Yesterday would have been the late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday and in the century since her birth the family that surrounds the throne has, unsurprisingly, changed dramatically.
Indeed, with the likes of Prince Harry stepping down as a working royal and with Andrew being stripped of his titles, the Firm now appears decisively smaller than it did just a decade ago.
On top of this, the family have also grieved the loss of some of their most prominent members.
Last September, Katharine, the Duchess of Kent died aged 92 while Elizabeth II died in September 2022 aged 96 and her husband Prince Philip died in 2021 aged 99.
King Charles III and Camilla posed up for a picture yesterday with all the current working royals from youngest to oldest: the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and even the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra – the last two aged 90 and 89 respectively.
The royals were together to mark what would have been the late Queen’s birthday where the King led a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for three men and women celebrating their centenaries.
Charles also personally gave them their special cards signed by himself and Queen Camilla and helped to cut a cake which was distributed to 190 guests at Buckingham Palace.
The reception was designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth, including guests from 45 of the patronages she supported including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.
2026:(From left) The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London
2023 at the King’s coronation: (From left) Duke of Kent, Duchess of Gloucester, Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, The Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy and the Duke of Edinburgh
2017: Members of the Royal Family at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding
2007: A larger family photo of the Windsors during a dinner at Clarence House
1983: The then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding photo with the members of the Royal Family and other guests
