.