Seven decades after she welcomed her first child with Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth delivered the sweetest speech about her eldest (and heir!), Prince Charles, at his lavish 70th birthday party at London’s Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

“It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday. It means that you have lived long enough to see your child grow up. It is rather like — to use an analogy I am certain will find favor — planting a tree and being able to watch it grow,” the 92-year-old monarch gushed of Charles during the fête, according to the Daily Mail.

“My mother saw me turn 70, of course. And she was heard to observe that 70 is the age when the number of candles on your cake finally exceeds the amount of breath you have to blow them out. Over his 70 years, Philip and I have seen Charles become a champion of conservation and the arts, a great charitable leader — a dedicated and respected hair to the throne to stand comparison with any in history — and a wonderful father,” Queen Elizabeth kindly continued.

“Most of all, sustained by his wife, [Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall], he is his own man, passionate and creative. So this toast is to wish a happy birthday to my son. In every respect a duchy original. To you, Charles. To the Prince of Wales,” the mom-of-four concluded her toast.

In addition to the Queen, Prince Philip, and Duchess Camilla, Charles’ birthday bash was also attended by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, daughters-in-law, Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, and nieces Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Though the party was described as “intimate” by the Daily Mail, it was reported that 300 guests attended, including British actresses Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

During the evening, guests were allegedly first treated to cocktails in the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery and later moved into the Queen’s home’s ballroom — which normally hosts investitures — for Charles’ birthday dinner. Next, guests partied on the dancefloor and the fun event reportedly wrapped up around midnight.

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