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King Charles is set to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth in a special message on what would have been her 100th birthday.
The 77-year-old monarch plans to address the nation with a heartfelt recorded message on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The broadcast will honor his mother’s remarkable life, her enduring legacy, and her 70-year reign, which concluded with her passing on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96 due to “old age.”
The then-Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth in 2022
In addition to commemorating Queen Elizabeth, King Charles is expected to use this occasion to “renew his vow of service” to the nation. His reign has seen its share of challenges, including a personal battle with cancer, a strained relationship with his 41-year-old son, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and ongoing issues surrounding his 66-year-old brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Recent revelations about Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein continue to cast a shadow, despite Andrew’s consistent denials of any wrongdoing.
A source from the palace shared with The Mirror, “The beginning of King Charles’s reign has certainly faced its challenges, but there have also been many positive moments to celebrate.”
A royal insider told The Mirror: “The start to the King’s reign has not been without its obvious troubles, but there has been much to celebrate as well.
“He has been immensely positive in the face of adversity, continuing his cancer treatment while maintaining an incredible work rate.
“He has travelled extensively across the country and abroad, meeting two Popes, celebrating 50 years of the King’s Trust (formerly the Prince’s Trust) and pressing on with historic visits abroad.
“His message will be one celebration of an incredible life well lived and also an opportunity for him to renew his vow of service to the nation and the Commonwealth, but also speak to the values that he stands by – where fairness and the well-being of others matter most.”
The King’s message will take place on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday, but more commemorations will be held around the anniversary.
These include a series of public engagements and a special reception at Buckingham Palace, with senior members of the royal family expected to attend alongside the King and 78-year-old Queen Camilla.
After next week’s events, the King and Queen will travel to the US for a State Visit hosted by 79-year-old President Donald Trump, which will run from April 27 until April 30.
The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House – with the monarch making a speech to Congress – on a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and “celebrate the historic connections” between the UK and US.
Buckingham Palace said: “On advice of His Majesty’s Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.
“Their majesties’ programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.”
President Trump expressed his and 55-year-old wife, First Lady Melania Trump’s delight in welcoming the King and Queen to the US in a post shared to his Truth Social platform.
He penned: “Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.
“This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC.”
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