As heir apparent, Charles undertook official duties and engagements on behalf of his mother and represented the United Kingdom on visits abroad. He foundedThe Prince's Trust[e] in 1976, sponsoredthe Prince's Charities, and became patron or president of more than 800 other charities and organisations. He advocated for the conservation of historic buildings and the importance of traditional architecture in society. In that vein, he generated the experimental new town ofPoundbury. An environmentalist, Charles supportedorganic farming and action to preventclimate change during his time as the manager of theDuchy of Cornwall estates,earning him awards and recognition as well as criticism; he is also a prominent critic of the adoption ofgenetically modified food, while his support foralternative medicine has been criticised. He hasauthored or co-authored 17 books.
Charles became king uponhis mother's death in 2022. At the age of 73, he was the oldest person to accede to the British throne, after having been the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales in British history. Significant events in his reign have includedhis coronation in 2023 and his cancer diagnosis the following year, the latter of which temporarily suspended planned public engagements.
Early life, family, and education
Christening of Charles (centre, wearing theroyal christening gown) in 1948: (from left to right) his grandfather King George VI; his mother, Princess Elizabeth, holding him; his father, Philip; and his grandmotherQueen Elizabeth
When Charles turned five, Catherine Peebles was appointed asgoverness to oversee his education at Buckingham Palace.[13] He then commenced classes atHill House School inwest London in November 1956.[14] Charles was the first heir apparent to attend school, rather than be educated by a private tutor.[15] He did not receive preferential treatment from the school's founder and headmaster,Stuart Townend, who advised the Queen to have Charles train infootball, because the boys were never deferential to anyone on the football field.[16] Charles subsequently attended two of his father's former schools:Cheam School in Hampshire,[17] from 1958,[18] followed byGordonstoun, in the north-east of Scotland, beginning classes there in April 1962.[18][19] He later became patron of Gordonstoun in May 2024.[20]
In his 1994 authorised biography byJonathan Dimbleby, Charles's parents were described as physically and emotionally distant and Philip was blamed for his disregard of Charles's sensitive nature, including forcing him to attend Gordonstoun, where he was bullied.[21] Though Charles reportedly described Gordonstoun, noted for its especially rigorous curriculum, as "Colditz inkilts",[17] he later praised the school, stating it had taught him "a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities". He said in a 1975 interview he was "glad" he had attended Gordonstoun and that the "toughness of the place" was "much exaggerated".[22] In 1966, Charles spent two terms at theTimbertop campus ofGeelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, during which time he visited Papua New Guinea on a school trip with his history tutor, Michael Collins Persse.[23][24] In 1973, Charles described his time at Timbertop as the most enjoyable part of his whole education.[25] Upon his return to Gordonstoun, he emulated his father in becominghead boy, and left in 1967 with sixGCE O-levels and twoA-levels in history and French, at grades B and C respectively.[23][26] On his education, Charles later remarked, "I didn't enjoy school as much as I might have; but, that was only because I'm happier at home than anywhere else".[22]
Charles began to take on more public duties, foundingthe Prince's Trust in 1976[36] and travelling to the United States in 1981.[37] In the mid-1970s, he expressed an interest in serving asgovernor-general of Australia, at the suggestion of Australian prime ministerMalcolm Fraser; however, because of a lack of public enthusiasm, nothing came of the proposal.[38] In reaction, Charles commented, "so, what are you supposed to think when you are prepared to do something to help and you are just told you're not wanted?"[39]
(Front to back)HMS Norfolk,London, andAntrim in theEnglish Channel following joint exercises with the RAF in December 1971. Charles was serving aboard theNorfolk at this time.
