Royal Family Releases Rare Photo of 2-Year-Old Queen Elizabeth in Honor of Her Birthday

The royal family is taking a walk down memory lane in honor of Queen Elizabeth’s96th year.

To celebrate themonarch’s birthday today, the family’sofficial Instagram account共享一个罕见的倒退时照的照片n the queen was 2 years old.

In the photo, the young royal is laying on her stomach and supporting her chin with her hands. She’s sporting naturally curly hair, along with a classy white dress and pearl necklace.

“Happy Birthday Your Majesty!” the caption read. “Today as The Queen turns 96, we’re sharing this photograph taken when she was 2-years-old.”

It continued, “Then Princess Elizabeth, she was the eldest daughter of The Duke and Duchess of York and was never expected to become Queen. Her life changed in 1936 when her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated, her father became King George VI and the young Princess became the heir presumptive.”

It also referenced the queen’sPlatinum Jubilee: “Following the sad death of her father in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II aged just 25, and this year is celebrating 70 years on the throne—a first in British history.”

Ahead of Her Majesty’s birthday, the royal familyshared a never-before-seen portraiton social media. The pic (which was taken by professional photographer Henry Dallal) shows Queen Elizabeth posing with two of her horses at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.