Skip to Content

25 Times Queen Elizabeth II Was The Ultimate Grandma

She's not just a regular grandma — she's a *cool* grandma.

By
queen elizabeth prince william prince harry 1987
Getty Images

With four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, Queen Elizabeth II knows a thing or two about being a grandmother. The monarch first stepped into the role in 1977 with the birth of Peter Phillips, and she just welcomed great-grandson Prince Louis into the family two months ago. While she's Her Royal Highness to the rest of the world, here's why she's also the best "Gan-Gan" behind closed palace doors.

1

When she couldn't resist tickling her grandson.

queen elizabeth peter phillips christening
Getty Images

The 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!

2

This time she had Zara sit on her lap.

queen elizabeth zara phillips 1984
Getty Images

Not 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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

And held her hand to prevent any mishaps.

queen elizabeth holding hands with zara phillips 1984
Getty Images

Who could resist holding hands a little cutie pie like that?! Zara Tindall now has a toddler of her own: 4-year-old Mia Grace.

4

All the times she had everyone over for Christmas.

queen elizabeth
Getty Images

"To Grandmother's house we go" isn't just a song lyric; it's the rule in the royal family. Everyone spends the holidays at her Sandringham estate.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

When she passed down her favorite hobby.

queen elizabeth peter and zara phillips 1985
Getty Images

The 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.

6

And never passed up a teaching moment.

queen elizabeth prince william prince harry 1987
Getty Images

You 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.)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

When she reads to her grandkids.

queen elizabeth zara phillips reading
Getty Images

Or in this case, a Windsor Horse show program. Zara seems really into it of course.

8

And takes them on special outings.

queen elizabeth museum 1988
Getty Images

Prince 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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

And even let them bring their toys.

queen elizabeth
Getty Images

Zara 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.

10

All the times she took them on cool trips.

queen elizabeth britannia 1988
Getty Images

Case 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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

And made them go to church with her.

queen elizabeth
Getty Images

Prince William matched the Queen at Easter in 1989. Brightly colored coats are clearly a wardrobe staple in this family.

12

When she visited the Phillips children at school.

queen elizabeth peter phillips 1991
Getty Images

The 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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

And oohed over science project.

queen elizabeth peter phillips
Getty Images

Peter 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.

14

And watched a gymnastics performance.

queen elizabeth zara phillips
Getty Images

There's a 100% chance that the Queen later told Zara that she was the best one, because grandmothers are only a litttllle bit biased.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

This time she made sure Princess Beatrice could see.

queen elizabeth princess beatrice 1991
Getty Images

Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York had their first daughter in 1988; Princess Beatrice was the Queen's fifth grandchild and they're still hanging out today.

16

When she made Prince William and Prince Harry crack up.

queen elizabeth prince harry prince william 2003
Getty Images

She 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.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

When she's the perfect role model.

queen elizabeth princess beatrice princess eugenie 2004
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."

18

When she made Prince Harry crack up at a very serious moment.

queen elizabeth prince harry 2006
Getty Images

The 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!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

And Prince William too.

queen elizabeth
Getty Images

Even the future king had a hard time keeping a straight face at another Sovereign's Parade later that year.

20

When she insists on getting a hello kiss.

queen elizabeth prince harry 2008
Getty Images

You're never too old for a kiss from grandma. (And as long as she doesn't get any lipstick on you, that's okay.)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below