Britain’s King Charles III on Friday thanked the public for their support in his first year as monarch, as he marked the one-year anniversary of the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

According to the BBC, a short statement, the 74-year-old British head of state recalled the “great affection” for his mother, her life and public service.

“I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all,” he added.

In the message, the King said he recalled the late queen’s “devoted service and all she meant to so many of us”.

The photograph chosen by the King shows a young queen, then 42, at an official portrait sitting in 1968.

Elizabeth II died aged 96 at Balmoral Castle on 8 September last year.

It came just months after her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne.

Throughout her reign she did not publicly mark her accession, as it was also the anniversary of her own father King George VI’s death in 1952.

Commemorations will be low key on Friday, with the king — who is at his sprawling Scottish Highland estate of Balmoral — not expected at any official engagement.

He and wife Camilla will attend nearby Crathie Kirk, the late queen’s place of worship, for private prayers and a moment of reflection.