Featured Image Credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, Prince William, UK News, King Charles III, The Queen
Madison Burgess
Topics: Royal Family, Prince William, UK News, King Charles III, The Queen
Happy birthday King Charles!
It was the British monarch's birthday on Friday (14 November) as he celebrated turning 77-years-old - but did you know this is actually his second birthday this year?
That's right, the King was in fact born on 14 November, 1948, however, he has a second big day in June, which is his 'official birthday' and is when the UK will properly celebrate.
While most of us do like to stretch out our big day into a 'birth week' or even 'birth month,' Charles takes the cake here for being extra. After all, what's the point in being a King if you can't enjoy two birthdays?
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As we say, his other birthday falls on the second Saturday of June and coincides with Trooping The Colour, which is a centuries old tradition.
Like all other Kings and Queens of England, Charles' late mother, Queen Elizabeth II was also granted the same honour and celebrated both her actual birthday, 21st April, as well as the June date. However, when Prince William becomes King, this tradition could be broken.
The reason behind it isn't some complicated historical explanation - it's simply because summer in England is the best time for a parade.
Essentially, because the monarch's birthday is typically celebrated with outdoor events, such as Trooping the Colour, it makes a lot more sense to celebrate in the summer than during the autumn or winter.
The two-birthday tradition for British monarchs does date all the way back to 1748, when King George II combined the annual summer military march with his own birthday celebration, although he was born in November.
Queen Elizabeth II’s great-grandfather, Edward VII, was also born in November and so his birthday was celebrated in May or June throughout his reign.
The choice stuck and Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British King or Queen for more than 260 years.
Also known as The King's Birthday Parade, as per the BBC, it sees more than 1400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians take part in the event.
However, eagle-eyed royal fans have pointed out a key detail that means once Prince William becomes King, he may not get the double celebration.
This is because his birthday is on June 21, and so it will likely coincide with Trooping the Colour, meaning he could just celebrate one birthday like the rest of us.
Or, have two parties a week apart, which, to be honest, we wouldn't blame him for.
Since he's already born in summer, it kind of defeats the point of having the two dates, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what he decides.
Personally, I wouldn't want to give up the chance to celebrate twice!