In a heartfelt video message, King Charles commemorated the life and dedication of his “darling Mama,” the late Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her centenary today.
The message, recorded earlier this month at Balmoral, reflected the King’s sentiments regarding the current state of the world, which he suggested would have troubled his mother. “Much about the times we now live in, I suspect, may have troubled her deeply,” he stated, although he did not specify particular issues.
Today, marking the 100th anniversary of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to view the final design of a bronze statue honoring the late Queen.
The statue, crafted by sculptor Martin Jennings, depicts Elizabeth in her youth adorned in the ceremonial robes of the Order of the Garter. Standing at 9.84 feet (3 meters) and placed on an 11.15-foot (3.4 meters) plinth in St James’s Park, the statue draws inspiration from a 1955 portrait by Pietro Annigoni.
The unveiling coincides with the birth date of Queen Elizabeth II, who was born today, April 21, 1926, in a Mayfair townhouse. Lord Janvrin, chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, noted that the chosen image reflects her public service rather than personal interests; had the statue depicted her on horseback, it would have emphasized her private passions.
In his message, King Charles emphasized that his mother navigated “remarkable change” throughout her life while remaining “constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served.”
The memorial project in St James’s Park, led by architect Lord Foster, will also feature a bust of the Queen from her later years and a bronze statue of Prince Philip. Additionally, a bridge within the park will be reconstructed with a glass balustrade designed to resemble a royal tiara.
These memorials, located near Buckingham Palace in central London, are expected to be completed within two years. Alongside the physical tributes, a digital component of the memorial will include a website inviting the public to share their memories of the late monarch. The domain Queenelizabeth.com, previously owned by Cunard shipping company, has been repurposed for this initiative.
The digital archive aims to create a historical record of royal events and will include a digitized version of the “court circular,” which chronicles the Royal Family’s activities. Furthermore, a nationwide memorial initiative will establish the Queen Elizabeth Trust to support local community projects aimed at fostering unity.
As he prepares for an upcoming state visit to meet US President Donald Trump next week, King Charles reflected on his mother’s legacy of optimism. He expressed hope that “goodness will always prevail” and called for a “happier tomorrow” grounded in peace, justice, prosperity, and security.
He also recalled how many might cherish memories of the late Queen through “a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits,” or her delightful moment sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in her final months.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong