Who are the Queen's grandchildren? Meet the eight royals who called Queen Elizabeth II 'Grannie'

The Queen’s grandchildren have been regularly pictured alongside her at significant royal events and now all eight are mourning the loss of one of Britain’s most remarkable monarchs. 

The announcement from Buckingham Palace on September 8 that Queen Elizabeth II has died at Balmoral Castle aged 96 has seen tributes pour in from across the world. Admired throughout her milestone 70-year reign for her dedication to a life of service, her sense of humor and her love for her family, the new King Charles expressed the “greatest sadness" at Her Majesty's loss. Now several of the Queen’s grandchildren have also shared their own heartfelt statements. 

Prince Harry reflected on the Queen’s “infectious smile” and “sound advice” in a new statement, whilst Prince William, the new Prince of Wales, thanked her for all her kindness. Meanwhile, many of their cousins have stepped out together in Balmoral in recent days, viewing the floral tributes left in memory of Her Majesty. 

Here we reveal who all eight of the Queen’s grandchildren are and what they called Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. 

Who are the Queen's grandchildren?

Mr Peter Phillips

Age: 44

Birthday: November 15, 1977

Parents: Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips 

The eldest of the Queen’s grandchildren is Princess Anne’s only son, Peter Phillips, who often remains out of the public eye. However, over the years he has made several appearances at royal events, including at the Queen’s official birthday parade, Trooping the Color, and Royal Ascot. 

Earlier this year he also joined the wider Royal Family at a Service of Thanksgiving in honor of the late Prince Philip, accompanied by his two daughters Savannah and Isla. He joined the Princess Royal, his sister Zara Tindall and many of his cousins in viewing floral tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral on September 10. 

Peter was formerly married to Autumn Phillips and their daughters are the eldest of the Queen’s great-grandchildren. The pair announced their separation after 12 years of marriage in 2020 and they have since finalized their divorce. The former couple are believed to have remained living in Gloucestershire as they co-parent Savannah and Isla.

Zara Tindall, Mrs Michael Tindall

Age: 41

Birthday: May 15, 1981

Parents: Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips

Zara Tindall's untraditional name was reportedly suggested by her uncle Prince Charles and she's inherited her mother and grandmother’s shared love of horses. A skilled equestrian herself, Zara seems to have been inspired by Princess Anne’s Olympic career as she also went on to compete, securing a silver medal in the London 2012 Games. Her husband Mike Tindall, a retired professional rugby player, is a fellow sports lover and the two tied the knot in July 2011 after first meeting during England's Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in Australia in 2003.

They were reportedly introduced by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry and she gave birth to her and Mike's son, Lucas Philip Tindall, in March 2021. Lucas’ arrival made the couple’s daughters Mia (8) and Lena (3) proud big sisters and it’s thought that their brother’s middle name was chosen in honor of their late great-grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. 

The family lives at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire - the same estate that Princess Anne and her second husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence call home.  Thought to be close to Her Majesty, Zara joined her brother Peter, mother Princess Anne, stepfather Sir Timothy and other royals in viewing floral tributes at Balmoral.

Prince William, Prince of Wales

Age: 40

Birthday: June 21st, 1982

Parents: King Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales

Prince William, the new Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall alongside his existing title of Duke of Cambridge, is one of the most instantly recognizable of the Queen’s grandchildren. Now first in the royal line of succession, he is a full-time working royal and throughout recent months he and the Princess of Wales have been observed stepping up more than ever to support the late Queen and the monarchy in this Platinum Jubilee year. 

From overseas tours to UK visits and supporting their many royal patronages, the Prince and Princess of Wales have showcased their devotion to their duties as senior members of the Royal Family.

Romance first blossomed for the couple at the University of St Andrews and Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding took place at Westminster Abbey in April 2011. This year the happy couple celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary and they are proud parents of Prince George (9), Princess Charlotte (7) and Prince Louis (4).

As some of the most prominent and frequently-seen royals, Prince William and Princess Catherine have a London work base at Kensington Palace, as well as their Norfolk countryside manor, Anmer Hall, where they often spend time during school holidays. The family have also recently moved to Adelaide Cottage, Windsor where their children have started the autumn term at Lambrook School. 

Along with Prince William and Princess Catherine’s new titles, the future King has also now taken on the responsibilities for the Duchy of Cornwall from King Charles, who held them for over five decades.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

Age: 37

Birthday: September 15th, 1984

Parents: King Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales

Once working royals too, Prince William’s younger brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to “step back” as senior members of the Royal Family in 2020. The couple tied the knot at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 2018 and although they’re understood to have retained Frogmore Cottage nearby as their UK base, Prince Harry and Meghan now enjoy life away from the royal spotlight in their Santa Barbara mansion.

