The King has paid a tender tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 100th birthday, saying his “darling mama” will “remain forever ‌in our hearts and prayers”.

Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning and longest-lived monarch, was born on April 21, 1926, and spent 70 ‌years on the throne before her death in September 2022 aged 96.

In a televised statement on Tuesday, the King ‌said his mother had shaped the world around her, and touched the lives of countless people.

“Today, as we mark what would have been my beloved mother’s 100th 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,” he said.

“Millions will remember her for moments of national significance. Many others ​for a fleeting personal encounter, a smile, a kind word that lifted spirits, or for that marvellous twinkle of the eye when sharing a marmalade sandwich with Paddington Bear in the final months of her life.”

Elizabeth was not expected to become queen when she was born. But after her uncle Edward VIII abdicated to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, ⁠her father became King George VI when she was 10. She ‌then ​became queen herself in 1952, aged just 25.

“Today, as we mark what would have been my beloved mother’s 100th 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,” he said in his message, recorded at Balmoral Castle earlier this month.

“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 sounded a sombre note.

“Much about the times we now live in I suspect may have troubled her deeply, but I take heart from her belief that goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is never far from the horizon,” he said.

To mark the centenary of Elizabeth’s birth, the royal family has several engagements this week. On Monday, the King and Queen visited a new exhibition at Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth: Her Life and Style, which is dedicated to her ​fashion.

On Tuesday, the King and other royals will visit the British Museum to view the final designs for a national memorial to Elizabeth in London’s St James’ Park, featuring statues of the queen and ​her ​late husband Prince Philip.

Princess Anne, the late monarch’s only daughter, will officially open the Queen Elizabeth II Garden in London’s Regent’s Park later on Tuesday, while the King will host a reception at Buckingham Palace in the evening.

“Much about the times we now live in, I suspect, may have troubled her deeply, but ​I take heart from her belief that goodness will always prevail and that a brighter dawn is ​never far from the horizon,” the King ⁠said.

“God bless you, darling mama. You remain forever in our hearts and prayers.”

-with AAP