King Charles III is celebrating his 76th birthday in his characteristic style of service, marking the occasion with a visit to a surplus food festival in London as part of his ongoing commitment to food sustainability and waste reduction.
Despite a challenging year marked by his own and the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses, the King continues his royal duties. On his birthday, Charles opened the first two Coronation Food Hubs, part of his Coronation Food Project, which aims to address food waste and hunger across the UK amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The King’s visit took him to Deptford, South London, where he formally unveiled the hub alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan. He then toured the centre, joined a festival showcasing surplus food, and later virtually opened a second hub in Merseyside. Queen Camilla, who had hoped to attend, was unable to join due to a chest infection.
On the eve of his birthday, Charles made a high-profile appearance at the global premiere of “Gladiator II,” where he met Hollywood stars including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Pedro Pascal. He also hosted a special reception at Buckingham Palace in honor of the UK’s film and television industry, mingling with stars like Damian Lewis, Emily Mortimer, Lucien Laviscount, and director Ridley Scott.
Military traditions will honor the King’s birthday with gun salutes in Green Park and at the Tower of London, alongside bell chimes from Westminster Abbey. Charles, like his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, celebrates an official birthday in June, marked by the Trooping the Colour parade.
This year’s birthday comes as Charles continues cancer treatment discovered during a hospital visit in January. Despite health challenges, he resumed public duties in April, participating in events in France and Australia and hosting an official state visit for Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.
