The King led a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for three men and women celebrating their centenaries on what would have been his own mother’s 100th birthday today.
Charles also personally gave them their special cards signed by himself and Queen Camilla, and helped to cut a cake which was distributed to 190 guests at Buckingham Palace.
Unusually he was accompanied by a full turnout of working royals, from youngest to oldest: the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and even the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra – the last two aged 90 and 89 respectively.
Kate shared an emotional moment with 88-year-old George Cross hero Tony Gledhill, whom she hugged. He later explained that his wife had recently died, but had told him beforehand that he must attend the palace event regardless. Mr Gledhill said of Kate: ‘She was fantastic.’
The reception was designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth, including guests from 45 of the patronages she supported including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.
The historic Marble Hall at his London residence – one of the only public areas still open during the final stages of the palace’s refurbishment – had been decorated to look like a street party, with bunting hanging from the ceiling and paintings.
It was previously used for last year’s VJ Day commemorations and was made by household staff from old pieces of historic curtains and drapes.
Guests were treated to champagne and a special QEII ‘tribute’ cocktail made from her favourite Dubonnet. The traditional gin had been left out because it was a ‘daytime’ event and replaced with lemon juice, rosemary and tonic.
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today. Wowing in an Emilia Wickstead dress, Kate was wearing Queen Elizabeth’s pearl necklace and earrings
(From left) The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London
The Princess of Wales with guest Tony Gledhill during the reception at Buckingham Palace
The Princess of Wales hugs 88-year-old George Cross hero Tony Gledhill during the reception
The Duke of Edinburgh, Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess Royal during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
The Duke of Kent at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Duchess of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
Princess Alexandra at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Stands showing portraits of the late monarch visiting each of the charities lined the halls and the Band of the Household Cavalry played a series of jolly modern tunes.
A Paddington Bear could be seen peeking out from behind three Queen Elizabeth II roses created by Harkness Roses in 2021, gifts for the birthday guests of honour from the Royal Horticultural Society.
The King and Queen led the royal party in from the gardens as the band played, encouraging guests to sing a verse of Happy Birthday.
He bent down to speak to birthday girl Mary Wood from Yatton in North Somerset, who insisted trying to get up from her wheelchair to greet him.
Born in Wolverhampton, Mrs Wood trained as a nurse at Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge and enjoyed a lifelong career in nursing. She had two sons, David and Nicholas, with her late husband, Victor.
‘Is it your birthday today?’ he asked as he gave her a card. ‘Oh how wonderful. The same as my Mama. That’s marvellous!’
Queen Camilla told her: ‘You don’t look old enough to be one hundred!’
Mrs Wood told her the secret was eating well in her youth. ‘Good food as I grew up,’ she said.
The Queen told her she also ate ‘good plain food’ when she was a child as well.
Mrs Wood said afterwards: ‘I came here to meet the late Queen when she celebrated her 80th birthday as mine was also on the same day.
‘And now I have met her son. It’s been wonderful and so unexpected. I have followed the Royal Family my whole life.’
The King and Queen were followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales down the line, bending down to chat to the three centenarians. Catherine wore a pretty lavender dress and her hair loose with pearls.
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The reception in London today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the event at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the event at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Duchess of Gloucester speaks to 100-year-old John Jervois during the reception
The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Princess of Wales with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth during the reception today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the event at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
Princess Alexandra (second left) and the Duke of Kent (second right) during the reception
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Duchess of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Princess Alexandra at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth during a reception in London
The Princess of Wales meets 100-year-old Mary Wood during the reception today
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Duke of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London
(front left) 100-year-olds Joan Illingworth, John Jervois and Mary Wood during the reception
The Prince of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London
King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth in London
The King and Camilla then helped birthday lady Joan Illingworth to cut a cake made by the palace pastry chefs.
Holding the knife, she said: ‘It’s hard to cut this cake.’
Camilla tried her hand first before Charles gave her a hand with the knife, saying: ‘Let me do that with you.’
John Jervois, who served with the Royal Signals in Second World War in the Far East, stood up to greet the King.
Charles was heard wishing him a happy birthday and they had a warm chat.
Speaking afterwards, John said he used to get lots of presents when he was a child because everyone remembered his birthday as it was the same as the Queen’s.
He said: ‘It was very valuable.’
On being at Buckingham Palace and meeting the King and Royal Family, he said: ‘It’s extraordinary. I didn’t think it would happen to somebody like myself.’
He also recalled as young man climbing onto the roof of a building in Regent Street to watch the Queen’s Coronation procession.
Joan Illingworth was wished happy birthday by all the senior royals.
William said jokingly to her: ‘I can’t believe you are 100! Do we need to call security, have you snuck in?’
The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
(front left) 100 year-olds Joan Illingworth, John Jervois and Mary Wood during the reception
The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen
The Princess of Wales meets guests during the event at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
Princess Alexandra (second left) and the Duke of Kent (second right) during the reception
King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth in London
King Charles III at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Queen Camilla during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the late Queen
King Charles III at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
King Charles III meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace today
(front left) 100-year-olds Joan Illingworth, John Jervois and Mary Wood during the reception
The Duchess of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
100-year-old John Jervois during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The Duchess of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The Duke of Kent at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Sophie speaks at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Duke of Gloucester during a reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
The reception in London today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth in London
Princess Alexandra (second left) and the Duke of Kent (second right) during the reception
The Duke of Edinburgh during a reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
Queen Camilla during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the late Queen
Sophie appears at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
Queen Camilla during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the late Queen
King Charles III and Queen Camilla cut a cake with 100-year-old Joan Illingworth in London
Princess Alexandra at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Princess of Wales speaks to 100-year-old John Jervois during the reception
The Princess Royal during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
Prince Edward at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
100-year-old Joan Illingworth during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The Princess Royal during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
100-year-old Mary Wood during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today
The reception in London today to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Princess Alexandra (second left) and the Duke of Kent (second right) during a reception
Prince Edward at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
The Princess Royal during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
Prince Edward at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
Charles and Camilla stand next to centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays today
The Duke of Kent at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth
The Princess Royal during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London this afternoon
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with a 100th birthday cake at Buckingham Palace today
Joan was heard telling William her secret to looking young – eating Liquorice Allsorts and clotted cream fudge.
‘Wow,’ he replied.
Afterwards, Joan said: ‘I said to Camilla “I’m deaf” and she joked “join the club”.
‘The Prince of Wales said I looked well for my age and asked what was my secret.’
She described the King as ‘very friendly’.
On sharing a birthday with Queen Elizabeth II, she said: ‘I remember all her life she was growing as we were the same age so it feels very special. It feels different being born on the same day as the Queen.
She added: ‘It feels special and today was a privilege.’
The royals spent an hour in the Marble Hall where 200 guests from many of the late Queen’s patronages were hosted.
Charles also conversed with members of the Royal Association for Deaf People and his words had to be translated by a sign language interpreter.
Dr Mark Wheatley said afterwards: ‘It is really special to be invited because the King is our patron and Queen Elizabeth II was our patron for 70 years.’
