The late Queen Elizabeth II showed a touching response upon hearing that Princess Charlotte closely resembled her. The monarch, who passed away at age 96 in September 2022, cherished her family deeply, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Princess Charlotte was eight years old at the time of her great-grandmother’s death.
A Perceptive Comment Sparks Joy
In 2019, when Princess Charlotte was just four years old—born in May 2015—Nicola Sturgeon, then First Minister of Scotland, observed that the young princess was very much like the Queen. The Queen lit up with a beaming smile, clearly delighted that the similarity had been noticed.
Biographer Hugo Vickers recounts this moment in Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History. Despite not being a monarchist, Sturgeon held great admiration for the Queen. She reflected: “The private time I spent with the Queen ranks as one of the great privileges of my life. It was clear from my first meeting that she was an extraordinary woman.”
Final Family Moments at Balmoral
In the summer of 2022, just weeks before her passing, the Queen planned to invite all her great-grandchildren to Balmoral. Biographer Robert Hardman details this in his 2026 book Elizabeth II: In Private. In Public. The Inside Story, noting her desire for them to create happy memories together.
