The Prince of Wales has wished his mother The Queen a very happy birthday in a Shakespearean tribute broadcast.
Prince Charles read a passage from William Shakespeare’s Henry VIII and said: “She shall be, to the happiness of England, an aged princess; many days shall see her, and yet no day without a deed to crown it.”
The heir to the throne personally chose this reading in consultation with the Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Shakespearean message is particularly relevant this year as 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare birth.
The controller of the World Service, Mary Hockaday, said: “This is a very special and unusual birthday gift. I am delighted that we are able to broadcast the Prince of Wales’s eloquent reading to our audiences around the world on the Queen’s birthday and in the year of William Shakespeare’s anniversary.”
After a busy day of engagements, Prince Charles will host a private Royal Family dinner for the Queen at Windsor Castle this evening.
A documentary will also be aired tonight on the BBC which shows Her Majesty and Charles sat home movies shot by the monarch herself.
Contributors to the programme will include The Queen’s cousins – Princess Alexandra, The Duke of Kent and Margaret Rhodes as well as Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and The Duke of York.
How beautiful! God Save the Queen – & God Bless the Prince of Wales!