10 fun facts about King Charles III
1. King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948
To parents Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace, London.
He is their eldest son and therefore he always was the next in line to be the King and is the longest-serving heir at age 73.
2. He became King on 8 September 2022
Prince Charles became King on the 8th of September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen had reigned for a record-breaking 70 years.
3. King Charles’ coronation takes place on 6th May 2023
A coronation is a special ceremony that is held when a king or queen is crowned. During the ceremony, the new ruler is usually presented with a crown. It takes a long time to arrange a coronation. When previously the Queen’s father George VI died in February 1952, it took more than a year to arrange her coronation. The ceremony is attended by important people and celebrated with music, dancing, and feasting. King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach where they will be crowned.
4. King Charles reigns in 14 nations as well as the UK
The 14 nations include:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.
As King, he’s also the only person in the UK who can travel without a passport and drive without a licence.
5. King Charles III can speak Welsh and was previously known as the Prince of Wales
He was 9 years old when his mother, Queen Elizabeth, gave him the Prince of Wales title and then he learnt the Welsh language. He still speaks it today, while visiting and addressing the country.
6. He studied history at Cambridge University
Prince Charles graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Trinity College in Cambridge in 1970 making him the first monarch in UK history with a university degree.
7. He plays three instruments
During his studies, he learnt how to play three instruments: the cello, piano and trumpet.
8. King Charles loves art and is brilliant at painting
As well as a music lover, King Charles also loves to paint and has been doing it for the last 50 years. He only paints in watercolour and likes to paint outdoor scenes and landscapes. The surrounding areas of Balmoral are his favourite.
9. He founded lots of charities
He has founded lots of charities over the years including the Prince’s Trust, the Prince’s Teaching Institute and the Princes Foundation for Children and the Arts. Together they raise £140 million each year for good causes. He’s also passionate about the environment. He spoke out about plastic pollution as early as 1970, drove an electric car and planted many trees during royal engagements.
10. King Charles is a keen pilot and diver
While serving in the military, King Charles III trained as a jet and helicopter pilot. He has also done lots of diving too and explored lots of shipwrecks.