King Charles and Queen Camilla mark anniversary at London Zoo

King Charles and Queen Camilla marked the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) 200th anniversary with watermelon cake.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in the summer heat on Thursday as Their Majesties visited the London Zoo to mark a special anniversary. Founded in 1826, ZSL has, over the past two centuries, focused on pioneering science and global conservation, as well as inspiring connections between people and wildlife. In 1828, ZSL created London Zoo in Regent’s Park as the world’s first scientific Zoo.

The year 2026 marks the 200th anniversary of the charity, with the King visiting for the first time as Patron, a role held by every monarch since 1828.

During the visit, the King and Queen were shown a number of habitats showcasing the rich history of ZSL and London Zoo and how the conservation charity continues to pioneer research into animal biology and conservation. At the Giants of the Galápagos tortoise habitat, The King and Queen presented a ‘watermelon cake’ to tortoises Polly, Dolly and Priscilla in celebration of the Zoo’s bicentenary anniversary. Their Majesties also heard how ZSL Fellow Charles Darwin’s observations of Galápagos tortoises were crucial to his theory of evolution.

At Penguin Beach, Charles and Camilla joined the Zoo’s veterinary team to conduct health checks on a Humboldt penguin. The King and Queen also observed laser training exercises used to encourage and observe movement in penguins – including swimming and diving – which allow vets to spot any health concerns. The laser pointer used mimics the sparkling scales of fish, which penguins are known to chase. Whilst at Penguin Beach, the King and Queen learned about the creation of a new wildlife health centre, announced by ZSL to mark their 200th anniversary. The new centre will: investigate diseases in animals; train wildlife vets in the UK and around the world; track how diseases spread between species; support conservation programmes worldwide; and provide new veterinary facilities for the animals at ZSL’s two Zoos – London and Whipsnade.

The King then viewed an interactive Heritage Exhibition celebrating key milestones from ZSL over the last 200 years, while the Queen heard about a statue of Winnie the bear at the Zoo. Winnie was the beloved bear of Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, a vet and member of the Royal Canadian Army Veterinary Corps. Winnie stayed at London Zoo whilst Lieutenant Harry Colebourn served during the Second World War and was visited by thousands of people, including A.A. Milne and his son, Christopher – becoming the inspiration for his Winnie the Pooh stories, which were first published 100 years ago in 1926.

Their Majesties reunited to view a snake mosaic, created as a permanent piece at the Zoo to mark the 200th anniversary. The mosaic, shaped as a 53-foot snake, honours pioneering zoologist Joan Beauchamp Procter, the first female curator of reptiles at ZSL and one of the most influential reptile experts of the 20th century.

To round off the visit, in the Tiny Giants habitat, His Majesty heard about the ZSL’s conservation programme to protect Partula tree snails from extinction, while Her Majesty viewed the Zoo’s western honeybee colony.

The King first visited London Zoo at just one year old to see Brumas — a newborn polar bear cub. At age 13, His Majesty joined ZSL’s Exceptional Young Zoologist Club, which aimed to get children interested in zoology.

King Charles last visited the London Zoo in 2013, as Prince of Wales. Joined by Prince William, the King attended a United for Wildlife discussion and met a number of conservationists at the Tiger Territory enclosure.