King Charles marked his 77th birthday in South Wales today, facing fierce wind and rain as he carried out a packed schedule of celebrations.
The monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, visited the grand 19th-century Cyfartha Castle, where he was presented with an elaborate castle-shaped birthday cake. Local celebrities — including Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, fashion designer Julien Macdonald, and TikTok creator Lewis Leigh — joined representatives from the King and Queen’s patronages and local businesses for a special reception featuring slices of Victoria sponge.
The day carried double significance: not only was it the King’s birthday, but Cyfartha Castle is also celebrating 200 years since its construction. Guests sang “Happy Birthday,” replacing his name with “Your Majesty,” before inviting him to cut the towering cake.
At first, Charles hesitated, joking, “I don’t want to ruin it.” With a gentle nudge from the Queen, he finally gripped the oversized knife with both hands and sank it into one of the decorative turrets.
As the royal couple mingled with the room, they encountered several surprising interactions — including an offer from Love Island winner and fitness coach Liam Reardon, who told the King: “If you’d like to come for a session together, let me know.”
Queen Camilla also paused to praise Ruth Jones for her impressive weight loss transformation.
The King and Queen spent time speaking with individuals from various patronages, including The King’s Trust, the Royal Osteoporosis Society, Enaid Wellness, Cocos Coffee and Candles, and the domestic violence charity Safer Merthyr Tydfil. Charles was also gifted a commemorative coin celebrating The King’s Trust’s upcoming 50th anniversary, designed by alumna Jessica Gregorio and produced by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant.
Venturing outside despite Storm Claudia’s torrential rain, the couple greeted hundreds who had waited for hours in hopes of seeing them. Crowds shouted “Happy Birthday!” and “Penblwydd Hapus, Your Majesty!” as the King accepted soft toys and handmade cards, while the Queen gathered several bouquets beneath her umbrella.
“Nice wet day!” Camilla joked as she shook hands with well-wishers.
Built in 1825, the 72-room Cyfartha Castle now serves as a museum and art gallery, home to more than 300 artworks — the largest collection outside the National Museum of Wales.
Elsewhere across the UK, ceremonial gun salutes rang out from Green Park, the Tower of London, and other national landmarks to honour the monarch’s birthday.
After nearly an hour at the castle, the King travelled to Taff’s Well near Cardiff to officially open the South Wales Metro Depot. There, he met Transport for Wales staff and toured the new facility built to service a fleet of 36 tram-trains. Charles even stepped into the driver’s seat of one of the modern vehicles.
Earlier in the day, Buckingham Palace released a new portrait of the King taken by photographer Millie Pilkington at Sandringham.
The birthday post read: “77 today! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty’s Birthday.”
