Prince Charles celebrates 70th birthday with new royal family photos

The pictures were taken in the garden of his London home, Clarence House

Two previously unseen photographs of the royal family have been released to mark Prince Charles’ 70th birthday.

The heir to the throne is pictured surrounded by his closest family including his wife, children and grandchildren for the occasion.

Taken in the garden of his London home, Clarence House, back in September, the images show the Prince of Wales sitting on a bench with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, surrounded by the rest of his family including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their three children and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Charles' grandson, Prince George, can be seen sitting on his knee, while Princess Charlotte cuddles up to Camilla.

Charles' youngest grandchild, Prince Louis, who is now six months old, is held by his mother, Kate Middleton, who stands alongside Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

In a second, more candid photo, the whole family are pictured laughing. As Meghan leans forward as she laughs, Camilla wraps her arms around three-year-old Charlotte and is pointing at something, while five-year-old George is captured in a fit of giggles sat on his grandfather’s knee.

The pictures were taken in the garden of his London home, Clarence House (Chris Jackson/Clarence House)

The photographs were taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson, who has previously taken Prince George’s fourth birthday picture and is married to the Duchess of Cambridge’s stylist Natasha Archer.

Jackson, who did not give away why the family were laughing, said: “I was delighted to have been asked to take these portraits of The Prince of Wales surrounded by his family to celebrate the important milestone of his 70th Birthday.

The whole family are pictured laughing in the second, more candid photograph (Chris Jackson/Clarence House)

“It was particularly special to capture such an informal and relaxed family portrait over a fun afternoon in the gardens of Clarence House.”

Today, Charles will celebrate his landmark birthday at a banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace alongside his family, close friends and European royalty.

He is also expected to attend a tea party where he will meet 70 other septuagenarians.