Rain lashed the stone walls of Cyfarthfa Castle, umbrellas bloomed in the November gloom, and yet spirits soared as King Charles marked his 77th birthday with a day packed full of public engagements in south Wales. Far from a quiet celebration, the King’s milestone was observed with a blend of tradition, community, and a dash of humor—an eventful snapshot of a monarch determined to remain visible and active, even as personal and royal storms swirl around him.
The day began with a gesture of gratitude from Buckingham Palace: a new portrait of the King, taken at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk, was released to the public. In the image, Charles stands outdoors, coat pulled tightly against the chill, a shepherd’s crook in hand. The palace captioned the photograph, “77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty’s Birthday.” According to BBC, the photo set a reflective tone for what would become a lively and communal birthday itinerary.
By midday, the King and Queen Camilla arrived at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, braving the wind and rain brought by Storm Claudia. The historic 200-year-old castle was the focal point for a reception that brought together a cross-section of Welsh cultural life. Among the guests were Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, who chatted with the King about her new TV comedy project, and Love Island personality Liam Reardon. TikTok creator Lewis Leigh, recognized for his cancer awareness work, was also in attendance, his parents beaming with pride. “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 Lewis’s father, Neil, as reported by BBC.
The centerpiece of the celebration was a birthday cake—a detailed replica of Cyfarthfa Castle itself. With Queen Camilla at his side, the King cut the first slice, drawing applause from the assembled guests. The atmosphere was low-key and welcoming, focused on meeting people and celebrating the community rather than ceremony. As Pooja Pillai of Asian Media Group observed, “The atmosphere was low-key, focused on meeting people rather than ceremony.”
Children from nearby schools, including Gwaunfarren Primary and Cyfarthfa Primary, were given a close-up look at the festivities. Andrew Lewis, head teacher at Gwaunfarren Primary, described the students as “super excited,” calling it “a once in a lifetime experience for our children.” Ten-year-old Noah shared his own anticipation, telling reporters, “I think he’ll like the castle, it’s really big and it has loads of stuff inside.”
Queen Camilla made a separate stop at Cyfarthfa Primary School, where pupils were engaged in a guided reading programme and read poetry aloud. The Queen’s presence underscored the royal couple’s commitment to education and community engagement, even as the weather made for a challenging day.
In a lighter moment that captured the King’s approachable side, Liam Reardon invited him to a gym session, joking, “I'm opening a gym next week, so if you ever fancy a little session, let me know.” The King laughed and replied, “I try to do my exercise... Twice a day.” The exchange, recounted by Sky News, was emblematic of the easy rapport Charles struck with attendees throughout the day.
The royal itinerary pressed on. The King officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well, near Cardiff, where he took the driver’s seat for a tram-train journey on a vehicle named Myddfai—a nod to the Carmarthenshire village near his former Welsh home. The King was even offered a high-five by pupils at an event near Cardiff, a gesture that brought smiles despite the persistent rain.
Back in London, the birthday was marked with royal fanfare: gun salutes echoed and the bells of Westminster Abbey rang out in the King’s honor. Prince William and Kate joined the celebration from afar, posting the new portrait on Instagram with the message, “Happy Birthday to His Majesty the King!” William also surprised BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox with a motivational video, lauding her efforts in the Great Northern Marathon Challenge for Children In Need.
Yet, beneath the celebratory surface, it’s clear that Charles’s reign has not been without turbulence. The King continues to receive regular cancer treatment, reportedly weekly sessions, but remains committed to his royal duties. As BBC noted, “The King’s visit demonstrated his commitment to working despite ongoing cancer treatment.”
Recent months have also brought unwelcome headlines. The removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s titles and his status as prince, following links to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein, has cast a shadow over the royal household. According to Sky News, “Then there's been the scandal over his brother. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, was stripped of his titles over links to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.”
Nevertheless, the King’s calendar has featured history-making moments. In a gesture of ecumenical significance, he became the first British monarch since the Reformation to pray publicly alongside the Pope—an event with Pope Leo XIV that was widely seen as a symbol of unity between Anglicans and Catholics. The King also hosted US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle for a record-setting second state visit in September 2025, further underscoring the busy autumn that has defined his third year on the throne.
At 77, Charles now ranks as the fifth longest-lived British monarch, having recently surpassed George II, who died just shy of his own 77th birthday in 1760. Only Elizabeth II, Victoria, George III, and Edward VIII—who famously abdicated—lived longer. Despite the challenges of age and illness, Charles’s determination to remain present and engaged has not gone unnoticed. As Pillai wrote, “A birthday, yes, but also a signal: still working, still present, still marking the milestones with steady hands and a watchful eye.”
As the day drew to a close, applause and reflection marked the end of the King’s birthday celebrations—a fitting tribute to a monarch who, despite the storms both literal and figurative, continues to meet the moment with resilience and a touch of royal wit.
