King Charles has officially become The Ranger of Windsor Great Park

King Charles III has officially become The Ranger of Windsor Great Park on his 74th birthday today. 

His Majesty took the role 70 years after his father, The Duke of Edinburgh was appointed to the post.

The Ranger of The Great Park offers oversight and guidance to the Deputy Ranger and his team in the day-to-day stewardship of one of the country’s oldest landed estates.     

Prince Philip was the longest serving Ranger – appointed by Queen Elizabeth in 1952 and holding the role for nearly seventy years until his passing in 2021.

Philip took an active role in overseeing many developments during his office, including the reintroduction of red deer into the Deer Park in 1979 and the development of The Savill Garden Visitor Centre and Virginia Water Pavilion.    

The role at Windsor can trace its roots back to 1559 when Sir Henry Neville was appointed Ranger in the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I.

Over the last 460 years, the post of Ranger has been held by the Sovereign and other family members, including The King’s father and Grandfather, King George VI.

Prince Philip (left) was the longest serving Ranger – appointed by The Queen (right)  in 1952 and holding the role for nearly seventy years until his passing in 2021 (pictured horse riding in Windsor Great Park in 1991)

Paul Sedgwick, The Crown Estate’s Managing Director, Rural and Deputy Ranger of Windsor Great Park, said: ‘We are honoured to have His Majesty as Ranger of Windsor Great Park, continuing a long tradition of the Sovereign and members of the Royal Family holding this role.

‘Windsor has a wonderful heritage with many precious natural habitats. His Majesty’s passion and commitment to the natural world will be invaluable as we seek to become a centre of excellence for environmental best practice, preserving and enhancing the Great Park for generations to come.’

Windsor Great Park is a very popular destination for visitors with over five million people visiting each year. 

It’s free to enter and open all year-round. It is home to magnificent horticultural displays, woodland shores, historic features, wildflowers and deer.

King Charles III led other members of the royal family, including the Prince of Wales and Princess Royal, out to attend the Cenotaph service

Some 10,000 veterans and military personnel are involved in today’s march, which ends at the Cenotaph

The Crown Estate manages the Windsor Estate, encompassing some 15,800 acres – including Windsor Great Park, Home Park, Swinley Forest; the award-winning Savill and Valley Gardens; and the famous, tree-lined Long Walk.

The Great Park is internationally renowned for its collection of veteran and ancient Oak and Beech trees and in 2012, Ranger’s Avenue, a row of young native oaks, was planted in honour of Prince Philip. 

King Charles prepares to celebrate his birthday for the first time since he acceded the throne. 

King Charles appeared emotional as he laid his wreath at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Sunday service

Chelsea Pensioners arrive to form up at Horse Guards Parade as they prepare to march along Whitehall for the Remembrance Sunday service

It is thought he will be marking the occasion in private following the death of his beloved mother Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.   

The new monarch, who yesterday led the nation in paying tribute to fallen members of the Armed Forces on Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, is not expected to make a public appearance today.

However, there will be public celebrations with the Band of the Household Cavalry performing Happy Birthday during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace later today.  

Gun salutes will be fired across the capital in honour of his birthday for the first time, with the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery – which does salutes on major events like state visits – firing 41 volleys from midday at London’s Green Park.

This will be immediately followed by the Band of the Scots Guards performing Happy Birthday in the park, and an hour later the Honourable Artillery Company will fire a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London.