Born to be the heir apparent, Prince Charles has had more than seven decades to prepare to take over the throne after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles III was crowned today at Westminster Abbey, officially becoming the king of England, opening a new era after the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
When Prince Charles was installed as king following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, his first public speech thanked his "beloved mother" for her love and devotion to her family and the kingdom she had spent most of her life serving.
He was born in 1948 at Buckingham Palace in London, the first son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. At the age of three, he became Crown Prince when Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne, following the death of King George VI.
Aware of the responsibilities of the heir to the throne, Prince Charles has spent more than seven decades preparing for the day he succeeds the Queen, what many have called "the longest apprenticeship in history".
From an early age, the future British monarch witnessed the sacrifices her mother made to fulfill her royal duties. Before her coronation, Elizabeth II had little time to spend with her first son, who was quite shy and sensitive as a child. To fulfill the busy schedule of royal duties, both she and her husband were often absent from home.
Princess Elizabeth and her husband with their two children, Prince Charles (left) and Princess Anne in a photo taken in 1951. Photo: AFP
During Christmas 1949, Princess Elizabeth and her husband went on a royal tour of Malta, leaving one-year-old Charles at home with his grandparents at Sandringham. They also missed Charles learning to walk or getting his first teeth.
The Queen and Prince Philip's subsequent overseas trips were also without their young son. Charles' first word was "Nana" for his nanny, whom he spent more time with than anyone else at the time.
Over the years, however, Charles has always spoken of the Queen and the Prince with admiration for their contributions and sacrifices to the British Royal Family and the monarchy, even if their absence has certainly left gaps in his childhood.
His mother's absence meant Charles spent more time with Prince Philip, who recognised his son's shyness and tried to encourage him. However, the results were not always as expected. Countess Mountbatten, Prince Philip's cousin, said: "Sometimes he overdid it, although I understand he just wanted his son to be strong."
Charles was the first heir to the British throne to attend school rather than be tutored at the palace. He briefly attended Hill House preparatory school in London at the age of eight, before boarding at Cheam School, which his father had attended. Charles has said he did not have a good experience of this time.
His time at Gordonstoun, where his father had been a famous pupil, was similar. Charles spoke of the harsh environment there, but still valued the experience. It was also at this school that Charles developed a love of the arts and later took part in many plays.
"Gordonstoun demands more of you mentally and physically than most other schools. I was fortunate in that I believe the school taught me a great deal about myself, taught me to accept challenges and take initiative," Prince Charles said in 1975.
The Prince of Wales has grown closer to his parents. After Queen Elizabeth II died last year, he said in a BBC documentary that he felt “lucky” to have her as his mother. The Prince’s Trust is one example of the shared interests he shares with his father.
Royal historian Mok O'Keeffe added that it was his work at the Prince's Trust that laid the foundations for his later work in governing the United Kingdom, as he sought to protect the disadvantaged in society.
"Working at the Prince's Trust gave him a lot of skills and confidence," O'Keeffe said.
In 1970, he graduated from Cambridge University with a bachelor of arts degree, becoming the first heir to the British throne to have a university degree. Cambridge later awarded him a master of arts degree.
Charles became Prince of Wales in 1969, after completing a term at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, where he learned to speak Welsh. Two years later he entered the House of Commons and then joined the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force a few years later.
In 1981, the world's attention was focused on the United Kingdom when he married Diana Spencer, who later became Princess of Wales. The couple had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, who were second and sixth in line to the throne. Their marriage was a tumultuous one and the couple separated in late 1992, before divorcing in 1996.
Tragedy struck in 1997, when Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris. It was one of the most difficult times for both Prince Charles and the British Royal Family.
King Charles III outside Buckingham Palace in September 2022. Photo: Reuters
In 2005, Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, who later became the Duchess of Cornwall. The couple first met in 1970, when Charles was 22 and Camilla was 24. Their friendship blossomed into love, overcoming many obstacles over the years. The Queen and many others were delighted with this new chapter in Prince Charles' life.
After his coronation, King Charles III will implement policies to make his mark in the new dynasty. Many sources say that one of his priorities is to "streamline" the British monarchy, following the model of many European countries.
Mok O'Keeffe agrees that King Charles III has had plenty of time to prepare for what he will do with the British monarchy, but believes he will also face many challenges. The British royal family has recently faced many storms related to Prince Harry, who has given up his royal duties and revealed many "deep family secrets" to the media.
"However, I believe that with his fresh perspective and willingness to learn, he will have the perfect mindset to ensure the British Royal Family continues to be recognised and continues to represent the diverse communities of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in the 21st century," O'Keeffe said.
Thanh Tam (According to Telegraph, AP )
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