The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen enjoying a late night out as they departed Clarence House close to midnight after King Charles’s glittering 75th birthday party.
But reports suggest the monarch’s biggest gift this year was the call he received from his youngest son, Prince Harry, who allegedly phoned to wish his father a happy birthday – their first phone call in six months.
Dressed to impress, Kate, 41, oozed elegance in an emerald Needle & Thread Alicia sequin-embellished recycled polyester gown, while Prince William, also 41, looked smart in a white shirt and jacket as he drove from the King’s London residence.
They were joined at the King’s birthday celebration by his niece Princess Beatrice, Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and the monarch’s niece Zara Tindall and her husband Mike.
Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara, 42, stunned in n designer Rebecca Vallance’s £640 Eva dress, featuring a figure-skimming silhouette and dazzling pearl embellishment.
Sources close to Harry told the BBC he would be calling his father, who does not own a mobile phone, for his birthday. According to The Sun, Charles is understood to have also spoken with his daughter-in-law Meghan Markle during yesterday’s call.
Charles and Harry are understood to have had minimal contact for months, particularly since the release of Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare, published in January, and a Netflix series, which was released the month prior to that.
The Prince and Princess of Wales drive from Clarence House after 11pm last night
Prince William and Kate are seen leaving the event after celebrating the King’s birthday
Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara Tindall (pictured with husband Mike), 42, stunned in n designer Rebecca Vallance’s £640 Eva dress, featuring a figure-skimming silhouette and dazzling pearl embellishment
Princess Beatrice waves as she arrives at Clarence House for the King’s birthday celebrations
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, preferring to focus on His Majesty’s Coronation Food Project. has contacted Archewell for comment.
Other guests at Charles’ glittering birthday bash included the late Queen Elizabeth II’s racing manager John Warren and Sarah Troughton, who is one of the Queen’s six companions (a role which replaced the former lady-in-waiting position) and oldest friends.
Sarah, the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, is a second cousin of King Charles via her maternal grandfather, who was a brother of the Queen Mother.
Penny Knatchbull also made a glamorous arrival in a stunning blue gown as she arrived at Clarence House.
The Countess Mountbatten of Burma befriended Prince Philip at a polo match in 1975 when she was 20, became one of his closest confidantes despite being 32 years his junior and was pictured on walks with the Duke over the years
Lady Susan Hussey, 84, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in attendance, sporting an elegant blue shimmering gown.
Charles marked his 75th birthday with a gun salute and a sing-along at a food waste project followed by a reception for the NHS on Tuesday.
Harry and Meghan previously said they had ‘no contact’ from Buckingham Palace about an invitation to Charles’ 75th birthday event on the evening.
The Sunday Times reported that Prince Harry had turned down an invitation to the birthday bash, and will stay in California . But a spokesperson for the Sussexes told that the couple had no idea about it.
A source close to the Sussexes told that they were not invited to Charles party.
William and Kate having a late night as they drive home from the party celebrations
Lady Sarah Chatto, 59, daughter of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, 1st Earl of Snowdon, donned a dazzling display of jewellery when attending the King’s birthday bash
Zara (pictured with Mike) teamed her stunning dress with a velvet blazer and matching court shoes, while carrying a shimmering metallic clutch bag
The King’s niece (pictured with her husband Mike Tindall) opted for a glamorous smattering of makeup to complete her sophisticated look
Sarah Troughton, pictured, who is one of the Queen’s six companions (a role which replaced the former lady-in-waiting position) and oldest friends. Sarah, the Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, is a second cousin of King Charles via her maternal grandfather, who was a brother of the Queen Mother
Penny Knatchbull pictured arriving at the birthday party. The Countess Mountbatten of Burma befriended Prince Philip at a polo match in 1975 when she was 20, became one of his closest confidantes despite being 32 years his junior and was pictured on walks with the Duke over the years
Zara’s sophisticated £640 dress also featured voluminous puff sleeves. Pictured, Zara and Mike arriving at Clarence House
Guests arrive at Clarence House in Central London, for the party. Pictured left, the late Queen Elizabeth II’s racing manager John Warren
Lady Susan Hussey, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was dressed in an elegant blue shimmering gown as she had her taxi door opened for her as she arrived at Clarence House
Jools Holland, pictured left, arrives at Clarence House to celebrate the King’s 75th birthday
‘They had not received any invitation and were unaware of any celebrations until the stories came out,’ the insider said, adding: ‘I’m sure the Duke will find a way to reach out privately to wish His Majesty a happy birthday like he has always done’.
