King Charles III was born on November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace in London. This week, the British monarch will turn 78. Ahead of his birthday, he spent time in Croydon visiting with citizens and making a few official stops.
While visiting the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, he even met with renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Students performed a beautiful routine for the reigning monarch, truly making a memorable milestone in their careers.
See photos from King Charles’ visit to the region.
King Charles Visits Croydon During His Birthday Week
King Charles chose an excellent time to visit Croydon. Inside Croydon reports he came during the Surrey Street Market’s 750th anniversary. The reigning monarch’s ancestor originally granted permission to open the street market hundreds of years ago.
“The first royal charter for a market in Croydon was granted in 1276 to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Kilwardby, by King Edward I. Charles III is the 20th great-grandson of King Edward I,” the outlet writes.
Queen Elizabeth II was the last British monarch to visit the area back in 2002 during her Golden Jubilee tour.
King Charles Met With His Long-Time Friend, Andrew Lloyd Webber
While visiting Croydon, King Charles also paid a visit to The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology. There, he met with musical theater legend, Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Photographers snapped photos of the “Phantom of the Opera” composer jovially chatting with the king. They’ve had a friendly relationship for quite some time. Andrew Lloyd Webber famously wrote “Make a Joyful Noise” for the king, which was performed during his crowning ceremony in 2023.
During the visit to the school, students performed a dance for King Charles and his entourage.
The King Celebrates His Birthday Twice a Year
Though King Charles III personally celebrates his birthday in November, he has a second celebration in June called “Trooping the Colour.”
Each year, it’s a grand spectacle where the royal family often participates in the parade on horseback or in carriages. King Charles and his family then head to the balcony at Buckingham Palace and watch the Royal Air Force jets fly overhead.
Queen Elizabeth II’s real birthday was in April, but she also celebrated “Trooping the Colour” in June. PEOPLE reports King Charles opted to continue celebrating it in the summer because London has a better chance of good weather then.
King Charles III Visits With Croydon Residents During His Birthday Week