Amid political tensions between the Marape-Rosso government and the Alternative Government, and the country kick-starting the 2024 National Census roll-out program, today’s public holiday, officially gazetted, is to commemorate King Charles III’s official birthday. King Charles has carried on the tradition of Trooping the Colour, which dates back to 1748. As a result, he does indeed mark two birthdays – the official one, which traditionally takes place on June 16th, and his actual date of birth, on November 14. On June 9th, 2023, Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, had announced the clarification of dates, advising that the National Executive Council had revoked the declared public holiday for 12th June 2023 and endorsed the 16th of June 2023 as the day to observe the official King’s Birthday. Since June 16th fell on a Sunday, yesterday, today, Monday, June 17th has been declared a public holiday to mark the King’s official birthday. In a statement last year, Chief Secretary Pomaleu had stated: “…the NEC made the decision to correct the confusion surrounding the date." "This announcement concludes a long and protracted wait on Buckingham Palace to confirm the official birthday for King Charles III.” “The Palace confirmed two days ago (June 7th, 2023) that the official birthday for King Charles III is the 17th of June 2023.” “All public holidays, including the Queen’s Birthday holiday for 2023, were approved on the 1st of September 2022." "The Queen died on 08 September 2022, and we were initially not able to secure a confirmation on the Kings birthday until now.” This year, the British Monarchy announced that the commonwealth countries can take and celebrate the King’s birthday on June 10th, 2024, however, advised that countries can choose to celebrate on another day besides the set date, but are required to write to the King’s royal house to seek clarification and approval to celebrate the King’s Birthday on their chosen date. According to the Governor-General for the Commonwealth of PNG, Sir Bob Dadae, with virtue of the powers conferred to him with the Advice of the National Executive Council, has declared that Monday, June 17th, 2024 (today) will be a public holiday for the country to witness the King’s Birthday. Meantime, the GG Sir Bob Dadae has conveyed on behalf of the nation, his congratulatory message to King Charles III, on the occasion of the King’s official birthday this long weekend. In his message to the King, Sir Bob said, commemorating the King’s Birthday reminds us of the long and enduring relationship Papua New Guinea has had with the Monarchy, and our place in the Commonwealth of Nations. "The commemoration of this event reminds us of the long and enduring relations with the Royal Family, and our valued affiliation in the Commonwealth of nations." "On this occasion, we once again reaffirm our commitment to our place as a realm in the Commonwealth, and our loyalty to Your Majesty, our King and Head of State." The Governor General also conveyed well wishes of good health and recovery to the King following the King’s recent cancer diagnosis, as well as to Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales who was also diagnosed with cancer.