King Charles III became the British monarch on September 8, 2022, at age 73, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II after serving as heir apparent for 70 years. Born November 14, 1948, he attended Cambridge University and served in the military before holding titles including Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall. He married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, later divorcing and marrying Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, while advocating for environmental causes throughout his public life. His reign encompasses significant personal and institutional developments that continue shaping the modern monarchy.

A monarch who waited seven decades to claim his birthright, King Charles III ascended to the British throne on September 8, 2022, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at the unprecedented age of 73. Born November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace, London, Charles Philip Arthur George became heir apparent at age three when his mother acceded to the throne in 1952, establishing him as the longest-serving monarch-in-waiting in British history.
A monarch who waited seven decades to claim his birthright, King Charles III ascended to the British throne at the unprecedented age of 73.
As the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Charles grew up alongside siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. His educational journey spanned institutions in London, Hampshire, and Scotland before attending the University of Cambridge from 1967 to 1970, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1971, making him the first UK monarch with a university education. He also spent a term at the University College of Wales to prepare for his role as Prince of Wales.
In 1969, he spent two months learning Welsh in preparation for his investiture as Prince of Wales, a title conferred upon him by Queen Elizabeth II in 1958. Prior to his kingship, Charles held numerous prestigious titles including Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. These positions prepared him for eventual succession while he maintained an active role in royal duties throughout his adult life.
Military service shaped his early career as he served in both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, training to fly jet planes and commanding a naval vessel. This experience complemented his extensive involvement in ceremonial and charitable engagements, establishing his public profile decades before assuming the crown. As Prince of Wales, he founded nearly 20 charities that continue to raise millions for various causes.
Charles’s personal life garnered significant public attention through his marriages, first to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981, which ended in divorce in 1996, and subsequently to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, who became Queen Consort upon his accession. His marriage to Diana produced two sons, Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
Beyond royal obligations, Charles distinguished himself as an advocate for environmental causes, organic farming, and conservation efforts. His interests extend to architecture and the arts, earning recognition as a published author and patron of various cultural initiatives. His ability to speak Welsh, acquired during his investiture preparation, demonstrates his commitment to understanding the diverse regions within his domain.
Charles’s coronation ceremony took place on May 6, 2023, formally installing him as sovereign of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth domains. In 2024, he received a cancer diagnosis, though specific details remain undisclosed, marking a significant health challenge during the early years of his reign.