Vanessa Redgrave moved fans on Sunday (May 11) when she shared an emotional tribute to her late daughter in a rare public post. The 87-year-old actress, best known for her voiceover role in Call the Midwife, penned a heartbreaking message in an Instagram post shared by her daughter Joely Richardson, alongside a snap shared of herself, her mum and her sister Natasha to mark what would have been Natasha's birthday.

Joely wrote: "Today would have been my sister Tasha’s birthday. I asked my Ma if she’d like to say anything. This is what she dictated to me." The heartfelt message from her mother that followed read: "We were in Greece. We sat drinking our coffees in Constitution Square. Tony (my late father) said if the baby was a boy we should call him Tom. I said if she was a girl I would like her to be called Natasha after Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

"Our Natasha, as yes she was a girl, came swimming out of my womb ready for anything. I can’t believe that she isn’t swimming somewhere now, in one of the pools or seas we explored. I will never be reconciled to her dying in the snow, and I’m sure that every mother who has lost a child will have that pain always."

Fans passed their sympathies on to the family, with one writing: "Please let her know that she is now swimming in a different, peaceful place. My heart goes out to those who are enduring pain without the comfort of faith. Our loved ones are waiting for us, watching over us from above. One day, you will all explore new lands and seas together, united forever. Sending you warm hugs and love."

Another shared: "Happy Birthday in heaven Nastasha. Lost my sister, best friend as well. Empty space in my heart forever."

The touching tribute comes 15 years after the tragic death of Natasha Richardson, who passed away in 2009 after a skiing accident left her with a fatal brain injury. Natasha, who was also an actress and the wife of Taken star Liam Neeson, was just 45 years old when she died.

The loss of Natasha was followed by even more heartbreak for Vanessa. Within just over a year, her younger siblings Corin and Lynn Redgrave also died. The actress has rarely spoken publicly about these tragic events.

Liam Neeson recently admitted that he still speaks to his late wife Natasha "every day", and has remained single since her death. The pair met when they were both cast in the Broadway play Anna Christie and had two sons together during their long marriage.

He has previously spoken about his last words to her, saying: "She was on life support ... and [I] told her I loved her. Said, 'Sweetie, you're not coming back from this. You've banged your head... And we're bringing you back to New York. All your family and friends will come.'

"She and I had made a pact. If any of us got into a vegetative state we’d pull the plug. So when I saw her and saw all these tubes and stuff that was my immediate thought, ‘OK, these tubes have to go. She’s gone’."