Richard Branson's daughter Holly breaks silence with emotional tribute following mother Joan's death

Mr Branson announced the death of his wife Joan, 80, in November, with the 75-year-old entrepreneur revealing he had been at her bedside when she passed.

"Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together," he wrote in the emotional post.

Now, the couple's daughter has broken her silence on social media, writing: "It's taken a couple of weeks for me to write this, because how do you put 44 years of unconditional love into words?"

She continued: "That's what sums up my amazing mum. She oozed love to everyone in her orbit and made everyone feel special.

"Especially me and Freddie, Sam and Bellie, Dad, and her precious grandchildren. We were her world and we knew it. I feel so thankful for that."

She reflected: "You know that your parents are going to die one day, but somehow your brain never really prepares you for the inevitable.

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"People say time is a healer and in the space of two weeks, I can see that.

"The initial shock and pain has shifted into a deep gratitude that I had such a brilliant, kind, caring mum who always showered us all with love."

Addressing her mother, she concluded: "Mum, you are one in a billion and I am trying to be more like you every day.

"The other day I was shopping with Etta and let her get a few more bits than I would have normally. Etta turned to me and said, 'you’re channelling your inner Amma.' That is exactly what I want to do.

"Channel you every day to be the best wife, mum, and, one day, grandparent I can be.

"Thank you so much for all the lovely messages, cards, flowers and hugs over the last couple of weeks.

"I haven’t replied to everyone, but I’ve read every single one and they have meant more than I can say.

"We feel very loved and very held from all over the world."

The photos depicted Holly throughout her childhood and into adulthood as she smiled at the camera beside her mother.

Announcing the sad news, Mr Branson shared on November 25: "Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away."

In his moving tribute, Sir Richard described Ms Templeman as "the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for".

He concluded his message with deeply personal words, saying: "She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x."