Prince William is likely to scrap a popular tradition when he becomes King. The life of a monarch is often associated with grandeur, privilege and centuries-old traditions, and in the case of King Charles, it also comes with the custom of two birthdays.
The King's actual date of birth falls on November 14, but the occasion is also celebrated each June with Trooping the Colour, the spectacular military parade that marks the monarch’s official birthday.
Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for King Charles for several years at Highgrove, spoke about the origin of the tradition. Mr Harrold also shared his thoughts on whether Prince William is likely to continue the tradition when he eventually takes to the throne.
Explaining how the tradition of two birthdays came about, Mr Harrold said: “The tradition of a British monarch having two birthdays dates back to the 18th century. It's commonly linked to King George II, whose birthday fell in November, when Britain's weather was often cold, wet and unpredictable. To make it easier to hold large outdoor celebrations, an official birthday was introduced during the summer months, when there was a much better chance of good weather. As a result, the monarch has both a real birthday and an official birthday, which are celebrated separately.”
He also spoke about the difference in celebrations between the two dates. Speaking to Heart Bingo Online, he said: “The official birthday is the public celebration, marked by Trooping the Colour in June. The event is one of the biggest occasions in the royal calendar and features military pageantry, a carriage procession, a Royal Air Force flypast and special appearances from members of the Royal Family. King Charles’ actual birthday is on November 14 and is usually celebrated privately with family and close friends. While there may be public messages marking the occasion, it is typically a low-key affair.”
When asked if Prince William will abide by the tradition, Mr Harrold said: “There is no guarantee that Prince William will scrap the two-birthday tradition when he eventually becomes King, but some royal watchers have speculated that he could choose to review it. Because his birthday falls on the 21st of June, there would be less practical need for a separate official birthday, as the date already coincides with the time of year traditionally used for royal celebrations.”
Prince William is first in line to the British throne, as the eldest son of King Charles III.
