As music’s biggest stars rocked Buckingham Palace Saturday night at the Platinum Party at the Palace concert for the queen, her son and grandson took the stage to honor Her Majesty too.
Prince Charles, Elizabeth’s oldest child and heir to the throne, thanked her for her 70 years of service to the U.K., and for being his mom.
“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,” Charles said, with his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, by his side. “On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.”
“Your family now spans four generations,” said Charles, who was 4 years old when his mom became queen. “You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.”
As Charles delivered his remarks, images of the queen that he selected himself were projected onto Buckingham Palace. He encouraged the crowd of thousands to cheer loudly enough that Elizabeth could hear them at Windsor Castle.
Charles paid tribute to both Elizabeth, who, at age 96, did not attend the concert, and his father, Prince Philip, who at the time of his death last year at age 99 had been married to Elizabeth for 73 years.
“My Papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people,” said Charles.
Prince William, second in line to the throne, focused on the conservation efforts of the royal family, led by Elizabeth.
“It’s my firm hope that my grandmother’s words are as true in 70 years’ time as they are tonight that as nations we come together in common cause, because then there is always room for hope,” he said.
