(London). For the British royal family, Friday will be a bittersweet day as they commemorate both the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the first year of King Charles III’s rule.
On September 8 of last year, months after the historic platinum jubilee festivities to honor 70 years on the British monarchy, the late Queen passed away quietly at the age of 96 in her retreat at Balmoral.
At Balmoral, a cherished royal estate in Aberdeenshire where his mother used to spend each summer vacation, Charles is currently present. When the king finally arrived a few weeks ago, there were no longer any doubts about whether the custom would continue.
Since that time, numerous members of the family have been observed entering and exiting the Scottish home. However, a royal insider informed CNN that everyone would leave by Friday. No public programming will be offered there.
Charles has adopted a similar strategy as his mother, who frequently spends her Accession Day in seclusion, by handling this very private day away from the public eye, save from a brief appearance after attending church. Her father, King George, resided at Sandringham House. In 1952, VI passed away peacefully. “We remember with great affection his long life, dedicated service, and everything he has done for so many of us on the first anniversary of the death of the late Majesty and my accession,” the king added.
“I am also very appreciative of the love and support you have shown to my wife and me throughout this year as we have tried our best to serve you all,” he continued.
Cecil Beaton’s 1968 photograph of Charles’ mother, which had only previously been shown in an exhibition, was also made public along with the voice message. It shows the Queen, who was 42 years old at the time, smiling while standing to one side in her garter robes. She is donning the 15 interwoven diamond circle Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will observe the occasion by going to a brief private service to remember the late matriarch’s life in Wales. He’s supposed to represent the family in speaking.
In Pembrokeshire, Britain’s tiniest town, the pair will go to St. David’s Cathedral. Since Wales’ patron saint David and his monastic community established there in the sixth century, St. David’s has served as a place of pilgrimage and devotion for more than 1,400 years.
Following that, the two will meet members of the neighborhood, some of whom have already had the opportunity to interact with Queen Elizabeth II on earlier trips to the area.
The Duke of Sussex also paid tribute to his grandmother and commended her sense of duty when speaking at a charity event in London on the night of the anniversary.
Prince Harry remarked on Thursday at the awards ceremony for the UK charity WellChild, which aids kids with major health issues, “As, I couldn’t attend the awards last year because my grandmother passed away.”
She would have been the first to demand that I accompany you all rather than go to her right away, as you presumably already know. That’s why I’m certain that, exactly one year later, she’s smiling down on us all tonight, glad that we’re working to build such a wonderful community.
The Duke traveled back to the country to pay a quick visit to the charity he has supported for more than ten years. The fifth pretender to the throne won’t likely meet his immediate family while traveling, and he’ll likely leave again shortly because he needs to be in Germany for Saturday’s Invictus Games opening ceremony in Düsseldorf.