In a profoundly moving revelation from the new BBC documentary 'The Queen: In Her Own Words', Princess Anne's deeply personal tribute to her late mother has come to light, showcasing the raw emotion behind the royal family's public mourning.
The Princess Royal was captured performing a touching gesture during the filming at Balmoral Castle, where Queen Elizabeth II spent her final days. As cameras followed Anne through the estate's gardens, she was seen gently touching and admiring the vibrant rhododendrons - the Queen's most cherished flowers.
A Silent Moment of Remembrance
This unscripted moment reveals the private grief experienced by the royal family following the monarch's passing in September 2022. The documentary, which chronicles the Queen's last year, shows Anne pausing deliberately by the colourful blooms, her expression conveying volumes about her personal loss.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward commented on the significance of this gesture, noting: "The rhododendrons at Balmoral were particularly special to the Queen. For Princess Anne to seek them out and spend that quiet moment with them speaks to the deep connection she maintained with her mother's memory."
Behind the Documentary
The BBC film provides unprecedented access to the royal family during one of their most challenging periods. Through never-before-seen footage and personal recordings, viewers gain insight into the Queen's final months and how her children coped with their loss.
Princess Anne, known for her stoic public persona, reveals a more vulnerable side in these captured moments. The documentary shows how each family member processed their grief differently, with Anne's quiet contemplation by her mother's favourite flowers serving as one of the most poignant sequences.
The Balmoral Connection
Balmoral Castle held a special place in Queen Elizabeth's heart, often described as her "happy place" where she could escape formal royal duties. The estate's magnificent gardens, particularly the rhododendron collections, were a source of great joy for the late monarch throughout her 70-year reign.
This emotional revelation comes as the royal family continues to navigate their public roles while managing personal grief. Princess Anne's subtle tribute demonstrates how memories of the Queen remain woven into the fabric of their daily lives and the places she loved most.
