This past weekend, the first of many events took place to celebrate Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne. The occasion actually marked the first time the Queen was seen out in public for some time. And it came as a great relief to many to see the British sovereign in such great form, considering her latest mobility issues have led to her canceling many crucial appointments, including the recent Opening of Parliament.
As the monarch watched A Gallop Through History, an extravaganza that took place at Windsor Castle and included hundreds of horses and pageantry, there was a real sparkle in her eyes, perhaps because she was surrounded by so many of her four-legged friends.
However, there was a particularly emotional moment when she saw her beloved granddaughter, Lady Louise Windsor, taking part in the jubilee parade at Windsor Castle. Louise, the 18-year-old daughter of the Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, is a keen carriage driver, a passion she inherited from her late grandfather, Prince Philip.
So in homage to both her grandparents, the adolescent rode Prince Philip's carriage, which had been bequeathed to her when he died, confidently around the arena. The 96-year-old looked visibly moved by her granddaughter's poignant tribute.
And it was in that very moment that the elderly woman behind the many titles and palaces was revealed. A mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who's watched her family grow, and created so many memories -- both painful and joyful.
The scene was an opportunity to reflect on how crucial our older and younger generations are when it comes to binding a family together, and how much they need each other. So with World Grandparents' Day taking place on July 24 this year, be sure to remind any grandchildren to take special care of their aging relatives, and to see them as the gift they truly are.
