After 2 Years, This Queen Elizabeth-Led Initiative Is Coming to a Close

Since Queen Elizabeth II's passing in September 2022, the royal family has made good on its promise to keep her legacy alive, keeping the Queen's Green Canopy (QGC)—an initiative that was launched by the late monarch near the end of her reign to plant trees across the U.K.—going strong. Now, 17 months later, the initiative is coming to a close.

From October 2021 to March 2022, over a million trees were planted in her name. Then, following her death, King Charles III, 74, honored his mother by extending the project through March 2023.

The moment was signified with a new post on the official royal family Instagram.

The upload included a photo of King Charles and his son, Prince William, 40, standing next to a sapling. The caption read: “Proudly marking the end of the @queensgreencanopy project by planting this Acer tree in the gardens of Sandringham House—one of over three million that have been planted in Queen Elizabeth II’s name as part of this initiative.”

Sandringham held a special place in QEII's heart, as it was the location where the royal family always spent its Christmas holidays. The late monarch began frequenting the estate, which has been in the family since 1862, when she was just a child.

Along with this photo, the post also included a letter from King Charles. In his message, he wrote, “It is hard to believe that two years have passed since my mother and I planted a tree in Windsor Great Park to mark the commencement of The Queen’s Green Canopy. As the second planting season draws to a close, and with it this vitally important initiative, I particularly wanted to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone from across the United Kingdom who has helped to plant over three million trees to create an enduring legacy in Queen Elizabeth’s name.”

The letter continued: “This project has shown how simple, practical and positive gestures can make a big difference, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to Her late Majesty’s seventy-year reign.”

Along with this post, the royal family also uploaded a video that highlighted the Queen's Green Canopy project and how it united people across the nation. The clip is narrated by QGC Ambassador Dame Judi Dench.

What a beautiful way to honor the late Queen Elizabeth II.

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