The King turns 78, and marks it on the radio with Elton John.
King Charles' birthday is on Saturday 14 November, when he turns 78. He is marking it with a special episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour on Apple Music 1, celebrating 50 years of The King's Trust, the youth charity he started in 1976. Here's how old he is, why he has two birthdays, and how the day is usually marked.
How is King Charles celebrating his birthday in 2026?
King Charles is co-hosting a special episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour, which airs on Apple Music 1 at 9 am on Saturday 14 November, his 78th birthday.
- Tina Turner
- Rod Stewart
- Calvin Harris
- Raye
- Muse
The show marks 50 years of The King's Trust. The King and Sir Elton recorded it last month at Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, looking back at the charity's concerts, from rock galas at Wembley in the 1980s to shows in Hyde Park and at the Royal Albert Hall, Hello! reported.
The King chose the playlist himself, from stars who have supported the Trust and newer artists it has helped launch. The full tracklist is being kept secret until Saturday, but a Palace spokesperson said it includes Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Calvin Harris and Raye. Muse, who started out with the Trust's support, are on it with their version of Feeling Good.
"Music has always been at the heart of The Prince's, and now The King's Trust."
The King, on Rocket Hour, according to a press release reported by People
The show is free to listen to on Apple Music 1 over the weekend, and then available on Apple Music. It is not the King's first time there: it follows The King's Music Room, the playlist he picked for Commonwealth Day in 2025.
How old is King Charles?
King Charles turns 78 on Saturday 14 November 2026. He was born at Buckingham Palace at 9:14 pm on 14 November 1948.
- 73His age when he became King in September 2022, the oldest person to take the British throne
- 74His age at his coronation in Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023
- 78His age from Saturday 14 November
Dates from the King's biography.
Why does King Charles have two birthdays?
King Charles has two birthdays because of a tradition dating back to the 18th century: his real birthday is 14 November, while his official birthday is celebrated in the summer with Trooping the Colour.
The reason is the weather. Monarchs born outside the summer have long had their birthday parade in the warmer months: Edward VII, born on 9 November, had his official birthday marked in May or June, when there was a better chance of good weather, Hello! explains. Trooping the Colour is traditionally held on the second Saturday of June.
This year it was on Saturday 13 June, and the King rode in a carriage wearing the uniform of the Grenadier Guards, ITV News reported. Last year's parade had its own talking point, when Prince George corrected his father and grandfather on a type of aircraft.
Is King Charles' birthday on 14 June?
No. His birthday is 14 November. June is when his official birthday is celebrated, at Trooping the Colour.
How is the King's birthday marked?
The King's real birthday is marked with a 41-gun Royal Salute in London, and he usually spends the day on royal engagements.
Last year the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired the salute at midday in Green Park, using six First World War guns pulled by 71 horses, Forces News reported. A royal salute is normally 21 guns, with 20 more added for big royal occasions such as the King's birthday.
Here's how he has spent his last few birthdays:
- 75th2023Launched the Coronation Food Project in Oxfordshire, to tackle food waste and food need.
- 76th2024Opened the first Coronation Food Hub in Deptford, south London, and a second in Merseyside online.
- 77th2025Visited Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil with Camilla, cut a castle-themed cake and took the controls of a tram-train.
- 78th2026Rocket Hour with Elton John, on Apple Music 1.
From ITV, Hello! and the Palace's Rocket Hour announcement.
How much older is Camilla than Charles?
Queen Camilla is 16 months older than King Charles. She was born on 17 July 1947, and he was born on 14 November 1948.
Camilla turns 80 in July 2027. The couple married at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005.
What is The King's Trust?
The King's Trust is the youth charity Charles founded in 1976 as The Prince's Trust, using his severance pay from the Royal Navy. It turns 50 this year.
Music has long been part of its story, from the 1980s rock galas the King looks back on with Elton John to bands like Muse, who started out with its support.