King Charles and Queen Camilla recently celebrated the importance of British media through a series of high-profile engagements, highlighting both the vital role of local journalism and the
legacy of national broadcasting.
At a reception hosted at Buckingham Palace, Their Majesties welcomed around 400 guests from across the UK’s regional media landscape. The attendees included reporters, producers, editors, and technical teams—both on and off screen—recognized for their contributions to building trust and strengthening communities through local journalism.
In a message shared ahead of the event, King Charles praised the media industry “in all its forms” for its “unique and vital role in society,” especially in today’s uncertain world.
"Two decades on, when so much emphasis is placed on what divides us, your industry’s role is more important than ever,” the King said. “It starts at the grassroots level—your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, gives voice to shared rights and responsibilities. It shines a light in dark corners, exposes injustice, and brings people together, both in celebration and in grief. A free media won’t always get it right, but at its best, it remains a cornerstone of our democracy.”
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla commemorated the 70th anniversary of ITV’s first broadcast with a visit to the set of the hit drama Trigger Point, currently filming in London. During her visit, she met the cast, ITV’s chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall, and even joined in the filming, officially starting a scene with a cheerful “Trigger Point, take one!” as she operated the clapperboard.
Later, the Queen attended a reception celebrating ITV’s milestone, where she viewed an exhibit showcasing iconic royal moments from the network’s archives.
“As your greatest fan, I want to say a very happy 70th birthday to all of you,” she said. “I’m a bit older than you and remember ITV launching on those old televisions. It was so exciting to suddenly have another channel! It’s incredible to see how you’ve evolved and how much you continue to resonate with the nation.” Photo by Diliff, Wikimedia commons.