loading…
The British Empire experienced changes one year after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Photo/Reuters
LONDON – It was a bittersweet day for the British royal family on Friday (8/9/2023) as they not only commemorated the first year of King Charles III’s reign but also the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The late Queen Elizabeth died peacefully aged 96 at Balmoral Bolt Hole on September 8 last year, a few months after the historic Platinum Jubilee celebrations marking 70 years on the British throne.
Charles is currently at Balmoral – the beloved royal property in Aberdeenshire where his mother retreats every year for the summer holidays. There were questions about whether the King would continue the tradition, but that speculation was put to rest with his arrival a few weeks ago.
Since then, several family members have been seen coming and going from the Scottish residence. But a royal source told CNN that they would all leave on Friday. And there will be no public events there.
Charles chose to spend the highly private day by staying out of the public eye, apart from brief appearances after attending church – a similar approach to his mother who often spent Accession Day privately at Sandringham House, where his father, King George VI died in his sleep in 1952.
Here are 5 changes that occurred 1 year after Queen Elizabeth’s death.
1. Hoping for the realization of British Working Family Unity
Photo/Reuters
However, the King has recorded a short audio message paying tribute to his mother’s “loyal service”.
“In commemorating the one year anniversary of His Majesty’s death and my accession to the throne, we remember with love his long life, his devotion, and all that he meant to so many of us,” said King Charles.
“I am also very grateful for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we did our best to serve you all.”
Along with the audio message, Charles released a favorite photograph of his mother taken by Cecil Beaton in 1968, previously only seen in an exhibition. The image shows the Queen, then 42, wearing a Garter robe standing sideways and smiling. She wore the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, which is made of 15 circles of interlocking diamonds.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton will celebrate the day by attending a small private ceremony to commemorate the life of their late matriarch of Wales. He is expected to speak on behalf of the family.
