Centenary of Queen Elizabeth II's Birth Marks Nostalgia and Commemoration The 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth on April 21, 1926, is being commemorated through a series of events in London, offering both a celebration of her legacy and a reflection on her enduring influence. The royal family has organized a range of activities, including a statue, a garden, an exhibition of her iconic fashion, and a reception for centenarians born on the same date. These events, held in the weeks following her death in 2022, highlight the cultural and political significance of her reign as Britain’s longest-serving monarch. A central feature of the commemorations is an exhibition at Buckingham Palace titled Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style, which showcases over 300 items, including her wedding and coronation gowns, state ceremonial attire, and everyday clothing. The display also includes accessories like hats, shoes, and jewelry, providing a tangible connection to her personal and public life. The exhibition, which runs until mid-October, has sold out tickets for most of its duration, underscoring public interest in her legacy. Another highlight is the opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in London’s Regent’s Park, set to be officially unveiled by Princess Anne on Tuesday. The garden, designed to honor her contributions, is described as a “tangible memorial” by cultural scholar Judith Rowbotham. Meanwhile, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the British Museum to view the design for a proposed Queen Elizabeth Memorial, which will be located in a park near Buckingham Palace. The centenary also includes a private reception at Buckingham Palace, where centenarians born on April 21, 1926, will be honored.#queen_elizabeth_ii #buckingham_palace #princess_anne #queen_elizabeth_ii_garden #british_museum
New Charity to Honor Queen Elizabeth II's Legacy on Centenary of Her Birth A new charity, the Queen Elizabeth Trust, is being launched to commemorate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, coinciding with the centenary of her birth on 21 April. The initiative, backed by a one-time government grant of £40 million, will be chaired by businessman Sir Damon Buffini and will have King Charles III as its patron. The charity aims to restore shared community spaces, reflecting the late monarch’s lifelong dedication to public service and her belief that “everyone is our neighbour.” The Queen, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 96, would have turned 100 on 21 April. The centenary is being marked with a series of events, including a global digital memorial where people can share personal memories of her reign. The King and Queen Camilla will visit the British Museum to review plans for a national memorial in St James Park, London, designed by architect Sir Norman Foster. Later that day, they will host a reception at Buckingham Palace, where guests will receive birthday cards from the King. The Princess Royal will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park, London, as part of the commemorations. Buckingham Palace has also announced that award-winning historian Dr. Anna Keay will author the official biography of the late monarch. Dr. Keay expressed gratitude for the King’s trust and access to the Queen’s personal and official papers, stating she will strive to “do justice to her life and work.” The Queen Elizabeth Trust will focus on revitalizing underused buildings and green spaces, while also providing communities with the skills and training needed to organize local events.#queen_camilla #king_charles_iii #queen_elizabeth_ii #sir_damon_buffini #sir_norman_foster
Queen Elizabeth II Viewed Meghan Markle as an Opportunist, Book Claims Queen Elizabeth II harbored concerns about her grandson Prince Harry’s future wife, Meghan Markle, from the outset of their relationship, according to a new book by veteran political reporter Susan Page. In her upcoming work, The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History, Page cites a palace aide who claimed the late monarch grew skeptical of Markle early on, perceiving her as a calculated individual with advanced public relations skills that outpaced the royal family’s outdated press operations. The aide described Elizabeth as “wary” of Markle, suggesting the queen viewed her as an opportunist who had “been on to her from the start.” The book’s revelations come amid ongoing tensions between the royal family and the Sussexes, who stepped down as senior members of the royal family in 2020 after announcing their decision to live overseas. Elizabeth, who died in September 2022 at age 96, was reportedly deeply hurt by the couple’s departure but publicly supported them. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle described the queen as “wonderful,” emphasizing her warmth and welcoming nature. Markle’s first meeting with Elizabeth occurred in October 2016 at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, England. Both Harry and Meghan have described the encounter as impromptu, with Markle unaware she would need to curtsy to the queen. Harry recounted the moment in his 2023 memoir, Spare, stating that the royal family was “incredibly impressed” by Markle but initially skeptical of her as an American actress. “The fact that I was dating an American actress was probably what clouded their judgment more than anything else at the beginning,” Harry said.#meghan_markle #queen_elizabeth_ii #susan_page #prince_harry #royal_family
