King Charles honours the Late Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday

King Charles III honoured his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, with a message to mark what would have been her 100th birthday.

On April 21, 2026, King Charles III recorded an address from the Library of Balmoral Castle to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday, commemorating the Queen’s life, legacy and record 70-year reign, which ended when she died on September 8, 2022, aged 96, from “old age”.

His Majesty also used the message to “renew his vow of service”, following a challenging start to his reign, including a cancer battle, estrangement from his 41-year-old son, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and dealing with his 66-year-old disgraced brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as more details emerge about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – of which Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing.

A royal insider told the Mirror: “The start to the King’s reign has not been without its obvious troubles, but there has been much to celebrate as well.

“He has been immensely positive in the face of adversity, continuing his cancer treatment while maintaining an incredible work rate.

“He has travelled extensively across the country and abroad, meeting two Popes, celebrating 50 years of the King’s Trust [formerly the Prince’s Trust] and pressing on with historic visits abroad.

The King’s address was a “celebration of an incredible life well lived and [was] also an opportunity for him to renew his vow of service to the nation and the Commonwealth [and] also speak to the values that he stands by – where fairness and the wellbeing of others matter most.”

The King’s message took place on the day of what would have been Queen Elizabeth’s 100th birthday, but more commemorations are being held around the anniversary.

These include a series of public engagements and a special reception at Buckingham Palace, with senior members of the royal family expected to attend alongside the King and Queen Camilla.

After all the events, the King and Queen will travel to the US for a state visit hosted by President Donald Trump, which will run from April 27 until April 30 (local time).

The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House – with the monarch making a speech to Congress – on a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and “celebrate the historic connections” between the UK and US.

Buckingham Palace said: “On advice of His Majesty’s Government, and at the invitation of the President of the United States, the King and Queen will undertake a state visit to the United States of America.

“Their majesties’ programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.”

Trump expressed his and First Lady Melania Trump’s delight in welcoming the King and Queen to the US in a post on his Truth Social platform.

He wrote: “Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.

“This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC."

This article was first published by Bang Showbiz and is republished here with permission and edits.