The King and Queen braved Storm Claudia to greet the crowds standing in heavy rain as they carried out a series of engagements in South Wales on the monarch's 77th birthday. Charles and Camilla began their day at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, which is one of Wales's most historically significant buildings and celebrated its 200th anniversary this year.
The weather didn't put the King and Queen off speaking to the crowds as they sheltered under umbrellas to shake hands and greet the locals. Camilla, 78, donned a blue coat dress with a diamond leek brooch, while Charles, 77, sported a tan coat over a grey suit.
Their Majesties rubbed shoulders with Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, TikTok creator Lewis Leigh, reality TV star Liam Reardon and fashion designer, Julien Macdonald, as they attended a celebratory community reception.
In an offer he is not likely to have received on a birthday before, Love Island winner and fitness coach Liam told the King about his gym, adding: "If you'd like to come for a session together, let me know, that would be great." Charles laughed and said: "I try to do my exercise... twice a day."
Ruth Jones, who is writing a new show about Merthyr with actor Steve, her co-star in Stella, said of the King and Queen: "I think they do so much great charity work and I love what the Queen does for literacy and encouraging people to read and the King's amazing work on environmental issues and his support of the Arts." Steve said: "It was a real honour to see them here today in a place where we used to play as kids, it's fantastic. The fact that he's come here to Merthyr to celebrate is what makes it so special."
The King and Queen then spoke to people working with their patronages, including The King's Trust and the Royal Osteoporosis Society, as well as local businesses Cocos Coffee and Candles and Enaid Wellness and the domestic violence charity Safer Merthyr Tydfil. The monarch was also presented with a coin to mark the Trust's 50th anniversary next year, which was designed by King's Trust alumna Jessica Gregorio and produced at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant.
Charles then looked delighted as he sliced into a Victoria sponge castle-themed birthday cake, before departing to officially open the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff's Well, near Cardiff, South Wales. Meanwhile, the Queen visited Cyfarthfa Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil to mark World Poetry Day.
WATCH: King Charles celebrates his birthday with impressive castle cake
The castle has already been decked out for Christmas
Cyfarthfa Castle, built in 1825 as the grand residence of ironmaster William Crawshay II, is now home to a museum and art gallery. The Cyfarthfa Foundation aims to safeguard the castle's heritage, expand its galleries, and enhance the surrounding 160-acre park for future generations.
The King shaking hands with TikTok creator Lewis Leigh.
This is the question HELLO! royal correspondent Tracy Schaverien is asking over on The HELLO! Royal Club as King Charles celebrates his 77th birthday. You can read Tracy's post and have your say by clicking on the button below and signing up for one of our club memberships (free, paid, inner circle). We can't wait to see you in the club...
Designer Julien, who is an ambassador for the ROS, showed the King and Queen a dress he designed for Dame Shirley Bassey and which he had brought back specially from Monte Carlo to exhibit at the castle for their visit.
Dame Shirley has worn the yellow Italian silk georgette gown, embellished with 20,000 Swarowski crystals and upcycled ostrich feathers, to a Royal Variety Performance and to open a world tour.
The Queen has previously attended one of Julien's fashion shows in aid of the Royal Osteoporosis Society as the charity’s President.
She took on the role in 2001, having got involved with its work following the deaths of her mother Rosalind Shand and grandmother Sonia Keppel from the disease.
The King and Queen were given a warm reception from the crowds as they departed the castle, with the pair waving to the crowds.
Despite running over their scheduled time at the castle, they both spent time shaking hands with wellwishers who had waited up to three hours to see the royal couple.
There were shouts of "Happy birthday!" and "Penblwydd Hapus, Your Majesty!" as the King stopped to chat to as many people as possible, accepting gifts of cuddly toys and homemade cards, while his wife was given bouquets of flowers.
The Queen at Cyfarthfa Primary School in Merthyr Tydfil. She visited the school to mark Poetry Together Day and joined pupils taking part in a guided reading programme, supported by local volunteers.
The Queen, who also attended a school assembly, is patron of many literacy organisations, including the National Literacy Trust, BookTrust, and The Royal Society of Literature.
The King then officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff's Well, near Cardiff.
Charles briefly took the driver's seat for a tram-train journey before meeting Transport for Wales staff who have worked to deliver the flagship project.
Before leaving the tram depot, the King met well-wishers in the pouring rain.
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