King Charles III Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
Updated 2:33 PM EDT, Wed May 10, 2023
Britain's King Charles III <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/08/uk/coronation-official-portraits-intl-gbr-ckc/index.html" target="_blank">poses for a portrait</a> in Buckingham Palace's Throne Room after his official coronation in May 2023.
Britain's King Charles III poses for a portrait in Buckingham Palace's Throne Room after his official coronation in May 2023.
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Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948. His mother was Princess Elizabeth at the time.
Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948. His mother was Princess Elizabeth at the time.
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Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, sit on a lawn with their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, sit on a lawn with their children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in August 1951.
Eddie Worth/AP
Charles attends his mother's coronation in 1953 with his grandmother, left, and his aunt Margaret.
Charles attends his mother's coronation in 1953 with his grandmother, left, and his aunt Margaret.
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Charles, right, shakes hands with Sir Gerald Creasy, the governor of Malta, as he and the rest of the royal family visit Malta in May 1954.
Charles, right, shakes hands with Sir Gerald Creasy, the governor of Malta, as he and the rest of the royal family visit Malta in May 1954.
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Charles rides with his mother and grandmother as they travel to Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Princess Margaret in May 1960.
Charles rides with his mother and grandmother as they travel to Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Princess Margaret in May 1960.
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Charles prepares for takeoff during a flying lesson in 1968. In 1971, he earned his wings as a jet pilot and joined the Royal Navy.
Charles prepares for takeoff during a flying lesson in 1968. In 1971, he earned his wings as a jet pilot and joined the Royal Navy.
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Queen Elizabeth II presents Charles to the people of Wales after his investiture as the Prince of Wales in July 1969.
Queen Elizabeth II presents Charles to the people of Wales after his investiture as the Prince of Wales in July 1969.
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Charles walks at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1970. He was the first royal heir to earn a university degree.
Charles walks at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1970. He was the first royal heir to earn a university degree.
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Charles, left, rides go-carts with his brother Prince Edward and his sister, Princess Anne, circa 1969.
Charles, left, rides go-carts with his brother Prince Edward and his sister, Princess Anne, circa 1969.
Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Charles meets US President Richard Nixon during a private visit to Washington in July 1970.
Charles meets US President Richard Nixon during a private visit to Washington in July 1970.
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Charles attends a conference with his father in November 1970.
Charles attends a conference with his father in November 1970.
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Charles goes on a safari in Kenya in February 1971.
Charles goes on a safari in Kenya in February 1971.
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Charles prepares to fire a bazooka while visiting military barracks in West Berlin in October 1972.
Charles prepares to fire a bazooka while visiting military barracks in West Berlin in October 1972.
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Charles fishes with a wooden spear circa 1975.
Charles fishes with a wooden spear circa 1975.
Serge Lemoine/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
Charles poses for sculptor David McFall in December 1975.
Charles poses for sculptor David McFall in December 1975.
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Charles smokes a peace pipe during a visit to Canada in July 1977.
Charles smokes a peace pipe during a visit to Canada in July 1977.
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Charles rides a horse during an equestrian event in Cirencester, England, in April 1978.
Charles rides a horse during an equestrian event in Cirencester, England, in April 1978.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
Charles, as colonel-in-chief, visits the Cheshire Regiment in Canterbury, England, in November 1978. He served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976, and in 2012 his mother appointed him honorary five-star ranks in the navy, army and air force.
Charles, as colonel-in-chief, visits the Cheshire Regiment in Canterbury, England, in November 1978. He served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976, and in 2012 his mother appointed him honorary five-star ranks in the navy, army and air force.
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Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are seen together circa 1979. They dated in the 70s and would eventually marry in 2005. It was the second marriage for both. Their first marriages ended in divorce.
Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles are seen together circa 1979. They dated in the 70s and would eventually marry in 2005. It was the second marriage for both. Their first marriages ended in divorce.
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Charles poses outside the Taj Mahal in India in 1980.
Charles poses outside the Taj Mahal in India in 1980.
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Charles kisses his first wife, Lady Diana Spencer, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 1981. Their wedding ceremony was televised.
Charles kisses his first wife, Lady Diana Spencer, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in July 1981. Their wedding ceremony was televised.
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Charles and Princess Diana leave a London hospital with their first child, William, in July 1982.
Charles and Princess Diana leave a London hospital with their first child, William, in July 1982.
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Charles and Diana dance together at a formal event.
Charles and Diana dance together at a formal event.
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Charles shares a playful pie in the face while visiting a community center in Manchester, England, in December 1983.
