Prince Charles celebrated the Queen as everyone’s “mother” in an emotional tribute to her record breaking Platinum Jubilee.
To rapturous cheers from the crowd of 10,000 gathered tonight outside Buckingham Palace Charles declared: “Her Majesty…mummy”, as he thanked the 96-year-old monarch on behalf of “the whole world” for her incredible dedication to duty.
Amid a festival of sound from the world’s biggest music artists including Diana Ross and Queen, all gathered in recognition of the record breaking Queen’s 70 years on the throne, Charles spoke of the “outpouring of warmth and affection” by millions of Brits revelling across the country this bank holidays weekend.
The Prince of Wales’s heartfelt words were matched with projections onto Buckingham Palace of the Queen taken throughout her seven decades on the throne, specially selected by Charles himself.
In several historic moments, the Queen was shown taking a carriage ride down the Mall when Nelson Mandela made a State visit to the United Kingdom in 1996 and the handshake between Her Majesty The Queen and Former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuiness almost exactly a decade ago in June 2012.
As the cheers continued to stretch down London’s iconic Mall, where thousands more created a patriotic sea of red, white and blue, Charles, 73, said: “The scale of this evening’s celebration – and 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, in fact the whole world.
“On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service
“Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother."
The prince made a heartfelt, special mention of the Queen’s beloved late husband and his father, the late Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99 last April.
Her Majesty had in 1997 at a speech to celebrate her Golden Wedding Anniversary, told how the Duke of Edinburgh had always remained her “strength and stay” throughout their marriage.
Charles said: “Your ‘strength and stay’ is much missed this evening but I am sure he is here in spirit.
“My Papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.”
Prince Philip missed the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 at the Palace after he was forced to stay in hospital with a bladder infection.
In a further emotional ode to his mum, Charles made a perhaps unprecedented observation of the Queen’s character, revealing how she has shared with her subjects the joy and the pain of life.
As the country emerges from two years of living amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen said on the eve of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations this week, how she wished for Britain to come together and make memories to last a lifetime with our friends and family.
Charles also made special mention of her dedication to a life of service, a promise she declared publicly in a speech on her 21st birthday as a young princess five years before she would become Queen after her father’s George VI’s sudden death in 1952.
Charles added: “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.”
Over 70 years of postwar Britain, the Queen has seen it all.
She has seen the coming and goings of 14 different prime ministers and 14 US presidents, meeting each and every one, visited over 100 countries and made more than 150 visits to the Commonwealth.
Charles commented on the extraordinary way the Queen has moved and adapted with the times, saying: “How things have changed.
“We think of all you have done to make the Commonwealth such an important force for good. You continue to make history.
“Looking back, we think of the countless State occasions that are milestones along this nation’s road. And you will think of red boxes, filled with Government papers, at the end of the day.
“You will remember those who have led this country.
“Indeed, all the countries you serve. And leaders across the world.”
Charles noted The Queen has been with us in difficult times with a picture of Her Majesty’s “We will meet again” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and also in times of “pride, joy, and happiness” such as the 1966 World Cup Trophy which she presented to England Captain Bobby Moore.
As a well known horse racing fanatic and expert, Her Majesty was devastated at having to pull out of attending today’s Epsom Derby, as well as the concert.
She also missed Friday’s service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s cathedral after standing for too long at Thursday’s majestic Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Royal sources confirmed the Queen was feeling “much better for resting” and was hoping to save herself to appear in part at tomorrow’s rousing finale of the People’s Pageant in London.
Charles joked how “there was still time for fun amongst the work”, adding how: “We might have been celebrating that Derby winner this evening…next year perhaps?”
In a final eulogy to the Queen’s achievements over seven glorious decades, Charles told the crowd how his mother’s dedication to duty and representing the people of Britain and across the Commonwealth, has never wavered.
Charles added: “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.”
As more incredible pictures from the last seven decades beamed onto the Queen’s London residence, Charles said: “These pictures on your house are the story of your life – and ours.
“So, Your Majesty, that is why we all say “thank you”.”
