A new photograph of King Charles has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark his 77th birthday, capturing The Monarch in a quiet moment at his Sandringham estate<\/a> in Norfolk.<\/p>\n Taken by royal photographer Millie Pilkington, the image shows the King holding a shepherd\u2019s crook. The portrait was shared on the Royal Family\u2019s official social media accounts alongside a balloon emoji and the message: \u201c77 today!\u201d<\/p>\n The new photographs come just days after it had been announced that His Majesty was to grace the latest cover of Country Life<\/a>, with the magazine marking the restorations of the gardens at Sandringham.<\/p>\n Despite the stormy weather brought by Storm Claudia, King Charles spent his birthday in South Wales alongside Queen Camilla. Their Majesties attended a reception at Cyfarthfa Castle<\/a> in Merthyr Tydfil, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. Guests included Welsh cultural figures such as Ruth Jones, reality TV personality Liam Reardon and TikTok creator Lewis Leigh.\n<\/p>\n \nThe King was presented with a birthday cake shaped like Cyfarthfa Castle itself \u2013 a vanilla sponge layered with jam and buttercream, before guests sang Happy Birthday. Later, Charles braved the rain to meet crowds gathered under umbrellas, demonstrating his characteristic warmth and resilience.\n<\/p>\n What a special birthday surprise at Cyfarthfa Castle \u2013 showcasing what the Welsh do best! \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc77\udb40\udc6c\udb40\udc73\udb40\udc7f\ud83c\udfb6 pic.twitter.com\/4At3VzZyJl<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The birthday celebrations were not the only highlight of the day. King Charles also officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot<\/a> in Taff\u2019s Well, near Cardiff, where he tried his hand at driving a tram-train. The project is a major step forward in modernising Welsh transport infrastructure, underscoring the King\u2019s commitment to regional development and sustainability.<\/p>\n \nThe last year of Charles\u2019 life has been a turbulent time both in regard to family and diplomatic matters.\u00a0His younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was stripped of his titles and status as Prince<\/a> due to his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.<\/p>\n Meanwhile on the diplomatic stage, King Charles hosted US President Donald Trump<\/a> at Windsor Castle for his second State Visit.\u00a0The King and Queen also made a historic visit to the Vatican<\/a>, with Charles becoming the first British Monarch since the Reformation to pray alongside the Pope in a public service.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/thecrownchronicles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Country-Life-Magazine-12th-November-2025-Millie-Pilkington-HM-King-Charles-III-scaled.jpg\")
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thecrownchronicles.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/G38bDvFWYAAFa37.jpeg\")