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The Queen's touching tribute to Camilla in Charles' birthday toast


Prince Charles may have had a tumultuous love life over the years but the Queen has paid tribute to his wife, Camilla, in a touching speech at her son’s 70th birthday party.

The whole royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, congregated in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night to celebrate Charles’ life achievements.

And in a sweet moment during the glitzy party, the Queen gave a nod to everything her son’s wife has done for him over the years.

The Queen paid tribute to Camilla in her speech at Prince Charles’ birthday party. Photo: Getty Images
The Queen paid tribute to Camilla in her speech at Prince Charles’ birthday party. Photo: Getty Images

“Over his 70 years, Philip and I have seen Charles become a champion of conservation and the arts, a great charitable leader — a dedicated and respected heir to the throne to stand comparison with any in history — and a wonderful father,” the Queen said in her toast.

“Most of all, sustained by his wife Camilla, he is his own man, passionate and creative.

“So this toast is to wish a happy birthday to my son, in every respect a duchy original. To you Charles. To the Prince of Wales.”

Earlier in the speech, the Queen expressed her joy at being able to celebrate her son’s birthday with him.

“It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday,” the monarch said.

The whole royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, congregated in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night to celebrate Charles’ life achievements. Photo: Getty Imagesat
The whole royal family, including Kate Middleton, Prince William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, congregated in Buckingham Palace on Wednesday night to celebrate Charles’ life achievements. Photo: Getty Imagesat
Prince Charles and Camilla have had a rocky road to love. They wed in an intimate ceremony in 2005, surrounded by both of their families.
Prince Charles and Camilla have had a rocky road to love. They wed in an intimate ceremony in 2005, surrounded by both of their families.

“It means that you have lived long enough to see your child grow up. It is rather like —to use an analogy I am certain will find favour — planting a tree and being able to watch it grow.

“My mother saw me turn 70, of course. And she was heard to observe that 70 is exactly the age when the number of candles on your cake finally exceeds the amount of breath you have to blow them out.”

Indeed, Prince Charles and Camilla have had a rocky road to love.

They dated for when they were 23, but ended things when Prince Charles joined the navy.

Camilla famously married Andrew Parker Bowles in 1973 and Prince Charles walked down the aisle with Princess Diana in 1981.

However, within years the pair embarked on a highly publicized affair and after both of their divorces came through, they officially began dating.

They wed in an intimate ceremony in 2005, surrounded by both of their families.

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