@rebeccaenglishroyals: The King led a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for three inspirational men and women celebrating their centenaries on what would have been his own mother’s 100th birthday. He also personally delivered their commemorative cards, signed by himself and Queen Camilla, as well as helping to a cut a cake, which was distributed to 190 guests at Buckingham Palace. Unusually the monarch, 77, was accompanied by a full turn-out of the remaining working royals, from youngest to oldest: The Prince and Princess of Wales (43 and 44), the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (62 and 61), the Princess Royal (75), the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (81 and 79) and even the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, the last two aged 90 and 89 respectively. Designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the 100th anniversary of her birth, it included guests from 45 of the patronages she supported from charities including Cancer Research UK, British Red Cross, The Jockey Club and the Army Benevolent Fund, as well as some of her former ladies-in waiting. The historic Marble Hall at the King’s London residence had been decorated to look like a street party, with bunting hanging from the ceiling and paintings made from recycled palace curtains . Guests were treated to champagne and a special QEII ‘tribute’ cocktail made from her favourite Dubonnet. The traditional gin had been left out because it was a ‘daytime’ event and replaced with lemon juice, rosemary and tonic!

Rebecca English

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Region: GB

Tuesday 21 April 2026 18:23:09 GMT