1When she couldn't resist tickling her grandson.
Getty ImagesThe best part of this picture from Peter Phillips's 1977 christening is Princess Anne's face, which clearly says "Mom, cool it." Obviously the Queen couldn't help it though; he was her first grandchild!
2This time she had Zara sit on her lap.
Getty ImagesNot just anyone gets to sit with the Queen — that's royal protocol 101. Her second grandchild Zara Phillips clearly got a free pass for this 1984 outing to watch polo at Windsor.
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3And held her hand to prevent any mishaps.
Getty ImagesWho could resist holding hands a little cutie pie like that?! Zara Tindall now has a toddler of her own: 4-year-old Mia Grace.
4All the times she had everyone over for Christmas.
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5When she passed down her favorite hobby.
Getty ImagesThe Queen invited Peter and Zara Phillips to attend the 1985 Windsor Horse Show with her and something clearly stuck. Zara would go on to win a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in equestrian eventing.
6And never passed up a teaching moment.
Getty ImagesYou can just hear her telling Prince Harry and Prince William,"Everything the light touches is our kingdom." (That was actually Mufasa to Simba, but still.)
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7When she reads to her grandkids.
Getty ImagesOr in this case, a Windsor Horse show program. Zara seems really into it of course.
8And takes them on special outings.
Getty ImagesPrince William, Prince Harry, and Peter and Zara Phillips obviously got a kick out of this antique fire truck at a Sandringham museum during a 1988 visit.
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9And even let them bring their toys.
Getty ImagesZara Phillips is oh-so-casually carrying a teddy bear in her muff. Stuffed animals aren't exactly part of the royal dress code, but the Queen is apparently a-okay with it.
10All the times she took them on cool trips.
Getty ImagesCase in point: This 1988 cruise of the Western Isles on board the royal yacht Britannia. The since-retired vessel now operates as a tourist attraction in Scotland.
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11And made them go to church with her.
Getty ImagesPrince William matched the Queen at Easter in 1989. Brightly colored coats are clearly a wardrobe staple in this family.
12When she visited the Phillips children at school.
Getty ImagesThe Queen spent a day at Port Regis School in 1991 checking up on Zara and Peter Phillips. They clearly had the best show-and-tell moment.
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13And oohed over science project.
Getty ImagesPeter made this burglar alarm for a class project and like any good grandma, the Queen seems to be impressed regardless of whether it works or not.
14And watched a gymnastics performance.
Getty ImagesThere's a 100% chance that the Queen later told Zara that she was the best one, because grandmothers are only a litttllle bit biased.
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15This time she made sure Princess Beatrice could see.
Getty Images 16When she made Prince William and Prince Harry crack up.
Getty ImagesShe might rule the Commonwealth, but her grandsons sometimes forget that she's the longest serving head of state in the world. "I still think of her as just my grandmother, really," Prince William told Katie Couric in 2012. "I'm probably a bit of a cheeky grandson, like my brother as well. We both take the mickey a bit too much." In case you're wondering, "take the mickey" is British slang for teasing someone.
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17When she's the perfect role model.
Getty Images"I find my grandmother inspiring every day because her overwhelming sense of duty is linked with an overwhelming curiosity," Princess Beatrice told Hello! last year. "She goes out into the community with a genuine curiosity as to how she can be a force for good in the world."
18When she made Prince Harry crack up at a very serious moment.
Getty ImagesThe Queen couldn't help but smile at Prince Harry while inspecting soldiers at the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006. His face turned as red as his hair!
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19And Prince William too.
Getty ImagesEven the future king had a hard time keeping a straight face at another Sovereign's Parade later that year.
20When she insists on getting a hello kiss.
Getty ImagesYou're never too old for a kiss from grandma. (And as long as she doesn't get any lipstick on you, that's okay.)
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