On Monday, King Charles III turned 74, and to celebrate his first birthday as king, ceremonial cannon salutes echoed around the British capital.
Following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8, the former prince of Wales has plunged himself into his new position.
He led a solemn memorial service for Britain’s war dead at London’s Cenotaph for the first time as king the day following Remembrance Sunday, which happened on his birthday.
In London gardens and from the Tower of London on the banks of the River Thames, uniformed soldiers shot salutes.
At the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, a military band performed “Happy Birthday.”
For his birthday, Charles has no planned appearances in front of the public.
But to commemorate his appointment as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, west of London, he was taken in a brand-new shot posed beside an old oak tree while dressed in a tweed jacket and corduroy pants.
Prior to his father’s passing in 2021, Prince Philip held the position.
Charles, who was born on November 14, 1948, will be the oldest British king to be crowned in May of the following year.
At the age of three, he was named heir to the throne, and the most of his life was spent waiting to succeed his mother.
Since doing so in September, he has fully embraced his new position while remaining true to his promise that he would refrain from “meddling” in politics as king.
Despite being a vocal supporter of environmental causes, he disregarded official advice and did not attend the COP27 session of the United Nations on climate change.
Along with meeting numerous foreign dignitaries, such as ambassadors and heads of state, he has also made public appearances across the nation.
He hosted King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria last week, met Afghan and Ukrainian refugees, and traveled to Northern Ireland.