King Charles’ Birthday Celebrations Begin
On Monday, King Charles began his birthday celebrations with a tea party at Highgrove, where he met with individuals and institutions also celebrating 75 years.
Charles was greeted by a round of applause as he joined guests at Highgrove to enjoy a cup of tea and piece of cake. He appeared in good spirits after a busy weekend of Remembrance commemorations, which saw Charles and Queen Camilla attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday.
Amid tight security following protests against Israel’s campaign in Gaza in the capital over the weekend, the Royal Family was out in force. Laying his first wreath as monarch and commander in chief of the Armed Forces, King Charles wore the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force and a solemn expression as he laid a wreath similar to the one produced for his grandfather George VI, the last king to lay such a tribute at the Cenotaph. The wreath consisted of 41 open-style poppy petals and was wrapped in a ribbon using the colors from the king’s racing silks, scarlet purple and gold.
Princess Anne was the only female family member to lay a wreath. Major Ollie Plunket of The Rifles, equerry to the Queen, laid a wreath on behalf of Camilla, who watched the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office with Kate Middleton. Princess Kate wore a pair of diamond and pearl earrings that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II for the occasion and a recycled black Catherine Walker coat. One notable absentee in the royal line up was Prince Edward, who missed the service due to mobility issues.
After a solemn weekend of reflection, Monday marked the start of Charles’ 75th birthday celebrations. After the tea party at Highgrove, he will return to London for a reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate nurses and midwives working in the United Kingdom. The event will form part of the NHS 75 celebrations.
