Prime Minister Theresa May has led tributes to the Prince of Wales on the heir to the throne’s 70th birthday.
Gun salutes were fired in celebration of Charles’s milestone age as the prince spent the day working, ahead of a black tie party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The PM, opening a Commons debate to mark the occasion, said the future king had spent his life “defying expectations and refusing to be categorised”.
Earlier today, Clarence House wished Prince Charles a happy birthday with a video slideshow of pictures from down the years.
Happy 70th birthday to HRH The Prince of Wales. pic.twitter.com/xmiPV4K7w4
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 14, 2018
On the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Welsh Guards played a rendition of Happy Birthday in the prince’s honour.
As is tradition, a 41-gun salute was fired by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in London’s Green Park, while at the Tower of London, the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-gun royal salute, and at Westminster Abbey, the bells rang out.
Congratulations from around the world were sent to Charles.
Charles was surrounded by his nearest and dearest in the official images marking his birthday.
In two photos released by Clarence House, the prince was pictured sat on a bench with his grandson Prince George, wife Camilla and granddaughter Princess Charlotte.
Stood behind the prince and his wife were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – with Kate holding Prince Louis – and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The photographs are rare images of Charles with his three grandchildren, whose number will increase to four when Meghan gives birth next year.
