Prince Charles Joins The Queen To Plant Oak On Grounds Of Windsor Castle

May 17, 2021 by apost team

Now that Queen Elizabeth II has turned 95 years old, plans are in order to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. Born on April 21, 1926, the queen turned 95 years old shortly after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Philip, on April 9, 2021. Prince Charles led Prince Philip's funeral session at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.

Most recently, the queen opened parliament on May 11, 2021, accompanied by Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla. This was the queen's first public royal duty outside and not online, since Prince Philip's death. Now, the queen and Prince Charles have joined together to plank oak trees on the grounds of Windsor Castle, in honor of Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubliee that will take place in 2022. 

Despite rumors of the queen stepping down after turning 95 and handing over the throne to her son Prince Charles, the queen is still fulfilling her duty to serve the British Monarchy, despite her age and the passing of her beloved husband. The planting of trees at Windsor Castle marks the beginning of an initiative the queen has started in honor of her jubilee, in an effort to keep the United Kingdom green. The initiative encourages people across all of the UK to plant trees through the end of 2022, in order to create a legacy in honor of the queen's leadership and to benefit future generations. 

Read on to learn more about the queen and Prince Charles planting oak trees, as well as more about the Platinum Jubilee coming up in 2022. 

Since Prince Philip's passing, Prince Charles has been by his mother Queen Elizabeth II's side for several royal engagements. After leading the funeral procession, Prince Charles and his wife Duchess Camilla accompanied the queen to the Parliament Opening on May 11, 2021. This was the queen's first major public ceremonial duty since her husband's death. Philip, who was the nation's longest-reigning consort, passed away on April 9, 2021. 

The queen, 95, has kept up with her work as sovereign at Windsor Castle even though she has been mourning the loss of her beloved husband of 73 years.

Her appearance at the State Opening was the queen's first official time in public while in her role as the UK's head of state, and her first event outside of Windsor Castle since Prince Philip's passing just over a month ago.

Her son Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, joined the queen at the event, but there was considerably less pomp than usual due to current and recent events. The queen, wearing a normal day dress and hat, traveled from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster via car.

Charles has already been at his mother's side for the last three state openings in December 2019, October 2019, and June 2017. He took over for his father after Prince Philip fell ill with an infection and then retired from his public duties as a royal in 2017.

Now, the queen and Prince Charles have joined each other again to plant oak trees at Windsor Castle in honor of launching an initiative for the queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

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The queen's initiative is called, The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), and it's encouraging people across the United Kingdom to plant trees through to the end of 2022 in honor of the queen's Platinum Jubilee. According to the official royal website, Royal Jubilees have been used throughout history as a time to celebrate significant periods in monarchs' reigns, and the queen "has had significant jubilee celebrations in 1977 (for her Silver Jubilee), 2002 (for her Golden Jubilee) and 2012 (for her Diamond Jubilee)."

The QGC website explains how the initiative is both a symbolic and concrete effort in celebrating the queen's legacy. The website read:

"With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage planting of trees to create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations.  As well as inviting the planting of new trees, The Queen’s Green Canopy will dedicate a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the United Kingdom and identify 70 Ancient Trees to celebrate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service."

According to the BBC, Prince Charles commented on the green effect of the initiative, as he said:

"Whether you are an individual hoping to plant a single sapling in your garden, a school or community group planting a tree, a council, charity or business intending to plant a whole avenue of trees or a farmer looking to create new hedgerows, everyone across the country can get involved."

A Platinum Jubilee medal will also be created to mark the occasion, which is set to take place in June of 2022. The medal will be presented to people who work in public service, including those in medical services and the Armed Forces. 

What do you think of The Queen's Green Canopy initiative? Will you be planting a tree in honor of the queen's Platinum Jubilee? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to your friends and family!