Why does King Charles have two birthdays?
Why does King Charles have two birthdays?
This weekend, we will see the Trooping the Colour which takes place every year in June to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign, although King Charles' actual birthday is in November.
King Charles III arriving at last year's Trooping the Colour ceremony
(Image: PA )
King Charles is gearing up to celebrate his official birthday this Saturday, June 14, with the annual Trooping the Colour, a grand event that draws in the Royal family and thousands of Royal enthusiasts. Despite his actual birthday falling in November, the Trooping the Colour is traditionally held every June.
This dual birthday celebration isn't unique to King Charles, as Queen Elizabeth II and many former monarchs also marked their official birthdays with the Trooping the Colour, separate from their actual birth dates.
It's a ceremonial event performed every year in the Horse Guards Parade in London by regiments of Household Division.
But why does the monarch have two birthdays and why isn't the Trooping the Colour aligned with the King's real birthday? For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here
The explanation lies in two quintessentially British factors: tradition and weather.
The practice of the King having two birthdays is rooted in a centuries-old tradition established by successive monarchs.
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The inaugural Trooping the Colour is thought to have taken place during the reign of King Charles II, who ruled from 1660 to 1685. However, it wasn't until 1748 that the parade was designated as the official birthday celebration of the Sovereign, becoming an annual fixture after George III ascended to the throne in 1760.
However, it was King Edward VII, reigning from 1901 to 1910 and born in November, who initiated the tradition of observing Trooping the Colour in June. For those monarchs whose birthdays occur at various times throughout the year, they celebrate their ceremonial birthday in June, whilst marking their actual birthdays on their birth dates.
Despite his actual birthday being November 14 when he will turn 77, the King's official birthday is commemorated in June due to a decision made over a century ago, largely driven by the quintessentially British desire for pleasant weather.
When planning his birthday festivities, King Edward VII determined that much like King Charles III, his birth month of November wasn't the most suitable time for a large outdoor gathering.
Consequently, he shifted Trooping the Colour to May or June, when there was less likelihood of cold, drizzly weather spoiling the day. The subsequent monarch, George V, conveniently had an actual birthday in June.
However, Queen Elizabeth II's father, George VI, whose birthday was in December, revived the tradition of an official summer birthday, which Elizabeth II has maintained.
(Image: Getty Images )
There's a chance that upon his ascension to the throne, Prince William might only celebrate one birthday, given that his actual birth date already falls in June (specifically, on the 21st).
In a similar vein, Prince George, whose birthday is also during the summer months (July 22), may choose to stick with just one birthday celebration once he assumes the role of King. This could potentially see the longstanding tradition of monarchs having two birthdays fade away for several decades.
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