King Charles III marked his 77th birthday with a series of royal engagements across Wales, celebrating the occasion with a unique castle-shaped birthday cake and meetings with prominent Welsh cultural figures.
A Royal Birthday Celebration in Wales
The monarch's birthday festivities began with Buckingham Palace releasing a new portrait taken at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The photograph, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington, was shared on social media with the caption: "77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty's Birthday."
His main celebration took place at Cyfarthfa Castle near Merthyr Tydfil, where he was joined by an array of Welsh celebrities and cultural representatives. The guest list included Gavin And Stacey star Ruth Jones and Love Island personality Liam Reardon, alongside TikTok content creator Lewis Leigh and fashion designer Julien Macdonald.
Castle Cake and Royal Engagements
In one of the day's most memorable moments, the King was presented with a specially crafted birthday cake shaped like the 200-year-old Cyfarthfa Castle. The monarch cut the first slice with assistance from the Queen as guests watched the ceremonial moment.
While the King entertained guests at the castle reception, the Queen made a separate visit to Cyfarthfa Primary School, where she observed pupils participating in a guided reading programme.
The royal engagements continued with the King officially opening the South Wales Metro Depot near Cardiff. In a symbolic gesture, he took the driver's seat of a tram-train named Myddfai, paying tribute to the small Carmarthenshire village near his former Welsh home.
Unexpected Gym Invitation
The day included several lighter moments, including an unexpected gym invitation from Love Island's Liam Reardon. The television personality told the King: "I'm opening a gym next week, so if you ever fancy a little session, let me know, we'll have a little session together."
The King responded with laughter, revealing: "I try to do my exercise... Twice a day." The exchange provided a glimpse into the monarch's personal fitness routine amid his busy schedule.
The birthday celebrations come during what has been a challenging period for the monarch, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer and continues to receive regular treatment, believed to be weekly sessions. The early years of his reign have also been marked by personal difficulties, including the scandal surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his titles over connections to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Despite these challenges, King Charles has presided over several historic moments, including becoming the first British monarch to pray alongside the Pope in a public service since the Reformation. His meeting with Pope Leo XIV was viewed as a significant symbolic moment of unity for Anglicans and Catholics. The King also hosted US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle for a record-setting second state visit in September.
