Prince Charles's 70th birthday party on Wednesday evening hosted by the Queen was a lavish affair attended by both the British Royal Family and European royalty.
As patron of Age UK, Prince Charles spent the hours before his big birthday bash attending a tea at Spencer House hosted by the charity, celebrating 70 inspirational people marking their 70th birthdays! Just before the evening's festivities started, Charles confessed that getting older wasn't always easy, telling reporters, "I’m not sure. It’s rather like indigestion. ‘Many Happy returns’ are not quite the same as you get older".
Prince Charles and Camilla travelled from Clarence House to Buckingham Palace in a chaffeur-driven car. Fans were also able to catch glimpses of Prince William and Duchess Catherine and the Sussex's arriving by car, as well as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Kate looked particularly gorgeous in a one-shoulder, ruffled pink gown, with her hair in an elegant updo to show off her dazzling diamond drop earrings. Meghan also opted for diamond earrings, which were set off by her dark hair in a sleek chignon.
Other royalty present included Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, King Juan Carlos of Spain and King Harold and Queen Sonja of Norway.
The Queen made a beautiful speech, praising Charles and expressing her gratitude at being able to celebrate his milestone birthday with him.
"It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday. It means that you have lived long enough to see your child grow up. It is rather like —to use an analogy I am certain will find favour — planting a tree and being able to watch it grow."
She went on to add, "My mother saw me turn 70, of course. And she was heard to observe that 70 is exactly the age when the number of candles on your cake finally exceeds the amount of breath you have to blow them out. Over his 70 years, Philip and I have seen Charles become a champion of conservation and the arts, a great charitable leader — a dedicated and respected heir to the throne to stand comparison with any in history — and a wonderful father. Most of all, sustained by his wife Camilla, he is his own man, passionate and creative. So this toast is to wish a happy birthday to my son, in every respect a duchy original. To you Charles. To the Prince of Wales".
Charles's glam party wasn't the only special honour he received for his birthday, Clarence House released a new portrait of the Prince of Wales and one of Charles and his sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. The Prince, along with his sons Prince Harry and Prince William, will also feature on a new series of stamps.
Such a lovely moment
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