King Charles III marks 75th birthday with coronation food project and exclusive cover

King Charles III has taken center stage on the cover of The Big Issue, captured in a striking photograph by celebrated photographer Rankin ahead of his milestone 75th birthday.

The image, taken at Clarence House, not only marks the monarch’s upcoming birthday but also symbolizes the launch of the Coronation Food Project.

The Royal Family Instagram handle shared the news on Saturday, stating, "His Majesty King Charles III shares his birthday wish for “our people and planet” exclusively inside next week’s Big Issue. The portrait was taken by renowned photographer Rankin (@rankinarchive) for The Big Issue."

Rankin, renowned for his iconic portraits of Queen Elizabeth, expressed his privilege in capturing the King's resilience and determination.

The Coronation Food Project, targeting food insecurity, will be featured in The Big Issue, where co-chairs Baroness Louise Casey and Dame Martina Milburn will discuss ways to connect surplus food with vital community needs in the UK.

In a statement, King Charles III emphasized the urgency of tackling both food waste and scarcity, expressing hope that the initiative will efficiently redirect surplus food to those in need.

The King is set to celebrate his birthday at his countryside residence, Highgrove House, welcoming peers sharing his birth year for an afternoon of tea and live music.

Simultaneously, a digital animation highlighting the Coronation Food Project will illuminate prominent locations, including Piccadilly Circus.