Charles digests the realities of life as an older man

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS: PRINCE OF WALES MEETS 70 SEPTUAGENARIANS

THE PRINCE of Wales joked on his 70th birthday about the trials and tribulations of getting older as he met a room full of septuagenarians.

Charles cut a birthday cake, was handed presents and gave an impromptu speech when he had tea with group of 70 people who also turn 70 this year like the heir to the throne.

When the Prince arrived for the celebration at Spencer House with the Duchess of Cornwall yesterday he was asked by the waiting press how he felt.

He replied “How am I feeling? Older, older.”

He joked: “I’m not sure, it’s rather like indigestion, many happy returns are not quite the same thing as you get older.”

Charles was given a gift by the waiting press and when he saw a 70th birthday branded balloon he joked: “I didn’t know you specialised in balloons.”

He also accepted a glittering bag containing a spray product to ward off his beloved red squirrels from bird tables, and said laughing “Where do you find these horrible things?”

Charles and Camilla travelled from Clarence House to nearby Spencer House – the former home of Diana, Princess of Wales’ family –- to meet the special septuagenarians.

The birthday reception was organised by The Sun newspaper, which selected the 70 guests who are volunteers actively involved with a number of the royal couple’s charities including the Prince’s Trust, the Silver Line, Maggie’s and Barnardo’s.

The Spencer family last lived in the 18th century London mansion in the 1920s and today it is leased to the investment company RIT Capital Partners, chaired by Lord Rothschild, which renovated the property.

As soon as the couple walked into the building, the group of 70 people began singing Happy

Birthday to the prince before they all posed for a photograph.

In the Great Room, the largest and most imposing of Spencer House’s state rooms, the guests gathered for the reception where they were given champagne.

With champagne flutes in her hand the group listened as The

Sun’s veteran royal photographer Arthur Edwards paid a heartfelt tribute to the Prince.

How am I feeling? Older, older. It’s rather like indigestion. The Prince of Wales

PICTURES: REX SHUTTERSTOCK / CLARENCE HOUSE / PA / THE SUN CELEBRATIONS: Clockwise from top, Prince Charles receives a birthday balloon outside Spencer House; the family photograph which was issued to mark his birthday; the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrive at Buckingham Palace yesterday for his birthday party; veteran royal photographer from The Sun Arthur Edwards greets the Royal couple at the reception.