Since relocating, The Sussexes have launched various exciting projects, including Prince Harry’s Apple TV+ docuseries The Me You Can’t See and Meghan's first children's book. Prince Harry also became a proud dad-of-two when he and Meghan welcomed their daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in June 2021, who was named after Queen Elizabeth II's own adorable childhood moniker.

It's understood that Her Majesty met Lilibet for the first time over her Platinum Jubilee weekend, making for a joyful royal reunion.

Princess Beatrice of York, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

Age: 34

Birthday: August 8, 1988

Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York 

Like many of the Queen’s grandchildren, Princess Beatrice isn’t a working royal and she has gone on to forge a career in finance and consulting after gaining a business degree from Goldsmiths in London. Whilst the pandemic meant that her wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi was a quieter affair than some fans might have hoped, Beatrice’s special day went ahead at the Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor in July 2020, attended by Her Majesty and Prince Philip.

Upon their marriage, she became stepmother to Edoardo’s son from a previous relationship, Christopher ‘Wolfie’ Mapelli Mozzi. And their family has now grown as Princess Beatrice and Edoardo welcomed their first child together, Sienna Elizabeth, in September 2021, whose middle name is believed to be in honor of Her Majesty.

Princess Beatrice joined several of her cousins as well as her father Prince Andrew in viewing floral tributes to her beloved grandmother at Balmoral on September 10. 

Princess Eugenie of York, Mrs Jack Brooksbank

Age: 32

Birthday: March 23, 1990

Parents: Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

Princess Eugenie is another royal grandchild who has established a career for herself outside of the royal spotlight, working for an art gallery as an associate art director. She and her husband Jack Brooksbank married at St George's Chapel in Windsor just months after her cousin Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's wedding in 2018. The couple have since welcomed their first child - a son named August Philip Hawke Brooksbank - whose name was a tribute to the late Duke of Edinburgh. 

As one of the few royals to have a personal verified social media account, fans often get intriguing snapshots of her life and Princess Eugenie has been glimpsed regularly throughout the years at everything from Royal Ascot, to Trooping the Color. 

She was also amongst the royals who traveled to Aberdeenshire to view tributes to Queen Elizabeth II alongside her wider family members. 

Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor

Age: 18 

Birthday: November 8, 2003 

Parents: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex

As one of the Queen’s youngest grandchildren, Lady Louise has risen to greater prominence in recent years and is often known simply as Lady Louise Windsor. Now 18 years old, her talent at carriage driving has seen her ride in the Royal Windsor Horse Show, thought to be one of the late Queen’s favorite annual events. During the show, Lady Louise lead an emotional tribute to the late Prince Philip, with whom she shared a love of this hobby, at the A Gallop Through History event.

When Lady Louise's parents, Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, married it was announced that their children would receive the titles and styles of the children of an Earl and are not known as "Prince" or "Princess" like their cousins Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Princes William and Harry. Alongside the Earl and Countess of Wessex and her cousins, uncle, and aunt, Lady Louise viewed the flowers left by mourners in honor of the Queen at Balmoral in September. 

James, Earl of Wessex

Age: 14

Birthday: December 17, 2007

Parents: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Just like his older sister, James, Viscount Severn hasn't often been seen other than at major royal events such as the late Queen’s birthday celebrations. Though it is thought that a special royal change could be coming for him in the future, as he could one day become the next Earl of Wessex after Prince Edward. 

At the time of his birth, the BBC reported that his doting father described him as "very cute and very cuddly". As the child of two working royals, James was amongst the few royals who joined his beloved grandmother on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during her Jubilee weekend and Viscount Severn has also been glimpsed at the Easter Sunday service and Prince Philip's memorial this year.

What did the Queen’s grandchildren call her?

The Queen’s grandchildren have shared intriguing insights over the years and it seems that the alternatively spelled “Grannie/Granny” is how Britain's longest-reigning monarch was referred to by at least some of them. In their heartfelt tributes in memory of Her Majesty following her passing, both Prince William and Prince Harry called her Grannie/Granny.

Their cousin Princess Eugenie also previously wrote a sweet tribute to the Queen on Instagram in which she called her “Grannie”, suggesting this could’ve been the name used by the majority of the Queen’s grandchildren for her. 

Though this is said not to be the only name Her Majesty was ever called by her grandchildren, with some reports of sweet family nicknames over the years. According to Daily Mail writer Richard Kay, Prince William once called out during a memorable occasion in his childhood for “Gary” instead after falling over.

When a guest who is said to have gone for help asked who Gary was, the Queen allegedly replied, “I’m Gary”, before explaining, “He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet.”

Although it seems this childhood nickname faded over the years, it’s certainly a wonderful reflection of the late Queen’s bond with her grandchildren. As they continue to reflect on her remarkable life and legacy, the Royal Family will remain in mourning until seven days after Her Majesty's funeral service.