King Charles Beams in New Portrait as He Celebrates 77th Birthday at Sandringham Estate

King Charles poses for his birthday portrait with his walking stick at Sandringham estate. (Cover Image Source: Instagram| @theroyalfamily)

Nov. 14 2025, Published 10:06 AM. ET

King Charles marked his 77th birthday on November 17 with a wonderful new portrait taken at Sandringham estate. To commemorate the milestone, the monarch dressed smartly in a tailored coat and posed with his signature walking stick amid the estate's plush gardens. Charles is expected to celebrate his birthday with a visit to South Wales with Queen Camilla, where a reception will be held at Cyfarthfa Castle near Merthyr Tydfil. The landmark, also marking its 200th anniversary, is set to welcome a line-up of celebrity guests and cultural figures.

King Charles tends to his gardens at Sandringham estate. (Image Source: CountryLife| Millie Pilkington)

Photographer Millie Pilkington took Charles's stunning birthday portraits for Country Life magazine's cover, where the King showcased the garden's restoration and spoke about his love for gardening. The royal family's social media accounts posted the picture with the caption, "77 today! 🎈 Thank you for the kind words and well wishes on His Majesty’s Birthday." The King has a dedicated team of 15 full-time gardeners tending the estate, and he recently expanded their work by adding a 400-yard 'magnolia walk.' Much of the formal landscaping of the gardens was in neglect until Charles and his team brought it back to life, which he described as 'a little short of miraculous.'

King Charles III smiles as he tours a community garden, the historic walled garden at Deal Castle, known as the Captain's Garden. Cover Image Source: Getty Images | WPA Pool — King Charles smiles as he tours a community garden, the historic walled garden at Deal Castle. (Image Source: Getty Images | WPA Pool)

According to GB News, speaking about his restoration efforts in Country Life's print issue, Charles said, "The scale, the speed and the importance of what he has already achieved cannot be overemphasized." As tradition dictates, his birthday will be marked with gun salutes across London and the ringing of bells at Westminster Abbey. For his birthday reception in South Wales, an eclectic mix of guests is set to attend, including Gavin and Stacey actor Ruth Jones, TikTok creator Lewis Leigh, fashion designer Julien Macdonald, and representatives from the Laura Ashley Foundation. They will join delegates from royal patronages and local businesses to extend their warm wishes to the King.

Prince Charles frowning into the camera. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby) — King Charles looks on during Trooping the Color. (Image Source: Getty Images | Max Mumby/Indigo)

While Charles was born on 14 November 1948, the royal family celebrates his birthday twice a year. The tradition of celebrating the sovereign's birthday with a military presentation is reported to have begun during the reign of King Charles II in the 17th century, while the Trooping the Color started during the reign of King George II. Trooping the Color, a centuries-old tradition, is the annual birthday parade for the reigning monarch, usually held in June, and not on the monarch's birthday itself. The parade, which has been the most-awaited event on the royal calendar since 1760, is held during the Summer instead to have it be on a day when the weather conditions are favorable.

Last year, on his 76th birthday, Charles marked the solemn occasion by opening two food distribution hubs, one in person in south London and another virtually in northern England, as part of his Coronation Food Project, which redistributes surplus food to charities. He also visited a surplus food festival held at the London hub while traditional gun salutes, as usual, were fired in his honor.