Royals prepare to remember 'greatest monarch' on first birthday since her death
EXCLUSIVE: The late Queen has been described as the "greatest monarch" by royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.
The Royal Family are preparing to remember the late Queen Elizabeth II on, what would have been, her 97th birthday. April 21 marks the late Queen's first birthday following her death last September. Mr Fitzwilliams believes that the Firm will spend Friday remembering the beloved late monarch in private.
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Mr Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: "The Queen will be in their thoughts.
"She was unquestionably one of our greatest monarchs."
He added: "There is no doubt that we are much in her debt and, as a nation, are much poorer for her loss."
It remains unknown whether the family will publicly acknowledge the late Queen's birthday.
Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
She died peacefully at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer.
At the time, the now-King Charles III said the death of his "much-loved" was a "moment of great sadness" for him and his family.
He added that he was aware that her loss would be "deeply felt" around the world.
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Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in British history in 2015.
She surpassed the reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
In 2017, when she celebrated 65 years on the throne, Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee.
The late Queen's state funeral was held just 11 days after her death.
As well as senior members of the Royal Family being in attendance, the late Queen's grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle joined the royals in mourning the long-reigning monarch.