King Charles III has ascended to the throne (Picture: Hannah McKay – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
King Charles III became monarch in September 2022 following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Charles had quite a long wait to become King, ascending to the throne automatically following Her Majesty’s death, before it was formally declared by the Accession Council.
He’s also had to wait for several months to be officially crowned – but that happy occasion is now just weeks away, with both Charles and Queen Consort Camilla set to be coronated on Saturday May 6.
The ceremony will kick off a long weekend of celebrations, with the service itself at Westminster Abbey on the Saturday, followed by the star-studded coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday May 7 and a bank holiday on May 8.
As well as being the first new monarch for over 70 years, Charles is also the oldest person ever to assume the British throne
But how old is the King and when is his birthday? Here is everything you need to know.
How old is King Charles?
The monarch is 74 years old.
Prior to Charles becoming king, the oldest monarch to ascend the throne was William IV, who was 64 when he assumed the throne in 1830.
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Upon becoming King, His Majesty promised a ‘lifelong service’ to the country as he paid tribute to the Queen on her ‘last, great journey’.
The youngest British monarch at the start of her reign was Mary, Queen of Scots, who became queen aged 6 days in 1542.
The youngest king was Henry VI, who was 8 months and 26 days old at the time of his accession.
When is King Charles’ birthday?
King Charles’ birthday is on November 14.
The Scorpio king turned 74 a few months after ascending the throne, therefore. However, it’s very likely that Charles, like his mother and many monarchs before him, will have two birthdays.
Monarchs have celebrated two birthdays for nearly 300 years (Picture: Sang Tan/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
A monarch having two birthdays dates back to 1748.
The first royal to have two birthday celebrations was the Queen’s distant relative, King George II – who wished to throw a public celebration, with a parade and plenty of pomp and circumstance to mark the occasion of his birthday.
Being a November baby – like the new King Charles – he decided the weather wasn’t primed for it, so he threw a little soiree in the summer, too.
This summer event has stayed in place ever since – and it’s when Her Majesty the Queen would celebrate with Trooping the Colour.
It’s not been confirmed but Charles will likely continue the tradition.
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Long live the King.
