King Charles releases new portrait to mark 76th birthday
King Charles has turned 76!
The royal marked his birthday by opening two food distribution hubs, as part of his Coronation Food Project launched one year ago, with the aim of bridging the gap between food poverty and food waste.
His Majesty visited one of the new hubs in south London on Thursday, which was hosting a "surplus food festival" as part of its opening, where they made meals using food that might otherwise have gone to waste.
He also opened the second Coronation Food Hub in Merseyside in northwest England, in a virtual ceremony.
The monarch spent his birthday touring the new facility before meeting beneficiaries and representatives of food banks, schools and community groups.
Since it was launched, the food project has saved 853 tonnes of surplus food - the equivalent of 2.2 million meals - from going to waste. It has also given £715,000 ($1.4 million) in community food grants to 33 UK organisations.
While the royal had an eventful birthday, the Royal Family's official X account shared portrait of the monarch with the caption: "Wishing His Majesty The King a very Happy Birthday today".
The Prince and Princess of Wales also offered their best wishes in a post on social media, with a photo of the monarch taken during his recent overseas tour to Samoa.
"Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!" they captioned the post.
The bells of Westminster Abbey were rung at 1pm (midnight AEDT).
Images: X/ Zak Hussein/ Shutterstock Editorial