Royal Family Mark Prince Charles' 70th Birthday With Rare Joint Photos

Prince Charles turns 70 today, and is ringing in the celebrations with the release of two joint family photos.

The images show Charles and his wife Camilla surrounded by the heir to the throne's children and grandchildren.

Duchess of Cambridge Kate is holding six-month-old Prince Louis in her arms, while Princess Charlotte and Prince George sit on their grandparents' knees laughing at something behind the camera in one of the pictures.

It is the first official photo of the family together since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding earlier this year.

The Duke of Sussex has his arm around pregnant Meghan Markle, although there is no glimpse of her baby bump.

Queen Elizabeth II doesn't appear in the images nor does Prince Philip.

The rare informal pictures were taken at Clarence House, London by Chris Jackson in September before Meghan's pregnancy was announced. Chris has previously photographed the family, and took snaps for Prince George's fourth birthday.

These images were released alongside a few revelations about Prince Charles' favourite things, which include talking to turkeys and pheasant crumble pie.

He also revealed his love of 'groussaka' - his own take on the Greek dish mousaka which uses grouse instead of lamb.

Speaking of his crumble, the royal said: "I got this recipe from someone I know. It is delicious.

"I invented a grouse one recently, coq au vin with grouse, as well as moussaka with grouse. It doesn't always have to be lamb - in other words, groussaka!"

The Prince of Wales made the comments to Country Life, also telling the magazine that he's quite fond of red squirrels and lets them run around his Birkhall home on the Queen's Balmoral estate.

Charles said: "They come into the house at Birkhall and we get them chasing each other round and round the inside.

"Sometimes when I leave my jackets on a chair with nuts in the pockets, I see them with their tails sticking out, as they hunt for nuts - they are incredibly special creatures."

Buckingham Palace shared 70 facts for Charles' 70th ealier this week, including his favourite tea - Darjeeling with milk and honey (obviously) and that he never eats lunch.

The Prince has a frog named after him: Hyloscirtus Princecherlesi or Prince Charles Magnificent Tree Frog.

Clarence House shared a video montage of the prince through the years to celebrate the milestone on Wednesday.

Happy birthday, Prince Charles.