The royal family is preparing to mark what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. Buckingham Palace confirmed on April 10 that King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the family will take part in engagements on April 20 and April 21 to honor the late monarch’s life and legacy.
Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022 at age 96 during the 70th year of her reign, making her the longest-serving sovereign in British history.
Queen Elizabeth Fashion Exhibit Opens at Buckingham Palace
The commemorations will begin on Monday, April 20, when King Charles and Queen Camilla visit the new Royal Collection Trust exhibition, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” at the King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace. The display opened on April 10 and is described as the largest-ever exhibition devoted to the late Queen’s fashion.
The exhibit includes around 300 garments and fashion artifacts from all 10 decades of Elizabeth’s life, including several items that have never been shown publicly before. One of the items on display is a clear plastic raincoat the Queen used so she could remain visible during public appearances even in bad weather.
Caroline de Guitaut, the exhibition’s curator, explained how deliberate the late Queen was about her appearance. “I think she had a definite sense of what suited her,” de Guitaut told NBC News. “She absolutely knew how she wanted to appear.”
The exhibition is designed not only to show the evolution of the Queen’s wardrobe, but also to highlight the role her style played during her reign and its wider impact on British fashion.
King Charles and Royal Family to View Memorial Plans
On Tuesday, April 21, Her Majesty’s actual 100th birthday, King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family will attend an event at the British Museum to view the design recommendations for the Queen Elizabeth Memorial.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee will also attend, including the committee’s chair, Lord Janvrin, who previously served as the late Queen’s private secretary.
During the visit, the royals will see a scale model of the memorial and meet the artists behind the proposed works for the site.
After the event, the scale model and the artists’ maquettes will remain on public display for visitors to view.
Princess Anne and Buckingham Palace Reception Honor Queen Elizabeth
Also on April 21, Princess Anne will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in Regent’s Park. The garden has been designed as a calm, fully accessible space for reflection in central London. It will open to the public on April 27.
The day’s events will conclude with a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family. The gathering will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth and reflect on her life and public service.
Guests will include representatives from several of the late Queen’s patronages, including Cancer Research U.K., the British Red Cross Society, the Jockey Club, the Royal Kennel Club, and the Army Benevolent Fund. Other special guests will include fellow centenarians celebrating their 100th birthdays.
Birthday cake will be served at the reception, and those turning 100 will also receive cards from King Charles, who traditionally sends messages to U.K. residents marking the milestone.
The King is also expected to deliver a special address honoring his mother’s life and legacy, according to The Mirror.
