King Charles has reflected on his mother’s enduring legacy in a heartfelt address to the nation on what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday. She “meant so much to us all”, Charles says as he praises her ability to remain “constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served” throughout unprecedented periods of change.
The 77-year-old monarch also reflected that “much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply,” in reference to the many international and national crises that have occurred in the four years since her death.
He said: “Queen Elizabeth’s ‘promise with destiny kept’ shaped the world around her and touched the lives of countless people across our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond. “Her near-century was one of remarkable change and yet, through each passing decade, through every transformation, she remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served.
“Millions will remember her for moments of national significance; many others for a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits…. or for that marvellous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life.”
Archive footage spanning the 10 decades of her life is played as the King speaks to the nation.
Charles delivers his three-minute message in the corner of the library, with hundreds of neatly stacked leather-bound books behind him. Three framed photographs of the late Queen from different stages of her life are displayed in the background, personally chosen by the King.
The most prominently displayed on his right is a black-and-white image of the Queen as a baby, while the one on his left shows the smiling monarch wearing a purple dress and her trademark pearls.
In the King’s short address, he speaks of people coming together to “make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place”, quoting an excerpt from the first speech Elizabeth delivered aged just 14.
Her radio address to the children of the Commonwealth, many of whom had been evacuated, sought to boost morale and offer reassurance and hope to children separated from their families during the war.
“Much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply, but I take heart from her belief that goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is never far from the horizon,” the King said.
“For as a young Princess Elizabeth put it in her first ever public broadcast, aged just 14, we can each play our part ‘to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place’. It is a belief which I share, with all my heart.
“So young or old, and whatever our differences, let us therefore seek to follow this example as we make today not the marking of a milestone felt by absence but the celebration of a life well-lived, and a legacy of hope, as we strive together towards a ‘better, happier tomorrow’ – one rooted in peace, justice, prosperity and security.”
It is unclear which troublesome events the King is referring to in his message, given the many distressing incidents that have occurred both at home and abroad.
Charles could also be referring to the difficult events of his reign, from his and the Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnoses, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s continued attacks on the Firm and the scandals engulfing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The King ended his personal address, filmed earlier this month, by renewing his oath of allegiance to serve the country and Commonwealth and by paying a moving tribute to his beloved mother.
“I renew my own solemn pledge of duty and service to you all,” he said. “God bless you, darling Mama; you remain forever in our hearts and prayers.”
The full video broadcast was released at midnight and kicks off a day of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.
The King and Queen, together with members of the Royal Family, will view the design recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial at the British Museum before hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace. The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to attend.
The Princess Royal will also officially open The Queen Elizabeth II Garden in The Regent’s Park, London.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
