HMS Prince of Wales: Royal Navy carrier wishes namesake Prince Charles happy birthday as heir to the throne turns 70Â

The Royal Navy's second aircraft carrier, and sister ship to HMS Queen Elizabeth, is currently under construction in Rosyth. 

The warship, which is due to begin sea trials in 2019, and her crew have sent their birthday wishes to the Prince of Wales, Charles, on his 70th birthday. 

In a tweet, the ship's official account wrote: 'The Ship's Company of HMS Prince of Wales would like to wish HRH the Prince of Wales many happy returns on his 70th Birthday!' 

The HMS Prince of Wales are not the only ones to offer their wishes to Prince Charles on his birthday today (November 14). 

Tributes to Prince Charles

Prime Minister Theresa May has led tributes to the Prince of Wales on the heir to the throne's 70th birthday.

Gun salutes were fired in celebration of Charles's milestone age as the prince spent the day working, ahead of a black tie party hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The PM, opening a Commons debate to mark the occasion, said the future king had spent his life '˜defying expectations and refusing to be categorised'.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a staunch republican, admitted that, although people have different views on the monarchy, being heir to throne is not an easy job.

He praised Charles's public service and even confessed to having something in common with the prince.

The Royal Family also wished the nation's longest-serving heir to throne "a very Happy 70th Birthday" via Twitter, accompanied by a montage of photos of the prince through the years.

As is tradition, a 41-gun salute was fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in London's Green Park, while at the Tower of London, the Honourable Artillery Company fired a 62-gun royal salute, and at Westminster Abbey, the bells rang out.

Congratulations from around the world were sent to Charles.

The Welsh Guards at home and abroad recorded special video messages for their Colonel from troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Chile and Canada, as well as in the UK.

The prince was spending the day holding meetings at Clarence House, before he and the Duchess of Cornwall have tea with a group of inspirational people who also celebrate their 70th birthday this year.

In the evening, the Queen is throwing a Buckingham Palace birthday bash for her eldest son and heir.

European royals and Charles's closest friends and family are expected to gather at the glittering black tie party in the monarch's London residence.

Charles was surrounded by his nearest and dearest in the official images marking his birthday.

In two photos released by Clarence House, the prince was pictured sat on a bench with his grandson Prince George, wife Camilla and granddaughter Princess Charlotte.

Stood behind the prince and his wife were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - with Kate holding Prince Louis - and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The photographs are rare images of Charles with his three grandchildren, whose number will increase to four when Meghan gives birth next year.

Charles is beginning his eighth decade from a position of confidence, with his charitable work in full swing, his sons forging their own public lives and Camilla by his side providing support.

The photo shoot was staged in the garden of Clarence House in September, and appears to show a '˜before and after' of the moment the photographer said "smile for the camera".

In one image, the royals are looking straight ahead and smiling, while in the second Meghan is bending over as she laughs, Camilla has put her arm on three-year-old Charlotte's shoulder and is pointing at something, while George has a fit of the giggles.

Baby Louis, who is six months old, looks happy and content in the photos and has almost grown a full head of hair, while his big brother, five-year-old George, dangles his long legs either side of his grandfather's knee.