On the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, King Charles paid tribute to his late mother. Leading the royal family’s commemorations on social media, the monarch reflected on the late Queen’s enduring legacy, stating: “As we mark the first anniversary of the passing of Her late Majesty and my Ascension, we fondly remember her lengthy life, unwavering dedication, and the significance she held for so many of us. I am also profoundly thankful for the love and support extended to my wife and myself over this past year as we strive to serve you all. Charles R.”
Additionally, Buckingham Palace shared a photograph of the late Queen, personally chosen by King Charles to commemorate the occasion. This photograph captures Her Late Majesty, as photographed by Cecil Beaton, during an official session at her London residence on October 16, 1968. In the image, Elizabeth II is adorned in her Garter robes and wears the diamond Vladimir tiara featuring its pearl accents.
This photograph had not been publicly unveiled until this moment, but it made its debut at the National Portrait Gallery during the period spanning from November 1968 to March 1969. It was featured as a part of the inaugural photographic exhibition titled ‘Beaton Portraits 1928-68.’ Notably, this exhibition marked the pioneering retrospective of a contemporary photographer’s oeuvre within a British national museum.
Beaton’s initial encounter with Queen Elizabeth II through photography occurred in 1942. Over the years, he captured images of Her Late Majesty and various other members of the royal family. However, their final photographic session together took place in 1968.
Currently, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla are observing this significant occasion in private at Balmoral, the cherished summer residence of the former monarch located in the Highlands. It was at Balmoral where Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8th of the previous year. The King and Queen will later attend private memorial prayers at Crathie Kirk, joined by a very limited number of guests from Balmoral.
On social media, the Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their heartfelt sentiments, conveying how much they dearly miss the late Queen. Their message reads: “Today, we commemorate the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all deeply feel your absence. W & C.”
Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C pic.twitter.com/SkmGtmpNEE
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 8, 2023
In addition to their touching message, the royal couple shared a collection of pictures, including one that featured the late monarch alongside her grandchildren Lady Louise Windsor and the Earl of Wessex, as well as her great-grandchildren Savannah and Isla Phillips, Mia, Lena, and Lucas Tindall, and Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. This particular photograph was captured by the Princess of Wales during the royal family’s annual summer retreat at Balmoral in 2022.
Princess Eugenie, too, unveiled an undisclosed picture of her with her late grandmother, expressing, “Today, I am reflecting on you. I miss you deeply, but I also recall the life of devoted service, love, and commitment you dedicated to everyone and to your beloved family, who held you in such high regard.”
To pay tribute to the late Queen, Mike Tindall, Princess Anne’s son-in-law, shared a video montage featuring photographs of her spanning from her birth to her later years.
He captioned his post with: “Today marks a significant day in the sport I hold dear, but I can’t help but begin the day with thoughts of this remarkable woman we lost exactly a year ago. #thequeen #rip.”
Additionally, the Prince and Princess of Wales have plans to commemorate the late Queen on Friday while they are in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Their schedule reportedly includes a meaningful visit to the cathedral, a place the late Queen had frequented on several occasions.
Queen Elizabeth II achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first British monarch to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, and she also held the distinction of being the world’s longest-reigning and currently serving monarch.
Exactly one year ago on Friday, Queen Elizabeth II was at her annual summer retreat, Balmoral Castle in Scotland. However, apprehension about her well-being sharply increased on September 8, 2022, when Buckingham Palace disclosed that the monarch was under medical care at her Aberdeenshire residence, and her medical team had expressed concerns.
Just two days prior, on September 6, she had been engaged in official responsibilities, appointing Liz Truss as the prime minister. Queen Elizabeth II passed away at 3:10 pm, as later indicated on her death certificate, attributing the cause to “old age.” Buckingham Palace disclosed the news of her passing and Charles’s ascension to the throne to the global audience at 6:30 pm that evening.
Recently, the government revealed the particulars of a new tribute to honor our longest-reigning monarch. This initiative was launched after soliciting ideas from the public for a suitable commemoration.
This memorial will complement existing legacy projects, such as the Queen’s Green Canopy tree-planting initiative, the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh (now a popular tourist attraction), the London Underground’s Elizabeth Line, and the forthcoming statues of Queen Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Plans for a permanent memorial dedicated to the late Queen are scheduled to be unveiled in 2026, coinciding with what would have been Elizabeth II’s centenary year.
