King Charles III has paid tribute to his mother on the anniversary of her death by releasing a moving message celebrating her ‘long life’ and ‘devoted service’. His Majesty has also chosen a portrait of the Queen to be released in honour of the occasion, one that shows Her late Majesty in the first chapter of her record-breaking reign.
On 6 September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed Liz Truss to Balmoral in what would become the monarch’s final engagement
On 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced the devastating news that Queen Elizabeth II had died aged 96 after more than 70 years on the throne. She spent her final moments at Balmoral, her much-loved Aberdeenshire estate, where had family had gathered on learning of her failing health. It is there that the King is expected to spend the day, deep in private reflection (as Queen Elizabeth II did each year on the anniversary of the death of her father King George VI).
But he still wished to share a public message to go some way to express his feelings. ‘In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my Accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,’ the King says in a recorded statement, released today. ‘I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.’
It accompanied a powerful portrait of the Queen to mark the occasion. The image of Her late Majesty was captured at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1968, as part of an official sitting granted to Cecil Beaton. It was personally chosen by The King to mark the anniversary.
‘The image was first shown at the National Portrait Gallery between November 1968 and March 1969, as part of its first photographic exhibition “Beaton Portraits 1928-68”,’ a statement released by the palace explains. ‘This was also the first retrospective of the work of a living photographer in a British national museum.’
The Queen spent the final days of her life at Balmoral. She carried out her final official engagement just two days prior to her death when she welcomed Liz Truss to the drawing room and formally appointed her the new Prime Minister.
