PRINCESS Charlotte is the Queen’s favourite great-grandchild thanks to her love of horses, says royal expert Ingrid Seward.
Ingrid, who is editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, shares her extraordinary insights into the monarch’s relationship with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in this week’s Fabulous magazine.
And it seems that Her Majesty is not opposed to playing favourites.
Ingrid says: “While Prince Philip loved babies, the Queen has always preferred being around children when they are a bit older, especially if it involves teaching them to sit astride a horse.
“Princess Charlotte – who is pony-mad – has always been a favourite.
“The Duchess of Cambridge revealed that when she was born, the Queen ‘was really thrilled’ she was a girl.
“‘As soon as we came back [from hospital] she was one of our first visitors. I think she is very fond of Charlotte, always watching what she’s up to.’
“She enjoys making the children feel special, too.
“‘She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows her love for her family,’ Kate has said.
The Queen has 10 great-grandchildren, and will welcome two more once Meghan Markle welcomes her second and Princess Beatrice her first.
The monarch was last seen with her great-granchildren, who call her Gan-Gan, in a touching snap released after the death of Prince Philip and taken by the Duchess of Cambridge.
And according to Ingrid it is occasions such as these that keep the monarch going.
Ingrid says: “She is close to them all, mentioning them in her Christmas speeches, in her letters and in conversation.
“In fact, her family of eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren is what keeps her going.”
In other royal news, fans are swooning over William’s “rippling guns” as he gets his COVID jab.
And Kate Middleton and Prince William to return to St Andrews University where they met 20 years ago on Scotland Royal tour.
Plus we shared how Prince William shrugged off Harry’s parenting moans to work with climate change campaigners close to Charles’ heart.
