Afternoon tea fit for a king! Charles will celebrate his 75th birthday with a party at Highgrove Gardens, organized by The Prince’s Foundation

King Charles III started his 75th birthday with a tea party in Highgrove Gardens.

His Majesty, 74, was greeted at an early gathering ahead of his milestone tomorrow, with applause from guests and a rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ playing in the background as he attended the event at his home in Gloucestershire.

The early birthday party, hosted by The Prince’s Foundation, was attended by a host of guests including Jay Blades from The Repair Shop – who entered the room behind Charles – and celebrity chef Raymond Blanc.

Charles rolled his eyes playfully as guests sang Happy Birthday to him before cutting his white and gold cake.

Monday’s early birthday party comes before the King’s main event tomorrow, which will take place at Clarence House.

King Charles shares a laugh with a guest as he attends his 75th birthday party hosted by the Prince’s Foundation at Highgrove House

Guests at today’s event also included community stalwarts nominated by friends and family who are also turning 75 this year, as well as representatives from organizations marking the same milestone, from the NHS to members of the Windrush generation.

A local choir sang Happy Birthday to the head of state at the end of the cream tea party, and after debating which of the three layers of the Victoria sponge to cut, Charles chose the bottom one.

He was cheered and cheered after cutting off a slice and holding the knife up in celebration as he looked at the sweet treat.

Blades, an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, paid tribute to Charles, saying: ‘He’s the new King but he’s also about community, he’s always talked about community, always thought ahead about what we do about the environment , but also about the community. members.

“So to have this group of people here, it’s just incredible; that’s part of him, that’s what he does.’

The king greeted his guests and even took selfies at the event, which featured a variety of afternoon teas.

His Majesty was greeted tomorrow at an early gathering ahead of his main celebration, with applause from guests and a rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ in the background

The cake designed by Jan Blackmore of Buttercup Pantry ahead of King Charles III’s 75th birthday party

The monarch playfully rolled his eyes as guests sang Happy Birthday to him before cutting his white and gold cake

The early birthday party was attended by a host of guests, including Jay Blades from The Repair Shop (pictured with other guests) – who entered the room behind Charles.

The king entered the room to the sound of the song “Hallelujah” and applause from his partygoers

Charles smiles as he speaks to one of the guests during his 75th early birthday celebration

King Charles smiles as he holds a cup of tea as he enjoys the early birthday party

King Charles III laughs with a guest as he attends his 75th birthday party hosted by the Prince’s Foundation

Among the guests in attendance was Jessie Stephens, sitter of the Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation.

The afternoon birthday gathering also included a performance by the Rock Choir and a cake designed by Jan Blackmore of Buttercup Pantry.

The main celebration to mark this important milestone will take place on Tuesday at Clarence House in London.

Charles’ meeting tomorrow coincides with the announcement of an anti-waste initiative that reflects his growing concern about food poverty in Britain.

King Charles III shakes hands with guest Jessie Stephens, sitter of the Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation, as he attends his 75th birthday party, hosted by the Prince’s Foundation

King Charles III shakes hands with a guest as he attends his 75th birthday party

Charles laughs with a guest as she sits at a table lined with afternoon tea treats

Jessie Stephens drinks from a tea cup during the celebration of the King’s early 75th birthday

The King’s tea party featured a performance by the Rock Choir, who wore their signature t-shirts

Charles will unveil the Coronation Food Project to mark his big day on November 14, after making an undisclosed substantial private donation to start the venture.

Eight food hubs will be launched across the country, with the first four opening in London, Liverpool, Glasgow and Northern Ireland.

Others will follow in Cardiff, Leeds, Birmingham and Milton Keynes. Dame Martina Milburn will oversee the project after ending her term as CEO of The Prince’s Trust, the charity Charles set up to help young people.

The king is focusing on this issue as Britain throws away more food than any other European country.