The Princess of Wales shared a tender moment with a heroic former Metropolitan Police officer at a celebration event on what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday
The Princess of Wales showed her tender side when she embraced a heroic former copper at a celebration event for what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday.
Retired Metropolitan Police officer Tony Gledhill, 88, was awarded the George Cross for his role in chasing down and subduing a gang of dangerous armed criminals in August 1966. Mr Gledhill was on patrol with a partner when they were ordered to a pursue a vehicle that was driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
The police car they were driving was shot at fifteen times and both officers were injured, but the pair managed to subdue the criminals after they crashed into a lorry. Gledhill, who was recently widowed following the death of his wife, later said the future queen was “fantastic”, according to the Daily Mirror.
The emotional event celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 100th birthday was kicked off by the King, who referred to the late monarch as his “darling mama”.
King Charles III said: “Today, as we mark what would have been my beloved mother’s one hundredth birthday, my Family and I pause to reflect on the life and loss of a Sovereign who meant so much to us all and to celebrate anew the many blessings of her memory.
“Queen Elizabeth’s ‘promise with destiny kept’ shaped the world around her and touched the lives of countless people across our nation, the Commonwealth and beyond.
“Her near-century was one of remarkable change and yet, through each passing decade, through every transformation, she remained constant, steadfast and wholly devoted to the people she served.”
The king also helped cut a cake that was then handed out to the 190 guests in attendance at Buckingham Palace, some of whom were celebrating their 100th birthday, as well as giving out personally designed birthday cards alongside his wife Queen Camilla.
The King and Queen were also joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the 90-year-old Duke of Kent, and 89-year-old Princess Alexandra.
Also in attendance were representatives from 45 of the many charities and patronages supported by Queen Elizabeth in her lifetime, including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.
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