Prince William and King Charles.Photo:Chris Jackson/The Royal Family Instagram

Wishing The Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today!

Chris Jackson/The Royal Family Instagram

King CharlesandQueen Camillaare wishingPrince Williama very happy birthday with a never-before-seen photo!

The Prince of Wales turned 41 on Wednesday, and the King and Queen were among the first to send a celebratory message on social media.

“Wishing The Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today!“read the caption on the royal family’s Instagram post, with a playful touch added in the form of a balloon emoji.

During the crowning ceremony, Prince William stepped forward as the Stole Royal (from an ancient Greek word meaning “scarf”) and the Robe Royal were brought to King Charles, 74, then the heir assisted bishops in putting the robe on the monarch.

After the King was crowned, Prince Williamknelt before his fatherto pledge his loyalty and allegiance. He then touched his father’s crown and kissed his cheek, prompting King Charles to say what appeared to be, “Thank you, William.”

Prince William and King Charles III.Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales kisses his father, King Charles III, wearing St Edward’s Crown, during the King’s Coronation Ceremony inside Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023

Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Westminster Abbey rang its bells in honor of the Prince of Wales' birthday.

Before 2020, thebellsmarked the birthdays of 12 royals.Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, their four children —Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — all received the honor, as did Charles' wife, Camilla. Prince William, Kate and their three kids — Prince George,Princess Charlotteand Prince Louis — completed the list. However, the Abbey announced that starting in 2022, the bells would only mark the birthdays of Queen Elizabeth and Charles.

However, since Queen Elizabeth’s death, they list of birthday bells has changed again. In addition to ringing for King Charles and Prince William’s birthdays, they rang in 2023 for Princess Kate. They’ll ring in July for Queen Camilla’s birthday as well, according to theschedule.

Prince William also received birthday wishes from David Beckham, who recently appeared at the Prince of Wales' Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Boston to announce one of the winners. Sharing photos of William on his Instagram story, the soccer star wrote, “Have an amazing day.”

Prince William’s birthday falls after a busy few days. Last Saturday, the Prince of Wales attended the firstTrooping the Colourof his father’s royal reign. William joined King Charles on horseback for his ceremonial role ofColonel of the Welsh Guards, one of the regiments of the Household Division of the British Army that unite for the sovereign’s birthday parade each year, andjoined other royalson the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the flypast afterward.

A few hours later, Prince William andKate Middletonreleased anever-before-seen photoahead of another celebration — Father’s Day! The smiling shot showed the prince with his arms aroundPrince George, 9, andPrincess Charlotte, 8, who looked at their dad with love. Meanwhile,Prince Louis, 5, hugged William from behind and flashed a giant grin for the camera.

There was also asurprise followfor the first picture — another snap from the Windsor photo session. The image showed William, George and Charlotte in the same arrangement, while little Louis hopped to sit on their dad’s lap.

“Happy Father’s Day ❤️,” read the Instagram caption.

William also opened up about the issue of homelessness in a new interview withThe Sunday Timesas he prepares to launch a new project later this month. During this he revealed that hetalks to his kidsabout the topic “on the school run” and that he intends to bring his children to a homeless organization — like his motherPrincess Dianadid — when the time is right.

“On the school run, we talk about what we see. Driving backwards and forwards [in London], we regularly used to see people sitting outside supermarkets and we’d talk about it,” William, who is patron of U.K. homeless charity Centrepoint, told the paper.

The prince said he asks his kids: “‘Why are they there? What’s going on?’” and added that the discussions are important for his family

Prince William.VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales attends the opening of Centrepoint’s Reuben House in London

VICTORIA JONES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“I think it’s in all our interests, it’s the right thing to do, to expose the children, at the right stage, in the right dialogue, so they have an understanding,” he explained. “They [will] grow up knowing that actually, some of us are very fortunate, some of us need a helping hand, some of us need to do more and help others improve their lives.”

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In the same conversation, the prince revealed that he will soon be launching “a really big project” focused on unhoused people through The Royal Foundation, which he runs with Princess Kate.

“It’s nerve-racking,” William toldThe Sunday Timesof the five-year campaign. “But I’m really excited. I’ve been waiting for the right time to do this.”

Kate Middleton, Prince William.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales depart the Order Of The Garter Service at Windsor Castle

Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images

Prince William was back to work on Monday after a busy weekend, attending theOrder of the Garterceremony and procession at Windsor Castle with Kate, King Charles, Queen Camilla and more.

On Tuesday, he visited the England women’s soccer squad — nicknamed “the Lionesses” — as they prepare for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Prince William is president of the Football Association, the game’s governing body in England, and has been astaunch supporterof the Lionesses in recent years.

source: people.com