Prince William and Kate Middleton share cool snap of King Charles to celebrate his 76th birthday

Prince William and Kate Middleton shared a cool snap of King Charles on his 76th birthday today.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken to their official Instagram page to share a fun picture of the monarch during a royal visit to Apia, Samoa, last month.

The royal beamed sporting a beige suit in sunglasses and a ceremonial garland around his neck, to open The King's Garden, at the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Apia.

The sweet post was accompanied by the message: 'Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!'

Royal fans appreciated the quirky choice of photo to celebrate the King and they took to X, formerly known Twitter , to share their thoughts.

One person wrote: 'Love the Daddy Cool photo, nice choice.' Meanwhile someone else added: 'This is cool. Happy Birthday our King.'

Another said: 'What a lovely picture. happy birthday to His Majesty! I hope he will enjoy his special day and I hope he will have an incredible new year!'

The King is set to mark his birthday by opening two hubs designed to save and circulate tonnes of surplus food.

The opening of the distribution centres will also mark the first anniversary of the Coronation Food Project, an initiative to support charities feeding the nation with unwanted food. He is set to open the initiative's first two Coronation Food Hubs.

Like his late mother Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles as two birthdays. His actual one takes place today, while an official one falls on the second Saturday in June.

To mark the occasion, gun salutes will be fired in Green Park by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company as part of the military's traditional celebrations.

Elsewhere, bells will be rung at Westminster Abbey where the King was coronated in 2023.

Queen Camilla is expected to be absent from the King's birthday engagements today after falling unwell.

On Tuesday, the Queen reassured she was 'on the mend' as she conducted her first public engagement after contracting a 'nasty' chest infection.

It comes after King Charles made a film-star worthy entrance as he arrived for the Gladiator II world premiere at Leicester Square last night in his state Bentley limousine.

The royal watched the highly anticipated blockbuster, hot off the heels of a glittering reception he and Camilla hosted to celebrate the centenary of the Film and TV Charity.

He looked dapper in a black tuxedo, teamed with a bowtie, at the red carpet where the monarch smiled for the cameras.

Earlier in the evening, Charles and his wife chatted with A-listers including the film's director Ridley Scott as they welcomed a slew of stars to Buckingham Palace.

While acting legend Denzel Washington, who had been expected to attend, was a no-show, is expected to meet the King tonight at the premiere.

Charles will also meet the movie's stars including Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal - before settling down to watch a screening.

Queen Camilla, who has had to pull out of the event due to an ongoing chest infection, earlier told Ridley: 'I am so sorry I'm not coming tonight. I'd be coughing throughout it. '

Indeed, the Queen discreetly coughed several times during her shortened appearance at the reception and gratefully sipped on a glass of water, saying she had felt 'absolutely rotten' last week but was definitely 'on the mend'.

The King met the stars of Gladiator II and asked Hollywood legend Denzel Washington : 'Are you playing someone terrible?'

Charles walked the red carpet in Leicester Square without Queen Camilla who has been forced to scale down her engagements due to a chest infection.

At the Odeon Luxe cinema he met stars of the movie including Washington, 69 , Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen plus Brit director Sir Ridley Scott, 86.

He warmly shook hands with Sir Ridley who appeared to say they would talk after the movie.

Oscar-winning actor Washington shook the King's had firmly as Charles asked him: 'Are you playing someone terrible?'

The actor replied: 'I'm a lovely man, you'll see.' The King added: 'You've been in so many films, fantastic.'