London: King Charles III delivered a tribute to his mother on Tuesday, marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth. Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning and oldest monarch in British history. She was born on April 21, 1926, and reigned for 70 years before her death in September 2022 at the age of 96.
According to Thai News Agency, a YouGov poll conducted last week found that 81 percent of respondents still have a positive attitude towards the Queen, a figure higher than that of any other living member of the royal family. King Charles III stated in his address that the past century has been a period of significant change, but in each passing decade, Queen Elizabeth II has remained a steadfast unifying force and truly dedicated to her people. He added that while the current situation may present many anxieties, he is encouraged by his mother's conviction that good will triumph over all and that a brighter dawn is not far off.
On this significant anniversary, King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the new exhibition "Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style" at Buckingham Palace, showcasing over 300 pieces of clothing and personal belongings, ranging from her coronation gown to the outfit she wore to the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. This is the largest exhibition of royal attire ever presented. The Queen, known for her penchant for vibrant colors and matching hats, has jokingly remarked that she needed to appear striking to convince her subjects of her existence.
Additionally, King Charles III and other members of the royal family are scheduled to visit the British Museum to view the final blueprints of the national monument being built in memory of his mother, while his sister Princess Anne will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Gardens at Regent's Park.
In the evening, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host a reception for representatives from various charities that the former Queen patronized, as well as members of the public celebrating their 100th birthday this year. Earlier on Sunday, the British government announced the establishment of a new independent charity, the "Queen Elizabeth Trust," focused on restoring community spaces. It has received initial funding of £40 million (approximately 1.82 billion baht), and King Charles III will be its patron from April 19th onwards.