Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth in June 2022.Photo: Hannah McKay/getty
Prince WilliamandKing Charlesare honoring the lateQueen Elizabeth.
The father and son teamed up to plant a tree to mark the monarch’s life at one of her favorite places — Sandringham. It also marked the end of a sentimental last project for the Queen — the planting of millions of saplings across the U.K.
TheQueen’s Green Canopykicked off as a project for her Platinum Jubilee in October 2021, and it was extended as a memorial project to her following her death last September.
Members of the public, youth organizations, and celebrities from Judi Dench to Joanna Lumley and Sir David Attenborough, and local authorities have all planted trees in support of the project, which has totaled more than 3 million trees, the organization says.
TheQueen’s Green Canopybegan in the fall of 2021, when Charles and his motherpaired up at Balmoral in Scotland,to plant a copper beech tree.
Today, as the last sapling was planted, King Charles released a statement looking back at that moment, and praising the members of the public who have planted an astonishing three million trees.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles at Balmoral.PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo
“It is hard to believe that two years have passed since my mother and I planted a tree in Windsor Great Park to mark the commencement of The Queen’s Green Canopy,” Charles, 74, wrote. “As the second planting season draws to a close, and with it, this vitally important initiative, particularly wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone from across the United Kingdom who has helped to plant over three million trees to create an enduring legacy inQueen Elizabeth’s name.”
“This project has shown how simple, practical and positive gestures can make a big difference, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to Her late Majesty’s seventy-year reign.”
He signed the message: “Charles R.”
William andKate Middletonplanted a tree in Wales in March 2022. Last December, Princess Kate also planted a wild cherry tree in Dean’s Yard at Westminster Abbey ahead of her carol concert.
Kate Middleton and Prince William plant a tree in Wales on March 1.Samir Hussein/WireImage
A unique mosaic artwork using thousands of images of people with their Platinum Jubilee and memorial trees has also been created to show a green canopy depicting the late Queen’s EIIR cipher.
Prince William and Kate Middleton plant a tree in Wales on March 1.Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Shutterstock
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
There are three legacy projects that will continue to spread the message of the Queen’s initiative: Coronation Trees, which will see a tree in each of the 98 Lieutenancies, or regions that have a royal representative, in the U.K.; the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Awards, which will help young people get involved in tree planting alongside volunteers; and funds from the official The Queen’s Green Canopy book will be given to partners of the project The Conservation Volunteers, Trees for Cities and The Tree Council.
source: people.com
