King Charles III celebrated his 74th birthday on November 14, 2023, which was also his first birthday as the monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms.
He ascended the throne after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
King Charles III marked his birthday with a business-as-usual approach and the launch of a project to help people facing food poverty. He also hosted a reception for NHS nurses and midwives at Buckingham Palace. Ceremonial gun salutes were held at Green Park and the Tower of London to honor the king.
Buckingham Palace also released a new photograph of the king leaning against an ancient oak tree in Windsor Great Park, with the winter sun gleaming in the background. The photograph announced the king’s appointment as the Ranger of Windsor Great Park, a role that dates back to the 16th century and was once held by his father, Prince Philip. The palace stated that the king’s passion and commitment to the natural world would be invaluable for preserving and enhancing the Great Park for future generations.
King Charles III will celebrate his official birthday in June 2023, following the tradition of previous monarchs who had their birthdays in colder months. The official birthday is usually marked by a parade called Trooping the Colour, which involves thousands of soldiers, horses and musicians. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the parade has been scaled down or cancelled in the past two years. It is not clear yet whether the parade will resume in 2023 or not
