Charles III turns 77: Buckingham Palace releases new royal portrait
Photo: Charles III (Getty Images)
The official Instagram page of the British royal family, Buckingham Palace has released a new portrait of King Charles III, taken specifically for his 77th birthday.
The striking photo of the monarch was taken at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
In the image, Charles III is wearing a long dark coat and holding a shepherd's staff.
"77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty's Birthday," the caption to the photo reads.
Celebration in South Wales
Charles is spending his birthday in South Wales, accompanied by Queen Camilla.
The couple is attending a reception at Cyfarthfa Castle near Merthyr Tydfil, which is marking its 200th anniversary this year.
Among the guests are actress Ruth Jones from the series Gavin & Stacey, designer Julien Macdonald, TikTok creator Lewis Leigh, representatives of the Laura Ashley Foundation, as well as figures from the arts, business, and charitable sectors.
In London, gun salutes will traditionally be fired, and the bells of Westminster Abbey will ring in honor of the monarch's birthday.
A year of major events
This day is symbolic, marking the end of a year filled with personal and public events for the King.
At the beginning of the year, Charles III was diagnosed with an oncological illness for which he is undergoing regular treatment.
Despite the diagnosis, the monarch continued to remain active. Notably, he made a historic visit to the Vatican, becoming the first British monarch since the Reformation to publicly pray together with Pope Leo XIV, a gesture seen as a symbol of greater closeness between Anglicans and Catholics.
Also in September, Charles hosted U.S. President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle during the American leader's second state visit.
By royal tradition, Charles celebrates two birthdays: his actual birthday on November 14 and the official monarch's birthday, observed on the second Saturday of June.
This tradition dates back to 1748, when King George II chose to combine his celebration with the military parade Trooping the Colour. Since then, every British monarch has followed this custom.
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