The Fascinating Evolution of King Charles III: A Captivating Photographic Journey

Prior to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III had been next in line to the British throne for an impressive seven decades, making him the longest-serving heir apparent in the monarchy's history. During this time, he fulfilled his duties as the Prince of Wales and started his own family.

On November 14, 1948, Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor was born to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. While his mother was still a princess at the time, their lives took a significant turn when King George VI passed away in February 1952. This event meant that Charles, at just 3 years old, became the heir apparent to the throne. He also acquired various titles, including Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

Charles attended Elizabeth’s coronation at Westminster Abbey in June 1953, growing up alongside his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. He later became the Prince of Wales in July 1958 and was crowned by his mother at his investiture in July 1969.

As he entered adulthood, Charles faced the expectation of marriage. After serving in the military and establishing his own charity, he proposed to Princess Diana in February 1981. They exchanged vows in a grand wedding ceremony held at St Paul’s Cathedral in July of that same year. Together, they were blessed with two sons, Prince William in June 1982 and Prince Harry in September 1984.

Charles and Diana's marriage ended in divorce in August 1996 after their separation was announced by then-Prime Minister John Major in December 1992. Following Diana's tragic death in August 1997 at the age of 36 in a car accident, Charles became a single parent to their sons.

While prioritizing his children and royal responsibilities, Charles found love again and married his future queen consort, Camilla Parker Bowles, in April 2005. Despite his personal life, Charles remained committed to his official duties on behalf of the queen and became a grandfather in July 2013.

His 70th birthday in November 2018 was celebrated by his mother who praised him. She described Charles as a champion of conservation and the arts, a distinguished leader in charity, a dedicated heir to the throne, and a remarkable father. She emphasized that Charles is an independent individual, driven by his own passions and creativity, with the constant support of his wife, Camilla. The monarch concluded the speech by proposing a toast to her son, referring to him as a unique and original figure, the Prince of Wales.

Nearly four years later, it was Charles' turn to express his gratitude to the queen. He had the opportunity to pay tribute to her at her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, which celebrated her remarkable 70 years on the throne. Additionally, in the following September, Charles mourned the loss of his mother, who had passed away at the age of 96.

In his inaugural speech as king, Charles lovingly addressed his beloved Mama, acknowledging her final journey to reunite with his late father. With heartfelt sincerity, he simply said, "thank you." Charles expressed his appreciation for her unwavering love and devotion to their family, as well as her diligent service to the family of nations throughout the years. As he bid farewell to Elizabeth, he wished for her a peaceful rest, as he quoted, "May 'flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.'"

Charles’ royal coronation occurred in May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, the very location where his mother had been crowned as queen. While positioned before the altar, he solemnly made his official oath as king: “I, Charles, sincerely and wholeheartedly profess, testify, and declare in the presence of God that I am a faithful Protestant. I commit to upholding and maintaining the enactments that secure the Protestant succession to the throne, to the best of my abilities and in accordance with the law,” he affirmed.

Continuing on, the former Prince of Wales expressed, “May I be a source of blessing to all individuals, regardless of their faith or beliefs, as we join together in exploring the paths of kindness and embracing the pursuit of peace.”

Scroll through the gallery below to relive Charles’ life in photos.

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King Charles III Through the Years: The Monarch's Life in Photos

Prior to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, who ascended to the throne in September 2022 following his mother's demise, had been the next in line to the British throne for a remarkable seven decades. In fact, he held this position longer than any other individual in the history of the monarchy. During his wait for coronation, he dutifully fulfilled his role as the Prince of Wales and also established his own family.

The queen and Prince Philip welcomed their first child, son Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor, on November 14, 1948. Their lives took a significant turn when Elizabeth's father, King George VI, passed away in February 1952, making her the new queen. As a result, at just 3 years old, Charles became her heir apparent. Along with his new status, he also acquired the titles Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

In June 1953, Charles attended his mother's coronation at Westminster Abbey. He grew up alongside his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. Eventually, in July 1958, he became the Prince of Wales. His investiture took place in July 1969, where he was crowned by his mother.

After reaching adulthood, Charles fulfilled societal expectations by entering into marriage. Following his service in the military and the establishment of his own charity, he proposed to Princess Diana in February 1981. Their extravagant wedding took place at St Paul's Cathedral in July of the same year. Over time, the couple became parents to two sons, Prince William born in June 1982 and Prince Harry in September 1984.

