Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles the former Prince of Wales, has now become King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.
The new King will officially be known as King Charles III
Charles was born at Buckingham Palace in London, during the reign of his grandfather George VI, on November 14, 1948. He celebrated his 73rd birthday on 14 November 2021.
He was the first child of parents Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was also the first grandchild of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
His mother became queen when he was only three after the death of his grandfather King George VI in 1952.
After the death of his grandfather and the accession of his mother as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, Charles became her heir apparent.
Prince Charles has been first in line to the British throne since 1952, and is the oldest and longest standing heir apparent to the British throne.
As the Prince of Wales, Charles undertook official duties on behalf of his deceased mother, the Queen. He founded The Prince’s Trust in 1976, and is a patron, president or member of over 400 other charities and organisations.
He married Diana Spencer in the summer of 1981, though the couple would eventually divorce in 1996. Charles later wed Camilla Parker Bowles.
He is the father of Princes William and Harry and is also a grandfather. Among his many philanthropic and environmental endeavors are the Prince’s Trust and the Prince’s Rainforest Project.
Charles is also the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having held the title since 1958.
