King Charles III: A visual biography ahead of his coronation (2024)

Europe

By Ruby Mellen and Kenneth Dickerman | Apr 28, 2023

Charles III became king the moment his mother died in September. On May 6, he will be crowned in a coronation ceremony that further formalizes the British royal transition.

Queen Elizabeth II took pains to stay out of politics. That may be harder for Charles, who lived a full life before ascending to the throne at 73, and developed strong opinions — about the environment, organic farming, architecture and homeopathic medicine, to name some of his passions.

A look back at his life, with its privileges and its tragedies, may offer clues about what sort of king he will prove to be.

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

Charles was born on Nov. 14, 1948 in Buckingham Palace. Bells tolled in Westminster Abbey and the Royal Horse Artillery fired a 41-gun salute in Hyde Park. He was 3 when his mother became queen and he became heir to the throne.

Associated Press

Charles and his sister, Princess Anne, are pictured with their parents, then Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, in 1951. (AFP/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family, including a young Prince Charles, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following her coronation in 1953. (AP)

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

Charles was the first heir to be educated outside of the palace, attending a prep school in London and then Gordonstoun, a boarding school in Scotland that his father, Philip, had also attended. Charles — who was less athletic and more sensitive than his father and, as son of the queen, more of a target for bullying — described his time at the austere facilities as a “prison sentence.”

Associated Press

Prince Charles stands in his academic robes as he arrives at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1967. (Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty Images)

Charles inherited the title of Prince of Wales at a time of a growing Welsh nationalist movement. And so, ahead of his investiture, he left Trinity College, Cambridge, to undertake a crash course in Welsh history and culture, studying with tutor Edward Millward at Aberystwyth University.

Prince Charles is crowned as Prince of Wales by his mother on July 1, 1969. (Jack Garofalo/Paris Match/Getty Images)

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

At his investiture ceremony at Caernarfon Castle on July 1, 1969, Charles brushed off controversy, spoke in Welsh and charmed the nation.

“It is with a certain sense of pride and emotion that I have received these symbols of office, here in this magnificent fortress, where no one could fail to be stirred by its atmosphere of timeworn grandeur, nor where I myself could be unaware of the long history of Wales in its determination to remain individual and to guard its own particular heritage,” he said.

Associated Press

Prince Charles skis at Isola, a resort north of Nice, France, in 1977. (AP)

Charles was in many ways a typical wealthy Brit — albeit one with a certain set of princely duties. He spent his time skiing, playing polo and donating to charity.

As he grew older, tabloids long obsessed with the lives of royals became bolder, photographing family members outside of formal events.

Prince Charles, right, is followed closely by a member of the opposing team during a polo match in Windsor, England, in 1965. (AP)

Prince Charles, then a member of the Royal Navy, receives a visit from his brother Prince Andrew in November 1976. (AP)

At 31, after a stint serving in the Royal Navy, he married Diana Spencer, 19. Diana’s apparent warmth, beauty and sense of style made her a subject of adoration. Paparazzi often tailed the princess wherever she went. Masses of people gathered to celebrate her on international trips.

The couple had two sons, William and Harry.

A carriage carries Prince Charles and Princess Diana following their wedding on July 29, 1981. (AP)

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

Princess Diana and Prince Charles face the cameras after the birth of their son, Prince William, on June 22, 1982. (John Redman/AP)

John Redman/AP

John Redman/AP

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

But their marriage faltered, and then failed. In a 1994 interview, Charles admitted he had not been faithful. Diana followed that with a televised interview in which she said, “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” She was referring to her husband having continued his relationship with a previous flame, Camilla Parker Bowles. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996.

Associated Press

Princess Diana and Prince Charles make a rare appearance together in 1993, the year they separated. (Martin Cleaver/AP)

In August 1997, Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris. People mourned her death around the world. Her funeral at Westminster Abbey was viewed by more than 34 million. Some blamed Charles for such a tragic end to what had once appeared to be a fairy tale.

Guardsmen escort the coffin of Princess Diana during her funeral on Sept. 6, 1997. (Wolfgang Rattay/AFP/Getty Images)

Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, and her sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, stand with Charles during her funeral procession. (Jeff J. Mitchell/Pool/AP)

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

Charles and Camilla were cautious about appearing together, aware that public acceptance would take time. Their first — highly choreographed — public expression of affection came in 2001, when they briefly kissed each other on the cheek at an event she was hosting for the National Osteoporosis Society.

The couple moved into Clarence House together in 2003 and married in 2005.

Associated Press

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, before the future king's marriage to Diana. (Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were married on April 9, 2005. (Chris Ison/AFP/Getty Images)

This browser does not support the video element.

Associated Press

As prince, Charles spoke out on issues important to him. He is an ardent conservationist who has been warning about the looming threat of climate change and species extinction for decades. In 2022, he was a prominent speaker at the United Nations Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Associated Press

Prince Charles visits Glasgow Central Station to view two alternative fuel green trains in November 2021. (Jane Barlow/Pool/AFP/Getty Images)

Charles practices organic farming at his country residence Highgrove House, depicted here in sketches by the king that are part of an exhibition in London. (Victoria Jones/PA via AP)

Charles put his theories about natural harmony and community into practice in Poundbury, a town he built on land owned by his hereditary estate in southern England. In this image, from an October 2016 visit, he watches Camilla pull a half pint of “The Duchess” ale inside the town's Duchess of Cornwall pub.

Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

In September, after seven decades as heir, he was proclaimed King Charles III.

“My life will of course change as I take up my new responsibilities,” he said in his first address as sovereign. He has reined in his activism.

Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

This browser does not support the video element.

The Washington Post

This browser does not support the video element.

