Birthday photo shows King Charles as park ranger

A photo released for the King's birthday shows him as the new ranger of Windsor Great Park

An official photograph has been released to mark the King's 74th birthday - showing him in his new role as ranger of Windsor Great Park.

King Charles III is seen leaning on an ancient oak tree in the park, as he takes on a role once held by his father, Prince Philip.

The photograph, full of autumn sunshine, was taken last week.

The King is expected to mark the day privately, his first birthday since becoming monarch.

As the new ranger, the King becomes steward of one of the country's oldest landed estates, in a role that dates back to the 16th Century.

The Berkshire park attracts about five million visitors per year and the King, an enthusiastic environmentalist, will now oversee its upkeep.

Red deer were reintroduced to the 5,000-acre estate during the stewardship of Prince Philip, who held the post for almost 70 years, until his death in 2021.

Happy Birthday was played for King Charles outside Buckingham Palace on Monday morning, performed by the band of the Household Cavalry during the changing of the guard ceremony.

Happy Birthday was played outside Buckingham Palace at the changing of the guard

Gun salutes have been fired across London, with the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery firing 41 volleys at Green Park. The Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.

There is also a royal tradition of the monarch having a separate official birthday in the summer, which is tied to the Trooping the Colour parade.

The date of Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday was scheduled for a Saturday in mid-June and saw the announcement of the annual Birthday honours. It has not yet been confirmed whether the same pattern will be followed by the King.

• Prince Charles: 70 years in 70 pictures

King Charles has enjoyed a few memorable birthday celebrations in the past.

Ahead of his 50th in 1998, the then Prince of Wales attended the recording of a star-studded televised birthday gala filmed at London's Lyceum Theatre to raise money for the Prince's Trust charity.

It featured a special comedy sketch with Rowan Atkinson reprising the role of Lord Blackadder from the beloved comedy series and Stephen Fry playing the then Prince of Wales.

But perhaps the most notable moment from the evening was Geri Halliwell, who had just quit the Spice Girls, singing Happy Birthday in a breathless style reminiscent of the iconic rendition sung by actress Marilyn Monroe to US President John F Kennedy in 1962.

Gerri Halliwell backstage with the King at the gala to mark his 50th birthday in 1998

As Prince of Wales, he was sometimes away on official foreign tours during his birthday and would celebrate it overseas with a cake.

On his 70th, the King revealed his love of "groussaka" - his version of the Greek dish moussaka, but with grouse instead of lamb.