AceShowbiz - London marked the centenary of David Attenborough with a grand celebration on Friday evening, highlighted by a special BBC event at the Royal Albert Hall. The tribute, titled David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth, celebrated the extraordinary career of the acclaimed English broadcaster, natural historian, and conservationist. The event attracted an audience of 5,000 attendees and was later broadcast on the BBC with a slight delay.

The evening featured numerous prominent figures including Prince William, original Monty Python member Michael Palin, Bastille frontman Dan Smith, Icelandic band Sigur Rós, singer Sienna Spiro, and well-known naturalists such as Steve Backshall, Liz Bonnin, Chris Packham, and Anna Dimitriadis. During the event, Dimitriadis notably demonstrated a thermal imaging camera by locating actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the crowd. These guests joined David Attenborough on stage to honor his work on his actual birthday.

The festivities opened with a royal video greeting featuring King Charles III in a short film titled A Very Special Delivery. This charming piece depicted the king writing a 100th birthday letter to Attenborough, which was humorously delivered by various animals, including a hedgehog that delighted the audience with its appearance. The short film was produced by the BBC Studios’ natural history unit and added a whimsical touch to the celebrations.

Hollywood stars contributed heartfelt birthday messages through video, adding a global dimension to the tribute. Notable contributors included Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Olivia Colman, composer Hans Zimmer, and even the beloved fictional character Paddington Bear. The lineup also featured documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Glastonbury Festival organizer Emily Eavis, and music stars such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Raye, Camila Cabello, and Nile Rodgers.

Onstage, Michael Palin shared anecdotes about his longstanding friendship and friendly rivalry with David Attenborough. Palin humorously contrasted their travel styles, saying, "David is a more intrepid traveler than myself. When I see a swamp, I walk around it. David jumps in." Palin was the sole Monty Python member present at the event, symbolically becoming the “second python” of the evening after a snake featured in one of the highlight videos.

Prince William delivered a heartfelt tribute, praising Attenborough for transforming the public’s perception of Earth as our only home. The prince emphasized how Attenborough’s work has personally inspired him to deepen his commitment to environmental protection. He concluded by saying, "You have given us belief that positive change is still possible."

In a message shared on the eve of his 100th birthday, David Attenborough expressed surprise at the scale of celebrations planned in his honor. He said, "I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly, but it seems that many of you have had other ideas." He went on to thank everyone for the overwhelming birthday greetings sent by people of all ages, from preschool groups to care home residents, noting his inability to respond to each individually but extending his sincere gratitude and well wishes.

The London event was described as an "unmissable" tribute to one of broadcasting’s most influential figures and natural history storytellers. The evening combined celebrity appearances, dramatic wildlife narratives, and live music performances. The BBC Concert Orchestra provided original compositions from some of Attenborough’s most iconic series, enhancing the emotional atmosphere of the night.

Hosted by Kirsty Young—who had also hosted David Attenborough’s 90th birthday celebration—the evening began with a standing ovation. Attenborough acknowledged the crowd with a wave before sitting beside Prince William. The program then featured the BBC Concert Orchestra accompanied by the Ascension Choir and The Herds performing the theme from Planet Earth II. This was paired with a video montage highlighting 70 years of Attenborough’s wildlife filmmaking career.

Dan Smith, whose collaboration with Hans Zimmer on the Planet Earth III soundtrack has been highly praised, delighted the audience with a performance of Bastille’s hit "Pompeii," backed by the orchestra and choir.

Later in the evening, attendees were treated to a clip showing Attenborough narrating a new series. The event concluded with the entire Royal Albert Hall joining in a warm rendition of “Happy Birthday,” followed by a standing ovation that lingered as the audience showed deep appreciation for the centenarian.

The final moments featured Attenborough’s voice delivering the lyrics of "What a Wonderful World" over evocative scenes from the natural world displayed on a large screen, perfectly encapsulating his lifetime dedication to nature and storytelling.

Attenborough’s landmark series, including Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet, have defined natural history broadcasting. This celebratory event was a central part of a wider centenary season, which aired across BBC One and the BBC iPlayer streaming platform, offering audiences a variety of “stay-in safari” experiences to honor his legacy.