Like all centenarians, Sir David Attenborough was always going to get a special birthday card from the monarch today.
But Buckingham Palace was determined that such a landmark in the life of Britain’s ultimate ‘national treasure’ deserved something rather unique.
So King Charles and Queen Camilla teamed up with the BBC to secretly film an extraordinary tribute, which was aired during tonight’s televised special ‘David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth’ concert at the Royal Albert Hall – before 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 ‘A Very Special Delivery’, made by BBC Studios’ renowned Natural History Unit in April, was a complete surprise to the legendary broadcaster and conservationist who has spent a lifetime 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 dog scampering around his desk.
According to royal sources, the 18-month-old Battersea Dogs and Cats’ Home rescue pup – adopted by Camilla in March 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 only filmed with the help of the King who cleverly held some treats in his hand above the head of the Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua/Jack Russell cross.
‘A Very Special Delivery’ opens with the King’s piper walking through Balmoral Castle grounds
The camera then focuses on King Charles who is penning his tribute to Sir David Attenborough
Queen Camilla’s dog Moley is seen looking up at Charles while he writes the letter in the library
Charles wistfully recounts a seven-decade friendship with iconic naturalist Sir David
As the King handwrites his message, he acknowledges the impact Sir David’s work has had
Two snowy owl figurines were positioned on his desk by the BBC Studios production team
The card begins its journey carried by butler Tony, a member of the King’s ‘travelling staff’
Dear David,
My wife and I are delighted to learn that you will be celebrating your one hundredth birthday on May 8th and wanted to send you our warmest congratulations on such a special occasion.
It is amazing to think that you and I have known one another for more than 60 years; indeed, I believe we first met in 1958, almost a decade before the age of colour television, and of course our paths have crossed many times since.
Over those decades you have revealed the beauty and wonders of Nature to audiences around the world in new and marvellous ways. In so doing, 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.
Thank you, then, for all that you have done. And on behalf of the whole nation, I wish you a very happy 100th birthday.
Charles R
His Majesty then wistfully recounts a seven-decade friendship with the iconic naturalist that began when the then nine-year-old Prince Charles visited the set of the BBC children’s show Zoo Quest in 1958 with his little sister, Princess Anne.
As he handwrites his message he acknowledges the enormous impact Sir David’s work has had in unveiling the wonders of the natural world in ever more inspiring ways, echoing his own deep commitment to protecting and saving the planet and all life upon it for generations to come.
In the background are several family pictures, including one of the late Queen Elizabeth II in tribute to the fact that 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 Studios production team as part of a tease to later segment of the film, with the King choosing to wear a tie with elephants on in honour of the occasion to accompany his tweed jacket.
Moley is then seen scampering down the castle corridor as the card begins an extraordinary journey to its recipient.
What viewers don’t see, the Mail can reveal, is Queen Camilla hiding behind the balustrade with a portion of cheese in her hand to encourage her dog to run in the ‘right direction’.
Although the card begins its journey in traditional style, carried by butler Tony – a member of the King’s ‘travelling staff’ who has worked for the royal household for more than 30 years and previously served on the Royal Yacht Britannia – 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 sheepdog called Flynn, who grabs the card, sparking an epic relay involving creatures great and small.
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 ever closer to its destination.
The journey concludes 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 all the cavalcade of creatures is comprised of two dogs, eagles, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, a flock of geese, an otter, a swan, a duck, a fox, a deer, and finally, the owl.
In reality, much to Sir David’s surprise tonight, the card was actually delivered to him at his seat in the Royal Box.
The letter penned by King Charles to Sir David (pictured) to celebrate his 100th birthday was delivered to his seat in the Royal Box, where he sat alongside Prince William (right)
Sir David (pictured) beamed as he received the card
The card (pictured) travelled via two dogs, eagles, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, a flock of geese, an otter, a swan, a duck, a fox, a deer, and finally an owl to reach Sir David
The short film featuring the King was made by BBC Studios’ renowned Natural History Unit
To the tune of Greatest Day, the mission is taken up by a border collie sheepdog called Flynn
The card is shown being carried by a series of animals down from Scotland including a fox
The card is carried, ferried, flown – and even wedged between the spines of a hedgehog
A red squirrel is also among the cavalcade of creatures tasked with carrying the letter
The card travels from the Highlands to towns and waterways across Scotland and England
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson 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.’
Jack Bootle, the BBC’s Head of Specialist Factual added: ‘Sir David has spent a lifetime championing the natural world, so it seemed fitting that the natural world should do something to say ‘thank you’ in this unique birthday tribute.