Military training and career
Charles served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy in the 1970s. His military training began in 1969, during his second year at Cambridge, where he received Royal Air Force training, learning to fly theChipmunk aircraft with theCambridge University Air Squadron,[40][41] and was presented with hisRAF wings in August 1971.[42]
Charles spent his last 10 months of active service in the Navy commanding the coastal minehunterHMS Bronington, beginning on 9 February 1976.[44] He retired from active military service in 1976 at the rank ofCommander.[46] Two years later he took part in the parachute training course atRAF Brize Norton after being appointed colonel-in-chief of theParachute Regiment in 1977, and was a member of Parachute Course 841a.[47][48] Charles gave up flying after crash-landing aBAe 146 inIslay in 1994, as a passenger who was invited to fly the aircraft; the crew was found negligent by a board of inquiry.[49]
Charles's great-uncleLord Mountbatten advised him to "sow his wild oats and have as many affairs as he can before settling down", but, for a wife, he "should choose a suitable, attractive, and sweet-charactered girl before she has met anyone else she might fall for ... It is disturbing for women to have experiences if they have to remain on a pedestal after marriage".[55] Early in 1974, Mountbatten began corresponding with 25-year-old Charles about a potential marriage toAmanda Knatchbull, Mountbatten's granddaughter.[56] Charles wrote to Amanda's mother,Lady Brabourne, who was also his godmother, expressing interest in her daughter. Lady Brabourne replied approvingly, but suggested that a courtship with a 16-year-old was premature.[57] Four years later, Mountbatten arranged for Amanda and himself to accompany Charles on his 1980 visit to India. Both fathers, however, objected; Prince Philip feared that his famous uncle[h] would eclipse Charles, whileLord Brabourne warned that a joint visit would concentrate media attention on the cousins before they could decide on becoming a couple.[58]
With Diana during their visit toUluru in Australia, March 1983
Charles first metLady Diana Spencer in 1977, while he was visiting her home,Althorp. He was then the companion of her elder sister Sarah and did not consider Diana romantically until mid-1980. While Charles and Diana were sitting together on a bale of hay at a friend's barbecue in July, she mentioned that he had looked forlorn and in need of care at the funeral of his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten. Soon, according to Dimbleby, "without any apparent surge in feeling, he began to think seriously of her as a potential bride" and she accompanied him on visits toBalmoral Castle andSandringham House.[59]
Charles's cousinNorton Knatchbull and his wife told Charles that Diana appeared awestruck by his position and that he did not seem to be in love with her.[60] Meanwhile, the couple's continuing courtship attracted intense attention from the press and paparazzi. When Charles's father told him that the media speculation would injure Diana's reputation if Charles did not come to a decision about marrying her soon, and realising that she was a suitable royal bride (according to Mountbatten's criteria), Charles construed his father's advice as a warning to proceed without further delay.[61] He proposed to Diana in February 1981, with their engagement becoming official on 24 February; the wedding took place inSt Paul's Cathedral on 29 July. Upon his marriage, Charles reduced his voluntary tax contribution from the profits of the Duchy of Cornwall from 50 per cent to 25 per cent.[62] The couple lived atKensington Palace andHighgrove House, nearTetbury, and had two children:William, in 1982, andHarry, in 1984.[15]
Within five years, the marriage was in trouble due to the couple's incompatibility and near 13-year age difference.[63][64] In 1986, Charles had fully resumed his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles.[65] In a videotape recorded byPeter Settelen in 1992, Diana admitted that, from 1985 to 1986, she had been "deeply in love with someone who worked in this environment."[66][67] It was assumed that she was referring toBarry Mannakee,[68] who had been transferred to the Diplomatic Protection Squad in 1986, after his managers determined his relationship with Diana had been inappropriate.[67][69] Diana later commenced a relationship with MajorJames Hewitt, the family's former riding instructor.[70]
Charles and Diana's evident discomfort in each other's company led to them being dubbed "The Glums" by the press.[71] Diana exposed Charles's affair with Parker Bowles in a book by Andrew Morton,Diana: Her True Story. Audio tapes ofher own extramarital flirtations also surfaced,[71] as did persistent suggestions that Hewitt is Prince Harry's father, based on a physical similarity between Hewitt and Harry. However, Harry had already been born by the time Diana's affair with Hewitt began.[72]
