King Charles marked his 77th birthday in truly regal fashion on Friday, Nov. 14, celebrating inside one of Wales’ most treasured landmarks, Cyfarthfa Castle, where he was greeted with cheers, warm wishes, and a specially prepared birthday cake.
Joined by Queen Camilla, 78, the monarch spent the afternoon with community members and representatives from several organizations tied to the royal couple’s patronages, including The King’s Trust and the Royal Osteoporosis Society. Welsh actress and comedian Ruth Jones — best known as co-creator of Gavin & Stacey with James Corden — and renowned fashion designer Julien Macdonald were among the high-profile guests. Local businesses such as Cocos Coffee and Candles and Enaid Wellness also took part in the celebration.
Cyfarthfa Castle, built in 1825 and regarded as one of Wales’ most significant historic buildings, now serves as a museum and art gallery. It is currently undergoing an extensive restoration project aimed at protecting its heritage and expanding its cultural offerings and 160-acre parkland.
With Queen Camilla and invited guests looking on, King Charles cut into his birthday cake before stepping outside to greet members of the public gathered around the castle grounds for the occasion.
Earlier in the day, Prince William and Princess Kate publicly wished the King a happy birthday through their official social media channels. Buckingham Palace also issued a statement expressing gratitude for the many messages sent to the monarch.
This year’s birthday arrives at a challenging moment for the royal family. King Charles has been navigating renewed controversy surrounding his brother, the former Prince Andrew, and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The fallout has led Charles to strip Andrew of his remaining royal privileges and remove him from Royal Lodge in Windsor, relocating him to a secluded residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
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