“In marking the first anniversary of her late majesty’s death and my accession,we recall with great affection her long life,devoted service and all she meant to so many of us,” Charles said in a statement issued on Friday,UK time.
“I am deeply grateful,too,for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all.”
Those last words were an echo of the mantra that Elizabeth repeated throughout her reign.
Charles,who immediately succeeded his mother as king of the United Kingdom and 14 other countries includingAustralia,Canada and New Zealand,and wife Camilla spent most of the day quietly at the Scottish royal home.
There was no major ceremonial event to mark his Accession Day,but Charles and Camilla did attend the nearby Crathie Kirk for private memorial prayers. Afterwards,they chatted to a small crowd outside,including some of those who had worked for the late Queen on her estate.
Buckingham Palace also released a portrait of the late Queen,chosen by Charles,which had previously only been seen in an exhibition.