King Charles III made a touching tribute to his mother with the photo he displayed on his desk during his first televised address to the nation. Throughout his speech, the monarch heaped praise upon Queen Elizabeth II, thanking her for her long-standing commitment to the nation. "Queen Elizabeth's was a life well lived. A promise that destiny kept. She is mourned most deeply in her passing," he said.
Talking of her dedication, he added: "In 1947 on her 21st birthday she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life whether it be short or love to the service of her peoples.
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"That was more than a promise. It was a profound personal commitment which defined her own life."
But he also paid tribute to her by including a framed photo of the late monarch on his desk, positioned so as to be clearly visible in the pre-recorded address, filmed in Buckingham Palace.
The photo may have also subtly paid tribute to his mother's talent as a horsewoman, as it appears to have been taken during the 2009 Trooping of the Colour.
The annual parade, thrown in celebration of the monarch's birthday, is one of the nation's favourite royal events, with its grand traditions and military spectacle.
Like in the picture chosen, the Queen was often pictured beaming during the event, which celebrates and displays equestrian skill.
Her Majesty was of course a keen horse rider herself, having first taken to a saddle aged three, and she continued her riding well into her 90s.
Following the address, viewers took to Twitter to praise King Charles for his "beautiful words" and shared their sadness at seeing the Queen's photo on the desk.
One person wrote: "Well done #KingCharles for getting through that. So very emotional. Sad seeing the Queen's photo on the desk. Lovely words made me cry....again! #GodSaveTheKing
Another said: "Seeing the photo of queen Elizabeth on the desk next to Charles. Has me crying my eyes out. Charles speech was beautiful written. #QueenElizabeth #KingCharles."
This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain's longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pull-outs.
