In an address to the nation King Charles has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy, as he leads commemorations on the occasion of her 100th birthday
The King has spoken of how Queen Elizabeth II would be “troubled deeply” by the times we now live in – and said we should all work together for a better world “rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security”.
On the Queen’s 100th birthday, the monarch paid tribute to his mother’s life and legacy, after serving more than 70 years on the throne.
Yet, before she passed away peacefully on September 8, 2022, Elizabeth II’s final years were beset with issues for her family. Royal sources suggested the King’s ambiguous comments could be considered a reflection of those challenges, as well as the disturbing global events such as wars raging in Europe and the Middle East.
The scandal involving the former Prince Andrew and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and the departure of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal life, struck at the heart of the institution.
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While the Queen forced Andrew to step back from royal duties following his disastrous BBC Newsnight interview, it was left to Charles to finally permanently exile his brother from the royal fold after more lurid details of Andrew and Epstein’s relationship later emerged. Andrew has always vigorously denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jeffrey Epstein.
Charles’s short reign has also involved serious health issues for himself and the Princess of Wales – both being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024 within days of each other – and the shocking arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on allegations of misconduct in a public office.
Andrew, 66, was arrested by officers from Thames Valley police and questioned for 11 hours on claims he passed confidential information over to the convicted sex offender Epstein as part of his role as a former trade envoy. He was released under investigation.
The Mirror last week revealed that the King would use the speech to renew his vow of service to the nation. In his address, he also praised how the late Queen remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served”, even through times of immense change through seven decades on the throne.
In his message, recorded in the Library of Balmoral Castle earlier this month, the King said: “Today, as we mark what would have been my beloved mother’s one hundredth birthday, my Family and I pause to reflect on the life and loss of a Sovereign who meant so much to us all and to celebrate anew the many blessings of her memory.
“Queen Elizabeth’s ‘promise with destiny kept’ shaped the world around her and touched the lives of countless people across our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond.
“Her near-century was one of remarkable change and yet, through each passing decade, through every transformation, she remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served.
“Millions will remember her for moments of national significance; many others for a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits…. or for that marvellous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life.
“Much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply, but I take heart from her belief that goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is never far from the horizon.”
Palace sources suggested the King, who accompanied by Queen Camilla last night attended a special exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s clothes and personal items at the King’s Gallery Buckingham Palace, wished for the occasion to be “one of celebration, rather than a solemn occasion.
Charles and Camilla, as well as other members of the royal family, will today attend a special reception at Buckingham Palace to host dozens of representatives of charities and organisations with an attachment to the late Queen.
For as a young Princess Elizabeth put it in her first ever public broadcast, aged just 14, we can each play our part ‘to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place’. It is a belief which I share, with all my heart.”
“For as a young Princess Elizabeth put it in her first ever public broadcast, aged just 14, we can each play our part ‘to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place’. It is a belief which I share, with all my heart.”
The King added: “So young or old, and whatever our differences, let us therefore seek to follow this example as we make today not the marking of a milestone felt by absence but the celebration of a life well-lived, and a legacy of hope, as we strive together towards a ‘better, happier tomorrow’ – one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.
“In this, I renew my own solemn pledge of duty and service to you all. God bless you, darling Mama; you remain forever in our hearts and prayers.”
Other engagements to mark the anniversary include the King and Queen, together with members of the Royal Family, will view the design recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial at the British Museum The Princess Royal will also later today officially open The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park, London.
