The last time all 11 senior working royals were in a formal photograph together was three years ago, on the occasion of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation. Today, on the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth , they reunited at Buckingham Palace.
The royals gathered to host a reception welcoming:
- Representatives from a selection of Queen Elizabeth’s many patronages
- A select group of centenarians (people celebrating their 100th birthdays today)
While the attendance of King Charles and Queen Camilla was confirmed in advance, it was a surprise that Princess Alexandra, 89 , and the Duke of Kent, 90 , were among those in attendance. The siblings, first cousins of the late Queen Elizabeth, have significantly scaled back on their public appearances in recent years.
Who Are the Senior Working Royals?
The term “senior working royals” has always been somewhat nebulous. As Town & Country explained in 2020 (when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back):
“It is typically used to refer to those adult relatives of the British monarch who are high up in the line of succession, and their spouses. They are full-time working members of the royal family, perform regular duties…and are highly visible representatives of the monarchy both in the UK and abroad.”
For this photograph, 11 senior working royals posed together.
The Photograph – Who’s Who (Left to Right)
Here is a guide to the 11 senior working royals in the historic photograph:
| Position | Royal | Relation to Queen Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester | Wife of Prince Richard (first cousin) |
| 2 | Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester | First cousin |
| 3 | Prince Edward, Duke of Kent | First cousin (seated, holding a cane) |
| 4 | Prince William | Grandson; heir to the throne |
| 5 | King Charles | Son; current monarch |
| 6 | Queen Camilla | Daughter-in-law (by marriage to Charles) |
| 7 | Princess Anne | Daughter |
| 8 | Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh | Son |
| 9 | Princess Alexandra | First cousin (seated, in blue) |
| 10 | Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh | Daughter-in-law (by marriage to Prince Edward) |
Note: The article lists 10 names but states “all 11 senior working royals.” The 11th may refer to a spouse or additional royal not explicitly named in the lineup description.
Who Was Not Included
Notably absent from the photograph is Princess Anne’s husband, Sir Timothy Laurence . He is not technically a senior working royal, though he was included in the coronation portrait. Laurence did not appear to be in attendance at the reception.
Also attending the British Museum event with many senior royals this morning was Lady Sarah Chatto , Princess Margaret’s only daughter. However:
- She was not at the Palace reception
- She is not a senior working royal
Surprise Appearances – Princess Alexandra and Duke of Kent
The presence of Princess Alexandra (89) and the Duke of Kent (90) was unexpected. Both are first cousins of Queen Elizabeth II and have significantly scaled back public appearances in recent years due to age.
| Royal | Age | Relation to Queen Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Alexandra | 89 | First cousin |
| Duke of Kent | 90 | First cousin |
Their attendance at the centenary reception suggests the importance of the occasion – honoring Queen Elizabeth’s legacy on what would have been her 100th birthday.
The Reception – Honoring Queen Elizabeth’s Patronages and Centenarians
The Buckingham Palace reception had two main groups of guests:
| Guest Group | Description |
|---|---|
| Patronage representatives | From organizations Queen Elizabeth supported throughout her reign |
| Centenarians | People also celebrating their 100th birthday on April 21, 2026 |
The choice to invite centenarians is particularly poignant: Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926. Those turning 100 on the same date share her birth anniversary.
The Significance of the Date – April 21, 1926 – April 21, 2026
| Timeline | Event |
|---|---|
| April 21, 1926 | Queen Elizabeth II born |
| February 6, 1952 | Became Queen at age 25 |
| September 8, 2022 | Died at age 96 |
| April 21, 2026 | Would have been 100 years old |
Queen Elizabeth reigned for 70 years and 214 days – the longest of any British monarch. Her centenary is being marked with various commemorations, of which this Buckingham Palace reception is one.
Comparing to the Coronation Portrait (2023)
The last time all 11 senior working royals posed together was for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s coronation in May 2023.
| Occasion | Date | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Coronation portrait | May 2023 | Following Charles and Camilla’s crowning |
| Centenary photograph | April 21, 2026 | Buckingham Palace reception |
The composition has changed slightly – some royals have aged, and public roles have shifted – but the core group remains consistent.
The Royal Family’s Public Messaging
The release of this photograph on the centenary of Queen Elizabeth’s birth serves several purposes:
| Purpose | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Honor legacy | Celebrate the late Queen’s life and service |
| Show unity | Present a united royal family |
| Reassure public | Demonstrate continuity after Charles’s accession |
| Generate positive coverage | Counter recent negative headlines |
The image of all senior working royals together – including the rarely-seen Princess Alexandra and Duke of Kent – projects stability and tradition.
A Fitting Tribute to the Late Queen
The reunion of all 11 senior working royals at Buckingham Palace on the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth is a rare and historic moment. The last such photograph was taken at the coronation of King Charles in 2023.
The reception honored both the late Queen’s vast network of patronages and living centenarians sharing her birth date. The surprise appearances of Princess Alexandra (89) and the Duke of Kent (90) – first cousins who have largely withdrawn from public life – underscored the significance of the occasion.
As the royal family continues to navigate the post-Elizabeth era, images like this one serve as a reminder of continuity, duty, and the enduring legacy of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II would have been 100 years old on April 21, 2026. Her family marked the day with dignity, service, and a rare family portrait.