In December 1992,John Major announced the couple's legal separation in theHouse of Commons. Early the following year, the British press published transcripts of a passionate, bugged telephone conversation between Charles and Parker Bowles that had taken place in 1989, which was dubbed "Camillagate" and "Tampongate".[73] Charles subsequently sought public understanding in a television film with Dimbleby,Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role, broadcast in June 1994. In an interview in the film, Charles confirmed his own extramarital affair with Parker Bowles, saying that he had rekindled their association in 1986, only after his marriage to Diana had "irretrievably broken down".[74][75] This was followed by Diana's own admission of marital troubles inan interview on theBBC current affairs showPanorama, broadcast in November 1995.[76] Referring to Charles's relationship with Parker Bowles, she said, "well, there were three of us in this marriage. So, it was a bit crowded." She also expressed doubt about her husband's suitability for kingship.[77] Charles and Diana divorced on 28 August 1996,[78] after being advised by the Queen in December 1995 to end the marriage.[79] The couple shared custody of their children.[80]
Diana waskilled in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. Charles flew to Paris with Diana's sisters to accompany her body back to Britain.[81] In 2003, Diana's butlerPaul Burrell published a note that he claimed had been written by Diana in 1995, in which there were allegations that Charles was "planning 'an accident' in [Diana's] car, brake failure and serious head injury", so that he could remarry.[82] When questioned by theMetropolitan Police inquiry team as a part ofOperation Paget, Charles told the authorities that he did not know about his former wife's note from 1995 and could not understand why she had those feelings.[83]
Charles was the only member of the royal family to have acivil, rather than a church, wedding in England. British government documents from the 1950s and 1960s, published by the BBC, stated that such a marriage was illegal; these claims were dismissed by Charles's spokesman[89] and explained by the sitting government to have been repealed by the Registration Service Act 1953.[90]
The union was scheduled to take place in a civil ceremony atWindsor Castle, with a subsequent religious blessing at the castle'sSt George's Chapel. The wedding venue was changed toWindsor Guildhall after it was realised a civil marriage at Windsor Castle would oblige the venue to be available to anyone who wished to be married there. Four days before the event, it was postponed from the originally scheduled date of 8 April until the following day in order to allow Charles and some of the invited dignitaries to attend thefuneral of Pope John Paul II.[91]
Charles's parents did not attend the marriage ceremony; the Queen's reluctance to attend possibly arose from her position asSupreme Governor of the Church of England.[92] However, his parents did attend theservice ofblessing and held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle.[93] The blessing by Archbishop of CanterburyRowan Williams was televised.[94]
In 1965, Charles undertook his first public engagement by attending a student garden party at thePalace of Holyroodhouse.[95] During his time as Prince of Wales, he undertook official duties on behalf of the Queen,[96] completing 10,934 engagements between 2002 and 2022.[97] He officiated atinvestitures and attended the funerals of foreign dignitaries.[98] Charles made regular tours of Wales, fulfilling a week of engagements each summer, and attending important national occasions, such as opening theSenedd.[99] The six trustees of theRoyal Collection Trust met three times a year under his chairmanship.[100] Charles also represented his mother at the independence celebrations in Fiji in 1970,[101] The Bahamas in 1973,[102] Papua New Guinea in 1975,[103] Zimbabwe in 1980,[104] and Brunei in 1984.[105]
In 1983,Christopher John Lewis, who had fired a shot with a.22 rifle at the Queen in 1981, attempted to escape a psychiatric hospital in order to assassinate Charles, who was visiting New Zealand with Diana and William.[106] While Charles was visiting Australia onAustralia Day in January 1994,David Kang fired two shots at him from astarting pistol in protest of the treatment of several hundred Cambodian asylum seekers held in detention camps.[107] In 1995, Charles became the first member of the royal family to visit the Republic of Ireland in an official capacity.[108] In 1997 he represented the Queen at theHong Kong handover ceremony.[109][110]
Charles's ninth tour of New Zealand, November 2015
