King Charles is remembering his ‘dear mother’ as she celebrates her 100th birthday – nationally
King Charles III paid tribute to his “beloved mother,” Queen Elizabeth II, in a televised address Tuesday to mark what would have been her 100th birthday.
Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, was born on April 21, 1926, and ascended the throne at the age of 25 in 1952, where she remained for more than 70 years until her death at the age of 96 in September 2022.
During his speech, Charles praised his mother for her long-term cultural and social influence and the lasting impact of her ministry.
“His approaching century was another remarkable change. However, during the last ten years, through all the changes, he remained constant, strong and completely devoted to the people he served,” King said.
“Millions will remember him at important moments in the world, many more for a momentary glance, a smile, a kind word that lifted the spirits, or that wonderful wink when he shared a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the last months of his life,” he continued.
Queen Elizabeth II attends an audience with Swiss President Ignazio Cassis (Not pictured) at Windsor Castle on April 28, 2022 in Windsor, England.
Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Charles expressed that current world events would probably be of great concern to his mother, but that he “takes heart from her belief that beauty will always exist and that a bright dawn is not too far off the horizon.”
He praised his commitment to work as he focused on it from a young age, citing his first public broadcast at the age of 14, where he said, “Each of us can play our part to make tomorrow’s world a better and happier place.
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“It’s a belief I share with all my heart,” added Charles, before encouraging people to see his 100th birthday as an opportunity to follow his mother’s example.
“We are not doing today to celebrate a milestone in your absence, but we are celebrating a life of well-being and a legacy of hope as we fight together for a better and happier future,” he said.
“God bless you, dear mother. You live forever in our hearts and in our prayers,” Charles concluded.
Celebrations to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday are being held across London.
Members of the royal family visited the British Museum to view the final design of Queen Elizabeth’s national memorial, Town and Country magazine reported on Tuesday, as the King’s Gallery launched its new exhibition, Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Stylewhich opened at Buckingham Palace on April 10 to celebrate his centenary.
The King and Queen Camilla also held an event at Buckingham Palace with other members of the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, who shared photos on their official Instagram page of Elizabeth throughout her life with the caption, “Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on her 100th birthday. Inspiring generations throughout her life.”
Meanwhile, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, officially opened the Queen Elizabeth II garden in Regent’s Park.
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