TODAY'S ROYAL AGENDA:
- Prince William attends concert for Sir David Attenborough
- Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie party with Taylor Swift
- Royal tributes pour in for Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday
- The Queen meets Ebony Horse Club riders at Badminton Horse Trials
- William and Kate host Buckingham Palace Garden Party
The royal box
J'adore this image of the Prince of Wales welcoming Sir David to the royal box.
© Andrew Parsons / Kensington PalaceCharles' appearance
Guests inside the concert were treared to a performance from Bastille frontman Dan Smith and the BBC Concert Orchestra to kick things off, before the King appeared via video.
Charles was seen writing Sir David's royal 100th birthday card and offering his “warmest congratulations” in the clip.
Charles said in the clip that Sir David had “revealed the beauty and wonder of nature to audiences all around the world in new and marvellous ways”.
He also praised Sir David for sharing his desire to “highlight” the need to preserve the planet.
The King added: “I wish you, on behalf of the whole nation, a very happy 100th birthday.”
Charles's short film
The King shot the short film sitting at his desk in the library of Balmoral Castle with the Queen’s dog Moley keeping him company.
The video saw the King assisted by the animal kingdom in delivering a handwritten message to Sir David Attenborough as he celebrates his 100th birthday.
A fallen tree threatens the journey of the birthday note but animals including an eagle, a fox, a red squirrel and an otter come to the rescue and traverse the nation with the royal dispatch.
In the note, the King recounted a seven-decade friendship with Sir David that began when the then nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of the BBC children’s programme Zoo Quest in 1958 with his sister Princess Anne.
He writes: "It is amazing to think that you and I have known one another for more than 60 years."
"Over those decades you have revealed the beauty and wonders of nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways," wrote the King.
“In so doing you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet of ours and all life on earth for future generations.
“Thank you then for all that you have done. And on behalf of the whole nation I wish you a very happy 100th birthday.”
Watch Charles' appearance
Watch the short film here:
Inside the making of the video
Our very own Emily Nash has all the inside scoop on how the brilliant four-minute long video came together, with the BBC's Natural History Unit working with the Palace to produce the film.
The King even personally requested some of his favourite species, including the owl and an endangered red squirrel!
Read the full feature here.
Prince William gives speech
The Prince of Wales has taken to the stage to pay tribute to Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday.
Calling him a “guiding light in the work we now undertake to safeguard the natural world," William said the naturalist and broadcaster has inspired generations of people, adding that his own children, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, “have grown up with your incredible storytelling - a window into the wonders of nature that shaped their understanding of our planet, and their belief that it is something worth fighting for”.
The prince, who established the Earthshot Prize in 2020, said Sir David has been a big influence in his own life.
Read William's full speech here.
A-list tributes
The concert for Sir David also saw video speeches from major A-listers including Leonardo Dicaprio who thanked Sir David Attenborough for his work to preserve “our very precious planet and all of its inhabitants".
Also paying tribute was Australian actress Cate Blanchett, who said: “I hope you’re surrounded by those you love and those who love you.”
Camilla Cabello said his programmes made her feel “connected to something bigger than myself," and Chic star Nile Rodgers added that he could not think of anyone he respected more.
Right Royal Podcast
Have you listened to this week's episode of A Right Royal Podcast?
In this week’s episode, we’re back in the studio with all the behind-the-scenes secrets from the King and Queen’s whirlwind trip to Washington, and our royal experts break down why this trip was the ultimate "reset" for the monarchy.
Plus, we look ahead to the Princess of Wales’ upcoming trip to Italy and why this is the perfect stage for her return to the global spotlight.
Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
That's a wrap!
That's all from us this week, folks! Have a wonderfully royal weekend.
