Queen Elizabeth II 100th birthday: here’s how to celebrate

Commemorations are in order to celebrate what would have been the late Queen Elizabeth II 100^th birthday on the 21^st of April. We take a look at how you can experience this significant moment of British history – from memorial visits and the Royal parks to the comfort of your own couch…

Words: Amy Dowrick | Images: Shutterstock

Honouring what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to lead two days of official commemorations across London, including a national address, the unveiling of a memorial in St James’s Park, the opening of a dedicated garden in Regent’s Park and a landmark exhibition at The King’s Gallery (phew).

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” says Press Secretary to the late monarch, Ailsa Anderson. “It’s a moment of reflection, celebration, and honouring a monarch who has been beautiful, steadfast and loyal – and has served this country and the Commonwealth to the best of her ability.”

“I think that it’s such a short distance between when she passed and to the 100^th that it’s given a chance for us to reflect upon the rain,” adds Royal Editor of The London Standard, Robert Jobson. “We had those major moments when we all came together, and the Queen played such an important role in those.”

So if you’d like to take part in the celebrations, here’s what to look out for:

Where to go

St. James’s Park, London

A permanent memorial unveiling two statues of the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, is to be erected in St James’s Park this month. These will be shared alongside a “Unity” Bridge to replace the Blue Bridge, whose new cast-glass design will be inspired by the Queen Mary Fringe tiara worn by Elizabeth II on her wedding day. The memorial will be divided into several gardens and green spaces, including one dedicated to the Commonwealth.

Regent’s Park, London

Princess Anne is set to inaugurate an official garden dedicated to her mother in London’s Regent’s Park, opening its doors to the public on April 27^th. The garden will transform a disused plant nursery into a two-acre garden, and feature plants loved by Elizabeth II during her lifetime, as well as species that promote biodiversity.

Buckingham Palace

Although this one isn’t open to the public, it’s worth a watch. The royal family has invited representatives from several of the late monarch’s hundreds of patronages to join them at the palace to reflect on her extraordinary life and legacy, as well as inviting fellow centenarians to mark their own.

According to the Palace, “Their Majesties will be joined by centenarians who are celebrating their 100th birthdays on this date and, as birthday cake is served, His Majesty will have the opportunity to present them with their centenary cards in-person.”

And yes – there will be cake.

Royal Collection Trust

The exhibition ‘Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style’ runs from 10th April to 18th October 2026, and takes place at The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, showcasing around 200 items of clothing worn in all ten decades of her life. King Charles III and Camilla will be visiting on April 20 to kickstart the late monarch’s celebrations.

Royal gun salutes

Royal gun salutes are fired annually on 21st April to celebrate the birthday of the reigning monarch, so head to Windsor Great Park, Hyde Park and the Tower of London to view the spectacle.

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What to watch

If you aren’t local to London but would still like a slice of commemorative birthday cake, here’s how you can tune in from the comfort of your own throne:

Queen Elizabeth II: Her Story, Our Century

This new BBC documentary will explore a century of change throughout Queen Elizabeth II’s life. Featuring contributions from Dame Helen Mirren, Barack Obama, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Sheila Hancock and HM Queen Camilla, among others, the film brings together a remarkable range of voices sharing personal memories of meeting The Queen. It’s set to be a truly intimate insight into both the monarch and the world she helped to shape.

First watch: Sunday 21:00 BBC One

100 Years Of The Queen and Queen Elizabeth: 100 Years of Style

Amazon Prime sees host Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen of True Royalty joined by expert guests, discussing key moments from her extraordinary reign as well as some of her most iconic looks.

What to buy

Mark the moment with some limited edition socks, build on your Royal collection of stamps or re-vamp your afternoon tea with these exclusive gifts to mark the centenary:

100th Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II 2026 Strike On The Day Sovereign

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Centenary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth II Stamp Set

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Queen Elizabeth II Centenary China Collection

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Burberry

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Her Life In Style Compact Umbrella

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