The Princess of Wales selected a lavender Emilia Wickstead design for a Buckingham Palace reception honoring the late Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her a hundredth birthday.
Earlier than the Palace reception, many Royal Members of the family, led by the King and Queen, visited the British Museum to view the ultimate design suggestions for the nationwide memorial to the late Queen. 
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. 
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Others attending included Girl Sarah Chatto (Princess Margaret’s daughter). 
The King and Queen with the Edinburghs. (You may simply make out the Gloucesters within the background and Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the far left.) 
Members of the family and visitors seen a scale mannequin of the brand new nationwide memorial commemorating the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II, a tribute that can overlook The Mall in central London. We study extra from Hello’s story.
On the British Museum, Charles and Camilla had been proven the ultimate designs for a memorial to the King’s late mom. Considered one of these contains a likeness of his mom, within the type of a maquette which depicts her in her 20s and in her Order of the Garter robes from the early years of her reign. One other art work options Charles’ late father, Prince Philip, in his naval uniform.
Right here you see the Duchess of Edinburgh taking a look at a miniature of the Queen’s statue. 
A fast video of the Edinburghs wanting on the show.
✨Prince Edward and Sophie completely in sync whereas viewing the design of Queen Elizabeth’s memorial right now ❤️
The hand gestures being completely the identical 😅
📸The RF pic.twitter.com/DMbQmwdomu
— Mariana – The Edinburghs Fan Account (@Mari_Edinburghs) April 21, 2026
Right here you see scale fashions of the late Queen and Prince Philip by sculptor Martin Jennings. 
Then it was time for a reception at Buckingham Palace’s Marble Corridor, the place the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the festivities. 
Extra on the celebration via this Hello story.
Visitors loved champagne and a ‘QEII tribute’ cocktail, a non-alcoholic twist on her favourite Dubonnet served with lemon, rosemary, and tonic. Hand-crafted bunting by palace employees utilizing repurposed historic drapes and curtains was strung from the ceiling, whereas The Band of the Family Cavalry offered a energetic backdrop of latest songs.
A large view of the occasion.
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And from The Daily Mail’s article.
The reception was designed to rejoice the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her start, together with visitors from 45 of the patronages she supported together with Most cancers Analysis UK, the British Crimson Cross Society, Jockey Membership, Royal Kennel Membership and the Military Benevolent Fund.
Under, the Princess Royal on the reception.
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It was a delight to see the Duke of Kent at right now’s celebration.
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And his sister, Princess Alexandra.
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Right here you see the birthday cake honoring the late Queen’s birthday, in addition to these of three particular visitors turning 100 right now. 
Amongst these celebrating birthdays right now is John Jervois, proven right here chatting with the Duchess of Gloucester.
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And right here you see the Princess greeting the centenarian. 
We study extra about Mr. Jervois through the Mail’s piece.
John Jervois, who served with the Royal Indicators in Second World Warfare within the Far East, stood as much as greet the King. Charles was heard wishing him a cheerful birthday they usually had a heat chat.
Talking afterwards, John stated he used to get a lot of presents when he was a toddler as a result of everybody remembered his birthday because it was the identical because the Queen’s.
On being at Buckingham Palace and assembly the King and Royal Household, he stated: ‘It’s extraordinary. I didn’t assume it will occur to any individual like myself.’
He additionally recalled as younger man climbing onto the roof of a constructing in Regent Avenue to observe the Queen’s Coronation procession.
Mary Wooden additionally shares the identical birthday; she is among the many group of visitors turning 100 right now.
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We return to The Daily Mail’s coverage, another time, because it consists of the King’s response to Ms. Wooden’s birthday.
Is it your birthday right now?’ he requested as he gave her a card. ‘Oh how great. The identical as my Mama. That’s marvellous!’ Queen Camilla informed her: ‘You don’t look sufficiently old to be 100!’
Mrs Wooden stated afterwards: ‘I got here right here to satisfy the late Queen when she celebrated her eightieth birthday as mine was additionally on the identical day. And now I’ve met her son. It’s been great and so sudden. I’ve adopted the Royal Household my entire life.’
