The royal family's photographers share 5 of their favorite photos of the year

Hussein took the photo during the Queen's appearance at the Royal Windsor Horse Show four months before her death on September 8 at the age of 96. He told Insider the monarch appeared to be in "such great spirits" during the public outing.

"I think we're all missing this smile," he added.

Queen Elizabeth marked the 70-year anniversary of her ascension to the throne in 2022.

Hussein told Insider that the image of the Queen watching a flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony with Prince Louis was a "standout" photo from the Platinum Jubilee celebrations over the summer.

"The reaction of Prince Louis to the flypast is priceless and the Queen smiling, taking it all in her stride, makes this photo. So glad to have captured this moment," Hussein said.

It was one of the final public photos of the monarch and Louis together before her death.

Following the Platinum Pageant in June, Rooke took this photo of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The image took on new significance after the Queen's death just a few months later.

"This photograph was actually one of the last I captured of them all together," he said.

Rooke said the Braemar Games are always a fun day out for members of the royal family, and photos from the event show the genuine joy on their faces.

"This image of her and King Charles is not even posed but it looks so perfect," he said. "The two of them often share intimate moments, even whilst a huge event is going on around them."

Hussein told Insider that this photo was taken while the UK was "in the midst of mourning" on September 16, just three days before the Queen's funeral on September 19.

"The grief being felt is encapsulated with the poignant vision of the Princess of Wales wearing black and looking reflective along with the backdrop of the Union Jack flag," Hussein said.