the person, image and voice that and the conservationism that thousands of Britons profess, celebrated his 100th birthday with thousands of them this Friday night at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Next to him, in the box, was the Prince of Wales, William of England, in charge of paying tribute with the greatest possible honors to one of the most beloved men in the English country. “It is a very special privilege to be able to celebrate 100 years of life, but it is even more unique when it is the birthday of the person who has transformed our vision of the only home we have, Planet Earth,” said the prince.
Thousands of people had flocked to the venue to celebrate Attenborough’s decades-long achievements, and his most special and iconic moments that have been broadcast, admired and awarded around the world.
But one of the most special moments of the gala was the video starring King Charles III from Balmoral Castle, the favorite place of his mother, Elizabeth II, of incomparable harsh and wild beauty. Like the late queen, even better given his youthful experience in the theatre, the monarch writes a beautiful letter of congratulations to Atttenborough from the castle study. dress tweed, the quintessential Scottish fabric with which he is associated with the upper class and the English countryside, Charles III writes in pen and his voice narrates the text: “Over the decades to audiences around the world in new and wonderful ways. In doing so, you have shared my determination to highlight the urgent need to protect and preserve this precious planet of ours and all life on Earth for future generations,” he says.
The best comes next. The dog in charge of carrying the envelope to its recipient, aboard an SUV that travels through the Scottish landscape, sees his journey interrupted by a fallen tree in the middle of the road. From there begins an adventure like Strogoff’s Tsar’s Mail, but starring all the fascinating creatures that have populated Attenborough’s documentaries for years.
The dog gives the letter to a hawk, when he sees that the cliffs will not allow him to continue his journey. The hawk will throw the letter to a hedgehog, which will be replaced by a squirrel, then a goose, an otter, a swan from London parks, a duck, a stray fox that will walk hidden through the streets of the metropolis, a deer and an owl, which will be the one to deposit the congratulations in the diver.
Attenborough, in the Royal Hall box, shows the entire audience the dirty and worn letter that he already has in his hands, and stands up to show it to everyone.
Guests and music
Throughout the evening of tribute, many celebrities wanted to send, through video messages, their congratulations to the naturalist. “Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for our wonderful planet and its inhabitants,” said actor Leonardo DiCaprio. “Thank you for everything you have given us over the years. The world is a much better place thanks to you,” added actress Olivia Colman. The great lady of cinema and theater, Judi Dench, joined her; Coldplay singer Chirs Martin; the actress and screenwriter of the series FleabagPhoebe Waller-Bridge, singer Camilla Cabello; the composer, Hans Zimmer, and even the legendary children’s character, Paddington Bear.
During the night the orchestra recreated the soundtrack that accompanied some of the sequences starring Attenborough that have gone down in history and remained in the retina and memory of millions of viewers, such as the battle between snakes and iguanas of Planet Earth II.
All attendees, who saw a complete review of Attenborough’s life and work on the big screen, ended the gala by singing the Happy Birthday to the honoree, who could not help but show, through his eyes and smile, the emotion at the recognition and affection towards him and his work.
