King Charles Marks His 77th Birthday with South Wales Tour, Reflecting on Past Lavish Celebrations

King Charles III is celebrating his 77th birthday today (Friday 14 November) and, while a more low-key approach now defines his style, the monarch’s past birthday celebrations—particularly his 60th—remain legendary. As on past occasions, he observes both his actual birthday and his official birthday in June with the Trooping the Colour parade.

A Birthday with Dual Dates

Born on 14 November 1948, King Charles continues the royal tradition of having two birthdays—his actual date and the more public event in June. Historically this has allowed for more favourable weather at the official celebrations. While he now tends to keep his personal day more private, his earlier milestone events certainly broke the mould.

Rod Stewart performed at the legendary bash(GETTY)

The Opulent 60th Birthday at Highgrove

One of the most memorable birthday events for the King was his 60th birthday in 2008, specially planned by his wife Queen Camilla (then Camilla Parker Bowles). The evening began with a lavish dinner at Buckingham Palace attended by some 170 high-profile guests, including then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Afterwards the celebrations moved to the King’s private estate at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, where musical star Rod Stewart performed live.

Stewart’s set included hits like Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? and Maggie May, while his wife Penny Lancaster joined the royal family—then-Prince Charles and his two sons, William and Harry—on the dance floor. A later interview with Lancaster revealed the King had asked her at the reception to be the first on the dance floor “so it would get everyone up.”

Guests included future Princess of Wales Kate Middleton (then dating Prince William), and Prince Harry’s then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy, along with Dame Joanna Lumley, Rowan Atkinson and Dame Judi Dench. The dinner featured locally sourced food and Highgrove’s own champagne. The following morning, guests gathered in the estate kitchen for a full cooked breakfast of estate-sourced bacon and eggs, freshly pressed orange juice and organic tea—testimony to the King’s ongoing interest in sustainability.

An insider told The Telegraph:

“It was intended as a jolly country knees-up — simply to have a fun evening that everyone present enjoys and remembers.”

The King’s green credentials were also on display: the 15-acre estate was lit with solar-powered lamps and energy-saving bulbs.

A Shift to Simpler Celebrations

In contrast to his 60th, this year’s 77th birthday is expected to be much more restrained. King Charles and Queen Camilla will spend the day in South Wales, touring regional sites and engaging with local community and cultural figures. One planned stop is at Cyfarthfa Castle, where guests including Gavin & Stacey writer-star Ruth Jones, fashion designer Julien Macdonald and representatives from the Laura Ashley Foundation will be in attendance.

Last year’s milestone was also muted by comparison, with the King attending the launch of a new food hub in Deptford, South London.

Notable Absence

With his brother Prince Andrew having been stripped of his royal titles last month, it is unlikely he will appear in official birthday engagements this year.