Earlier this week, on 14th November 2023, King Charles III celebrated his 75th birthday. This was the first time in over 200 years that a reigning British king has celebrated this milestone birthday. In fact, only two other British kings have ever reached their 75th birthday; George II and George III, although no celebrations of any kind were held in their honour.
Were you wondering what kind of celebrations took place to mark this milestone birthday? If so, continue reading as we cover everything there is to know about His Majesty’s 75th birthday…
Trooping the Colour
On Saturday 17th June 2023, the annual Trooping the Colour, also known as the ‘King’s Birthday Parade’ took place, which is essentially a military parade. For over 260 years, the Trooping of the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British monarch. Although King Charles III’s birthday is actually in November, and Her Late Majesty’s was in April, their official birthday is usually celebrated in June; a warmer summer month.
During George II’s reign, in order to improve the chances of the nation being able to celebrate with the monarch, the British government therefore decreed in 1748, that the celebration of the monarch’s “official” birthday should coincide with the Trooping of the Colour. This continued with the ascension of George III in 1760, and became an annual tradition with the ascension of George IV in 1820.
Royal Events
Within the past year, there have been numerous royal events. As well as the Trooping the Colour ceremony, there was also Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, followed by the coronation of our King, Charles III.
Although these events have been significant, they have all come at a large cost. Therefore, it was always in the King’s plans that his birthday would not incur a large public celebration. His overall wish for the future of the royal family was followed by the plans, or lack of, for an understated birthday.
The King’s 75th Birthday
In characteristically unfussy style, the King himself down played the importance of his birthday, and was more concerned with marking the milestone for fellow members of his generation who turn 75 this year.
His educational charity, the Prince’s Foundation, held celebratory events at Highgrove Gardens in Gloucestershire, England and Dumfries House in Cumnock, Scotland on 13th November; the eve of his birthday. During the festivities there was afternoon tea, live music, and the opportunity to meet others.
On the monarch’s actual birthday, there were gun salutes that took place from the Tower of London, London’s Hyde Park, and Windsor Great Park, and the bells rang at Westminster Abbey for His Majesty.
The Coronation Food Project
The King also marked his 75th birthday by unveiling the ‘Coronation Food Project’, which is an anti-waste initiative that reflects his concerns about food poverty within Britain. In order to kick-start the project, the king has already made a substantial private donation.
The Coronation Food Project will last for five years, and it’s aim is to reduce waste radically so that those most in need can be helped. This will be through the opening of eight new food hubs across the nation. These hubs have been designed to redistribute millions of meals per year that would have otherwise gone to waste. The aim is that there will be 200 million meals provided each year.
This initiative is the king’s first significant project since becoming monarch, and was introduced due to the issue that Britain wastes more food than any other European country. Not only that, but the king’s concerns about the cost-of-living crisis are growing, and this initiative is believed to be a driving force in helping Britons in need. Currently, the UK faces 12 million tons of food waste each year, and there are roughly 14 million people living in food poverty.
A fantastic series of gold sovereign coins have been released to celebrate King Charles III’s 75th birthday; his first milestone birthday as a monarch. You can view this remarkable range HERE.