King releases poignant tribute to his late mother a year after military helped lay Queen Elizabeth II to rest
The King has recorded a poignant message to mark the first anniversary of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his accession to throne - almost a year after thousands of military personnel gave one last act of service and dedication to their late Commander in Chief as they helped lay her to rest at her funeral.
Charles, in words written and audio spoken at Balmoral Castle where the Queen died on September 8 last year, said he recalled with "great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us".
Today, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute, accompanied by the Band of the Grenadier Guards, at Hyde Park, and the Honourable Artillery Company later fired a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London to mark the anniversary of King Charles' accession.
Soldiers and horses who took part in the late Queen's state funeral procession and proclamation salutes for the new reign returned for the Accession Day gun anniversary salutes in the King's honour.
Captain Amy Cooper, who was the lead rider in the procession that carried the Queen's coffin to lie in state in Westminster Hall, gave the order to fire the 41-gun salute at midday in London's Hyde Park.
Both the Honourable Artillery Company and the King's Troop were responsible for gun salutes following the death of the Queen.
Other gun salutes were also being fired around the country, including at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland, and in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Plymouth.
Today is a year since the nation's longest-reigning monarch, who served as Queen for 70 years, died peacefully of old age at 96 just months after her Platinum Jubilee.
The King, in his short tribute, thanked the nation for the love and support shown to him and Queen Camilla during his first year as monarch, and pledged their continued service.
"In marking the first anniversary of Her Late Majesty’s death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” the King said.
"I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all."
His written message was signed Charles R.
Personnel from across the Armed Forces played a key role in the funeral on September 19 last year and preceding days of Her Majesty lying at rest in Scotland and London, providing the Guard of Honour, Bearer Party, Pall Bearers, musicians, horsemen and women, and countless personnel behind the scenes from all ranks and roles.
In total, 5,949 members of the UK's Armed Forces were deployed on ceremonial duties as the Queen was laid to rest.
The King and Queen will commemorate the life and service of Queen Elizabeth II with private prayers and a moment of reflection on the anniversary.
To mark the anniversary of the Queen's passing, the King released a portrait of his mother.
The formal colour photograph chosen by Charles was taken by Cecil Beaton and shows a young Queen, then 42, at an official portrait sitting in 1968.
She is standing sideways and smiling as she is photographed in her Garter robes and wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir's Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.
Charles and Camilla, who are staying at their Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire, will attend nearby Crathie Kirk for the poignant event at the church where the late Queen worshipped.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who will visit the Welsh cathedral of St Davids for a short private service, paid a personal tribute to the late Queen, saying: "We all miss you."
The message, written by William and Kate on X, formerly known as Twitter, was signed "W&C".
It read: "Today we remember the extraordinary life and legacy of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. We all miss you. W & C."
The King last month reshuffled military appointments for working members of the Royal Family, ahead of the anniversary of the late Queen's death, with three extra roles each for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Charles took over eight of his late mother's former honorary posts himself, including sponsor of the Royal Navy's warship HMS Queen Elizabeth.
William added Colonel-in-Chief of The Mercian Regiment, Colonel-in-Chief of The Army Air Corps and Royal Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Valley to his growing list of military commitments, while Kate became Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm.
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