A new photograph of King Charles has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark his 77th birthday, capturing The Monarch in a quiet moment at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
Taken by royal photographer Millie Pilkington, the image shows the King holding a shepherd’s crook. The portrait was shared on the Royal Family’s official social media accounts alongside a balloon emoji and the message: “77 today!”
The new photographs come just days after it had been announced that His Majesty was to grace the latest cover of Country Life, with the magazine marking the restorations of the gardens at Sandringham.
Despite the stormy weather brought by Storm Claudia, King Charles spent his birthday in South Wales alongside Queen Camilla. Their Majesties attended a reception at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Guests included Welsh cultural figures such as Ruth Jones, reality TV personality Liam Reardon and TikTok creator Lewis Leigh.
The King was presented with a birthday cake shaped like Cyfarthfa Castle itself – a vanilla sponge layered with jam and buttercream, before guests sang Happy Birthday. Later, Charles braved the rain to meet crowds gathered under umbrellas, demonstrating his characteristic warmth and resilience.
What a special birthday surprise at Cyfarthfa Castle – showcasing what the Welsh do best! 🏴🎶 pic.twitter.com/4At3VzZyJl
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 14, 2025
The birthday celebrations were not the only highlight of the day. King Charles also officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well, near Cardiff, where he tried his hand at driving a tram-train. The project is a major step forward in modernising Welsh transport infrastructure, underscoring the King’s commitment to regional development and sustainability.
The last year of Charles’ life has been a turbulent time both in regard to family and diplomatic matters. His younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was stripped of his titles and status as Prince due to his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Meanwhile on the diplomatic stage, King Charles hosted US President Donald Trump at Windsor Castle for his second State Visit. The King and Queen also made a historic visit to the Vatican, with Charles becoming the first British Monarch since the Reformation to pray alongside the Pope in a public service.