At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, Charles caused controversy when he shook hands with thepresident of Zimbabwe,Robert Mugabe, who had been seated next to him. Charles's office subsequently released a statement saying that he could not avoid shaking Mugabe's hand and that he "finds the current Zimbabwean regime abhorrent".[111]
Charles and Camilla made their first joint trip to the Republic of Ireland in May 2015. The British Embassy called the trip an important step in "promoting peace and reconciliation".[115] During the trip, he shook hands inGalway withGerry Adams, leader ofSinn Féin and widely believed to be the leader of theIRA, the militant group that had assassinated Lord Mountbatten in 1979. The event was described by the media as a "historic handshake" and a "significant moment forAnglo-Irish relations".[116]
With Queen Elizabeth II and other world leaders to mark the 75th anniversary ofD-Day on 5 June 2019
Commonwealth heads of government decided at their2018 meeting that Charles would be the next Head of the Commonwealth after the Queen.[117] The head is chosen and therefore not hereditary.[118] In March 2019, at the request of the British government, Charles and Camilla went on an official tour of Cuba, making them the first British royals to visit the country. The tour was seen as an effort to form a closer relationship between Cuba and the United Kingdom.[119]
Charles contractedCOVID-19 during thepandemic in March 2020.[120][121] Several newspapers were critical that Charles and Camilla were tested promptly at a time when manyNHS doctors, nurses and patients had been unable to be tested expeditiously.[122] He tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time in February 2022.[123] He and Camilla, who also tested positive, had received doses of aCOVID-19 vaccine in February 2021.[124]
Delivering theQueen's Speech to the British Parliament on behalf of his mother, May 2022
Charles acceded to the British throne onhis mother's death on 8 September 2022. He was the longest-serving British heir apparent, having surpassed Edward VII's record of 59 years on 20 April 2011.[129] Charles was the oldest person to succeed to the British throne, at the age of 73. The previous record holder,William IV, was 64 when he became king in 1830.[130]
Charles gave his first speech to the nation at 6 pm on 9 September, in which he paid tribute to his mother and announced the appointment of his elder son, William, as Prince of Wales.[131] The following day, theAccession Council publicly proclaimed Charles as king, the ceremony being televised for the first time.[132][117] Attendees included Queen Camilla, Prince William, and the British prime minister,Liz Truss, along with her six living predecessors.[133] The proclamation was also read out by local authorities around the United Kingdom. Other realms signed and read their own proclamations, as did Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, theBritish Overseas Territories, theCrown Dependencies,Canadian provinces, andAustralian states.[134]
Charles and Camilla after their coronation
Charles and Camilla's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 2023.[135] Plans had been made for many years, under the code nameOperation Golden Orb.[136][137] Reports before his accession suggested that Charles's coronation would be simpler than his mother's in 1953,[138] with the ceremony expected to be "shorter, smaller, less expensive, and more representative of different faiths and community groups – falling in line with the King's wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain".[139] Nonetheless, the coronation was aChurch of England rite, including thecoronation oath, theanointment, delivery of theorb, andenthronement.[140] In July that year, the royal couple attended anational service of thanksgiving where Charles was presented with theHonours of Scotland inSt Giles' Cathedral.[141]
In July 2023, Charles asked for the profits from Britain's growing fleet of offshore windfarms to be used for the "wider public good" rather than as extra funding for the monarchy. It was announced that the funding of the monarchy would be reduced to 12 per cent of theCrown Estate's net profits.[142][143]
In November 2022, the King and Queen hosted the South African president,Cyril Ramaphosa, during the first official state visit to Britain of Charles III's reign.[144] In March the following year, the King and Queen embarked on a state visit to Germany; Charles became the first British monarch to address theBundestag.[145] Similarly, in September, he became the first British monarch to give a speech from France's Senate chamber duringhis state visit to the country.[146] The following month, Charlesvisited Kenya where he faced pressure to apologise for British colonial actions. In a speech at the state banquet, he acknowledged "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence", but did not formally apologise.[147]
