The ‘four generations’ photo is a rarity in royal circles but one of these historic portraits was released as part of Christmas celebrations. In 2019, new photographs of Queen Elizabeth II and her three heirs were shared by Buckingham Palace ahead of Christmas.
It was only the second time in British history that a Monarch had had three generations of direct heirs in line to their throne. The previous time was at the end of the 19th century when Queen Victoria was followed by her son, later Edward VII, her grandson, the future George V and her great grandson, the future Edward VIII.
The three photographs taken in 2019nall featured the then 93-year-old monarch alongside her son, Charles, then the Prince of Wales, her grandson, William, then the Duke of Cambridge and her eldest great grandson Prince George.
The images were released as part of the launch of The Royal British Legion’s ‘Together at Christmas’ initiative.
The initiative was designed to provide extra support to the Armed Forces and veteran communities at annual festive ‘get togethers’ across the charity’s network of outreach centres.
The royal Christmas celebration involved preparing special Christmas puddings in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace.
The four royals were meant to represent a cross-section of those supported by the Royal British Legion, from the children of service personnel, to Second World War veterans.
Footage of the Christmas pudding preparation at Buckingham Palace was recorded for use in Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas Broadcast on Christmas Day.
