Like all centenarians, Sir David Attenborough was always going to receive a special birthday card from the monarch today. However, Buckingham Palace was determined that such a landmark in the life of Britain's ultimate 'national treasure' deserved something rather unique.
Secret Filming at Balmoral
King Charles and Queen Camilla teamed up with the BBC to secretly film an extraordinary tribute, which was aired during tonight's televised special 'David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth' concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The missive was delivered directly into the birthday boy's hands as he sat in the Royal Box. Even royal pup, Moley, made a cameo appearance thanks to the Queen and some carefully hidden cheese.
The short film 'A Very Special Delivery', made by BBC Studios' renowned Natural History Unit in April, was a complete surprise to the legendary broadcaster and conservationist who has spent a lifetime revealing the wonders of the natural world.
Behind the Scenes
It opens with the King's piper walking through the grounds of Balmoral Castle before panning to His Majesty, who is penning his tribute to Sir David in the Library with Her Majesty's dog scampering around his desk. According to royal sources, the 18-month-old Battersea Dogs and Cats' Home rescue pup – adopted by Camilla in March last year – was 'so excited by the presence of the camera crew' that she proved a 'tad mischievous'. Such was her exuberance that the short clip actually required several takes, and was only filmed with the help of the King who cleverly held some treats in his hand above the head of the Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua/Jack Russell cross.
His Majesty then wistfully recounts a seven-decade friendship with the iconic naturalist that began when the then nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of the BBC children's show Zoo Quest in 1958 with his little sister, Princess Anne. As he handwrites his message, he acknowledges the enormous impact Sir David's work has had in unveiling the wonders of the natural world in ever more inspiring ways, echoing his own deep commitment to protecting and saving the planet and all life upon it for generations to come.
Personal Touches
In the background are several family pictures, including one of the late Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to the fact that she also enjoyed a friendship with Sir David and would have been celebrating her own 100th birthday this year. Two snowy owl figurines were positioned on his desk by the BBC Studios production team as part of a tease to a later segment of the film, with the King choosing to wear a tie with elephants on in honour of the occasion to accompany his tweed jacket.
Moley is then seen scampering down the castle corridor as the card begins an extraordinary journey to its recipient. What viewers don't see, the Mail can reveal, is Queen Camilla hiding behind the balustrade with a portion of cheese in her hand to encourage her dog to run in the 'right direction'.
The Epic Relay
Although the card begins its journey in traditional style, carried by butler Tony - a member of the King's 'travelling staff' who has worked for the royal household for more than 30 years and previously served on the Royal Yacht Britannia - on a silver salver to a waiting Land Rover, its progress is dramatically halted by a fallen tree. To the tune of Take That's Greatest Day, the rescue mission is taken up by a border collie sheepdog called Flynn, who grabs the card, sparking an epic relay involving creatures great and small.
From the Highlands to towns and waterways across Scotland and England, the card is carried, ferried, flown – and even wedged between the spines of a hedgehog – as it travels ever closer to its destination. The journey concludes as the slightly tooth and beak-creased envelope is gently delivered through the letterbox of Sir David's London home by a barn owl called Lily. In all, the cavalcade of creatures is comprised of two dogs, eagles, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, a flock of geese, an otter, a swan, a duck, a fox, a deer, and finally, the owl.
In reality, much to Sir David's surprise tonight, the card was actually delivered to him at his seat in the Royal Box.
Royal Reaction
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: 'His Majesty was delighted to feature in this special tribute to a man who has shared his lifetime commitment to the natural world, and has followed each stage of the filming process with great interest. He was only sorry not to meet Lily the magical barn owl in person. Her Majesty was particularly touched that her mischievous Moley was invited to make a cameo appearance and was on hand with a ready selection of dog treats to help coax a willing performance on the day.'
Jack Bootle, the BBC's Head of Specialist Factual added: 'Sir David has spent a lifetime championing the natural world, so it seemed fitting that the natural world should do something to say 'thank you' in this unique birthday tribute. Warm, playful and full of affection, A Very Special Delivery celebrates not only David's centenary, but also the deep love of wildlife that he shares with His Majesty The King.'
Jonny Keeling, Head of BBC Studios Natural History Unit, also commented: 'We were thrilled for the opportunity to create a joyful film in celebration of David's 100th birthday - one that showcases King Charles and David's shared passion for the natural world. The team were delighted to feature His Majesty's favourites - an owl and a red squirrel - alongside other much-loved British species, and to shine a light on the wonder and ingenuity of the animal kingdom, just as David has done so brilliantly throughout his life and career.'
Production Challenges
Describing the film as 'a real labour of love' and 'cinematic, funny, uplifting, heartwarming and memorable', executive director Mike Davis explained that choosing the cast of animals to take part in the relay was 'a challenge'. 'It needed to be a roll call that felt rich and varied and accurate, in terms of where the animals would be on each leg of the journey, but there were also much-loved British species we wanted to include, like the eagle, hedgehog or fox,' he said. He added: 'His Majesty The King was also keen to feature some of his favourites, like an owl and a red squirrel, which limited where it appeared on the British Isles. There was also the practical factor of whether they could realistically carry a letter, which ruled out certain smaller animals on our longlist.'
While sheepdog Flynn actually carried the letter in his mouth, all the other birds and beasts were filmed with it 'magically'. For the shot where the owl delivers the letter direct to David's door, the team turned to experienced bird specialists and long-term collaborators with the Natural History Unit who were able to get Lily to 'swoop on command' at a location near Bristol.
He said of the Balmoral shoot: 'We had the privilege to film within the castle's inner sanctum and special access to His Majesty The King himself, who was very generous with his time and enjoyed the acting that was required to land the right note of contemplation. An unexpected star was Their Majesties young dog Moley, a mischievous but lovable Jack Russell Terrier cross, who kept the crew entertained. She sat patiently at His Majesty's feet whilst he wrote the birthday message and scampered after the butler as he ferried the letter on the silver salver along the hallway. It added an element of fun to the whole scene both on and off camera.'
