Express.co.uk takes a look at King Charles’s most powerful moments as monarch as he celebrates his 76th birthday today.

King Charles is celebrating his 76th birthday today and Express.co.uk takes a look at his best moments as monarch.

King Charles is celebrating his 76th birthday today after what has been dubbed by many a challenging year for the Royal Family.

The monarch, who was born on this day, November 14, 1948, is bracing for a packed day full of engagements as he plans on spending his special day in his signature style – serving the country.

Charles will open the first two hubs on the first anniversary of his legacy project – Coronation Food – which he launched last year and which aims to help those in need of food, while at the same time reducing surplus food being thrown away.

It comes as the King is still recovering from a type of cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Charles took a short break while he underwent treatment for his illness, however, he is back on duty, even completing his first royal tour overseas with Queen Camilla in Australia and Samoa last month.

Today, Express.co.uk takes a look at 11 of King Charles’s best moments of his reign as the nation celebrates its sovereign.

The King had quite the birthday eve as he carried out two engagements on Wednesday.

Charles celebrated the UK’s film and television industry at a Buckingham Palace reception before a night out at the Gladiator II premiere.

The King and Queen welcomed directors, actors, TV presenters, stunt performers and costume designers at Buckingham Palace including the director of the Gladiator sequel, Sir Ridley Scott.

The reception at the historic royal residence marked the centenary of the Film and TV Charity, of which Charles has become patron, following in the footsteps of his late mother Elizabeth II who had held the role since 1952.

(Image: Getty)

Later, the monarch attended the premiere of Gladiator 2 at the Odeon Luxe in London’s Leicester Square.

Wearing a black suit, Charles beamed as stepped out of his car onto the red carpet.

The Queen, who was originally due to attend the red carpet event, did not accompany him as she continues her recovery from a chest infection.

The showing of the much-anticipated sequel is the 72nd Royal Film Performance staged by the Film and TV Charity, and the first one Charles has attended as King.

(Image: Getty)

 King Charles will open the first two hubs on the first anniversary of his legacy project – Coronation Food – which he launched last year on his 75th birthday and which aims to help those in need of food, while at the same time reducing surplus food being thrown away.

The hubs – major distribution centres, designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food – are set to transform the ability of charities like FareShare and the Felix Project to support communities in need.

(Image: Getty)

The monarch was born Charles Philip Arthur George on November 14, 1948. The eldest child of the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, he’s made history as Britain’s longest-serving heir to the throne and Prince of Wales.

He ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, after his mother’s passing.

Following her death, he released a statement saying: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved mother.”

(Image: Getty)

In his first speech as monarch following Elizabeth’s death, Charles moved the nation as he pledged himself to the task before him and the “heavy responsibilities of sovereignty”.

He said: “I know how deeply you, the entire nation – and I think I may say the whole world – sympathise with me in the irreparable loss we have all suffered.

“It is the greatest consolation to me to know of the sympathy expressed by so many to my sister and brothers and that such overwhelming affection and support should be extended to our whole family in our loss.

!To all of us as a family, as to this kingdom and the wider family of nations of which it is a part, my mother gave an example of lifelong love and of selfless service.”

(Image: Getty)

King Charles is celebrating his 76th birthday today after what has been dubbed by many a challenging year for the Royal Family.

The monarch, who was born on this day, November 14, 1948, is bracing for a packed day full of engagements as he plans on spending his special day in his signature style – serving the country.

Charles will open the first two hubs on the first anniversary of his legacy project – Coronation Food – which he launched last year and which aims to help those in need of food, while at the same time reducing surplus food being thrown away.

It comes as the King is still recovering from a type of cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Charles took a short break while he underwent treatment for his illness, however, he is back on duty, even completing his first royal tour overseas with Queen Camilla in Australia and Samoa last month.

Today, Express.co.uk takes a look at 11 of King Charles’s best moments of his reign as the nation celebrates its sovereign.

