He had insisted he didn’t want a fuss, but when the King turned 75 last week, he was treated to several renditions of Happy Birthday, gun salutes, gifts and a huge cake.
Aides said His Majesty wanted to use his milestone to shine a light on other people, so he carried out a string of engagements to do exactly that.
However, he also made time to celebrate with his nearest and dearest, who helped him round off his special day with an intimate party at his London home, Clarence House.
The festivities began the day before, when the monarch dropped in on a tea party for others marking their 75th birthdays this year hosted by the King’s Foundation at Highgrove, his Gloucestershire estate. He was serenaded by around 60 partygoers and the local Rock Choir.
Cutting into a three-tiered Victoria sponge cake, he urged guests to eat up, saying: “Who can I donate it to? Can we get rid of it? We need to give you doggie bags.”
He had invited community champions in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset, as well as representatives of the NHS and the Windrush generation, both of which are marking 75th anniversaries this year.
TRIBUTES FROM THE STARS
Famous faces included The Repair Shop presenter Jay Blades, singer Leee John and chef Raymond Blanc, a new ambassador for the foundation, who said: “He has been campaigning for 50 years on environmental and social issues that are vital for our communities and our planet. What he has done is extraordinary.”
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 27, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
REUNITED TO LAUNCH THEIR NEW ACTION FILM GEORGE CLOONEY AND BRAD PITT
THE HOLLYWOOD STARS ON THEIR LONGTIME BOND AND WHY THEY STILL LOVE TEAMING UP ON SCREEN AND OFF
Dream Destination J.J. MARTIN
From ancient ruins to the best places to shop for coloursplashed ceramics, the globetrotting founder of La DoubleJ shares the Sicilian spots she finds most magical
PIXIE LOTT MAMA DO
With the birth of a new album to celebrate, the smger and new mum talks to us about juggling her twin passions motherhood and music
DREAM TEAMS
Drawing inspiration from vintage prints, far-flung travels and even an affinity for taupe, three interior collaborations launched this month bring fresh creativity to home design
SPLASH OF COLOUR
Seven years ago, Olivia Rubin launched her vibrant, rainbowinspired brand. At home, however, the palette is more muted - with the occasional pop of pink...
MUM'S THE WORD
Presenter and former Made in Chelsea star Ashley James speaks out about the aspects of motherhood we can be too shy to discuss
BACK ON SCREENS AS BATMAN'S NEMESIS THE PENGUIN COLIN FARRELL
ON THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL OF TRANSFORMING HIMSELF FOR THE DARK ROLE
MARKING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF ARNHEM THE PRINCESS ROYAL
MEETS VETERANS AND LEADS TRIBUTES AS SHE DELIVERS A MOVING MESSAGE FROM HER BROTHER THE KING
AS MIU MIU LAUNCHES A NEW BALMORAL COLLECTION QUEEN ELIZABETH II
HOW THE LATE MONARCH HAS INSPIRED THE FASHION WORLD WITH HER BRITISH COUNTRY STYLE
CELEBRATING THEIR TENTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY GEORGE AND AMAL CLOONEY
HOW THE GLAMOROUS COUPLE BUILT A LIFE TOGETHER AFTER SWIFTLY FALLING IN LOVE
