King Charles to honour Queen Elizabeth II and host party for 100-year-olds at Buckingham Palace on centenary birthday

Ben McCaffrey
Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:42:56 +0000

King Charles is to honour his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, by hosting a party in Buckingham Palace for those turning 100 on the same day.

The invitees, all born on April 21, 1926, will receive their hundredth birthday cards directly from the monarch in person.

At the event, the King and Queen will be joined by members of the Royal Family, though Kensington Palace has yet to confirm whether the Prince and Princess of Wales will attend.

A reception will be held in the Marble Hall of Buckingham Palace, with guests including representatives from organisations and charities closely linked to the late Queen, such as Cancer Research UK and the British Red Cross Society.

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Those hitting a century themselves will be on the VIP guest list.

The plans cap off a busy day for the family, who are expected to be out in full force for the occasion.

The King will address the nation with a special message to mark the Queen's birthday. A specially compiled video montage will accompany the message, featuring significant moments from the late monarch's life.

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

King Charles and Queen Camilla will later attend a presentation of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial design at the British Museum, accompanied by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Lord Foster, the architect behind the memorial, will guide the royal couple through a scale model and accompanying film in the Reading Room.

Artists Martin Jennings, Yinka Shonibare and Karen Newman will present maquettes of their sculptural contributions, which will then remain on public display.

The Princess Royal will separately inaugurate the Queen Elizabeth II Garden, a newly created two-acre sanctuary within Regent's Park.

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Described as a tranquil and fully accessible space for contemplation in central London, the garden has been designed with both remembrance and environmental sustainability in mind.

Features include a circular pond intended to encourage wildlife and flower beds planted with species that held particular significance for the late Queen.

Climate-resilient planting throughout ensures the garden's longevity as a living tribute.

The public will be able to visit from April 27, gaining access to what promises to become a cherished place of reflection honouring Britain's beloved former monarch.

On April 20, Their Majesties will also tour the most extensive exhibition of Elizabeth II's wardrobe ever assembled at The King's Gallery.

The Royal Collection Trust has gathered 300 pieces spanning the late Queen's entire life, with many items displayed publicly for the first time.

Visitors will encounter garments ranging from her christening gown to the ensemble worn during her final Buckingham Palace balcony appearance in 2022.

The wedding dress she wore at Westminster Abbey in November 1947, when she married Prince Philip, features prominently alongside her Coronation attire.