Charles III Turns 78: Cake at a Croydon Market, a Greeting With Elton John From William and Kate, and a Birthday Overshadowed by the Arrest of Meghan's Father

King Charles III turned 78 on 14 November, and he started celebrating a day early - not in a palace, but at a market. In Croydon, in south London, he marked the 750th anniversary of the Surrey Street market, cut a cake, and met composer Andrew Lloyd Webber at the BRIT School for the performing arts.

A market seven and a half centuries old and a king celebrating among the stalls - it's a photo any royal house would have commissioned itself. The monarchy learned long ago that a cake cut among the people wins more sympathy than any speech from a balcony.

The most talked-about greeting came from his son and daughter-in-law. Prince William and Kate posted a photo of the King sitting next to Sir Elton John. The picture is from an episode of his show "Rocket Music" on Apple Music, recorded in October and released a few days before the birthday. The occasion is the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, and the two talk about the songs that have meant something to them in their lives.

But the birthday was overshadowed by a story no palace can control. Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, has been arrested by the FBI on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material. A federal judge in Florida released him on bail, under house arrest at a mental health facility.

Meghan pulled out at the last minute from a speech she was due to give with Prince Harry at the European Parliament. A source told Britain's "Telegraph" that she didn't feel strong enough to appear.

Harry, Meghan and the children, Archie and Lilibet, have been living in Britain again since the end of August, after six years in California. There's no sign of a reconciliation with William so far, and no known meeting with the King. The father celebrates with Elton John, and there's not a word about the younger son. How many families in the Balkans recognise that silence between brothers, when everyone pretends the holiday is going just fine?