Buckingham Palace has released a new photograph of King Charles III commemorating his 77th birthday.
The photograph, taken by Millie Pilkington, shows the King at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk, holding a shepherd’s crook.
It was posted on social media with a balloon emoji and the message: “77 today! Thank you for the kind words and good wishes on Her Majesty’s birthday.”
King Charles will spend his birthday in South Wales accompanied by Queen Camilla, where his engagements will include meeting Ruth Jones, star of BBC’s Gavin and Stacey.
It is unknown whether the King would agree that celebrating his birthday with the actress who played Nessa was “ordained.”
There will be a reception at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary, where there are plans to bake a birthday cake for the king.
The visit to south Wales comes at the same time as Storm Claudia, which is forecast to bring heavy rain.
It has also been a stormy few weeks for royalty, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s title and status as prince removed over his links to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal has overshadowed what would otherwise have been a busy autumn schedule for the king, with US President Donald Trump’s state visit, the king’s historic meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican and this week’s annual commemoration events.
The trip to south Wales is a sign of the King’s determination to keep working, despite still receiving regular cancer treatment.
Although this is only the third year of his reign, Charles, at the age of 77, now ranks fifth among the longest-living British monarchs.
He recently surpassed George II, who in 1760 died a few days before his 77th birthday.
The longest-serving monarchs were Elizabeth II, Victoria, George III and Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936.