Charles shares a playful pie in the face while visiting a community center in Manchester, England, in December 1983.
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Charles walks with people in traditional dress on a visit to Papua New Guinea in 1984.
Charles walks with people in traditional dress on a visit to Papua New Guinea in 1984.
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Charles and Diana sit together in Toronto during a royal tour in October 1991. A year later, they were separated. Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles became public in 1993.
Charles and Diana sit together in Toronto during a royal tour in October 1991. A year later, they were separated. Charles' affair with Camilla Parker Bowles became public in 1993.
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Charles, Diana and their two sons, William and Harry, gather for V-J Day commemorations in London in August 1995. The couple divorced one year later.
Charles, Diana and their two sons, William and Harry, gather for V-J Day commemorations in London in August 1995. The couple divorced one year later.
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Charles visits a mosque in London in March 1996.
Charles visits a mosque in London in March 1996.
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South African President Nelson Mandela talks with Prince Charles in London in July 1996.
South African President Nelson Mandela talks with Prince Charles in London in July 1996.
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Charles poses with the Spice Girls in 1997.
Charles poses with the Spice Girls in 1997.
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Charles and his sons spend time together at the Balmoral Castle estate in Balmoral, Scotland, in August 1997.
Charles and his sons spend time together at the Balmoral Castle estate in Balmoral, Scotland, in August 1997.
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Charles, second from right, and Princess Diana's two sisters meet in Paris after Diana was killed in a car crash there in August 1997. She was 36 years old.
Charles, second from right, and Princess Diana's two sisters meet in Paris after Diana was killed in a car crash there in August 1997. She was 36 years old.
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Charles and his sons follow Diana's hearse in London in September 1997.
Charles and his sons follow Diana's hearse in London in September 1997.
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Charles stands beside his grandmother's coffin while it lies in state at Westminster Hall in London in April 2002.
Charles stands beside his grandmother's coffin while it lies in state at Westminster Hall in London in April 2002.
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Charles carries a specially painted football through the streets of Ashbourne, England, in March 2003.
Charles carries a specially painted football through the streets of Ashbourne, England, in March 2003.
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Charles watches a parachute regiment during a D-Day re-enactment in Ranville, France, in June 2004.
Charles watches a parachute regiment during a D-Day re-enactment in Ranville, France, in June 2004.
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Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005.
Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005.
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Charles, the Prince of Wales, poses for an official portrait in November 2008. He became King after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Charles, the Prince of Wales, poses for an official portrait in November 2008. He became King after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
Hugo Burnand/Anwar Hussein Collection/WireImage/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II presents Charles with the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honor during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London in May 2009.
Queen Elizabeth II presents Charles with the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honor during a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London in May 2009.
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Charles and Camilla were on their way to a performance at the London Palladium when their car was attacked by angry student protesters in December 2010. The students were protesting a hike in tuition fees.
Charles and Camilla were on their way to a performance at the London Palladium when their car was attacked by angry student protesters in December 2010. The students were protesting a hike in tuition fees.
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Charles and Queen Elizabeth II were among those on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Prince William wed Kate Middleton in April 2011.
Charles and Queen Elizabeth II were among those on the Buckingham Palace balcony after Prince William wed Kate Middleton in April 2011.
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Charles reads the weather while touring BBC Scotland's headquarters in May 2012.
Charles reads the weather while touring BBC Scotland's headquarters in May 2012.
Andrew Milligan/AP
Charles meets with US President Barack Obama in the White House Oval Office in March 2015.
Charles meets with US President Barack Obama in the White House Oval Office in March 2015.
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Charles and Camilla react as Zephyr, the bald-eagle mascot of the Army Air Corps, flaps his wings at the Sandringham Flower Show in July 2015.
Charles and Camilla react as Zephyr, the bald-eagle mascot of the Army Air Corps, flaps his wings at the Sandringham Flower Show in July 2015.
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Members of the royal family pose for a photo at Buckingham Palace in December 2016. From left are Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip; Prince William; and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Members of the royal family pose for a photo at Buckingham Palace in December 2016. From left are Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Queen Elizabeth II; Prince Philip; Prince William; and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
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Charles visits the Italian town of Amatrice in April 2017, after an earthquake had hit.
Charles visits the Italian town of Amatrice in April 2017, after an earthquake had hit.
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Charles and Camilla ride on a raft while visiting the island of Borneo in November 2017.
Charles and Camilla ride on a raft while visiting the island of Borneo in November 2017.
