What to know about Britain’s new monarch, King Charles

The eldest of the four children of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, the Prince of Wales has succeeded his mother as the new ruler of the United Kingdom. The newly crowned 73-year-old is the son of one of the longest-serving monarchs in British history who passed on Thursday at 96. Premier League set for […]

The eldest of the four children of the late Queen Elizabeth II, Charles, the Prince of Wales has succeeded his mother as the new ruler of the United Kingdom.

The newly crowned 73-year-old is the son of one of the longest-serving monarchs in British history who passed on Thursday at 96.

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“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read in part. Balmoral Castle was her estate in the Scottish Highlands.

Below are things to know about King Charles, the new king of England:

 

Birth

Charles was born in Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948, during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, as the first child of Queen Elizabeth. He was baptised there by theArchbishop of CanterburyGeorffrey Fisher on 15 December 1948.

 

Heir Apparent

The death of his grandfather and the accession of his mother as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 made Charles the heir apparent of the British throne.

As Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay from 1952 to his accession in 2022, he was the oldest and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history. He was also the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having held the title from 26 July 1958 until his accession on 8 September 2022.[

 

Parents: Charles’s sensitive nature

In his 1994 authorised biography by Jonathan Dimbleby, Elizabeth and Philip were described as physically and emotionally distant parents, with Philip being blamed for his disregard of Charles’s sensitive nature and forcing him to attend Gordonstoun, where he was bullied.

Though Charles reportedly described Gordonstoun, noted for its especially rigorous curriculum, as “Colditz in Kiltz”,  he subsequently praised Gordonstoun stating, “It had taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities. It taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative.”

Also, in a 1975 interview, he said he was “glad” he had attended Gordonstoun and that the “toughness of the place” was “much exaggerated”.

 

Prince of Wales

Charles was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 26 July 1958, though his investiture was not held until 1 July 1969, when he was crowned by his mother in a televised ceremony held at Caernarfon Castle.

He took his seat in the House of Lords in 1970 and he made his maiden speech   in June 1974, the first royal to speak from the floor since the future Edward VII in 1884.

 

Military Career

Charles served in the Royal Air Force   and, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and two of his great-grandfathers, in the Roayl Navy.

During his second year at Cambridge, he requested and received Royal Air Force training, learning to fly the Chipmunk aircraft with Cambridge University Air Squadron.

On 8 March 1971, he flew himself to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell  to train as a jet pilot.

After the passing-out parade that September, he embarked on a naval career and enrolled in a six-week course at the Roayl Naval.

 

Official Duties

As Prince of Wales, Charles undertook official duties on behalf of the Queen. He officiated at Investitures and attended the funerals of foreign dignitaries.

Prince Charles made regular tours of Wales, fulfilling a week of engagements each summer, and attending important national occasions, such as opening the Senedd.

The six trustees of the Roayl Collection Trust met three times a year under his chairmanship.

Charles travelled abroad on behalf of the United Kingdom; he has been regarded as an effective advocate of the country.

Since founding The Prince’s Trust, Charles has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as president of all of those.

 

Religious Persuasion

Prince Charles was baptised at age 16 by Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey at Easter in 1965, at St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle.

He attends services at various Anglican churches close to Highgrove, and attends the Churce of Scotland’s Crathie Kirk with the rest of the royal family when staying at Balmoral Castle.

In 2000, he was appointed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Charles has visited (amid some secrecy) Orthodox monasteries several times on Mount Athos.