The Prince and Princess of Wales have issued a birthday message to King Charles as he celebrates his 78th birthday with a special radio show appearance alongside Elton John.
William and Kate posted a message including a picture of the two together on the show with the words "Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!"
Radio Show Memories and Messages
Charles joined the superstar for Rocket Hour, his regular slot on Apple Radio, and shared his poignant "magic" memories of The Beatles' All You Need Is Love, and chose Sir Elton's own hit – I'm Still Standing – as one of his favourite tracks because of its "message of resilience".
Their conversation highlighted the key role of music in the work of The King's Trust, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the musicians who support the charity, as Charles told Sir Elton: "We and the Trust are definitely still standing."
Public Celebrations in Croydon
The radio show comes after the King was mobbed and serenaded with 'Happy Birthday' during a visit to a Croydon street market.
He visited Surrey Street Market, where crowds of stallholders and shoppers gathered to catch a glimpse of the monarch, who also watched performances by a local Bollywood band and dancers and was presented with a birthday cake to cut.
During his tour, he was often unable to move a few metres without being surrounded by excited well-wishers, who were eager to shake his hand. It came after he was also mobbed by screaming teenagers as he visited the inspirational BRIT School, also in Croydon, earlier in the day.
Family Challenges and Continued Duties
As Charles reflects on turning another year older, he has kept up his duties as King despite still receiving cancer treatment after his diagnosis almost three years ago.
However, he has had to deal with a raft of family drama, including the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in February. The disgraced prince was detained by police on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after he allegedly handed confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy. Andrew has vehemently denied all claims against him.
The scandal surrounding Andrew has continued in recent months, with Charles recently footing the bill for over £1million to the Crown Estate after leaving his former home, Royal Lodge, in a state of disrepair.
On top of the Andrew scandal, the King was dragged into Harry and Meghan's drama once more when it was announced that the Sussexes would be moving back to the UK in August. Days after they arrived, Charles issued a statement to clarify their position as 'private citizens', and ensured any work they carried out was not for the Firm.
However, he did have a reunion with his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet. During a visit to Britain in July, the Sussexes travelled to Highgrove to spend private family time together, marking the first time the monarch had seen his grandchildren in several years.
Resilience Praised Amid Tour
While the King is turning 78 today, Palace aides have recently praised the monarch's resilience after he carried out numerous engagements across his nine-day tour of the Caribbean.
One of Charles' most senior aides praised the King's stamina throughout the trip, where temperatures were regularly in the high 30s, as they said: "I think probably the best response to that is a picture of a man about to turn 78 wangling the cowbells as he jives down the street in nearly 40-degree heat.
"When the engagement finished, I'd get in the car next to him and say 'Crikey, I'm hot'. He says, 'Oh, never mind'. So no, he copes. I mean, frankly, he copes better with it than I do, and I'm younger than him."
Buckingham Palace also said the King, despite turning 78 and operating in sweltering 40 degree heat last week in Guyana, "enjoys the reaction he gets from people in the doing" of the job, and was committed to carrying on despite his continued treatment for cancer since 2024.
