King Charles III delivered a deeply personal video message on Tuesday to honor his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on what would have been her 100th birthday. Addressing her as his “darling mama,” the 77-year-old monarch spoke of her unwavering devotion and the steadfast service she gave to her people throughout her historic 70-year reign. The tribute coincided with the unveiling of the final blueprints for a grand national memorial dedicated to Britain’s longest-serving monarch, who passed away at 96 in September 2022.
In his emotional address, shared with Reports, the King admitted that much of the modern world might have troubled his mother, yet he drew strength from her lifelong conviction that goodness eventually triumphs. He recalled her very first public broadcast as a 14-year-old princess, where she urged everyone to play their part in creating a happier future—a sentiment Charles noted he still shares with all his heart.
The centerpiece of the planned memorial in London’s St James’s Park will be a towering 7.3-meter bronze statue of a young Queen Elizabeth in her ceremonial robes. Created by sculptor Martin Jennings, the design is inspired by the iconic 1955 portrait by Italian artist Pietro Annigoni. Robin Janvrin, the Queen’s former private secretary and head of the memorial project, described the chosen image as a beautiful representation of the young Queen at the beginning of her journey.
The memorial grounds near Buckingham Palace are designed to be a peaceful retreat, featuring a series of connected gardens and a unique “unity bridge” made of translucent glass. The bridge’s design takes inspiration from the intricate details of the Queen’s wedding tiara. In a touching addition, a smaller statue of her late husband, Prince Philip, will be positioned nearby, depicted in his naval uniform looking up toward his wife.
The King and other members of the Royal Family visited the British Museum on Tuesday to inspect scale models of these tributes. This milestone comes during a particularly challenging period for the monarchy, which has seen both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, Catherine, undergo treatment for cancer. The family has also navigated high-profile tensions involving Prince Harry and ongoing scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew.
Queen Elizabeth’s path to the throne was famously unexpected, triggered by the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936. Her father, George VI, took the crown reluctantly, and upon his death in 1952, the 25-year-old princess began a reign that would redefine the modern monarchy. This new memorial serves as a permanent reminder of that legacy, marking a century since the birth of a woman who was never originally destined to be Queen.
