A new photograph of King Charles marking his 77th birthday has been released by Buckingham Palace. The image, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington, shows the King at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk, holding a shepherd’s crook. The photo was shared on social media with a balloon emoji and the message: “77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty’s Birthday.”
The King is spending his special day in South Wales with Queen Camilla, where they are set to meet Ruth Jones, the actress famed for her role as Nessa in the BBC series Gavin and Stacey. Whether the King would agree that celebrating his birthday with the beloved TV character is “tidy” remains unknown.
Their visit includes a reception at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, which is also celebrating its 200th anniversary. The celebration will feature a birthday cake for the King, who is also set to meet Lewis Leigh, a TikTok star recognized for his work in cancer awareness and school visits. His parents, Neil and Kerry Anne, expressed immense pride in their son’s achievements.
“We are so proud that he will be recognised for some of the hard work he’s done with cancer awareness and school visits,” said Neil Leigh. Andrew Lewis, the headteacher at Gwaunfarren Primary School, shared that the students were “super excited” to meet the King. “We broke the news at the start of the week. It’s a once in a lifetime experience for our children,” he said.
Although the weather in South Wales is wet and windy due to Storm Claudia, with crowds at the castle sheltering under umbrellas, the King remains determined to fulfill his engagements. This visit to South Wales also comes amid a difficult period for the monarchy, with the ongoing fallout from the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew and his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite these challenges, the King has maintained a busy schedule, including the recent state visit by US President Donald Trump, his historic meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican, and the annual Remembrance events. His trip to South Wales also highlights his determination to continue working, even as he receives regular cancer treatment.
At 77 years old, Charles has now surpassed George II in longevity, making him the fifth-longest-living British monarch in history. The longest-living British monarchs are Elizabeth II, Victoria, George III, and Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936.
The King’s birthday celebrations reflect his commitment to both his duties and personal health, marking another milestone in a remarkable reign.
