On the 200th anniversary of Cyfarthfa Castle, a Welsh landmark, King Charles celebrated another milestone—his 77th birthday. While visiting the south of Wales on Friday, November 14, the monarch blew out his birthday candles (metaphorically speaking) for a second time this calendar year.

As followers of the royal family will have noticed, Charles had already celebrated his birthday last June at Trooping the Colour , a military event held in London at the Horse Guards Parade on the occasion of the monarch’s official birthday.

But why did this first celebration take place on a date so much earlier than his birthday? It’s an old royal tradition. Queen Elizabeth II , born on April 21, 1926, also celebrated her official birthday in June. The double birthday custom dates back to the r

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