King Charles has stated Queen Elizabeth II would be “deeply troubled” by the world “we now live in” during a touching tribute to his mother.
Buckingham Palace has released a deeply personal speech from the King honouring what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.
The heartfelt message, filmed at Balmoral Castle's Library during early April, marks the beginning of a day filled with commemorative activities across London.
The King’s address opens the centenary celebrations taking place on Tuesday, 21st April 2026, paying tribute to the late monarch who served for seven decades on the throne.
King Charles has stated Queen Elizabeth II would be “deeply troubled” by the world “we now live in” during a touching tribute to his mother.
|GETTY/THE ROYAL FAMILY
The recording from the Scottish royal residence carries particular significance, given Balmoral's importance to the late Queen, who spent her final days there before her death in September 2022.
In his address, the King described the occasion as a moment for his family 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."
He spoke of how his mother's "promise with destiny kept" influenced countless lives throughout Britain, the Commonwealth and beyond.
Despite witnessing extraordinary transformation during her near-century of life, the King noted she "remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served."
Buckingham Palace has released a deeply personal speech from the King honouring what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday.
|GETTY
The monarch also recalled lighter moments, including "that marvellous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life."
The King acknowledged "much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply" but drew comfort from his mother's conviction that "goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is never far from the horizon."
He referenced the late Queen's first public broadcast at age 14, when she urged young people to help "make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place."
King Charles expressed his wholehearted commitment to this vision, calling on people of all ages to work towards "a 'better, happier tomorrow' - one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security."
The King concluded by renewing "my own solemn pledge of duty and service to you all," adding: "God bless you, darling Mama; you remain forever in our hearts and prayers."
King Charles expressed his wholehearted commitment to this vision, calling on people of all ages to work towards "a 'better, happier tomorrow' - one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security."
|GETTY
The Royal Family's schedule for today includes several significant engagements honouring the late Queen's memory.
The King and Queen, accompanied by other members of the family, will examine proposed designs for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial during a visit to the British Museum.
Following this, they will host a reception at Buckingham Palace as part of the centenary commemorations.
Elsewhere in the capital, the Princess Royal has been given the honour of formally opening The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent's Park.
The combination of events reflects both the national significance of the anniversary and the personal importance of the occasion for the Royal Family.
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