Sarah Ferguson pays tribute to Queen on what would have been her birthday

Sarah Ferguson has paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her "97th birthday", despite a slight error in her calculations.

Taking to Twitter this morning (April 21), the Duchess of York expressed her reverence for the late monarch, who was actually born on April 21, 1926, which would make this year her 98th birthday.

Fergie's tweet read: "Today we are remembering Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 97th birthday. Thank you for all that you have taught us, for being a steadfast leader and dear friend. You are sorely missed."

The nation mourned the loss of its longest-reigning monarch when Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle, with her children by her side. Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward were present during her last moments, while Prince William joined from Cambridge.

The Duchess of Cambridge stayed behind to look after their children. Prince Harry made his way to Scotland, having to forego his appearance at the WellChild Awards due to the sad news, reports the Mirror.

Following her passing, the Queen's state funeral saw her coffin journey from Scotland to London, where she lay in state at Westminster Hall for four days, attracting vast numbers of mourners.

Born at 2.40am on April 21, 1926 in a Piccadilly townhouse, Princess Elizabeth had a blissful childhood, largely shielded from the public eye, with her younger sister Margaret. Known affectionately as "Lilibet" within her family, a moniker later chosen by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for their daughter to honour her great-grandmother who was described as "jolly" and "well-behaved".

Her path to the throne was unexpected, triggered when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, leading to her father's ascension as King George VI and setting young Elizabeth on course to be the future monarch. The princesses' lives were transformed overnight - they left behind their previous life for Buckingham Palace, with its vast array of rooms and staff.

The Queen first encountered Prince Philip at a wedding when she was just nine years old, but it wasn't until they met again years later that they fell deeply in love. Their marriage commenced in 1947 after a brief five-month engagement, and they soon welcomed their children, Prince Charles in November 1948 and Princess Anne in 1950.

Elizabeth and Philip enjoyed a period of relative tranquillity in Malta, where they lived while Philip served in the Royal Navy. However, their serene life was abruptly interrupted when Elizabeth ascended to the throne at the tender age of 25 after the death of her father in February 1952.

Her reign has been marked by unwavering commitment, overseeing the terms of 15 British Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, whom she appointed on September 6.

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