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Charles leads three cheers for his mother as the Queen celebrated her 92nd birthday at a London concert in April 2018.
Charles leads three cheers for his mother as the Queen celebrated her 92nd birthday at a London concert in April 2018.
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From left, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Duchess Camilla and Queen Elizabeth II watch a Royal Air Force flyover in July 2018.
From left, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Duchess Camilla and Queen Elizabeth II watch a Royal Air Force flyover in July 2018.
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Charles accompanies his future daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, as she is married to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Charles accompanies his future daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle, as she is married to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Jonathan Brady/AP
Charles lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in London to commemorate Remembrance Day in November 2018. It was also the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
Charles lays a wreath at the Cenotaph in London to commemorate Remembrance Day in November 2018. It was also the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
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Charles poses with family members for an official portrait to mark his 70th birthday. He's holding his grandson Prince George as Camilla sits next to his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte. In the back row, from left, are his grandson Prince Louis; his daughter-in-law Catherine; his son Prince William; his son Prince Harry; and his daughter-in-law Meghan.
Charles poses with family members for an official portrait to mark his 70th birthday. He's holding his grandson Prince George as Camilla sits next to his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte. In the back row, from left, are his grandson Prince Louis; his daughter-in-law Catherine; his son Prince William; his son Prince Harry; and his daughter-in-law Meghan.
Chris Jackson/PoolAP
Charles speaks at an event in London in March 2020. Later that month, it was announced that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Charles speaks at an event in London in March 2020. Later that month, it was announced that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
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Charles and Camilla attend the funeral of Charles' father, Prince Philip, in April 2021.
Charles and Camilla attend the funeral of Charles' father, Prince Philip, in April 2021.
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Camilla looks on as Charles reacts to a bad pour of beer he made at a brewery in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in May 2022. They were on a three-day Canadian tour.
Camilla looks on as Charles reacts to a bad pour of beer he made at a brewery in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in May 2022. They were on a three-day Canadian tour.
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Charles sits by the Imperial State Crown at the opening of Parliament in May 2022. His mother, the Queen, missed the occasion for the first time since 1963. The 96-year-old monarch had to withdraw due to a recurrence of mobility issues.
Charles sits by the Imperial State Crown at the opening of Parliament in May 2022. His mother, the Queen, missed the occasion for the first time since 1963. The 96-year-old monarch had to withdraw due to a recurrence of mobility issues.
Ben Stansall/Pool/AP
Charles is shown skulls of victims during a visit to the Nyamata Church Genocide Memorial in Nyamata, Rwanda, in June 2022. In 1994, Hutu extremists targeted minority ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus in a three-month killing spree that left an estimated 800,000 people dead, though local estimates are higher.
Charles is shown skulls of victims during a visit to the Nyamata Church Genocide Memorial in Nyamata, Rwanda, in June 2022. In 1994, Hutu extremists targeted minority ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus in a three-month killing spree that left an estimated 800,000 people dead, though local estimates are higher.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Louis, the Queen's great-grandson, holds his hands over his ears as jets roar over Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade in London on in June 2022. From left are Prince Charles; the Queen; Prince Louis; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; and Princess Charlotte.
Prince Louis, the Queen's great-grandson, holds his hands over his ears as jets roar over Buckingham Palace during the Trooping the Colour parade in London on in June 2022. From left are Prince Charles; the Queen; Prince Louis; Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge; and Princess Charlotte.
Hannah McKay/Reuters
Charles has his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss after becoming King in September 2022.
Charles has his first audience with Prime Minister Liz Truss after becoming King in September 2022.
Yui Mok/Pool/AP
The King speaks in the Throne Room at St James's Palace during the Accession Council in London in September 2022. He was formally proclaimed as King. Joining him were his son Prince William and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.
The King speaks in the Throne Room at St James's Palace during the Accession Council in London in September 2022. He was formally proclaimed as King. Joining him were his son Prince William and his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.
Jonathan Brady/Pool/AP
Charles delivers <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/09/uk/king-charles-iii-first-national-address-intl/index.html" target="_blank">his first address as King</a> from Buckingham Palace. "As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," he said.
Charles delivers his first address as King from Buckingham Palace. "As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the Constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," he said.
Yui Mok/Pool/AP
Charles records his first Christmas speech in December 2022. The speech would be broadcast on Christmas Day throughout the United Kingdom.
Charles records his first Christmas speech in December 2022. The speech would be broadcast on Christmas Day throughout the United Kingdom.
Victoria Jones/Pool/AP