Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have shared a special tribute to their late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, calling her “our matriarch, our guide, our loving hand on our backs leading us through this world.”
The York princesses released a statement through Buckingham Palace, joining the chorus of members of the Royal Family who have shared personal remembrances over the past week. The sisters began their tribute by writing that, since their grandmother’s death on 8 September, “We’ve not been able to put much into word.”
Their message was accompanied on social media with a photo of the sisters as young children alongside The Queen and a pet dog.
“There have been tears and laughter, silences and chatter, hugs and loneliness, and a collective loss for you, our beloved Queen and our beloved Grannie,” they continued.
Writing more from the perspective of loving granddaughters than loyal subjects, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie wrote about the personal memories they’ll hold of their grandmother: “For now dear Grannie, all we want to say is thank you. Thank you for making us laugh, for including us, for picking heather and raspberries, for marching soldiers, for our teas, for comfort, for joy. You, being you, will never know the impact you have had on our family and so many people around the world.”
They added: “The world mourns you and the tributes would really make you smile. They are all too true of the remarkable leader you are.
“We’re so happy you’re back with Grandpa. Goodbye dear Grannie, it has been the honour of our lives to have been your granddaughters and we’re so very proud of you.”
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie ended their statement with a special mention of their uncle, King Charles III, writing that: “We know that dear Uncle Charles, the King, will continue to lead in your example as he too has dedicated his life to service.
“God save the King.”
The royal sisters made history on Saturday evening, taking part in the first vigil of royal grandchildren when they joined their cousins the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Mike Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and Viscount Severn, for a 15-minute vigil at their grandmother’s side at Westminster Hall.
