Two future kings paid tribute to Britain’s longest-serving monarch at Saturday night’s Platinum Party at the Palace, with her son, the Prince of Wales, thanking his mother for her “lifetime of selfless service” and her grandson, the Duke of Cambridge, focusing on the environmental changes over the past 70 years.
Prince Charles delivered his speech as images selected by the royal himself were projected onto Buckingham Palace, spanning The Queen’s coronation, to photos of young Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, to presenting the World Cup trophy to Bobby Moore in 1966, to her COVID-19 video message in 2020.
In his speech, Prince Charles spoke directly to his mother, who is currently at Windsor Castle, telling her that “the outpouring of warmth and affection over this whole Jubilee weekend is our way of saying thank you—from your family, the country, the Commonwealth and in fact the whole world.”
He continued, thanking The Queen for her “lifetime of selfless service,” and injected a personal touch by noting that in the 70 years of her reign, “your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our Mother.”
Prince Charles also spoke about his late father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away in April 2021 at the age of 99, saying that “Your ‘strength and stay,’” as The Queen famously referred to her husband of 73 years, “is much missed this evening, but I am sure he is here in spirit… My Papa would have enjoyed this show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.”
While paying tribute to all that his mother has achieved, Prince Charles also made sure to look to the future, wishing that next year they’ll all be able to celebrate The Queen finally winning the Epsom Derby.
Prince Charles ended his speech with poignant words of how The Queen has been there with us for 70 years, saying:“But I know what really gets my mother up in the morning is all of you—watching at home. Represented here tonight in this great audience.
“Your Majesty, you have been with us in our difficult times. And you bring us together to celebrate moments of pride, joy and happiness.
“You have met us and talked with us. You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us, for these seventy years. You pledged to serve your whole life—you continue to deliver. That is why we are here. That is what we celebrate tonight. These pictures on your house are the story of your life—and ours. So, Your Majesty, that is why we all say ‘thank you.’”
William, meanwhile, focused on the environment for his speech, highlighting the words of his grandmother throughout her reign, and the conservation work undertaken by his grandfather and father.
“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century. In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs.
“And although those breakthroughs have increased our awareness of the impact humans have on our world, our planet has become more fragile. Today, in 2022—as The Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee—the pressing need to protect and restore our planet has never been more urgent.”
He added: “Tonight has been full of such optimism and joy— and there is hope. Together, if we harness the very best of humankind, and restore our planet, we will protect it for our children, for our grandchildren and for future generations to come.”
William ended his speech with “It’s my firm hope that my grandmother’s words are as true in 70 years as they are tonight, that as nations we come together in common cause because then there is always room for hope.”
