Richard Branson dances on the beach with his grandchildren as he shares 'special family moment' from his late wife Joan's celebration of life service on Necker Island

Richard Branson has shared a video of a 'special family moment' from the celebration of life ceremony for his late wife Joan.

The Virgin boss, 75, announced Joan's death, at the age of 80, in November last year following complications from a back injury she obtained as a result of a fall.

On New Year's Eve the Branson family held a beachfront gathering on Necker Island, the 74-acre private estate he owns in the British Virgin Islands to honour Joan.

Richard has shared a new video from the emotional service, which shows him embracing daughter Holly, 44, and son Sam, 40, and dancing on the sand with his grandchildren. 

'A very special family moment celebrating our beloved Joan with our kids, grandkids, family and friends,' Richard captioned the footage, adding that they were dancing to 'the best possible soundtrack' - his son Sam's track The Happy Song, recorded under his moniker Waves Rush In.

Richard previously gushed that the special New Year service was filled with 'songs, laughter and tears all in honour of the most incredible partner, mum, grandmother, and friend.' 

He revealed the family had chosen to honour Joan's 'otherworldly presence' beneath the 'brightest moon of the year' on the final day of a 'beautiful month.' 

It was confirmed in May that Joan died from a blood clot two weeks after a fall.

Joan passed away at The Lister Hospital on November 24, 2025, following complications from a back injury she obtained as a result of a fall.

A pre-inquest hearing heard her family, most notably Richard and their children are not looking to apportion blame over the death. 

A full inquest into her death will be held in September this year.

Speaking at the hearing at Inner West London Coroners' Court, Holly said: 'I believe mum had great care. The doctors saved her life three years ago, giving us all three more years together.

'We just want to help other families if there are any lessons to be learned.'

Senior Coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox told the court that expert witnesses will testify as to whether prescribing Lady Branson the anti-coagulant Heparin could have prevented her death.

At the time of Joan's death, her husband, Virgin tycoon Richard, was in the same hospital as her, having injured his shoulder in a bike accident in India.

Sharing the news last year, he said: 'Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.

'She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan.'

He later added Joan died 'quickly and painlessly', and that he had shared lunch with her on the day of her death.

Holly also shared an emotional tribute to her late mother as she reflected on the 'initial shock and pain' of her passing, describing her as 'one in a billion, brilliant and kind'.

Posting photos with Joan throughout her childhood, Holly said she and her family 'feel very loved' following an outpouring of sympathies in the wake of her mother's passing.

Richard and Glasgow-born Joan first met in 1976 at The Manor, a former recording studio in Oxfordshire, England.

At the time, the former model was working in an antiques shop in Notting Hill, not far from the Virgin office.