A friend of the couple suggested the Palace could even have leaked the ‘snubbing’ story to take attention away from the recent royal visit to Kenya, where the King faced calls to apologise for Britain’s colonial past.
READ MORE: Happy birthday, Pa! Prince William shares throwback Instagram snap with King Charles at Klosters to mark the monarch turning 75
‘The story is being positioned in a way to make it look like the Duke is snubbing his father, which he is not,’ the friend said. ‘Considering the trip [to Kenya] didn’t go well, this might be a welcome distraction.’
A 41-gun royal salute in Green Park, central London, a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London and a 21-gun salute in Edinburgh all marked Charles’s milestone on Tuesday.
The King arrived in cheery spirits in Didcot, Oxfordshire, with Queen Camilla to launch the Coronation Food Project at a food waste distribution centre.
Among the many people he met there was Kelvin, who sells the Big Issue magazine, which is sold by homeless people to help them earn an income.
Photos show the King greeting Kelvin, who is holding a stack of the magazines. The special edition features a black and white portrait of King Charles on the front cover.
And dispelling the myth that royals never carry cash, photographs show Charles handing Kelvin a £10 note, to buy a copy.
The King, who enjoyed a working birthday before private celebrations, laughed as he was treated to a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to mark his three quarters of a century.
Charles replied: ‘Oh gracious!’ after Baroness Louise Casey, who is helping to create his Coronation Food Project, asked whether he minded if guests serenaded him.
Baroness Casey told the monarch: ‘I was wondering if it was all right…’ at which point the King raised his eyebrows questioningly and looked around comically. He then quipped: ‘Have you practiced?’ to a group of volunteers behind him.
The monarch wore a warm-looking camel coat and a smart grey suit for the official visit, taking time to wave to those who’d gathered to offer well wishes on his birthday. Queen Camilla opted for a stylish emerald green skirt suit with black knee-high boots for the public outing
Charles greets Britain’s newly appointed Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Chief Nursing Officer for England Ruth May and CEOof NHS England Amanda Pritchard as he meets nurses and midwives to celebrate their work, at Buckingham Palace
Charles speaks to members of the NHS Choir as they were singing on his birthday
King Charles and Queen Camilla (both pictured) braved the rain today as the monarch celebrated a working birthday
During their visit to the South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance today, the royals met staff working at the surplus food distribution centre
The King bought a special edition of the Big Issue from seller Kelvin (right) with Lord John Bird, (centre) the founder of the Big Issue, stood between them
The special edition of the Big Issue features a black and white portrait of King Charles taken by Rankin
Dispelling the common belief that royals never carry physical money around with them, the King was seen handing the Big Issue seller a £10 note as he picked up his copy
London’s Piccadilly Lights were lit up with a birthday message for Charles and the tourist attraction also displayed a quote from his Big Issue article.
Happy birthday! King Charles III waves to well-wishers as he arrives at the launch of the Coronation Food Project with Queen Camilla in Didcot
The 41-gun salute lit up a murky day in Green Park with members of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery carrying out the ceremonial tradition
The King looked a tad bashful as everyone joined in, including Queen Camilla, who also clapped loudly at the end.
The monarch wore a warm-looking camel coat and a smart royal blue tie with a slate grey suit for the official visit, taking time to wave to those who’d gathered outside – many wearing disposable raincoats – to offer well wishes on his birthday.
Queen Camilla, 76, opted for a stylish emerald green skirt suit with black knee-high boots and black leather gloves, and antique pearl drop earrings for the public outing – with both royals needing umbrellas to brave the inclement Oxfordshire weather.
The Coronation Food Project was inspired and devised by the King, who has long been concerned about waste, particularly when it comes to food, and the cost of living crisis. More than 12million tons of food is wasted each year in the UK alone.
The project will work with, and crucially raise funds for, existing food waste projects around the country to save and circulate more surplus food and use it for social good.
