The King's 75th Birthday Celebrated with Gun Salutes and Social Cause Initiatives

Gun salutes and a birthday sing-along marked the 75th birthday of King Charles. A 41-gun salute in Green Park, a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London, and a 21-gun salute in Edinburgh commemorated the milestone. On the same day, the King launched the Coronation Food Project at a food waste distribution center in Didcot, Oxfordshire, alongside Queen Camilla.

During the visit, the King met Kelvin, a vendor of the Big Issue magazine, which helps homeless individuals earn an income. The King purchased a copy of the magazine and even handed Kelvin a £10 note. The special edition of the magazine featured a black and white portrait of King Charles on the front cover.

To celebrate his birthday, the King was treated to a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, which he jokingly questioned if the volunteers had practiced. The King and Queen donned rain gear and braved the inclement weather to greet well-wishers outside.

The Coronation Food Project, inspired and devised by the King, aims to address food waste and the cost of living crisis in the UK. It will work with existing food waste projects, raise funds, and maximize the use of surplus food for social good. The project will support nationwide initiatives, establish warehouses, and procure necessary equipment such as fridges and refrigerated vehicles.

The King and Queen engaged with staff, volunteers, and chefs at the food distribution center, expressing their interest in the process of receiving and distributing surplus food. They also spoke with food influencers and executives from major supermarkets and food suppliers who have joined the newly-formed Food Alliance to combat food waste.

Later today, Charles will host a Buckingham Palace reception honoring the work of nurses and midwives as part of the NHS 75 celebrations. The Royal Family's social media accounts shared a photobook-style montage showcasing pivotal moments from the King's life, spanning from his early public appearances as a baby to recent times.

As the King celebrated his milestone birthday, his commitment to social causes and efforts to combat food waste were recognized and appreciated, highlighting the positive impact he has made throughout his reign.