New photo for King Charles’s 77th birthday

A new photo of King Charles celebrating his 77th birthday has been released by Buckingham Palace.

The photo, taken by Millie Pilkington, shows the King holding a shepherd’s crook at his estate at Sandringham in Norfolk.

The photo was posted on social media with a balloon emoji and the following message: “77 today! Thank you for your kind words and well wishes on Her Majesty’s Birthday.”

King Charles will spend his birthday in South Wales in the company of Queen Camilla, where it will include meeting BBC’s Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones.

It is unknown whether the King would agree that celebrating his birthday with the actress who plays Nessa is “regular”.

A reception will be held at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, celebrating the 200th anniversary of its founding, where a birthday cake is planned for the King.

The visit to South Wales coincides with Storm Claudia, which is expected to bring heavy rain.

It’s also been a tumultuous few weeks for the royal family, with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stripped of his title and princely status due to his links to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The scandal has cast a shadow over a busy autumn schedule for the King, which includes a state visit from US President Donald Trump, the King’s historic meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican and this week’s annual Commemoration events.

The trip to South Wales demonstrates the King’s determination to continue working despite undergoing regular cancer treatment.

Although this is only the third year of his reign, Charles, 77, now ranks fifth among the longest-lived British monarchs.

He died recently in 1760, a few days before his 77th birthday. He left George behind.

The longest-living monarchs were Elizabeth II, Victoria, George III and Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936.