A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the The Queen's Birthday Reception at the British High Commision, India
Published

This is the first time Catherine and I have been to India and we have been incredibly impressed to see just how much this great country is on the move, and how India’s dynamism is matched by the warmth and welcome of its diverse people.
Thank you, High Commissioner, for your introduction and thank you, distinguished guests, Ministers, and all, for being here tonight.
Tonight, we are celebrating the links between our two countries. This is the first time Catherine and I have been to India and we have been incredibly impressed to see just how much this great country is on the move, and how India’s dynamism is matched by the warmth and welcome of its diverse people.
I am honoured that we also have a chance, tonight, to celebrate a very happy milestone for the United Kingdom and for my family in particular.
Next week, Her Majesty The Queen, my grandmother, turns 90. I am so grateful to all of you for turning out tonight to help us mark that occasion.
The Queen is very fond of India, having visited this great country three times during her reign. And India of course is the biggest country in the Commonwealth, the family of nations to which she has committed so much of her life’s work. India’s contribution to the Commonwealth is something that is enormously important to her.
As my grandmother’s birthday gives us a chance to celebrate the partnership between our nations, I hope you don’t mind if I take the opportunity to pay tribute to The Queen on a more personal note.
I am incredibly lucky to have my grandmother in my life. As she turns 90, she is a remarkably energetic and dedicated guiding force for her family.
And I am so glad that my children are having the chance to get to know The Queen. George and Charlotte, too, will discover how lucky they are to have such a wonderful great-grandmother – a role model for the rest of their lives.
Now, it is important that everyone here tonight understands that I am here as The Queen’s representative. She may be my grandmother, but she is also very much the boss! And with that in mind, she has given me a message that I am privileged to read out to you all tonight:
Prince Philip and I send our warmest good wishes to all you attending this special Garden Party.
I am delighted that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been able to join you this afternoon during their visit to your country.
I have fond memories of our previous visits to India. This event today is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the enduring friendship between our two countries, our shared culture and the business opportunities we can create together.
It is with great pleasure that I entrust another generation of my family to strengthen and renew our bonds.
Signed, Elizabeth R.
Now I can report back to Granny that I have done my duty!
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining with us to wish The Queen a very happy birthday. Bahot dhanyavaad.
Related content

More details on the upcoming State Visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan

The Duke of Cambridge visits Kuwait and Oman

A message from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to The President of Pakistan

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge & The Duke and Duchess of Sussex message countries affected by Cyclone Idai

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018




The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Canada

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the launch of Canada's contribution to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy
Her Majesty is immensely grateful to you, and the people of Canada, for the leadership you have shown in making this contribution






A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Arrival Reception in Mumbai, India
No-one can come here without being awed and amazed; no-one can come without a sense of excitement about all that India has achieved in the past and the extraordinary promise...


Further details of The Duke and Duchess's tour to India and Bhutan announced
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: Spring 2016 visit announcement

A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at Independence Day celebrations in Malta
This really is a most beautiful country.
The Duchess of Cambridge will no longer visit Malta this weekend. The Duke of Cambridge will undertake the visit instead.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Istana, Singapore
We are excited, and delighted to be here.
A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the Rolls Royce campus, Seletar, Singapore
These are landmark achievements.