Unfortunately, Charles and Diana's marriage eventually deteriorated, leading to their separation in December 1992, which was announced by then-Prime Minister John Major. Their divorce was finalized in August 1996. After Diana's tragic passing in August 1997 at the age of 36 due to a car accident, Charles became a single parent to their sons.

Charles dedicated himself to both his children and his royal responsibilities, but it was in April 2005 that he made the decision to marry his future queen consort, Camilla Parker Bowles. Despite his growing role as a grandfather, Charles continued to fulfill his official duties on behalf of the queen.

On the occasion of his 70th birthday in November 2018, his mother praised Charles for his remarkable achievements. She highlighted his dedication to conservation and the arts, his leadership in charitable endeavors, and his respected position as the heir to the throne. She also emphasized his role as a wonderful father and acknowledged the support of his wife, Camilla. The monarch concluded by raising a toast to her son, describing him as a unique and independent individual, and addressing him as the Prince of Wales.

In June 2022, Charles paid tribute to the queen during her Platinum Jubilee, commemorating her remarkable 70-year reign. The following September, at the age of 96, she passed away, and Charles continued to honor her legacy.

"And to my beloved Mother, as you embark on your final journey to reunite with my dear late Father, I simply want to express my deepest gratitude," the monarch concluded his inaugural address as king, one day following Elizabeth's passing. "Thank you for your unwavering love and dedication to our family and to the global community that you have served tirelessly throughout these years. May angelic voices guide you to eternal peace."

Charles' grand coronation ceremony occurred in May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, the very same location where his mother was crowned as queen. While humbly kneeling before the altar, he solemnly pledged his official oath as king: "I, Charles, do sincerely and faithfully profess, testify, and declare in the presence of God that I am a devoted Protestant, and I am committed to upholding and preserving the enactments that secure the Protestant succession to the throne to the best of my abilities, in accordance with the law," he affirmed.

Scroll through the gallery below to revisit Charles' life through a collection of photographs.

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1948

Elizabeth, then a princess, gave birth to her and Philip’s first child at Buckingham Palace in November 1948. He was baptized the following month.  

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Charles, who was next in line for the throne, accompanied his mother to her coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in June 1953. Despite his mother's status as the queen of England, Charles received a non-traditional education. Prior to attending Hill House School in London in November 1956, he had a governess for several years. Subsequently, he enrolled at Cheam Preparatory School in Berkshire and later at Gordonstoun in Scotland. Charles further pursued his education at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Australia, successfully completing his studies in 1967.

1953

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1969

Charles was named Prince of Wales in July 1958, but his investiture was not held until July 1969. His mother crowned him in a televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.  

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1970

Prior to enlisting in the military, the royal chose to pursue higher education at Trinity College and the University College of Wales. In a historic achievement, he became the first heir apparent to obtain a college degree upon graduating from the University of Cambridge in June 1970.

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1971

Charles had a distinguished military career from 1971 to 1977, serving in both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. During this time, he achieved the rank of lieutenant and gained valuable experience flying different types of aircraft. Additionally, he was stationed on several ships, further enhancing his knowledge and skills in the military.

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1976

In 1976, Charles established The Prince's Trust with the aim of enhancing the lives of underprivileged youth in the United Kingdom. Over the years, the charity has provided assistance to a staggering one million individuals, making a significant impact on their well-being and prospects.

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1981

The future king, Charles, first met Diana in 1977, but it wasn't until February 1981 that he finally proposed to her. Their wedding took place at St Paul's Cathedral on July 29, 1981. In an exclusive interview with We in October 2020, royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Charles had felt pressured by his father into marrying Diana.

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1982

Charles and Diana welcomed their first child, son William, on June 21, 1982. Charles broke with tradition by being present at both of his children’s births. 

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1984

The couple’s second child, son Harry, arrived on September 15, 1984.

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1996

In December 1992, Charles and Diana made the decision to formally separate due to ongoing problems in their marriage, including Charles' acknowledgment of his affair with Camilla. Their divorce was ultimately concluded in August 1996.

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1997

Following a tragic car accident in Paris in August 1997, Diana, the ex-wife of Charles, passed away. At the time, William was 15 years old and Harry was 12. Reflecting on this difficult time, the Duke of Sussex shared that their father was a source of support and protection for them. Despite the immense loss, Charles made every effort to ensure their well-being. A poignant moment that remains etched in memory is when Charles walked alongside his sons, behind Diana's casket during her funeral in September 1997.

