The King has been assisted by the animal kingdom in delivering a handwritten message to Sir David Attenborough as he celebrates his 100th birthday. Charles is seen in a short film sitting at his desk in the library of Balmoral Castle with the Queen’s dog Moley keeping him company as he pens the personal note.
Magical Journey Across the UK
The film – premiered during Friday night’s live tribute to Sir David at the Royal Albert Hall – takes a magical turn as a cast of clever creatures ensure the special missive makes its way to the beloved naturalist. A fallen tree threatens the journey of the birthday note but animals including an eagle, a fox, a red squirrel and an otter come to the rescue and traverse the nation with the royal dispatch.
Decades-Long Friendship
In the note, the King recounts a seven-decade friendship with Sir David that began when the then nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of the BBC children’s programme Zoo Quest in 1958 with his sister Princess Anne. He writes: “Dear David. My wife and I are delighted to learn that you will be celebrating your 100th birthday on May 8 and wanted to send you our warmest congratulations on such a special occasion. It is amazing to think that you and I have known one another for more than 60 years. Indeed, I believe we first met in 1958, almost a decade before the age of colour television. And of course our paths have crossed many times since. Over those decades you have revealed the beauty and wonders of nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways. In so doing you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet of ours and all life on earth for future generations. Thank you then for all that you have done. And on behalf of the whole nation I wish you a very happy 100th birthday.”
Animal Relay and Delivery
The animals’ mission to deliver the note – by air, across coastlines and at one point even wedged between the spines of a hedgehog – is carried out against the musical backdrop of Take That’s Greatest Day. Finally, the much-travelled envelope is delivered through the letterbox of Sir David’s London home by a barn owl called Lily and officially received by the man himself on Friday night in the Royal Albert Hall. The full animal relay list from first to last comprises of a border collie, eagles, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, a flock of geese, an otter, a swan, a duck, a fox, a deer, and finally, Lily the barn owl.
Royal Reactions
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. The King and Queen send their warmest wishes to Sir David on his special night and hope he enjoys the resulting film as much as they enjoyed making it.”
Previous Royal Appearances
The film, called A Very Special Delivery and produced by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, may remind viewers of previous celebrated sketches featuring the late Queen. Queen Elizabeth II famously took part in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to millions to skydive into the Olympic Stadium from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, after he escorted her from Buckingham Palace. Her stunt double leapt above the arena in a dress with sown-in Victorian-style bloomers and a large zip at the back to accommodate his parachute. The late Queen also appeared in a comedy sketch with a digitally animated Paddington Bear to mark her Platinum Jubilee, in which she revealed that she kept marmalade sandwiches – Paddington’s favourite treat – in her handbag.
