Queen to throw lavish party for Charles’s 70th
She will say a few fond words
THE Queen is to throw a lavish party for Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace to celebrate his 70th birthday.
Invitations to hundreds of family and friends have secretly gone out for the private bash, which will be held in the State Rooms on Wednesday, November 14, the prince’s birthday.
A series of events are already being organised to publicly celebrate the milestone but it is his ‘mama’s’ gesture that will mean so much to Charles – who in April 2011 became the longestserving heir apparent in British history. Palace insiders say the Queen will say a few fond but amusing words about her son and heir on the day, with even a 70yearold future king appreciating a pat on the back from his mother.
To mark the occasion, the Prince of Wales and his team have also cooperated with a major new BBC television documentary – a crew have been following the heir to the throne around for months – and two magazine profiles.
ITV is broadcasting a oneoff night of comedy and magic at the London Palladium, entitled We Are Most Amused And Amazed, with the proceeds going towards his Prince’s Trust charity. And plans are under way to release a birthday portrait and organise engagements involving members of the public and his charities on the day.
Details of Charles’s birthday party, organised by the Queen’s private office and paid for out of her own funds, are a closely guarded secret.
But guests will, of course, include Charles and Camilla’s families, as well as European royalty.
It is anticipated Prince Philip will also make a rare public appearance, although he is unlikely to stay much beyond the toasts and speeches.
It is understood Charles’s righthand man, his controversial former valet Michael Fawcett, is taking a role in overseeing proceedings too, even though it is a Buckingham Palace event.
It comes after a tumultuous year in the royal household, with a number of the Queen’s officials leaving in what one insider described as a ‘coup’ by Charles’s staff.
But in recent months the squabbles have died down, and Charles is, insiders say, as content as he ever has been. In particular, Charles’s bond with his younger son Prince Harry is warmer than it has been for many years – helped by the close relationship he has built with his daughterinlaw Meghan.
It is also hoped Prince William, who has not always had the easiest relationship with his father, may even pay a rare public tribute to him in the run up to his big day, although nothing has been confirmed.