Royal family release previously unseen photo of queen in tribute

The image, taken at Balmoral in 1971, was shared on Twitter with a quote from Shakespeare

The previously unreleased photograph of Queen Elizabeth II tweeted by the UK royal family. Photo: UK Royal Family / Twitter

The British royal family have released a previously unseen picture of Queen Elizabeth II, only hours after she was laid to rest.

The image, taken at Balmoral in 1971, shows the queen walking through the heathlands wearing a headscarf and carrying a walking stick.

It was shared by the royals on their Twitter account with the caption: “May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest. In loving memory of Her Majesty The Queen.”

King Charles III offered the same quote, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, during a television tribute, in which he paid tribute to his “darling mama”.

“To my darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late papa, I want simply to say this: thank you," he said.

“Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years.

"'May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.'"

The line is from Act 5, Scene 2, when Horatio pays tribute to his dying friend Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark: "Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

The picture was taken by Lord Lichfield, the queen's cousin, who took the official photographs of the king's first wedding to Diana Spencer.

Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, shared their own tribute to the late queen, with a picture of the queen's casket, draped in the Royal Standard, with the Imperial State Crown, Orb and Sceptre on top, carried by coffin bearers.

The caption read: "Goodbye to a Queen, a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother."

The queen was buried in a private service, attended by close family members after Monday’s state funeral.

She was laid to rest alongside her husband, Prince Philip, her mother, father and sister in the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle's St George's Chapel.

The royal family will observe another week of mourning for the queen.

Buckingham Palace said: “Following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, it is His Majesty the King’s wish that a period of royal mourning be observed from now until seven days after the queen’s funeral.

“Royal mourning will be observed by members of the royal family, royal household staff and representatives of the royal household on official duties, together with troops committed to ceremonial duties.”

The family members are not expected to carry out official engagements and flags at royal residences will remain at half-mast until 8am on the day after the end of the mourning period.

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II – in pictures

King Charles III in Westminster Abbey for the state funeral of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. PA

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried into St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle for the committal service. PA

The hearse arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service. Getty Images

Flowers are seen on the hearse as it arrives at Windsor Castle. AP

King Charles and Prince William join the procession in the Quadrangle inside Windsor Castle. AFP

The procession, led by the dismounted detachment of the Household Cavalry, followed by massed Pipes and Drums of Scottish and Irish regiments, the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Air Force and the Band of the Grenadier Guards, arrives at Windsor Castle. Getty Images

The hearse travels along the Long Walk as it makes its way to Windsor Castle. Reuters

The ceremonial procession travels down the Long Walk in Windsor. PA

The hearse travels to Windsor. Reuters

The royal corgis await the cortege at Windsor Castle. Reuters

A member of the Coldstream Guards walks past flowers at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. AP

A mourner throws a flower towards Queen Elizabeth's hearse as it is driven to Windsor from London. Reuters

Members of the royal family pay their respects as the hearse carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth in London. Reuters

The state gun carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth arrives at Wellington Arch during the ceremonial procession following her state funeral. PA

The funeral procession marches down The Mall following the service at Westminster Abbey. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried from her state funeral at Westminster Abbey. PA

King Charles walks with Princess Anne, Prince Harry and Prince Andrew behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth as it is pulled on a gun carriage through the streets of London following her funeral service. AP

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Queen Consort Camilla, Prince George, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, stand outside Westminster Abbey after the funeral. PA

Buckingham Palace household staff pay their respects. AFP

Mourners pause for two minutes' silence during the funeral service in London. Reuters

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the sovereign's orb and sceptre, arrives in Westminster Abbey. AP

Prince William, his wife Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Westminster Abbey. AP

Members of the public watch the funeral from Horse Guards Road in London. PA

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby speaking during the funeral. PA

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried into Westminster Abbey, followed by King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla for the state funeral in London. PA

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth is carried by the Bearer Party into Westminster Abbey. Getty

King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward arrive at Westminster Abbey. AFP

Prince William and Prince Harry make their way to Westminster Abbey. PA

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth through central London. PA

Members of the public on the Mall become emotional during the funeral. PA

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II is placed on a gun carriage for her state funeral service in central London. AP

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth leaves Westminster Hall. AP

The Yeoman of the Guard arrive in Westminster Abbey. AP

Guests take their seats inside Westminster Abbey in London for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

The Royal Marines band marches to Westminster Abbey. Getty Images

US President Joe Biden arrives for the funeral. PA

French President Emanuel Macron and wife Brigitte walk into Westminster Abbey. PA

Metropolitan Police Officers walk in formation down The Mall in preparation for the state funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II. Getty

A Pearly king and queen, who raise money for charity, on the procession route in London. AFP

People line the funeral procession route. Getty

Mourners take a moment to rest on The Mall in London. Reuters

At 6.28am on the day of her funeral, the final members of the public pay their respects at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth at the Palace of Westminster, London. PA

London's Westminster Abbey on the day of the state funeral and burial of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters

Black Rod, the House of Lords' senior figure, walks through Westminster Hall at 6.30am after paying her respects on the final day of the lying in state at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in London. PA

Police on patrol in Whitehall before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral at Westminster Abbey in London. EPA

People in London camp during the night before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters

Vehicles in the motorcade of US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II in London. Getty Images

US President Joe Biden accompanied by the First Lady Jill Biden signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London. PA

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signs a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters

The first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska (R) views the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall in London. Getty Images

Oman's Sultan Haitham arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London, the night before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AP

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives for a reception hosted by Britain's King Charles III for heads of state and official overseas guests, at Buckingham Palace in London, before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. AP

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati and his wife May sign a book of condolence at Lancaster House in London, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. PA