King Charles III joined three centenarians at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. The monarch helped 100-year-old Joan Illingworth cut a birthday cake after she struggled, telling her “let me do that” and sharing the task. Illingworth was among the centenarians who share the late Queen’s birthday.
The event also honoured charities the late Queen supported during her 70-year reign, including the Royal College of Nursing, the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, and the Royal Ballet. The Princess of Wales shared a poignant moment with former Metropolitan Police officer Tony Gledhill, a George Cross recipient, who told her his wife of 67 years had recently died. Gledhill later said: “The princess was lovely, she was fantastic.”
Charles handed out 100th birthday cards to the three centenarians after a military band played “Happy Birthday”. Nearby was a selection of cards presented during the late Queen’s lifetime. Illingworth, a “superager” from Bradford with the mental abilities of someone decades younger, impressed the royals. Prince William held her hand for 30 seconds and joked, “I can’t believe you are 100, do I need to call security, have you snuck in?” Her family said her secret was Liquorice Allsorts and clotted cream.
Colour Sergeant Johnson Beharry, a Victoria Cross recipient, recalled receiving his honour from the late Queen. He said: “When I was in front of her, she was speaking to me, and I swear up to today I cannot remember one word she said to me. She had this way of making you feel comfortable, putting you at ease.”
Earlier, the King and Queen visited the British Museum to see the final design for the national memorial to the late Queen, which Charles praised as “fantastic”. A rare group photo of all working royals at the reception was published, including the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and others.
