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King Charles III message marks anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death
King Charles III has recorded a message and released a favourite photograph of Elizabeth II to mark the first anniversary of his mother’s death.
In the message, the King said he recalled the late queen’s “devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.
The photograph chosen by the King shows the queen at an official portrait sitting in 1968 aged 42.
Elizabeth II died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle on 8 September last year.
It came just months after her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne.
In his short tribute, the King thanked the nation for the “love and support” shown to him and Queen Camilla during his first year as monarch.
“In marking the first anniversary of Her late Majesty’s death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” the King said.
“I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
His written message, which accompanies the audio recording, is signed Charles R.
The formal colour photograph was taken by Cecil Beaton on 16 October 1968 and has not been released until now.
It shows the late queen in her Garter robes, wearing the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s Tiara, made of 15 interlaced diamond circles.
The King has spent the summer at his Birkhall residence and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.
On Friday morning he and Queen Camilla attended the nearby Crathie Kirk church for private memorial prayers.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, who are visiting West Wales, will commemorate the life of the late queen with a small private service at St David’s Cathedral.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a message that the scale of the late queen’s service “only seems greater” a year after her death.
“Her devotion to the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth only seems deeper,” he said.
“And our gratitude for such an extraordinary life of duty and dedication only continues to grow.”
Mr Sunak said he treasured his memories of meeting the late queen and was struck by her “wisdom, her incredible warmth and grace”, as well as her “sharp wit”.
“People across the UK – whether they had the good fortune to meet Her late Majesty or not – will be reflecting today on what she meant to them and the example she set for us all,” he added.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the queues to see the late queen lying in state showed she had “always enjoyed a special bond with her people”.
“It was a relationship built from her understanding that service of this great nation is the thread that unites sovereign and subject,” he said.
“So, as we reflect on her legacy again today, let us embrace that spirit of public service as our guide towards a better future.”
To mark the anniversary of King Charles’s accession to the throne, gun salutes will be fired at midday on Friday in Hyde Park and at the Tower of London.
Bells will also be rung at Westminster Abbey at 13:00 BST to mark the occasion.
The Duke of Sussex has separately been paying his own tribute to the late queen, saying she “is looking down on all of us”.
In a speech at the WellChild Awards ceremony in London on Thursday, he recalled how he had been forced to miss last year’s event as he flew to Balmoral after his grandmother became ill.
Source:BBC.com
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
