Like all centenarians, Sir David Attenborough was always going to receive a special birthday card from the monarch. But Buckingham Palace was determined that such a landmark in the life of the ultimate 'national treasure' deserved something unique.
Secret Filming at Balmoral
King Charles and Queen Camilla teamed up with the BBC to secretly film an extraordinary tribute, which was aired during Friday night's televised David Attenborough's 100 Years On Planet Earth concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The missive was delivered directly into the birthday boy's hands as he sat in the royal box. Even royal pup Moley made a cameo appearance thanks to the Queen and some carefully hidden cheese.
The short film called A Very Special Delivery, made by BBC Studios' Natural History Unit last month, was a complete surprise to the legendary broadcaster and conservationist, who has spent his life revealing the wonders of the natural world. It opens with the King's piper walking through the grounds of Balmoral Castle before panning to His Majesty, who is penning his tribute to Sir David in the library with Her Majesty's beloved dog scampering around his desk.
Moley's Mischievous Antics
According to royal sources, the 18-month-old Battersea Dogs and Cats' Home rescue pup, adopted by Camilla last year, was 'so excited by the presence of the camera crew' that she proved a 'tad mischievous'. Such was her exuberance that the short clip actually required several takes, and was filmed with the help of the King who held treats above the head of the Yorkshire terrier/chihuahua/Jack Russell cross.
Seven-Decade Friendship
His Majesty then wistfully recounts a seven-decade friendship with Sir David that began when a nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of BBC children's show Zoo Quest in 1958 with his little sister, Princess Anne. As he writes his message, the King pays tribute to the enormous impact Sir David's work has had in unveiling the wonders of nature in ever more inspiring ways, echoing his own deep commitment to protecting the planet for generations to come.
In the background are several family photos, including the late Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to the fact she also enjoyed a friendship with Sir David and would have been celebrating her own 100th birthday this year. Two snowy owl figurines were positioned on his desk by the BBC production team, with the King wearing a tie with elephants on in honour of the occasion.
The Epic Journey
Moley is then seen scampering down the castle corridor as the card begins an epic journey to its recipient. What viewers didn't see, the Daily Mail can reveal, is Queen Camilla hiding behind the castle's balustrade with a piece of cheese in her hand to encourage her dog to run in the right direction. While the card begins its journey in traditional style, carried by butler Tony – one of the King's 'travelling staff' who has worked for the royal household for more than 30 years – on a silver salver to a waiting Land Rover, its progress is dramatically halted by a fallen tree.
To the tune of Take That's Greatest Day, the rescue mission is taken up by a border collie called Flynn, who grabs the card to spark a relay involving a cavalcade of creatures great and small, including eagles, geese, an otter, duck, swan, fox and a deer.
A Surprise Delivery
From the Highlands to towns and waterways across Scotland and England, the card is carried, ferried, flown – and even wedged between the spines of a hedgehog – as it travels to its destination. The journey ends as the slightly tooth and beak-creased envelope is gently delivered through the letterbox of Sir David's London home by a barn owl called Lily. In reality, the card was actually delivered to him at his seat in the royal box on Friday night, much to Sir David's shock and delight.
Royal Reactions
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'His Majesty was delighted to feature in this special tribute to a man who has shared his lifetime commitment to the natural world, and has followed each stage of the filming process with great interest. He was only sorry not to meet Lily the magical barn owl in person.'
'Her Majesty was particularly touched that her mischievous Moley was invited to make a cameo appearance and was on hand with a ready selection of dog treats to help coax a willing performance on the day.'
'The King and Queen send their warmest wishes to Sir David on his special night and hope he enjoys the resulting film as much as they enjoyed making it.'
Prince William's Tribute
While the King was not at the Royal Albert Hall himself, his son, Prince William, took to the stage to pay an emotional tribute, describing how Sir David had been an inspiration to both himself and now his children. The heir to the throne said: 'It is a rare privilege to celebrate a century of life. But it is rarer still when that person has transformed the way we see the only home that we have – Planet Earth.'
Addressing the man himself, he added: 'David, for decades your voice has been a constant in our lives, guiding us through rainforests and oceans, over mountains and into the very fabric of life. Through your boundless curiosity, gentle wisdom and unwavering dedication, you have opened our eyes to the beauty of our planet, and to its fragility, reminding us of our collective responsibility to protect it.'
'You have been a guiding light in the work we now undertake to safeguard the natural world. Long before many of us found our voice on the challenges we face, you were speaking with clarity, urgency and optimism. And it is that sense of urgent optimism that has made all the difference.'
William added: 'Like millions across the world, my children have grown up with your incredible storytelling – a window into the wonders of nature that shaped their understanding of our planet, and their belief that it is something worth fighting for.'
