As the first anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing approaches, it’s been reported that Prince William and Princess Catherine will lead the Royal Family’s tributes for the late Monarch.
As reported by the Mirror, the Prince and Princess of Wales are to deliver a message to the public honouring the life and legacy of William’s beloved grandmother, who died on September 8 2022, aged 96. Her passing came after her months-long health and mobility complications.
A source has also told the publication that William will use the occasion to remind the British people to “look forward”. Meanwhile, his father, King Charles III will reportedly be in Balmoral spending the sombre anniversary “quietly and privately, just as the late Queen did to mark her own father’s passing”.
While the Palace is yet to confirm what the official plans are, certain traditions are expected to continue, including the ringing of the bells at Westminster Abby and a 21-gun salute to be fired in the royal parks of London.
Since her passing, the Royal Family has honoured the late Monarch in many ways. In November 2022, King Charles unveiled the first statue of his late mother in the English city of York outside of the largest gothic cathedral in Britain, York Minister.
During the unveiling ceremony, King Charles told the crowd that his mother always remained “vigilant” when it came to the “welfare of her people” and that the statue “will watch over what will become Queen Elizabeth Square for centuries to come”.
On the day of her funeral, Queen Camilla, Catherine and Princess Charlotte dressed for the solemn affair by paying homage to the late Monarch.
Camilla was seen wearing the Hesse Diamond Jubilee brooch, once belonging to Queen Victoria, which had been gifted to her by Queen Elizabeth following her marriage to her son, Charles, in 2005. Catherine wore two pieces of sentimental jewellery that once belonged to the Queen’s collection. Princess Charlotte a diamond horseshoe brooch which was a gift Charlotte had received from her great-grandmother.
Earlier in April, the late Queen received another timeless, posthumous tribute in the form of a magnificent tree planted in her honour at the gardens of Sandringham House.
The “fitting tribute” was carried out by King Charles and Prince William, who planted an Acer tree to mark the completion of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), an initiative that saw more than three million trees planted across the UK.