King Charles III timeline pictures
Our new monarch's life throughout the decades, from his birth to his family life to his accession to the throne
In light of the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, many changes have been ushered in across the UK. This includes the announcement of her funeral arrangements to allow the nation to process and grieve her death as well as some longer-term changes, such as the appointment of a new monarch and changes to the order of succession, leading to new titles and duties for some members of the Royal Family.
Upon the Queen's death on Thursday, her son and heir apparent became King Charles III, with an official accession ceremony taking place yesterday. But what do we know about our newly appointed monarch? The 73-year-old is the longest-serving heir apparent in UK history, as well as the oldest person to have been crowned monarch in the nation's history. Over the past seven decades he has lived a varied life and juggled his commitments as a prominent member of the Royal Family with educational pursuits, family life and passionate advocacy for the environment.
Want to look back at his life so far? Follow as we recap some of the biggest moments from King Charles' 73 years, as told through pictures and the stories behind them.
King Charles III timeline pictures
1948
The future King Charles III in the arms of his mother the former Queen Elizabeth II (then known as Princess Elizabeth). He was Queen Elizabeth's first child and was born on 14 November 1948.
1952
Charles in the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland with his father, mother and his sister Princess Anne, who was born two years after Charles in 1950. Charles is 3 years old in this picture.
1967
Queen Elizabeth II visiting Charles on his final day of school at Gordonstoun, an independent boarding school in Moray, Scotland, in 1967. Before Gordonstoun, Charles attended Cheam prepatory school in Headley.
1969
Here, Charles is shown walking down a street in Cambridge where he studied at Trinity College as a Cambridge University undergraduate, gaining a BA degree in 1970.
!970
As a recent graduate, Charles is inducted into the House of Lords in 1970 before making his maiden speech in 1974.
1971
Charles served in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Here he is with his father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, gaining his wings. After his last training flight on 27 July, he was qualified to wear the Royal Air Force Flying badge, which was presented to him here on 20 August.
1981
Princess Diana and Charles pose for photos following their engagement in 1981. Charles met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977, when he was the companion of her elder sister Sarah to Spencer home in Althorp.
1981
Charles and Diana married at St Paul's Cathedral in London, 29th July 1981.
1982
Charles and Diana leaving St Mary's Hospital, London with the newly born Prince William on 22 June 1982.
1984
Charles' second son, Prince Harry was born in 1984. Here is Charles and his then-wife Diana leaving the hospital after his birth in September.
1994
Here is Charles enjoying some family time on a skiing holiday in Klosters, Switzerland on 18 February with his young sons Harry and William.
1997
Charles and Diana legally separated in 1992 and officially divorced in 1996. Sadly, Diana passed away following a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Charles attended the UK funeral with his family including his father and two children.
1998
Charles celebrates his 50th birthday in London, ringing in half a century at a reception at Buckingham Palace.
2005
Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles (then Camilla Shand) met in 1971 and eventually began a relationship that ended in 1973. However, they kindled their romance in 1986. In 2005 they announced their intention to marry.
2005
In April 2005, Charles had his second wedding to his long-time partner Camilla. He is the only member of the UK Royal Family to have had a civil rather than a Church of England wedding in the UK.
2011
Here are Charles and Camilla at the wedding of his son William and his new bride Kate, the freshly appointed Duchess of Cambridge (now the Princess of Wales) in 2011.
2018
Here is Charles and Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle's mother, leaving the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in 2018.
2021
After the passing of his father Prince Philip in 2021, Charles attends his funeral in Windsor in April.
2022
Here is Charles with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on 2 June 22 for the Trooping the Colour celebration as part of the festivities celebrating the Platinum Jubilee.
2022
Charles returned to London for his first audience with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss as the reigning UK monarch on 9 September.
Megan Wallace (they/them) is Cosmopolitan UK’s Former Sex and Relationships Editor covering sexual pleasure, sex toys, LGBTQIA+ identity, dating and romance. They have covered sexuality and relationships for over five years and are the founder of the PULP zine, which publishes essays on culture and sex. In their spare time, they can be found exploring the London kink scene and planning dates on Feeld.
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