London celebrated David Attenborough ’s centenary on Friday, with the highlight being a special BBC broadcast evening event at the Royal Albert Hall in the British capital dedicated to the work of the legendary English broadcaster , natural historian and conservationist. Stars, royals and collaborators shone a spotlight on his work and career during David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth , which drew 5,000 people in attendance and aired on the BBC with a slight delay.

Sir David himself and such royal, musical and other guests as Prince William, original Monty Python member Michael Palin , Bastille frontman Dan Smith , Icelandic band Sigur Rós, singer Sienna Spiro and naturalists Steve Backshall, Liz Bonnin, Chris Packham and Anna Dimitriadis, who showed off a thermal imaging camera by finding Benedict Cumberbatch in the crowd, graced the stage on Attenborough’s actual birthday.

Video greetings shared on Friday evening were led off by a royal short film starring King Charles III writing his 100th…