Sir David spoke out after the tragic news that Queen Elizabeth II has died.
In a statement, the natural historian and broadcaster said: “If there was a technical hitch, she wanted to know what it was, and if it had a funny side, she was quick to see the joke.
“Yet not for one second could you forget that you were in the presence of someone who had willingly accepted enormous responsibility and dedicated her life to serving the nation – that you were, in short, in the presence of royalty.
“The whole nation is bereaved.”
It comes as King Charles III has left Balmoral Castle as he makes his way to London on arguably the biggest day of his life.
He was pictured in the back of a car, with the Queen Consort in the front passenger seat, as they were driven in convoy over the River Dee towards Ballater.
The couple will fly to RAF Northolt from Aberdeen International Airport before they are expected to make their way to Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
Gun salutes – one round for every year of the Queen’s life – will be fired in central London on Friday and the new monarch will hold his first audience with the Prime Minister.
And His Majesty is set to address the nation in a televised speech later on Friday.
He will be formally proclaimed monarch at a historic Accession Council this weekend.
The King spoke of his grief soon after Buckingham Palace announced the death of the 96-year-old monarch, who died “peacefully” on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral.
He said in a written statement: “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother.
“I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Sir David Attenborough
David Parry
Queen Elizabeth II
POOL
