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The British royal family is preparing to celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. On Friday, The Mirror confirmed a slate of commemorative events set for later this month to honor the monarch, who died at 96 in September 2022.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will lead the festivities, which begin April 20 with their visit to Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style—a new exhibition that opened today at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace. Organized by the Royal Collection Trust, the show brings together more than 300 pieces from Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe across 10 decades, nearly half of which are being displayed publicly for the first time. It’s the largest exhibition of her fashion ever.
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Colorful ensembles worn by Queen Elizabeth II during Royal engagements are now on view at The King’s Gallery.
The following day, on the late queen’s birthday, the royal family will turn its attention to other memorialization plans in the works. At the British Museum, they’ll review proposed designs for the forthcoming Queen Elizabeth Memorial, joined by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee. The group will see a scale model of the memorial and meet the artists contributing works to the site. The model and artists’ maquettes (small 3-D models) will later go on public display. Elsewhere in London, Princess Anne will open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park. The space, conceived as a serene, accessible retreat in the city, will welcome the public beginning April 27.
The events will culminate with a reception at Buckingham Palace later in the day on April 21. Members of the royal family will gather alongside representatives from the charities and organizations the queen supported throughout her reign, including Cancer Research U.K. and the British Red Cross Society. The guest list will also include fellow centenarians, and birthday cake will be served.
In addition to the day’s events, Charles is expected to deliver a national address reflecting on his mother’s life and impact. “The tone will not be somber, but rather a celebration and a chance for people across our four nations and the Commonwealth to come together and reflect on an amazing life and legacy of our late queen,” a royal source told The Mirror.
Brea Cubit is an award-winning journalist who covers culture, entertainment, fashion, business, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, she enjoys listening to live music, binge-watching nostalgic TV, and shopping at artisan markets.