King Charles sent a heartfelt message to his mom in a video (Image: Getty Images)
The King reflected on how Queen Elizabeth II would be “troubled deeply” by contemporary times — and urged collective efforts toward a better world “rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.”
On what would have been the Queen’s 100th birthday, the monarch honored his mother’s life and legacy, following her remarkable reign of over 70 years.
However, before her peaceful passing on Sept. 8, 2022, Elizabeth II’s final years were marked by significant family difficulties. Royal sources indicated the King’s veiled remarks could be interpreted as addressing both those challenges and troubling global developments such as ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
The controversy surrounding the former Prince Andrew and his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, along with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s withdrawal from royal duties, struck at the core of the institution.
Queen Elizabeth II and now King Charles together (Image: Getty Images)
While the Queen compelled Andrew to withdraw from royal responsibilities following his catastrophic BBC Newsnight interview, it fell to Charles to ultimately banish his brother permanently from the Royal Family after additional disturbing revelations about Andrew and Epstein’s association surfaced.
Andrew has consistently and emphatically denied any wrongdoing related to Jeffrey Epstein. Charles’s brief reign has also been marked by significant health challenges for both himself and the Princess of Wales — each receiving cancer diagnoses in early 2024 within days of one another — and the startling arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on allegations of misconduct in a public office.
Andrew, 66, was detained by Thames Valley police officers and interrogated for 11 hours on accusations that he disclosed confidential information to the convicted sex offender Epstein during his tenure as a former trade envoy. He was released under investigation.
Oct. 10, 1940: Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret making a broadcast to the children of the Empire during World War II (Image: Getty Images)
The Mirror revealed last week that the King would utilize the speech to reaffirm his pledge of service to the nation. In his address, he also highlighted how the late Queen remained “constant, steadfast, and wholly devoted to the people she served,” even throughout periods of tremendous change across 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,” 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, “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 marvelous 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 indicated that the King, who attended a special exhibition of Queen Elizabeth II’s clothes and personal items at the King’s Gallery Buckingham Palace alongside Queen Camilla the previous evening, wanted the occasion to be “one of celebration, rather than a solemn occasion.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with fellow members of the Royal Family, are set to host a special reception at Buckingham Palace today, welcoming representatives from numerous charities and organizations connected to the late Queen.
King Charles, Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II watch a flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace (Image: Getty Images)
In his message, recorded in the Library of Balmoral Castle earlier this month, the King said: “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.”
King Charles III recording a video message to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II (Image: PA Wire)
“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.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the King and Queen, accompanied by members of the Royal Family, will review the design proposals for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial at the British Museum. Additionally, the Princess Royal will officially open The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park, London, later that same day.