His Majesty The King marked his 77th birthday with a memorable royal visit to Wales on Friday 14th November 2025, where he was treated to a spectacular cake shaped like Cyfarthfa Castle and enjoyed encounters with prominent Welsh cultural figures.
A Royal Birthday Celebration in Merthyr Tydfil
The monarch's birthday festivities began with a reception at the historic Cyfarthfa Castle near Merthyr Tydfil, where he was joined by an array of Welsh celebrities and cultural icons. Among the guests were Gavin And Stacey star Ruth Jones and Love Island personality Liam Reardon, who helped make the occasion particularly special.
The highlight of the castle visit came when the King was presented with an extraordinary birthday cake meticulously crafted to resemble the 200-year-old castle itself. In a touching moment, the monarch cut the first slice with assistance from the Queen as guests watched the charming scene unfold.
Welsh Cultural Encounters and Surprise Gym Invitation
The celebration brought together diverse figures from Welsh culture, including TikTok content creator Lewis Leigh, renowned fashion designer Julien Macdonald, and representatives from the Laura Ashley Foundation. Meanwhile, the Queen made her own contribution to the day's events by visiting nearby Cyfarthfa Primary School, where she observed pupils participating in a guided reading programme.
One of the more unexpected moments occurred when Love Island's Liam Reardon extended a personal invitation to the King. "I'm opening a gym next week," Reardon told the monarch, "so if you ever fancy a little session, let me know, we'll have a little session together." The King responded with laughter, revealing his own fitness routine: "I try to do my exercise... Twice a day."
Transport Milestone and Birthday Portrait
Following the castle celebrations, the King travelled to open the South Wales Metro Depot near Cardiff, where he took the driver's seat for a tram-train journey. The vehicle, named Myddfai after the small Carmarthenshire village near the monarch's former Welsh home, represented another significant moment in the day's itinerary.
The birthday celebrations had begun earlier when Buckingham Palace released a new official portrait of the King taken at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The photograph, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington, was shared with the caption: "77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty's Birthday."
The Welsh birthday celebration provided a bright moment in what has been a challenging period for the monarch, who continues to receive regular treatment following his cancer diagnosis earlier in his reign. Despite these personal difficulties, the day demonstrated the King's ongoing commitment to his royal duties and his connection with communities across the United Kingdom.
