King Charles: Will the new Monarch celebrate two birthdays like Queen Elizabeth?

Today marks the 74th birthday of King Charles III; how will the monarch be celebrating this joyous event?

Gun salutes and musicians

To mark the first birthday of King Charlesas Sovereign, the Band of the Household Cavalry performed a rendition of Happy Birthday outside Buckingham Palace this morning. The musicians played the tune at the 11 a.m. Changing of the Guard ceremony.

The King can also expect gun salutes to be fired across the capital. At midday, the King’s Troup Royal Horse Artillery fired 41 volleys in Green Park, followed by the Band of the Scots Guard performing their version of Happy Birthday.

The Honourable Artillery Company are expected to fire a 62-gun salute from the Tower of London. As for Charles himself, he will likely mark his birthday in private.

What about a second birthday?

As you may remember, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated two birthdays. One on the 21st of April, the day Her Majesty was born, and one on the first or second Saturday of June. The Queen’s second birthday usually coincided with the Trooping of the Colour parade, a celebration to honour the Head of State.

Elizabeth wasn’t the instigator of the second birthday. We must travel back to 1748 and King George II to see where this tradition hails.

George II was born in November, much like the current King. In his opinion, being born in November wasn’t suitable for public celebrations. Therefore, the King decided he’d much prefer a birthday when the weather was brighter and warmer. In 1748, King George combined his birthday with the Trooping of the Colour parade.

The Monarch’s second ‘summer’ birthday is usually celebrated all over the commonwealth, and in some countries like Australia, the Head of State’s birthday is a bank holiday.

King Charles will likely follow suit and declare his second birthday in spring or early summer.

Sources used:

- Sky News: King Charles to mark first birthday as monarch with special ceremonies

- Good to Know: Why does the Queen have two birthdays?