King Charles III turned 74 on Monday and ceremonial gun salutes were celebrated in the British capital to mark his first birthday as monarch.

The former Prince of Wales has embraced his new role following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on September 8.

His birthday fell a day after Remembrance Sunday, when he led a somber tribute to the British war dead at the London Cenotaph for the first time as monarch.

Liveried troops fired a gun salute in London parks and from the Tower of London on the banks of the Thames.

A military band played “Happy Birthday” at the daily changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace.

Charles has no public appearances planned on his birthday.

But he could be seen in a new photo wearing a tweed jacket and corduroy trousers and posing next to an old oak tree to mark his appointment as ranger of Windsor Great Park, west of London.

The post was previously held by his father, Prince Philip, who died in 2021.

In May next year, Charles, who was born on November 14, 1948, will become the oldest British monarch ever crowned.

He became heir to the throne at the age of just three and spent most of his life waiting for his mother’s succession.

He has immersed himself in his new role since September, but has kept his word that as king he would not “meddle” in politics.

Despite being an outspoken advocate for environmental concerns, he did not attend the United Nations COP27 summit on climate change on government advice.

He has met a number of foreign dignitaries, including ambassadors and heads of state, and has made public appearances across the country.

Last week he hosted Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Jordanian King Abdullah II, met refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan and visited Northern Ireland.