Reuters

King Charles III leaves Westminster Abbey after the funeral of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. (James Forde for The Washington Post)

A majority of people in Britain continue to support the monarchy and many have a favorable view of Charles. But he is not as popular as his mother was. And a growing minority of people view the royal family as an expensive relic.

The family’s standing took further hit with the release of Prince Harry’s Netflix documentary and memoir, in which he inveighed against his father and brother and accused their staffs of actively feeing stories about him and his wife, Megan, to the media mob.

Britain's Prince William and Prince Harry walk together after viewing floral tributes for the late Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Sept. 10.

Martin Meissner/AP

Martin Meissner/AP

Palace officials have been keen to promote the coronation as a “sustainable” event, with fewer guests and a shorter parade route than Queen Elizabeth II’s. But there will be no shortage of pomp.

Martin Meissner/AP

Ahead of his coronation, King Charles III presents new Standards and Colours to the Life Guards of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment at Buckingham Palace on April 27. (Yui Mok/Reuters)

More from The Post

Queen Elizabeth II: A visual timeline of her 70 years on the throne

Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II, through the years

The latest from The Washington Post

Credits

Editing by Reem Akkad and Ann Gerhart.

King Charles III: A visual biography ahead of his coronation (2024)

FAQs

How much is King Charles worth? ›

In fact, he only ranks No. 258 on the 2024 Sunday Times Rich List, which ranks the 1,000 wealthiest people or families who are U.K. residents. Still, he's worth about $772 million, which completely dwarfs the average U.K. salary of about $46,000.

Why is King Charles III famous? ›

On September 8, 2022, Prince Charles became King Charles III following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who held the crown for more than seven decades. He was 73 and made history as the oldest person ever to assume the British throne.

Did Camilla kneel before Charles? ›

According to tradition, royals would have to pay homage by kneeling before Charles III, swearing allegiance and kissing his right hand. On this occasion, Prince William — the monarch's eldest son and heir — will be the only one to kneel.

How old was Charles at his coronation? ›

He became the UK's monarch at the age of 73 and was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.

How much is Kate Middleton worth? ›

Prince William shares finances with his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, who is worth an estimated $10 million. The couple make use of three homes—Kensington Palace in London, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, and Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor Castle estate.

What is Prince Harry's net worth in 2024? ›

With an estimated current net worth of about $60 million, Prince Harry's upcoming inheritance would be a welcome addition. Prince Harry is set to receive a huge payout on his 40th birthday later this year.

What is Prince Philip's real name? ›

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, later Philip Mountbatten; 10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021), was the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.

Why did the Queen name her son Charles? ›

The ties were nevertheless strong, so Queen Elizabeth chose to name her first-born son, a future king, after her favourite uncle, Charles. King Haakon of Norway was then an obvious choice as the son's godfather.

How old was Diana when she married Charles? ›

Diana became Princess of Wales at age 20 when she married Charles, then 32, on 29 July 1981. The wedding was held at St Paul's Cathedral, which offered more seating than Westminster Abbey, a church that was generally used for royal weddings.

Did Charles and Camilla share a bed? ›

King Charles and Queen Camilla do not sleep together in the same bed or in the same room for that matter. “[Charles] has a room with a double bed, decorated to his own taste, then Camilla has her own room with a double bed, decorated just the way she likes it,” a friend of the king...

Did the royal family ever accept Camilla? ›

The Queen “accepted” her daughter-in-law long, long ago. The Prince and Princess of Wales have been married since 2005, after all. Camilla IS part of the Royal Family since she's married into it. And she WILL be Queen Consort the moment Charles becomes King.

Is Camilla a commoner? ›

Queen Camilla, also known as Camilla Parker Bowles, is the queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Born a commoner, Camilla met then-Prince Charles around 1970. They briefly dated but, despite their connection, weren't serious.

Who was the youngest queen to be crowned? ›

The youngest British monarch at the start of her reign was Mary, Queen of Scots, who became queen aged 6 days in 1542.

Why does the king have two birthdays? ›

The answer lies in the weather: Summer in England (namely June) is the best time for a parade. The two-birthday tradition for a British monarch dates back to 1748, when King George II combined the annual summer military march with his birthday celebration, though he was born in November.

How old was the youngest queen of England? ›

The youngest Queen of England was Queen Elizabeth I, in 1558 aged 25. The youngest Queen of the United Kingdom was Queen Victoria, in 1837 aged 18.

The man in a hurry: King Charles III rushes to ...AP Newshttps://apnews.com ›

King Charles III is a man in a hurry. After waiting nearly 74 years to become king, Charles has used his first six months on the throne to meet faith leaders ac...
Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the former Prince Charles ascended to the throne to become King of the United Kingdom.
London — With passing of Queen Elizabeth II, her first son, 73-year-old Charles, ascended the throne to officially become King Charles III. The new king had bee...

How rich is Camilla Parker Bowles? ›

According to Cosmopolitan, Queen Camilla has a net worth of 5 million dollars. She accrued her wealth from the inheritance from her father Major Bruce Shand and her mother Rosalind Cubbitt and her divorce settlement from her first husband Andrew Parker-Bowles. What did Camilla Parker Bowles do for a living?

Who is the richest royal family member? ›

Vajiralongkorn

What is King Charles' salary? ›

King Charles III received a $14.225 million payday as Prince William earns $30 million from the Dutchy estate. The internet is buzzing over Prince William's impressive new salary, which was revealed on Wednesday. The 42-year-old royal earned a staggering $30.4 million in his first full year as the Duke of Cornwall.

Why is Princess Charlotte so rich? ›

Not only that, she's thought the be the richest child on the planet, other celebrity kids included. The reason comes down to their mother, the Princess of Wales, and her major influence on fashion. Although she's not even in the double digits as far as age goes, Charlotte's net worth contains a lot of zeroes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6373

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.