Politics - Monarchs - Charles II 1660-1685

Charles III

Years of reign

Placeholder image

House: Windsor

Born: November 14, 1948 BuckinghamPalace

Died:

Crowned: September 8th 2022

Buried:

King Charles III's education broke with royal tradition, as he was the first heir apparent to attend school rather than be educated at home by tutors. After initial schooling by a governess, he attended Hill House School in London and then Cheam Preparatory School in Hampshire. His education continued at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, a school known for its strict regimen, which his father, Prince Philip, also attended. His time at Gordonstoun was followed by a term at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia.

Furthering his education, Charles made history again as the first British heir to earn a university degree. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied archaeology, anthropology, and history, receiving a 2:2 Bachelor of Arts degree in 1970. He also spent a term at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, to learn Welsh ahead of his investiture as Prince of Wales.

King Charles has a wide range of special interests, with a particular focus on environmental and social issues. He is known for his early advocacy of organic farming and has been involved in various environmental initiatives, including the founding of The Prince's Rainforests Project and The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change. He also expressed a keen interest in architecture and urban planning, famously criticizing modern architectural trends and advocating for traditional urbanism.

Additionally, he has been involved in numerous charitable activities, founding The Prince's Trust in 1976, an organization aimed at helping disadvantaged young people. His interest in alternative medicine and holistic health practices has also been well documented, sometimes stirring controversy due to his outspoken views.

Culturally, Charles has been a patron of the arts and has written books on topics such as the environment, architecture, and gardening. His personal hobbies include watercolor painting and gardening, particularly in his organic garden at Highgrove House.

Through these endeavors, Charles has often been seen as a progressive voice within the royal family, using his platform to bring attention to issues he is passionate about, even when they might have been considered controversial or ahead of their time.

Timeline

  • 1948 - Born on November 14th at Buckingham Palace.
  • 1952 - His mother, Princess Elizabeth, becomes Queen Elizabeth II after the death of King George VI, making Charles the heir apparent.
  • 1958 - Charles is created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester by his mother, though he was not formally invested until 1969.
  • 1966-1967 - Attends the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth, learning Welsh.
  • 1969 - Officially invested as the Prince of Wales in a televised ceremony on July 1st.
  • 1970s - Serves in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, eventually commanding the HMS Bronington.
  • 1981 - Marries Lady Diana Spencer on July 29th in a grand ceremony watched by millions around the globe.
  • 1982 - Prince William, his first child, is born on June 21st.
  • 1984 - Prince Harry, his second child, is born on September 15th.
  • 1992 - The marital issues between Charles and Diana become public; this year is also marked by the publication of the book "Diana: Her True Story" and the separation of the couple.
  • 1996 - Charles and Diana divorce on August 28th.
  • 1997 - Diana, Princess of Wales, dies in a car crash on August 31st in Paris.
  • 2005 - Marries Camilla Parker Bowles on April 9th. She is given the title Duchess of Cornwall.
  • 2011 - Plays a key role in the wedding of his son, Prince William, to Catherine Middleton on April 29th.
  • 2012 - Represents the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the first time the Prince of Wales has undertaken this role.
  • 2013 - Becomes a grandfather with the birth of Prince George of Cambridge on July 22nd.
  • 2015 - The "black spider" memos are published after a lengthy legal battle, revealing Charles's correspondence with government ministers.
  • 2016 - Becomes a grandfather for the second time with the birth of Princess Charlotte of Cambridge on May 2nd.
  • 2017 - Is appointed Prince Regent in the unofficial capacity, taking on more of the Queen’s responsibilities due to her advanced age.
  • 2018 - Becomes a grandfather for the third time with the birth of Prince Louis of Cambridge on April 23rd.
  • 2020 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, Charles tests positive for the virus in March but recovers. This year also marks increased public duties as the Queen steps back due to the pandemic and her age.
  • 2021 - Faces the fallout from the Oprah Winfrey interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the death of his father, Prince Philip, on April 9th.
  • 2022 - Celebrates the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne.

    King Charles III, born Charles Philip Arthur George on November 14, 1948, in Buckingham Palace, came into the world as the first child of Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His birth was a national event, as he was the first grandchild of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) and was immediately second in line to the throne after his mother. Charles's early life was marked by the backdrop of post-war Britain, and his formative years would see a significant transformation in the monarchy and the country.

    Placeholder imageCharles His upbringing was a mixture of traditional royal isolation and a nod to modernity. When he was four years old, his mother ascended to the throne as Queen Elizabeth II after the death of King George VI in 1952. This event catapulted Charles into the role of heir apparent and future king. He was educated initially by a governess at Buckingham Palace and later attended various schools, breaking with tradition by going to school rather than having private tutors at home. He attended Cheam and Gordonstoun Schools, the latter known for its rigorous regime, which Charles reportedly did not enjoy. Later, he became the first heir to the British throne to earn a university degree, graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge, with a Bachelor of Arts in history, archaeology, and anthropology. He also studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, learning Welsh in preparation for his role as Prince of Wales.

    Charles's investiture as the Prince of Wales took place in 1969 at Caernarfon Castle, with significant ceremony and media attention. The event was both a traditional acknowledgement of his title and a modern media event, broadcasted widely and accompanied by both celebration and nationalist protest by some who saw the title as a symbol of English imperialism.

    Socially, Charles was known to have a diverse set of interests and acquaintances, engaging with various public figures and celebrities over the years. His love life, particularly in his younger years, was the subject of intense media speculation. In 1981, he married Lady Diana Spencer, with whom he had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. The marriage was initially seen as a fairy tale but eventually became fraught with difficulties, playing out in the public eye. The couple's separation and subsequent divorce in 1996 was a major media event and posed a significant challenge to the royal family's public image.

    Charles's interests have been varied and deep, including a well-known passion for organic farming, architecture, and climate change. He has often been seen as a champion for environmental causes, even before such concerns became mainstream. However, his forays into these issues have occasionally been controversial, with some critics suggesting he has overstepped the traditional bounds of royal neutrality.

    Politically, the British monarch and the heir apparent are expected to remain above the fray of day-to-day politics. However, Charles has at times sparked debate over his role, particularly through the "black spider" memos, which were letters he wrote to government ministers expressing his views on various subjects. These letters fueled debate about the appropriate role of the monarchy in a constitutional democracy.

    His relationship with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, was reportedly complex but affectionate. The Queen, known for her sense of duty and reticence to openly display emotion, had a different approach to monarchy than Charles, who has been seen as more openly emotional and willing to speak his mind. Despite their differences, Charles was a supportive son, especially as the Queen aged and began to pass on more responsibilities to him.

    Throughout his life, Charles faced numerous issues and events that shaped his public image. From personal tragedies like the death of his former wife, Princess Diana, in 1997, to the more recent challenges facing the royal family, including the departure of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from their senior royal roles, Charles's life has been one of privilege but also intense scrutiny and expectation. As Prince of Wales, he worked to modernize the image of the monarchy while also upholding its traditions, a delicate balance that would define his eventual approach as King.

    Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024

    i

    History & Heritage

    Access History creates and posts content, articles, and subject matter relating to history and heritage
    Copyright 2025 to Clio Society. All rights reserved and images and logos are created and presented for the general use of the public and educational institutions All content is the responsibility of Access.
    Use of this website constitutes acceptance of Access terms and conditions
    Placeholder image