King Charles set to hit 'very important' milestone next week

As well as his upcoming 76th birthday next month, is set to mark an important milestone very soon.

Writer Ephraim Hardcastle wrote in his latest column that the King will mark a major milestone on Monday.

Describing the monarch as a "Shakespeare-loving sovereign", the writer added that Charles has been on the throne longer than a few English monarchs of the past - such as Richard III.

He wrote: "Having already reigned longer than Edwards V and VIII, he is about to overtake arch-villain, Richard III, whose famous opening line in the Shakespeare play is 'Now is the winter of our discontent'."

It comes as Charles recently returned from his highly successful tour in Australia and Samoa earlier this month - his first visit as monarch.

On their return from their tour, the King and Queen reportedly checked in to the exclusive SOUKYA resort in Bangalore after

The resort, which is run by His Majesty's holistic health consultant Dr Issac Mathai, costs £3,000-a-week and has been visited by the couple a number of times before.

, the royal couple started their days at the resort with morning yoga sessions followed by breakfast and rejuvenation treatments before a healthy vegetarian lunch.

The King, 75, and Camilla, 77, then reportedly took part in more therapies with a meditation session before dinner.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said on Wednesday: "Their Majesties had a short private stopover in India to help break the long journey back from Samoa. They return to the UK this morning."

The King, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, paused his treatment to go overseas.

He is expected to return to a full normal schedule of royal tours next year - dependant on advice from doctors.