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2005

Charles and Camilla's engagement was officially announced in February 2005. The Queen gave her approval for the marriage the following month, and the couple exchanged vows in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on April 9, 2005. Although the groom's parents did not attend the ceremony, they were present for the service of blessing and hosted a reception at Windsor Castle.

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2011

In April 2011, William, the oldest son of Charles, married Duchess Kate at Westminster Abbey. Charles recently shared in May 2020 that he had handpicked the music for the ceremony. Speaking to Classic FM, he mentioned that the future Duke of Cornwall had been understanding and happily agreed to his suggestions for a few pieces to be played at their wedding.

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2013

Charles became a grandfather in July 2013 with the arrival of Prince George, the first child of William and Kate. In May 2015, Princess Charlotte was born, followed by Prince Louis in April 2018. Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their son, Archie, in May 2019, and their daughter, Lili, joined the family in June 2021.

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Charles witnessed the wedding of Harry and Meghan at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May 2018. In the absence of her father, Thomas Markle, Meghan's father-in-law stepped up to escort her down the aisle. Harry recollected in the 2018 documentary Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, "I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course. I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you.'"

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2018

In celebration of Charles' 70th birthday in November 2018, the royal family unveiled two portraits featuring him alongside his cherished family members, including Camilla, William, Kate, Harry, Meghan, George, Charlotte, and Louis.

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2019

In March 2019, Buckingham Palace was filled with the presence of the royal family who had gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Charles' investiture as the Prince of Wales. The esteemed reception was attended by the queen herself, alongside Camilla, Harry, Meghan, William, Kate, and other prominent figures.

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Clarence House announced in March 2020 that Charles had contracted coronavirus. In a statement, it was mentioned that he had experienced mild symptoms and that his overall health was good. During an interview with Sky News in June, Charles expressed his gratitude for being fortunate in his battle with the virus and having only mild effects.

2020

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Harry expressed his disappointment during his and Meghan's March 2021 CBS tell-all interview, revealing that his father had ceased communication with him following their departure from the royal family in 2020. He acknowledged the need to address the unresolved issues between him and Charles, emphasizing that Charles had gone through a similar experience and understood the pain involved. Despite the strained relationship, Harry affirmed his enduring love for his son Archie and affirmed his commitment to prioritizing the healing of their bond.

Meanwhile, an insider told Us in May 2021 that Charles “may never forgive Harry” for the headline-making sit-down.  

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2021

Charles’ father, Philip, passed away in April 2021 at the age of 99. In a public address, Charles expressed his gratitude for his father's remarkable and devoted service to the queen, the family, the country, and the entire Commonwealth. The loss of his father has deeply affected Charles and his family, as he was a beloved and highly regarded figure. Charles is moved by the overwhelming support and condolences received from people around the world and within the Commonwealth, which further highlights the extent of their shared grief and sorrow.

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September 2022

Following the passing of his mother, Charles was ready to ascend the throne as the king, making him the longest-waiting heir apparent in the history of the United Kingdom. At the age of 73, he will also become the oldest British monarch to ever assume the position of power.

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September 2022

Charles — along with his wife — sat on the British throne for the first time as king while addressing Parliament four days after Elizabeth's death.

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September 2022

The new sovereign cried when "God Save the King" was played at his mother's state funeral.

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November 2022

The king posed on the grounds of Windsor Castle by an ancient oak for his 74th birthday portrait.

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May 2023

Eight months after becoming king, Charles was crowned at Westminster Abbey. As the ceremony unfolded, Camilla beamed with pride beside her husband, while William publicly declared his loyalty to his father and affectionately kissed Charles on the cheek.

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May 2023

After the coronation, Charles expressed his gratitude to the public through an Instagram post accompanied by official portraits from the event. He conveyed his deepest thanks to all those who contributed to making the occasion truly special. In particular, he acknowledged the countless individuals who devoted their time and efforts to ensure that the celebrations in London, Windsor, and beyond were filled with joy, safety, and enjoyment. Charles extended his appreciation to everyone who participated in the festivities, whether by celebrating at home, joining street parties and lunches, or volunteering in their communities. He emphasized that their support, encouragement, and acts of kindness have been the most valuable gift on this momentous occasion. With renewed determination, Charles and his wife rededicate their lives to serving the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms, and the Commonwealth.

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June 2023

The king gave his first Trooping the Colour salute on June 17.