As workers at the food waste depot, wearing hi-vis jackets, looked on, the king and queen waved to those who’d made the journey to wish Charles a happy birthday
Waving in the rain! The King, who’s enjoying a working birthday but will celebrate privately this evening with friends and family, looked in good spirits as he waved to the crowds ahead of launching the initiative in Didcot
Seeing the funny side of the dismal weather served up on his birthday, King Charles pictured waving at those gathered in Didcot
Queen Camilla shakes hands with community leaders in Didcot; the royals also met with supermarket chiefs during the visit
Not quite birthday cake: Charles eyes up a crate of Ryvita as he tours the food distribution warehouse
It will help scale up nationwide projects and build warehouses, as well buy fridges, freezer and refrigerated lorries. The project is being led by Baroness Casey and Dame Martina Milburn and co-ordinated by the King Charles III Charitable Fund.
‘We are beyond delighted about it. It is such an honour for us and support for the project just wouldn’t have happened without you. We are incredibly grateful to you,’ Baroness Casey told the King and Queen.
Arriving in pouring rain, they met staff and volunteers in the warehouse, the King asking questions about how the surplus food is received and distributed to community organisations.
At one point, the monarch asked: ‘I hope you have had a lunch break. There’s plenty to eat!’
The King also took a peek inside a freezer and then outside viewed four Fareshare food vans loaded with goods for distribution. ‘Are you just about to go out?’ he asked one driver.
Although the engagement hadn’t been publicised in advance, there was a small but vocal crowd outside who burst into another rendition of happy birthday.
The royal couple visited the kitchen at the food hub, meeting New Zealand chef Alex, far left, and admiring some of the dishes created from surplus food
Although King Charles declined to try any – he famously works through his lunch break – he was inquisitive about how the dishes were made
There was no escaping a rendition of Happy Birthday either, with Queen Camilla enthusiastically joining in
The monarch also waved off four food delivery vans from the car park, chatting to the drivers about their day
On fine form! The King smiles at those shouting happy birthday in his direction
Stoic support: A group of royal fans, wearing plastic rain macs, patiently await the arrival of the king and queen
The project in Didcot aims to bridge the gap between food waste and food need (Pictured: Charles and Camilla in Oxfordshire this afternoon)
Queen Camilla and King Charles chat as they arrive at the centre on Tuesday
The Coronation Food project uses food waste to create new meals for the community, and was officially launched by the King and Queen on Tuesday
Baroness Louise Casey greets King Charles as the royals arrive by car in Oxfordshire
Finally under shelter, the King and Queen met workers at the food waste centre
Meanwhile 70 miles away in London, members of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery carried out the ceremonial tradition of a 41-gun salute for the King, lighting up a murky day in Green Park.
The Honourable Artillery Company fired an additional 62-gun salute at Tower Wharf, Tower of London – an extra 21 for the City of London – at 1pm.
North of the border in Edinburgh Castle, the Band of Royal Regiment of Scotland played their instruments, ahead of 16 Regiment Royal Artillery firing a 21-gun salute.
Back inside the Didcot hub’s offices, Charles and Camilla popped into the kitchen where chef Alex MacKay was making a delicious array of hot food with a team of volunteers.
‘Happy birthday,’ he told the sovereign. ‘How did you know?’ joked Charles.
The chef continued: ‘Would you like to see what we are cooking, sir? This is all from surplus food.’ The dishes included plates of fresh vegetables and a lentil and black bean chilli.
‘I had hope to feed you but I understand we can’t. Would you like to have a taste?’ he added.
The King, who famously never stops for lunch, said he had another engagement to get to.
Before he left, Charles asked him: ‘Are you from ?’
Alex replied: ‘Oh no, and we were getting on so well! I’m from New Zealand. You know what you do, sir. You ask someone if they are from New Zealand and for the ns, that’s a compliment!’
The 41 gun salute in Green Park was followed by a 62-gun salute at Tower Wharf, Tower of London – an extra 21 for the City of London – at 1pm
The King’s horses trot through the royal park ahead of the 41 gun salute which took place at noon on Tuesday
The King also spoke to food influencers including Bake Off’s Crystelle Pereira, as well as the chief executives of several major supermarkets and food suppliers including Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose, alongside Amazon, ABF and Prince’s, who have all signed up to the newly-created Food Alliance to help stop food waste and donate surplus produce.
