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 Profiel van Koning Charles III (2) infographic
Graphic shows major events in the life of King Charles III.
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Profiel van Koning Charles III (2)

By Jordi Bou

September 13, 2022 - With the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles has finally become king of the United Kingdom and 14 other realms, ending a wait of more than 70 years – the longest by an heir in British history.

Born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948, Charles became heir apparent at the age of three when his mother inherited the throne upon her father King George VI’s death.

He studied history at Cambridge University's Trinity College and in 1970 became the first British royal to earn a university degree.

His personal life has been controversial. He married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Prince William, now heir to the throne, was born a year later, followed by his brother, Prince Harry, in 1984.

But the public fairytale crumbled. In a BBC TV interview in 1995, Diana described “three of us” – referring to Charles’s long-standing affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.

It took years for many in the UK to forgive Charles, especially after Diana died in a Paris car crash in 1997. But the public mood softened after he married Camilla in 2005 and she became Duchess of Cornwall.

Diana’s tragic death would lead to his playing a more active role in the lives of his sons, and he buried himself in philanthropic work.

A patron of the World Wildlife Fund, the King is also a generous patron of the arts, has a keen interest in preserving traditional architecture, and is an enthusiastic gardener.

But it is his passion for environmental issues and organic farming produce, founding the Duchy Originals brand to promote organic food, that have been his main preoccupation.

He has also been criticised for political interference. In 2013, it was revealed Charles held 36 meetings with government ministers in the previous three years.

At 73, Charles is the oldest person ever to ascend the British throne.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 21/03/2023; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Getty Images, Newscom
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