Right here you see the three centenarians marking their birthdays right now (within the entrance row), together with members of the family. 
Right here you see the third of the three visitors celebrating their a hundredth birthday right now, 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, as she will get prepared to chop the large birthday cake.
The Telegraph reports, “When 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, tasked with slicing a big cake to share with 190 visitors, discovered the knife troublesome to handle, the King – who has had a lifetime of coaching in such issues – smiled and stated: “Let me do this.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh talking with visitors.
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In the course of the reception, the Princess spoke with Tony Gledhill, age 88, who obtained excessive honors for his heroism whereas serving with the Metropolitan Police Power.
Extra from The Telegraph’s piece by Hannah Furness.
The Princess of Wales, greeting guests over their cake and Champagne, clasped an emotional George Cross recipient. Tony Gledhill, 88, informed her that shortly earlier than his spouse of 67 years died, she had urged him to attend the occasion even on his personal.
Hugging him and holding tightly to his arms, the Princess informed him: “We’ll communicate? You should, if you wish to? Writing? Please do.”
Afterwards, Mr Gledhill, a trustee of the VC and GC affiliation, stated the Princess had been “unbelievable”.
A fast video of the Princess and Mr. Gledhill shared by The Mail’s Rebecca English.
The Princess of Wales hugging George Cross hero Tony Gledhill, 88, right now.
He seemed emotional as he shared a second with Catherine,
explaining afterwards that his spouse had lately died – and she or he had informed him he should attend the palace occasion earlier than she died. pic.twitter.com/m4cQmJ87iR— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) April 21, 2026
A gaggle picture of Royal Members of the family memorialized the event.
From left to proper: 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.
The Royal Household posted a video concerning the reception.
The King and Queen, along with members of The Royal Household, have hosted a reception in honour of the a hundredth anniversary of the start of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Amongst visitors had been representatives of The late Queen’s former charities and patronages, in addition to… pic.twitter.com/bwlmxAfrWS
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2026
And right here is the Kensington Palace Instagram submit from this morning marking the day.
Now, for our look at what Kate wore. Right now’s costume is believed to be a bespoke design by Emilia Wickstead, in a shade just like one other Wickstead fashion the Princess has worn a number of instances, the wool-crepe costume seen beneath proper. Sadly, the colour seems slightly off within the heart picture from right now’s reception; I consider the precise coloration is nearer to the picture proven on the left and within the older Emilia Wickstead costume. 
The brand new costume is longer, has extra structured, padded shoulders, and shorter sleeves which are what I’d name bracelet-length. The bodice and waistline are fairly totally different, with deft detailing making a focal point on the decrease bodice, and a full, barely flared skirt. It has slight similarities to the designer’s Collinson Dress.
The Princess repeated her Ralph Lauren ‘Celia’ calfskin pumps ($750). 
She wore the Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings. 
And one of many late Queen’s many three-strand pearl necklaces. I consider the primary time we noticed the Princess sporting this merchandise was for a luncheon for Governors-Common of the Realms attending the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022. 
I’ll go away you with another picture of the Princess from right now’s reception. 
I hope to see you tomorrow or Thursday. Prince Louis has a birthday on Thursday, and I’m hoping a brand new picture of the younger man will likely be launched to mark the event.
VIDEOS:
Buckingham Palace launched this video on social media protecting the occasion on the British Museum.
Right now The King and Queen had been joined by different members of the Royal Household on the British Museum to view a scale mannequin of the brand new nationwide memorial to commemorate the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II.
Their Majesties and Their Royal Highnesses met memorial designer Lord Norman Foster… pic.twitter.com/lNUTF0evJi
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) April 21, 2026
Buckingham Palace additionally launched a video of the King addressing the nation on what would have been the late Queen’s a hundredth birthday. Here’s a portion of that speech.
“God bless you, darling Mama; you stay ceaselessly in our hearts and prayers.”
A particular tribute from His Majesty The King on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s a hundredth birthday.
🔗 Watch in full on The Royal Household YouTube channel: https://t.co/u8jeiFocT5 pic.twitter.com/G8okauVtPZ
— The Royal Household (@RoyalFamily) April 20, 2026
And right here is the complete handle.
