Charles celebrates 64th birthday

Nov 14 2012

The Prince of Wales may be getting older and losing his hair as Paul McCartney famously sang, but turning 64 has left the royal in good spirits.

To the strains of the Beatles tune When I'm Sixty-Four the Prince cut his birthday cake - one of 64 waiting to be eaten - and danced to the song.

Charles celebrated his milestone with the Duchess of Cornwall in New Zealand, the final stop of their Pacific tour to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee which has already taken them to Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The Prince was joined by 64 Kiwis, aged from 18 to 101 who were also born on November 14, and Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, 58, and Bronagh Key, 49, wife of the Prime Minister John Key, who also share their birthday with Charles.

Earlier in the day when the royal couple opened a Diamond Jubilee gift for the Queen - a visitor centre in the grounds of Wellington's Government House - Charles joked: "It's a jolly good day for Scorpios to unite."

He added: "But of course I couldn't think of a better, happier place to spend my birthday then here with all of you in New Zealand."

The royal birthday party was staged at Government House and the Prince and Sir Jerry were ushered over to a table covered with the 64 cakes made from a mixture of dark fruits and boiled sultanas.

Charles stared at the sweet treats each decorated with New Zealand symbols, from the silver fern and kiwi fruit to images of native birds.

The two men each cut a cake as the Central Band of the New Zealand Airforce began playing When I'm Sixty-Four.

At first the Prince looked over to the musicians and raised his eyebrows in resignation but then he started bobbing up and down to the music and moving his hands from side to side as he smiled, clearly enjoying his birthday.