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 one hundredth birthday.
Earlier than the Palace reception, many Royal Relations, 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.) 
Relations and visitors considered a scale mannequin of the brand new nationwide memorial commemorating the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth II, a tribute that may overlook The Mall in central London. We study extra from Hey’s story.
On the British Museum, Charles and Camilla have been proven the ultimate designs for a memorial to the King’s late mom. One in all these incorporates 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 paintings 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 this moment ❤️
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 by way of this Hey story.
Company 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 workers utilizing repurposed historic drapes and curtains was strung from the ceiling, whereas The Band of the Family Cavalry offered a full of life backdrop of latest songs.
A large view of the celebration.
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And from The Every day Mail’s article.
The reception was designed to have fun 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 Pink Cross Society, Jockey Membership, Royal Kennel Membership and the Military Benevolent Fund.
Beneath, the Princess Royal on the reception.
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It was a delight to see the Duke of Kent at right this moment’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 this moment. 
Amongst these celebrating birthdays right this moment 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 by way of the Mail’s piece.
John Jervois, who served with the Royal Alerts in Second World Conflict within the Far East, stood as much as greet the King. Charles was heard wishing him a cheerful birthday and so they had a heat chat.
Talking afterwards, John stated he used to get numerous presents when he was a baby 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 suppose it could occur to any individual like myself.’
He additionally recalled as younger man climbing onto the roof of a constructing in Regent Road to look at the Queen’s Coronation procession.
Mary Wooden additionally shares the identical birthday; she is among the many group of visitors turning 100 right this moment.
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We return to The Every day Mail’s protection, yet one more time, because it contains the King’s response to Ms. Wooden’s birthday.
Is it your birthday right this moment?’ he requested as he gave her a card. ‘Oh how great. The identical as my Mama. That’s marvellous!’ Queen Camilla instructed 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 surprising. I’ve adopted the Royal Household my entire life.’
Right here you see the three centenarians marking their birthdays right this moment (within the entrance row), together with members of the family. 
Right here you see the third of the three visitors celebrating their one hundredth birthday right this moment, 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, as she will get prepared to chop the massive birthday cake.
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The Telegraph experiences, “When 100-year-old Joan Illingworth, tasked with chopping 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 try this.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh talking with visitors.
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Throughout 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, instructed 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 palms, the Princess instructed him: “We’ll communicate? You could, 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 this moment.
He regarded emotional as he shared a second with Catherine,
explaining afterwards that his spouse had just lately died – and she or he had instructed him he should attend the palace occasion earlier than she died. pic.twitter.com/m4cQmJ87iR— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) April 21, 2026
A bunch photograph of Royal Relations 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 one hundredth anniversary of the start of Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Amongst visitors have 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 put up from this morning marking the day.
Now, for our look at what Kate wore. Immediately’s costume is believed to be a bespoke design by Emilia Wickstead, in a shade just like one other Wickstead model the Princess has worn a number of occasions, the wool-crepe costume seen beneath proper. Sadly, the colour seems to be a little bit off within the middle photograph from right this moment’s reception; I consider the precise shade is nearer to the photograph 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 completely 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 Gown.
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 carrying this merchandise was for a luncheon for Governors-Normal of the Realms attending the late Queen’s funeral in September 2022. 
I’ll go away you with yet one more photograph of the Princess from right this moment’s reception. 
I hope to see you tomorrow or Thursday. Prince Louis has a birthday on Thursday, and I’m hoping a brand new photograph of the younger man will likely be launched to mark the event.
VIDEOS:
Buckingham Palace launched this video on social media masking the occasion on the British Museum.
Immediately The King and Queen have 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 one hundredth birthday. Here’s a portion of that speech.
“God bless you, darling Mama; you stay endlessly in our hearts and prayers.”
A particular tribute from His Majesty The King on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s one 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 total deal with.
