King Charles to address nation with special message to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday

Svar Nanan-Sen
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:26:21 +0000

King Charles III is set to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday on April 21 with a stirring address broadcast across the nation and the Commonwealth.

The 77-year-old monarch, currently staying at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate, will travel to London alongside Queen Camilla for the commemorations.

A special reception at Buckingham Palace will bring together representatives from organisations and charities closely linked to the late Queen, with the monarch having personally selected guests from her hundreds of patronages over recent months.

Senior royals, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, are expected to join the King and Queen for the occasion.

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A royal source said: "The 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II birth will not only be a poignant moment of reflection for His Majesty, it will be a cause for celebration of an incredible life well lived and a life dedicated to duty and to her country."

The King's personally written tribute will honour his late mother's accomplishments and unwavering commitment to public service, according to palace insiders.

A specially compiled video montage will accompany the address, featuring significant moments from Elizabeth II's remarkable life.

Footage is expected to showcase her wartime contribution with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, numerous royal engagements and tours throughout Britain, and the Platinum Jubilee festivities held in 2022.

King Charles is anticipated to speak about how profoundly his mother inspired both him personally and the wider royal family.

In his first speech as sovereign following her death, the King reflected on Elizabeth's famous 21st birthday pledge from Cape Town, stating: "That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life."

A permanent national monument honouring the late Queen has been confirmed for St James's Park, with final preparations nearing completion.

The winning design features a statue of Elizabeth II within a newly created civic space named Queen Elizabeth II Place at Marlborough Gate.

Across the park at Birdcage Walk, a new Prince Philip Gate will house a statue of the late Duke of Edinburgh.

The memorial will also incorporate meandering pathways, a "family of gardens", and a striking translucent glass unity bridge replacing the existing Blue Bridge.

The new crossing draws inspiration from the Queen Mary Fringe diamond tiara worn by Elizabeth on her 1947 wedding day—a piece that famously snapped just hours before the ceremony.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the monument would provide "everyone with a place to honour the late Queen and connect with the shared history we cherish".

A landmark exhibition titled 'Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style' opened this week at the King's Gallery within Buckingham Palace, where it will remain on display until October 2026.

The carefully curated showcase presents the most extensive collection of the late monarch's clothing and personal items ever assembled for public viewing.

Thousands of visitors are expected to explore the exhibition, which offers an intimate glimpse into Elizabeth II's distinctive wardrobe choices throughout her seven decades on the throne.

Britain's longest-reigning monarch surpassed Queen Victoria's record on 9 September 2015, having served for more than 63 years and seven months before her peaceful passing at Balmoral in September 2022, aged 96.

Throughout the commemorative period, various engagements will reflect both the late Queen's 70-year reign and her enduring cultural influence.

Palace officials have emphasised that celebrations will strike an uplifting rather than sombre tone.

A royal source said: "It is both the King and Queen's sincere wish that the commemorations honour the late Queen's profound devotion to service and celebrate how much she was respected and admired around the world."

The source added that the centenary offers "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."