King Charles III, the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth and the late Prince Philip’s fourth child, has praised his mother’s long life, devoted service, and all she meant to so many people on the first anniversary of her death.
The queen, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, passed away at Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s traditional Scottish getaway, on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96. Charles and his wife Camilla succeeded her after her death.
“In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service, and all she meant to so many of us,” Charles said in his statement.
“I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
Charles shared a picture of the queen along with a statement honouring his mother on the anniversary of her passing.
Photographer Cecil Beaton captured the image of the queen at Buckingham Palace on October 16, 1968; it had not previously been made available to the public. According to the palace, Charles specifically selected it.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth away in September of last year, the royal family entered an official period of mourning that lasted until seven days following the queen’s state funeral, which was held on September 19, 2022, at Westminster Abbey.
The royal family has changed over the past year, both individually and publicly, as they have become accustomed to life without the queen, who presided over her household and her nation for seven decades.
The most noticeable change occurred in May of last year, when Charles and Camilla were crowned, the first British monarchs to do so since Elizabeth in 1953.
Since the death of the queen, other family members have also assumed new positions, most notably Charles’ eldest son William and his wife Kate, who were appointed the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Four months after the queen’s passing, in January, Prince Harry, the younger son of Charles, surprised the royal family by publishing his explosive book “Spare.”
In the book, Harry discussed his strained friendships with Charles and William as well as his ideas for the monarchy’s future. The royal family and Buckingham Palace have not publicly addressed the claims Harry made in “Spare.”
Harry, who now resides in California with his wife Meghan and their two children, travelled to London this week for an awards ceremony hosted by WellChild, a charity for children with terminal illnesses, of which he serves as patron. However, Harry is not expected to meet with his father or brother, and he is also not expected to take part in any formal commemorations of his late grandmother.
Harry mentioned the queen in his WellChild address and said, “I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away… ” Harry is continuing on to Germany for the Invictus Games. I am certain that she is watching over everyone of us tonight, delighted to see us all here, and continuing to highlight such a wonderful community, exactly one year after she passed away.