Is that a twinkle in King's eye? Many happy returns, Sir

DAPPER in a pinstripe suit and tie, the King looks the business in this official photo to mark his 75th birthday.

- Richard Palmer

The monarch, who appears to have a twinkle in his eye, is also making it his business to use the milestone to launch a scheme to help the neediest during the cost-of-living crisis.

Charles turns 75 on Tuesday and will host a low-key private party, probably at Clarence House, for a few relatives and friends.

In public he will mark the big day with two official engagements. With Queen Camilla, he will launch the Coronation Food Project which aims to divert surplus food that was heading to landfill to those most in need.

Later he will host nurses and midwives at Buckingham Palace to mark the NHS's birthday - it too is 75.

A royal source said: "His Majesty wants the day to be about shining a light on other people."

Charles, who wants to work with farmers and supermarkets to cut food waste across the UK, posed for portrait photographer Rankin for the cover of The Big Issue magazine.