Stars including Sir David Beckham, Morgan Freeman and the King have led the birthday tributes celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday on Friday.
The beloved environmentalist has been inundated with birthday messages, with other tributes pouring in from stars including Dame Judi Dench, Geri Halliwell-Horner and Bill Bailey.
The week leading up to the veteran broadcaster’s centenary also saw birthday wishes from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Duke of Sussex.
Charles and Camilla shared a carousel of photographs of Sir David on the official royal family Instagram account wishing the broadcaster a “very happy 100th birthday”, adding: “Enjoy your special celebration this evening!”
Former England footballer Sir David also marked the occasion by posting several images of the naturalist to Instagram, and wrote: “Happy 100th Birthday to our National Treasure.”
A number of celebrities including Oscar-winning actor Freeman, James Bond star Dame Judi and Spice Girl Halliwell-Horner joined in the celebrations and teamed up with conservation charity WWF, lending their voices for a moving birthday tribute.
The one-minute-long video, which includes Sex Education star Asa Butterfield, Merlin star Miranda Richardson, and presenter Liz Bonnin, features a spoken word reinterpretation of the Louis Armstrong classic What a Wonderful World.
Outlander’s Sam Heughan could also be heard in the video, along with Misfits actor Iwan Rheon.
Broadcaster Ben Fogle, known for hosting wildlife documentaries including Animal Park and Countryfile, also paid tribute to Sir David and called him “the most important teacher, guide, informer and communicator in my life”.
Other stars who have taken to social media to wish Sir David a happy 100th birthday include business mogul Richard Branson, Stranger Things star Nell Fisher and Blue Peter presenter Richie Driss.
Comedian Bill Bailey also shared a post to Instagram, reminiscing the “extraordinary opportunity” to interview Sir David, calling it “one of my greatest memories”, adding: “It was a privilege just to spend time with him.
“He was, as you would imagine, utterly charming and charismatic. A day I shall never forget.”
Sir Keir also joined in the celebrations with a post to Instagram calling Sir David a “true national treasure and a pioneer in his field”, as he wished him a happy birthday.
The tributes come ahead of a live event at the Royal Albert Hall, which will feature music from Sir David’s programmes along with stories and reflections from public figures and leading advocates for the natural world.
Sir David said in a recorded audio message shared the night before his birthday that he was “completely overwhelmed” by the birthday greetings and that he thought it would be celebrated quietly.
The Duke of Sussex has also paid tribute to Sir David, and previously hailed the broadcaster as “an institutional pillar as essential to the national fabric as a cup of tea”.
The Royal Albert Hall celebration, which will be broadcast on BBC One, will be hosted by Kirsty Young and will include performances from the BBC Concert Orchestra of the scores associated with some of the most unforgettable moments from Sir David’s programmes.
It is just one of many events to mark his birthday, as the Piccadilly Lights were taken over by BBC studios to display a tribute on Friday.
Fans also flocked to Outernet London in Tottenham Court Road to view Our Story With David Attenborough, as the Natural History Museum’s immersive exhibition presented by Sir David was transformed into a free five-minute show.
Philip O’Ferrall, chief executive of Outernet Global, said: “Seeing the piece go live on the screens and hearing Sir David’s famous voice narrating is a really special moment.
“As people visit you can really see how effecting Our Story is – both the visuals themselves and the message too.”
