HAPPY BIRTHDAY...again
Why does King Charles have two birthdays? Dates explained
KING Charles has settled into life as our new monarch, and with it comes a treat - he gets TWO birthdays every year.
The second Saturday of June was considered the late Queen's official birthday, and now her son will carry on this historical tradition.
1
How was the King's official birthday decided?
Since becoming King, Charles has two birthdays.
The monarch will celebrate getting one year older each year on his birth date.
However, he will follow in the tradition of the late Queen by celebrating his birthday on the second Saturday of June.
The tradition dates back to King George II in 1748.
Read More on the Royal Family
Unfortunately for him, he was born in November - a month that does not typically have good weather in the UK.
So he decided to celebrate his birthday on a date that would be warmer and hopefully sunnier.
He chose to combine his birthday festivities with a military parade known as Trooping the Colour, which was held in spring.
Since then it's believed each monarch has followed the tradition.
Most read in Royals
King Charles was also born in November, so he too is following on with this tradition.
The Queen, who was born on April 21, 1926, originally marked her birthday on the second Thursday in June.
The Band of the Household Cavalry perform Happy Birthday for the King
However, in 1959 the date was changed to the second Saturday in June so more people could take part in celebrations.
How old is King Charles?
King Charles turned 75 on November 14, 2023 - his second birthday as monarch.
He was born in 1948 in Buckingham Palace.
The King is the first son of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
How does King Charles celebrate his birthday?
The King usually celebrates his actual birthday privately with his family.
To celebrate his first birthday as monarch, a photograph of His Majesty leaning against an old oak tree in Windsor was released.
Buckingham Palace also announced that the King took on the role of The Ranger of Windsor Great Park - a post which was held by his father the Duke of Edinburgh.
There were also military celebrations to mark the occasion.
The Band of Household Cavalry played Happy Birthday outside Buckingham Palace during the changing of the guard ceremony.
There were also gun salutes fired across London.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired 41 rounds from Green Park and an hour later, the Honourable Artillery Company made a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London.
In June, a Trooping the Colour parade lets the public celebrate the King's birthday.
Your King Charles questions answered
- How old is King Charles and when did he marry Camilla?
- How tall is King Charles?
- Inside King Charles's property portfolio
- When was King Charles' coronation
- Who played Prince Charles in The Crown?
- How King Charles met Camilla: A timeline of their relationship
- When did Princess Diana and Charles divorce?
- Who are Queen Camilla's children?
- Inside King Charles' childhood home
Also known as The King's Birthday Parade, it has been held for over 260 years.
It includes over 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians and an RAF plane aerial display.
Many will gather around Buckingham Palace wearing Union Jacks and waving flags.
The King inspects troops at Horse Guards Parade before military bands perform.
The Regimental Colour, or flag, is then processed down the ranks of soldiers.
Once the Foot Guards have marched past the King, he travels back to Buckingham Palace at the head of the soldiers, before taking the salute again.
The Royal Family then joins him on the Palace's balcony to wave to the public.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
In 2024, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles, 75, will participate in the procession, but will ride in a carriage rather than horseback owing to his cancer treatment.
The parade will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024, starting from 10am until 12.25pm, with the flypast scheduled for 1pm.
Topics