KEY POINTS

  • Queen Elizabeth shared a throwback photo with her late dad King George VI on social media Sunday to mark Father's Day
  • Her Majesty wished all of her followers a very happy Father's Day
  • Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall also paid tribute to their respective fathers

Queen Elizabeth II honored her late dad, King George VI, on Father's Day.

The 96-year-old monarch uploaded a throwback photo with her father on the royal family's official Instagram and Twitter accounts Sunday to mark the annual holiday.

In the black-and-white photo taken in 1946, then-Princess Elizabeth and her father can be seen smiling at one another as they stand in a garden.

"Wishing all of our followers a very happy Father's Day," the caption read.

The Queen shared a close bond with her father. Shortly after she married Prince Philip on Nov. 20, 1947, the late king penned a touching letter detailing how proud he was of her while sharing a parent's sadness after giving away their child in marriage.

"I was so proud and thrilled at having you so close to me on our long walk in Westminster Abbey," King George VI wrote in the letter, People reported. "But when I handed your hand to the Archbishop, I felt I had lost something very precious."

The king also complimented Elizabeth for being "so calm and composed" during her wedding ceremony. King George VI wrote that he was sure she was safe and well-protected with Prince Philip as her husband and that he knew the couple would support his reign.

"I have watched you grow up all those years with pride under the skillful direction of Mummy…who, as you know, is the most marvelous person in the world in my eyes, and I can, I know, always count you, and now Philip, to help us in our work," King George VI added. "Your leaving us has left a great blank in our lives, but do remember that your old home is still yours…and do come back to it as much and as often as possible. I can see that you are sublimely happy with Philip, which is right, but don't forget us is the wish of your ever loving and devoted…Papa."

Queen Elizabeth was in Kenya on a tour of the Commonwealth when her father passed away in 1952. She immediately ended the trip and flew back to the U.K. According to Nicholas Best, biographer of Eric Sherbrooke Walker — the founder of the Treetops resort where the royal couple had been staying in Kenya at the time — Her Majesty wept while on the plane and had a "good long cry" while in the loo.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall also marked Father's Day this year by sharing snaps of them with their respective fathers.

One photo shared on Instagram showed Prince Charles and his late father Prince Philip smiling while posing in uniform. Another snap showed Camilla with her own dad. The third picture featured the Prince of Wales with his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

The Duke of Cambridge, for his part, marked the occasion by sharing a never-before-seen photo with his children with Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, on Instagram and Twitter.

"Wishing a happy Father's Day to fathers and grandfathers across the world today!" the caption read.

Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for coronavirus on February 20
Queen Elizabeth II tested positive for coronavirus on February 20 POOL via AFP / Chris Jackson