Palace shares warm update as the monarch, now 77, looks genuinely excited
King Charles seemed refreshed and in good spirits as he marked his 77th birthday on Friday, 14 November, a bright moment in a year that has brought its share of challenges.
The King showed he is still very much at the helm of his reign as he carried on with a full day of duties. During a visit to Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, he received a small birthday surprise organised by Queen Camilla, though he kept to his schedule without slowing down.
Royal watchers thought the outing looked far more fun than work. One person joked that it felt as if the King had been given “a train set” for his birthday. Another added that he looked “genuinely made up to be a train driver,” noting that even a monarch can enjoy childhood dreams. A third wondered if driving a tram had been something he had wanted to try since he was young, judging by the smile on his face.
During the visit, Wales’s deputy first minister praised the King for his smooth driving. After unveiling a plaque at the station, Charles was given a pair of bookends crafted from repurposed railway materials. It was not an actual train set, but it suited him well, especially given his long-standing commitment to sustainability.
Buckingham Palace later shared a cheerful video of the King stepping into the driver’s seat as he opened the new South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well, part of the wider South Wales Metro Project.
According to the Palace, “His Majesty took to the driver’s seat for a tram-train journey before meeting the dedicated Transport for Wales staff who have made the flagship infrastructure possible.” The project includes electrifying 170 kilometres of existing railway and upgrading most of the stations across the region.
