The royal family remembers Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death (photos)

On Friday, September 8, Great Britain’s King Charles III recorded an official address marking the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. In it, he talks about the place his mother forever occupied in the hearts of people and history.

“On the first anniversary of Her Majesty’s death and my accession, we remember with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” said the king.

Charles for the first time released a color photograph of the Queen, taken in 1968 by photographer Cecile Beaton, as Elizabeth posed for a court portraitist.

In the photo, the 42-year-old Queen stands wearing a robe with the Order of the Garter, Britain’s highest order of chivalry. On her head she wears a tiara called “Vladimirskaya”. It was inherited by Elizabeth II, and its first owner was the squad of Grand Duke Vladimir, brother of the Russian Tsar Alexander III.

Elizabeth II died on September 8 last year at the age of 98 at her Scottish residence Balmoral. A few months earlier, the British celebrated their platinum jubilee - 70 years on the throne.

In his address, Charles also thanked his subjects for the love and support they showed him and King Camilla in the first year of his reign, and promised to serve each of them.

The king and queen were in Balmoral that day. In the morning they took part in a closed service in the Krati Kirk church, located near the royal residence.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, visit Wales. They visited St David’s Cathedral for a private prayer service.

Prince Harry, who had flown to London the day before to attend a ceremony for the WellChild charity, made a surprise visit to the chapel at Windsor Castle. He was there alone.

In his speech the day before, Harry said that the Queen was looking down on what was happening and called on those who care about her to be worthy of her.

The Duke of Sussex flew to London without his wife.

British politicians are also paying tribute to the late queen. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the scale of her legacy seemed even greater a year after her death.

“Her commitment to the people of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth runs even deeper. And our gratitude for such an unusual life, a complete sense of duty, grows more and more,” Sunak said.

He said that he would always cherish the memories of personal meetings with the queen, during which Elizabeth amazed him with her wisdom, warmth and nobility.

British opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer said the endless stream of people who rushed to bid farewell to her as his coffin was laid out at the Palace of Westminster spoke for itself.

“She always had an inextricable connection with the people. These relationships are the result of service to this great nation. She understood that service is the thread that binds the sovereign and the subject.” - he said.

At 1pm UK time, the bells of Westminster Abbey tolled to mark the anniversary of the accession to the throne of Elizabeth II’s son, King Charles III.

Let us remind you that during the days of farewell to Queen Elizabeth II, mystical phenomena were observed in London, Edinburgh and Windsor.