Princess of Wales left in stitches while King Charles leads rousing song during Queen Elizabeth centenary party

Ben McCaffrey
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:04:44 +0000

The Princess of Wales was left in stitches while King Charles led a spirited performance of Happy Birthday during a gathering in Marble Hall on the afternoon of the late Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday.

King Charles hosted the poignant reception at Buckingham Palace today, gathering the entire complement of working royals for the occasion.

Prince William and Catherine joined the monarch and Queen Camilla, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Even the most senior members of the family attended, with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, aged 90 and 89, respectively, making the journey to honour the late sovereign.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, returning after a month in the wilderness following the Easter holidays, appeared in high spirits.

In one delightful moment, displaying their genuine connection, Catherine appeared in stitches of laughter after William appeared to quip a joke with a guest.

The Prince of Wales's humour did not stop there, as he charmed centenarian Joan Hollingworth with his characteristic wit, asking: "I can't believe you are 100! Do we need to call security? Have you snuck in?"

When asked about her youthful appearance, Mrs Hollingworth revealed her secrets were liquorice allsorts and clotted cream fudge, prompting an impressed "Wow" from the future King.

She later recounted a light-hearted moment with Queen Camilla, saying: "I said to Camilla 'I'm deaf' and she joked 'Join the club'."

Meanwhile, King Charles led a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for a group of men and women celebrating their 100th birthday on what would have been his mother's centenary.

The King and Queen Camilla assisted Mrs Hollingworth with cutting a cake prepared by palace pastry chefs, blazoned with the number 100 on it, and distributing it to the 190 guests.

Centenarians who share their birthday with the late Queen received personal cards from the King and Queen, while representatives from 45 of her beloved patronages were also present.

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The grand Marble Hall, one of the few public spaces accessible during the Palace's ongoing refurbishment, had been transformed into a festive street party setting.

Guests enjoyed champagne alongside a specially created QEII tribute cocktail featuring the late Queen's beloved Dubonnet, although the traditional gin was substituted with lemon juice, rosemary and tonic given the daytime occasion.

A Paddington Bear peeked out from behind three Queen Elizabeth II roses, created by Harkness Roses in 2021 and gifted by the Royal Horticultural Society.

The centenarians in attendance each carried remarkable connections to the late Queen's life.

Mary Wood from Yatton in North Somerset, who trained as a nurse at Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge, had previously met Queen Elizabeth II at her 80th birthday celebration.

"I came here to meet the late Queen when she celebrated her 80th birthday, as mine was also on the same day," Mrs Wood recalled. "And now I have met her son. It's been wonderful and so unexpected."

When the King presented her card, he remarked: "Is it your birthday today? Oh, how wonderful. The same as my Mama. That's marvellous."