King Charles Pays Emotional Tribute to Queen Elizabeth on the First UK Mother's Day Since Her Death

"To all mothers everywhere, and to those who may be missing their mums today, we are thinking of you and wishing you a special #MothersDay," the Royal Family posted.

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jeff J Mitchell

By Shruti Menon

March 21, 2023

Posted March 21, 2023

King Charles III is remembering his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, on his first UK Mother's Day without the monarch, per PEOPLE. On Sunday, March 19, the official Instagram page for the British Royal Family, shared an image of the King when he was a young boy along with his mother the late Queen. The post also featured Queen-Consort Camilla, 75, and her mother, Rosalind Shand, who died in 1994. The post read, "To all mothers everywhere, and to those who may be missing their mums today, we are thinking of you and wishing you a special #MothersDay."

The Queen died in September 2022 at age 96, bringing her historic 70-year reign to an end. King Charles III ascended the throne after the death of his mother. The 74-year-old British monarch addressed the United Kingdom on the first full day of his reign in a nearly 9-minute long speech. "I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow. Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen – my beloved Mother – was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding, and example," he said, per Town&Country. "Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today," he added.

The British royal concluded his speech by addressing his mother as "my darling Mama" and biding her farewell "as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May 'flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest'."

King Charles also mentioned his youngest son and his wife in his inaugural speech following the Queen's death. "I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas." His coronation will take place on May 6 of this year and has invited Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to the event but whether they will head to the UK for the event remains unclear.

“An immediate decision on whether the Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time," a spokesperson told Harper's Bazaar. The coronation ceremony of King Charles and Camilla, the Queen Consort will have three days of events making up a long celebratory weekend in the U.K. The event will occur at Westminster Abbey on Saturday followed by a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle. On Monday, May 8 which will be a public holiday, the Coronation "Big Lunch" will take place across the country where even members of the public are encouraged to volunteer and share “food and fun” together.