Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About King Charles III

Environmental advocate. Painting enthusiast. His Majesty. Fred. They're just a few ways to refer to King Charles III. And now, the ruling monarch of the United Kingdom is devoting much of his time to filling his late mother's shoes.

The proud father of two made history in September 2022 as the oldest royal to ascend to the throne at 73 years old, and he has since made several headlines while carrying out his royal duties, whether he's traveling abroad for a historical tour or participating in events to support special causes. Still, his most admirable trait has been his unwavering commitment to furthering environmental causes.

In his first speech as monarch, King Charles referenced his long-standing passion for the environment, saying, "My life will, of course, change as I take up my new responsibilities. It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others."

Despite recent health setbacks and a brief hiatus, the king has remained devoted to serving his country, demonstrating his incredible leadership. But let's take a look at how he got here, shall we?

Fast Facts

• Official Royal Title: Charles III, King of the United Kingdom
• Hometown: London, England
• Birthday: November 14, 1948
• Spouse: Queen Camilla (2005-present)
• Children: Prince William and Prince Harry
• Star Sign: Scorpio

Early Life

Born to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, King Charles was raised in London with his three siblings, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. According to royal biographer Philip Eade, his parents were often separated from the former prince due to their many royal duties. His father, however, took every opportunity to help raise his son while the queen was away—and Charles reportedly wasn't a fan of his strict parenting style.

In Time, Eade writes, "Prince Philip’s determination that his timid son should learn to stand on his own feet stemmed from the turbulent circumstances of his own childhood…Having developed a hard-nosed approach to life...Prince Philip saw it as his responsibility to toughen up his son and prepare him for the rigours of one day becoming king."

The eldest of his four siblings, Charles attended Hill House School and was later sent to Prince Philip's alma mater, Gordonstoun, in 1962. Per The Telegraph, the former prince said of his experience, "It [Gordonstoun] was only tough in the sense that it demanded more of you as an individual than most other schools did — mentally or physically. I am lucky in that I believe it taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities."

After this, the monarch attended Trinity College, where he studied archaeology, anthropology and history. Then, in July 1969, he was crowned Prince of Wales by his mother in a televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle—but he didn’t let that distract him from his studies. He also attended the University College of Wales to study Welsh history and language, and by June 1970, he made history as the first heir apparent to earn a University degree, after getting his Bachelor's from the University of Cambridge.

During his time there, the former Prince of Wales received Royal Air Force training, and in 1971, he flew himself to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell to train as a jet pilot. (NBD.) Charles III also followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by pursuing a naval career, enrolling in a course at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth that same year.

Family & Children

Before tying the knot with Camilla Parker Bowles, Prince Charles was married to Princess Diana. The two first met at Althorp (Diana's childhood home) in November 1977, when Charles was visiting her sister, Lady Sarah Spencer. But when they crossed paths again at a mutual friend's house in 1980, they struck up a romance.

After a few months of dating, Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981, and they tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral in July. His new bride immediately won the hearts of the public with her down-to-earth charm, which led to increased media attention and scrutiny.

Becoming King Charles

Previously known as the Prince of Wales, Charles became king following the death of his mother in September 2022. In May 2023, the royal was sworn in as the new ruler, alongside his wife, at Westminster Abbey in London.

Roughly 2,200 guests attended the coronation, including members of the royal family, British officials and foreign leaders. The ceremony, which included two processions and musical performances, had quite a few memorable moments, from the royal family's balcony appearance to Prince William's sweet tribute to the monarch.

In September 2022, when he delivered his first address as sovereign, King Charles said, "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. And wherever you may live in the United Kingdom, or in the Realms and territories across the world, and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavor to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life."

King Charles's accession to the throne marked a shift in the monarchy because of his modern approach. For one, he's much less reserved than his late mother, going as far as to greet and embrace fans at royal outings. Additionally, the king has more social media presence, and he continues to spread awareness about the environment and sustainability.

Royal Endeavors

King Charles has a long history of advocating for causes relating to climate change, sustainability, health care and education. As the Prince of Wales, he was actively involved in countless charities, and per the official royal website, he has established more than 20 of them, including The King's Trust, The King's Foundation and King Charles III Charitable Fund.

The monarch is now linked to over 400 charities and organizations (yes, you read that right), and while his current duties as king have limited his involvement, the monarch continues to highlight the need for sustainable action.

Everything I have tried to do, and urge, over the past fifty years has been done with our children and grandchildren in mind.

King Charles

For instance, in 2023, His Majesty met with 10-year-old environmentalist Karen Kimani after she sent a letter to Buckingham Palace, asking the king to join her in planting a tree. Sure enough, during his state visit to Kenya, he honoured her request and helped her plant an Elgon Teak at Karura Forest.

In a memorable keynote speech delivered at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland in 2020, the king said, "Everything I have tried to do, and urge, over the past fifty years has been done with our children and grandchildren in mind."

Personal Life

Before his first marriage to Princess Diana, King Charles had quite a few relationships. Per Hello! magazine, biographer Sally Bedell Smith revealed that Lucia Santa Cruz was "the first real love of his life," but the reason for their split is unknown. After Cruz, Charles dated Davina Sheffield, Lady Jane Wellesley, Lady Amanda Knatchbull, Sabrina Guinness and Princess Diana's older sister, Lady Sarah Spencer. (Charles and Sarah's romance reportedly went south after word got out that Sarah quipped she wouldn’t marry Charles “if he were the dustman of the King of England.”)

Personal Style

Whether he's hopping on planes for state visits or visiting charities, the king always looks sharp in his formalwear, courtesy of brands like Gieves & Hawkes and Turnbull & Asser. The monarch has pulled off classic double-breasted suits and sleek pin-striped suits, often pairing them with colorful statement ties to elevate the look. His go-to colors are dark grey and navy blue, and he typically opts for classic fabrics like tweed and herringbone.

The king has also stepped out on many occasions in stylish coats (like when he wore his late father's camel wool coat in 2023), and you've likely spotted him wearing traditional kilts to help preserve the culture of Scottish tartans. Regardless of the outfit choice, we can count on the royal to wear these looks with confidence and grace.