King Charles III is poised to celebrate his 77th birthday today, with a former royal butler predicting a particularly touching surprise orchestrated by his grandchildren.
A Grandfather's Special Day
King Charles turns 77 today, Friday the 14th of November, 2025, though his official birthday was marked in June with the traditional Trooping the Colour parade. According to Grant Harrold, a former royal butler, the monarch's day will be brightened by a "special present" from Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Harrold elaborated, suggesting that the young royals will likely complement their gift with handmade birthday cards, a gesture he believes all grandparents cherish. He highlighted the Wales family's affinity for arts and crafts, noting that creating homemade cards has become a significant part of how they mark royal birthdays.
A Tradition of Handmade Touches
This is not the first time King Charles has received a meaningful birthday tribute from his grandchildren. In 2023, for his 75th birthday, his younger grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who reside in California with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sent a special video message of them singing "Happy Birthday".
The tradition of gift-giving within the family flows both ways. In a notable example, King Charles gifted Prince George a lavish £18,000 Wendy house for his first birthday, which remains in the garden of the King's Highgrove estate.
The Wales Family's Creative Spirit
The emphasis on handmade items is a well-established practice for the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. During a public engagement in September, Kate revealed that she and her children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—spent their summer "crafting in every corner of the house."
This creative passion has previously been directed towards other family members. Both William and Kate have confirmed that George and Charlotte crafted handmade gifts for their late great-grandmother, the Queen, for her 91st birthday. A light-hearted moment ensued when William attempted to take credit for the arts and crafts, prompting Kate to jokingly question him, to which a sheepish William replied, "This is putting the marriage on the line."
This birthday celebration underscores the personal, family-oriented moments that exist alongside the King's public duties, with his grandchildren playing a central role in making his day extra special.