In December 2022, Charles delivered his first Christmas broadcast. In it, he paid tribute to his late mother, while thanking the nation for their “love and sympathy” in the months prior following the late Queen’s death.

He praised his eldest son and his wife, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for their work, as well as Queen Camilla.

Charles reflected on how he was standing “so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father” in the King George VI Memorial Chapel.

He also thanked the public for the “love and sympathy” after thousands of people sent cards and messages of condolence.

(Image: Getty)

King Charles’s Coronation took place the next year in May, when he was crowned monarch during a spectacular ceremony at Westminster Abbey.

Charles’s wife, Queen Camilla, was also crowned in a joint ceremony for the royal couple.

The King’s Coronation marked the official start of his reign and took place 70 years after Elizabeth’s Coronation in 1952.

The ceremony, which took place in front of 2,000 attending guests, was also watched by millions across the globe.

(Image: Getty)

In December 2023, for his second Christmas speech as monarch, Charles praised the “selfless army” of volunteers serving communities across the country and described them as the “essential backbone of our society”.

He said: “And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.

“The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’.”

(Image: Getty)

King Charles is celebrating his 76th birthday today after what has been dubbed by many a challenging year for the Royal Family.

The monarch, who was born on this day, November 14, 1948, is bracing for a packed day full of engagements as he plans on spending his special day in his signature style – serving the country.

Charles will open the first two hubs on the first anniversary of his legacy project – Coronation Food – which he launched last year and which aims to help those in need of food, while at the same time reducing surplus food being thrown away.

It comes as the King is still recovering from a type of cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Charles took a short break while he underwent treatment for his illness, however, he is back on duty, even completing his first royal tour overseas with Queen Camilla in Australia and Samoa last month.

Today, Express.co.uk takes a look at 11 of King Charles’s best moments of his reign as the nation celebrates its sovereign.

In February 2024, Charles announced that he had been diagnosed with a type of cancer.

The shocking news came after the monarch was admitted to hospital to undergo an enlarged prostate operation in January, however, it was stressed by sources that the cancer was not linked to his surgery.

At the time, a Buckingham Palace statement read: “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”

(Image: Getty)

After a short break to undergo cancer treatment, the monarch was back to public-facing duties in the spring of 2024, while he also undertook several engagements in the summer, like Royal Ascot and a number of garden parties.

Royal sources at the time disclosed that the King felt “incredibly positive” about the future and was “keen to get back to work” as he wanted to “make up for the lost time”.

(Image: Getty)

The King headed to Australia and Samoa for nine days last month in what was his first royal tour in the area as monarch.

The visit was praised by many royal watchers and described as a success.

Meanwhile, a source close to Their Majesties said that the couple were “overwhelmed” by their reception in Sydney.

Following the completion of the tour, the King and Queen said in a statement: “As our visits to Australia and Samoa come to a close, my wife and I would like to thank both nations for the warmest of welcomes and for the countless fond memories we will carry in our hearts for many years to come.

“Even when we are far apart in distance, the many close connections that unite us across the globe and through our Commonwealth family have been renewed, and will remain as profound as they are enduring.”

(Image: Getty)

King Charles is celebrating his 76th birthday today after what has been dubbed by many a challenging year for the Royal Family.

The monarch, who was born on this day, November 14, 1948, is bracing for a packed day full of engagements as he plans on spending his special day in his signature style – serving the country.

Charles will open the first two hubs on the first anniversary of his legacy project – Coronation Food – which he launched last year and which aims to help those in need of food, while at the same time reducing surplus food being thrown away.

It comes as the King is still recovering from a type of cancer, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year. Charles took a short break while he underwent treatment for his illness, however, he is back on duty, even completing his first royal tour overseas with Queen Camilla in Australia and Samoa last month.

Today, Express.co.uk takes a look at 11 of King Charles’s best moments of his reign as the nation celebrates its sovereign.