King Charles releases poignant tribute to late Queen on first anniversary of her death

The King has paid tribute to Elizabeth II, recalling “all that she meant to so many of us” in a message to mark the first anniversary of her death.

King Charles, 74, also expressed gratitude for the public support shown to him and Queen Camilla, 76, during the first year of his reign.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

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The message was signed “Charles R”.

To mark the anniversary, the King chose to release an image of his mother in the earlier years of her reign, when she was 42.

The portrait was taken by Sir Cecil Beaton during an official sitting at Buckingham Palace on October 16, 1968.

First shown at the National Portrait Gallery from November 1968 until March 1969, it depicts the young Queen in her Garter robes, wearing the Star of the Order of the Garter and the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles. Turning to face the camera, a hint of a smile plays on her lips.

Sources said the image was chosen in part because it reflected her sense of fun and the “twinkle in her eye”.

Beaton first photographed then-Princess Elizabeth in 1942 and did so many times afterwards. However, this image was taken on their last sitting together.

The King will spend Friday privately in quiet reflection at Balmoral, where his mother spent her final weeks before her death on September 8, 2022, aged 96.

His siblings, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of York, will also spend the day privately with their families.

In marking his accession at the place where his mother died, Charles follows in her footsteps.

She almost always spent her accession day, February 6, at Sandringham, where her father, George VI, died in his sleep in 1952 after suffering from lung cancer.

- Daily Telegraph UK