There was also time to chat with Lord Bird, co-founder of The Big Issue, who launched the Coronation Food Project on Monday with a new portrait by Rankin of the King on the front cover.
He told the King: ‘I haven’t seen you for a quarter of a century.’
‘Has it been as long as that?’ asked the King. ‘You haven’t changed a bit!’
Kelvin, who has sold the Big Issue off and on for 25 years during periodic bouts of homelessness, explained afterwards: ‘It just shows he cares. He is reaching out to the general public. He is a good man.
Armed with earplugs to protect their hearing against the sound of the gunfire, the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) prepare to carry out a 62-gun salute in the rain at the Tower of London
Members of the HAC pictured at Tower Wharf, the Tower of London on Tuesday morning
16 Regiment Royal Artillery fire a 21 Gun salute at Edinburgh Castle to mark the 75th birthday of King Charles III
‘The Royal Family always try to help but he really does. The world is in turmoil and we need to all be together. We are all equal. He is using his position to facilitate change. His mother would be proud of him. She was a benevolent and kind person. ‘
Before Charles and Camilla left for another engagement, followed by a private dinner in London, the King unveiled a plaque to mark his visit before he and the Queen waved off four food distribution vans.
Later today, Charles will host a Buckingham Palace reception highlighting the work of nurses and midwives over the decades as part of the NHS 75 celebrations.
Among the guests will be around 400 nurses and midwives alongside the Chief Nursing Officer of England, Dame Ruth May, and Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England.
This morning, the Royal Family’s social media accounts paid tribute to King Charles on his 75th birthday, posting a photobook-style montage of images showing the monarch from his very first public appearance as a baby to more recent times – and lots of key moments in between.
The 39-second clip was posted on X this morning by the @RoyalFamily account and rolls back the decades for the monarch as he celebrates a milestone birthday – showing some of the most important moments of his life and more intimate photos spent with family members through the years.
With Tower Bridge in the background, the gunners fire the salute
The Band of Royal Regiment of Scotland play, ahead of 16 Regiment Royal Artillery firing a 21 Gun salute at Edinburgh Castle
The Right Honourable the Lord Lyon chats with 16 Regiment Royal Artillery after they fired a 21-gun salute at Edinburgh Castle
Queen Camilla pictured being greeted by Dame Martina Milburn, a former chief executive of the Prince’s Trust, as she arrived to launch The Coronation Food Project
Queen Camilla climbs into a car with an umbrella as she departs the launch of the Coronation Food Project
Holding a stylish transparent umbrella, the Queen looked relieved to be back under cover
Queen Camilla took shelter from the rain under an umbrella as she arrived Didcot
To mark the King’s 75th birthday on Tuesday, the Royal Family’s official X account shared a touching 39-second photo montage of Charles’ life
A young then Prince Charles pictured in 1970, when he was just 22, right: a photo of the late Queen in a playful scene with her children
Charles is working today, and will launch the Coronation Food Project with the Queen which aims to bridge the gap between food waste and food need. Yesterday he was presented with a cake at Highgrove
The post shared two emojis, one of a crown and the other of a cake, alongside the words ‘Wishing His Majesty The King a Happy 75th Birthday.’
There are images of the late Queen, including one from 1948 when she was pictured for the first time in public with her firstborn. Charles is seen fast asleep wearing a royal christening gown in his mother’s arms.
Princes William and Harry also appear, although not together, with happy scenes from their childhood flashing past, including the moment the then Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana introduced their second son to the world at St Mary’s Hospital in London in September 1984.
There’s also a November 1997 image of the then Prince Charles with a young Prince Harry as father and son are seen smiling together as they recorded their handprints in concrete while on an official visit to South Africa.
Elsewhere, a 1998 snap of Charles with Princes William on the slopes in the Swiss ski resort of Klosters, a long-time favourite of the royals, also appears.
The photobook-style montage opens with a blue-and-white front cover featuring a floral scene with bee imagery and the words ‘Happy Birthday Your Majesty’.
Stirring classical music provides the soundtrack as the montage races through the decades.