Prince Charles is celebrating his 71st birthday in India today during a whistle-stop tour of the nation. The Prince of Wales arrived in India yesterday for the two-day solo trip ahead of travelling to New Zealand on Sunday where he will be reunited with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Last year Prince Charles marked his 70th birthday with a big bash in London.

He celebrated reaching the milestone age surrounded by Royal Family members and his wife, Camilla.

While this year’s birthday was bound to be a more muted affair, the future King has been treated to some special celebrations in Mumbai.

The Prince of Wales headed to Kurur Village Mumbai Public School this morning to promote the work of the British Asian Trust.

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There he was joined by a host of the organisation’s supporters including pop royalty Katy Perry.

The pop star posed with Prince Charles who was also joined by Indian business leaders Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata for the special engagement.

Katy Perry has been in India since performing in Mumbai on Monday.

A group of 20 school children sung Prince Charles happy birthday and presented him with a cake.

The royal’s visit to the school was to highlight the impact of the world’s largest Education Development Impact Bond (DIB) in improving educational outcomes in India.

Following the meeting, Katy Perry said she was impressed with the work the British Asian Trust is doing and vowed to be more involved with her support.

At 71, Charles engrains his place as the oldest heir apparent in British history.

Prince Charles is Queen Elizabeth II’s oldest son and first in line to the British throne.

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He will ascend the throne on his mother’s death or if she ever chooses to abdicate.

At 93, the Queen shows no sign of stepping down as monarch – a move royal insiders have claimed she will never make.

This being the case it seems likely Prince Charles will become the oldest king to have ever been crowned in Britain when he does eventually ascend the throne.

Currently, the oldest king to take the throne is William IV, who succeeded in 1830 at the age of 64.

Royal family members including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have sent warm birthday messages to Prince Charles on his special day.

Meghan and Harry posted a previously unseen photo of Charles with his grandson Archie Harrison on their Sussex Royal Instagram account.

The caption read: “Happy birthday to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales – Sir, Pa, Grandpa!”

Prince Charles will travel to New Zealand on Sunday where he will embark on a week-long tour with his wife Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.

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