The Princess of Wales hugged former Metropolitan Police Officer Tony Gledhill, who was among the hundreds of guests at Buckingham Palace today for a reception to mark 100 years since the birth of the late Queen
The Princess of Wales comforted a hero police officer with a tender hug after an emotional meeting at Buckingham Palace. George Cross hero Tony Glendhill was among the hundreds of guests who were invited to Buckingham Palace today for a reception to mark 100 years since the birth of the late Queen.
The reception was designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth, with 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.
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The King was accompanied by a full turn-out of working royals, from the Prince and Princess of Wales to the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. As the members of the Firm mingled, Kate chatted to Mr Gledhill, 88, who received the honour for gallantry back in 1966.
He was awarded the honour while serving as a constable in the Met when he chased down and subdued armed criminals during a confrontation. Mr Gledhill looked emotional as he shared a heartwarming moment with the princess, who was seen pulling him in for a hug and giving him a comforting arm.
Afterwards, he explained that his wife had recently died and she had told him before she passed away that he must attend the palace event today. He said of Kate: “She was fantastic.”
It came after the King led a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ for three men and women celebrating their centenaries on what would have been his own mother’s 100th birthday.
He also personally gave them their special cards signed by himself and Queen Camilla, as well as helped to cut a cake which was distributed to 190 guests at Buckingham Palace.
The historic Marble Hall at his London residence – one of the only public areas still open during the final stages of the palace’s refurbishment – had been decorated to look like a street party, with bunting hanging from the ceiling and paintings. It was previously used for last year’s VJ Day commemorations and was made by household staff from old pieces of historic curtains and drapes.
Guests were treated to champagne and a special QEII ‘tribute’ cocktail made from her favourite Dubonnet. The traditional gin had been left out because it was a ‘daytime’ event and replaced with lemon juice, rosemary and tonic. Stands showing portraits of the late monarch visiting each of the charities lined the halls and the Band of the Household Cavalry played a series of jolly modern tunes.
A Paddington Bear could be seen peaking out from behind three Queen Elizabeth II roses created by Harkness Roses in 2021, gifts for the birthday guests of honour from the Royal Horticultural Society. The King and Queen led the royal party in from the gardens as the band played, encouraging guests to sing a verse of Happy Birthday.
Charles bent down to speak to birthday girl, Mary Wood from Yatton in North Somerset, who insisted on trying to get up from her wheelchair to greet him.
Born in Wolverhampton, Mrs Wood trained as a nurse at Corbett Hospital in Stourbridge and enjoyed a lifelong career in nursing. She had two sons, David and Nicholas, with her late husband, Victor.
“Is it your birthday today?” he asked as he gave her a card. “Oh, how wonderful. The same as my Mama. That’s marvellous!” Queen Camilla told her: “You don’t look old enough to be one hundred!”
Mrs Wood told her the secret was eating well in her youth. “Good food, as I grew up,” she said. The Queen told her she also ate ‘good plain food’ when she was a child as well.
Mrs Wood said afterwards: “I came here to meet the late Queen when she celebrated her 80th birthday, as mine was also on the same day. And now I have met her son. It’s been wonderful and so unexpected. I have followed the Royal Family my whole life.”
The King and Queen were followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales down the line, bending down to chat to the three centenarians. Catherine wore a pretty lavender dress and her hair loose with pearls.
John Jervois, who served with the Royal Signals in the Second World War in the Far East, stood up to greet the King. Charles was heard wishing him a happy birthday, and they had a warm chat.
Speaking afterwards, John said he used to get lots of presents when he was a child because everyone remembered his birthday as it was the same as the Queen’s. He said: “It was very valuable.” On being at Buckingham Palace and meeting the King and Royal Family, he said: “It’s extraordinary. I didn’t think it would happen to somebody like myself.”
He also recalled as a young man climbing on to the roof of a building in Regent Street to watch the Queen’s Coronation procession. Joan Hollingworth was wished happy birthday by all the senior royals. William said jokingly to her: “I can’t believe you are 100! Do we need to call security? Have you snuck in?”
Joan was heard telling William her secret to looking young as eating Liquorice Allsorts and clotted cream fudge. “Wow,” he replied. Afterwards, Joan said: “I said to Camilla ‘I’m deaf’ and she joked ‘join the club’. The Prince of Wales said I looked well for my age and asked what my secret was.” She described the King as “very friendly”.
On sharing a birthday with Queen Elizabeth II, she said: “I remember all her life she was growing, as we were the same age, so it feels very special. It feels different being born on the same day as the Queen.” The royals spent an hour in the Marble Hall, where 200 guests from many of the late Queen’s patronages were hosted.
Charles also conversed with members of the Royal Association for Deaf People, and his words had to be translated by a sign language interpreter. Dr Mark Wheatley said afterwards: “It is really special to be invited because the King is our patron and Queen Elizabeth II was our patron for 70 years.”
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