With Camilla at the 80thD-Day anniversary in France, June 2024
In May 2024, the British prime ministerRishi Sunak asked the King to calla general election; subsequently royal engagements which could divert attention from the election campaign were postponed.[148] In June 2024, Charles and Camilla travelled to Normandy to attend the 80th anniversary commemorations ofD-Day.[149] The same month, he receivedEmperor Naruhito of Japan during the latter's state visit to the United Kingdom.[150] In July the annual Holyrood Week, which is usually spent in Scotland, was shortened so that Charles could return to London and appoint a new prime minister following the general election.[151] After Sunak'sConservatives lost the election to theLabour Party led bySir Keir Starmer, Charles appointed Starmer as prime minister.[152]
In October 2024, the King and Queentoured Australia and Samoa; Australia was the first overseas Commonwealth realm he visited since his accession.[153][154] In Samoa, Charles attended theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for the first time as head of the Commonwealth.[155] The tour was significantly scaled back owing to his cancer diagnosis, a planned visit to New Zealand being among the cancelled events. Charles temporarily paused cancer treatment during the tour.[156]
In January 2024, Charles underwent a "corrective procedure" atthe London Clinic to treat benignprostate enlargement, which resulted in the postponement of some of his public engagements.[159] In February, Buckingham Palace announced that cancer had been discovered during the treatment, but that it was notprostate cancer. Although his public duties were postponed, it was reported Charles would continue to fulfil his constitutional functions during hisoutpatient treatment.[160] He released a statement espousing his support for cancer charities and that he "remain[ed] positive" on making a full recovery.[161] In March, Camilla deputised for him in his absence at theCommonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and at theRoyal Maundy atWorcester Cathedral.[162][163] He made his first major public appearance since his cancer diagnosis at the Easter service held atSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 31 March.[164] In April 2024, it was announced that he would resume public-facing duties after making progress in his cancer treatment.[165][166]
Diet
As early as 1985, Charles was questioning meat consumption. In the1985 Royal Special television programme, he told hostAlastair Burnet that "I actually now don't eat as much meat as I used to. I eat more fish." He also pointed out the societal double standard whereby eating meat is not questioned but eating less meat means "all hell seems to break loose."[167] In 2021, Charles spoke to the BBC about the environment and revealed that, two days per week, he eats no meat nor fish and, one day per week, he eats no dairy products.[168] In 2022, it was reported that he eats a breakfast of fruit salad, seeds, and tea. He does not eat lunch, but takes a break for tea at 5:00 p.m. and eats dinner at 8:30 p.m., returning to work until midnight or after.[169] Ahead ofChristmas dinner in 2022, Charles confirmed to animal rights groupPETA thatfoie gras would not be served at any royal residences; he had stopped the use of foie gras at his own properties for more than a decade before becoming king.[170] During a September 2023 state banquet at thePalace of Versailles, it was reported that he did not want foie gras or out-of-season asparagus on the menu. Instead, he was served lobster.[171]
Charity work
Since founding thePrince's Trust in 1976, using his £7,500 ofseverance pay from the Navy,[172] Charles has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as president of each.[173][96] Together, they form a loose alliance,the Prince's Charities, which describes itself as "the largest multi-cause charitable enterprise in the United Kingdom, raising more than £100 million annually ... [and is] active across a broad range of areas including education and young people, environmental sustainability, the built environment, responsible business and enterprise, and international".[173] As Prince of Wales, Charles becamepatron or president of more than 800 other charities and organisations.[95]
The Prince's Charities Canada was established in 2010, in a similar fashion to its namesake in Britain.[174] Charles useshis tours of Canada as a way to help draw attention to youth, the disabled, the environment, the arts, medicine, the elderly, heritage conservation, and education.[175] He has also set upthe Prince's Charities Australia, based inMelbourne, to provide a coordinating presence for his Australian and international charitable endeavours.[176]
With Camilla visiting the African American Heritage Center inLouisville, Kentucky, March 2015
Charles has supported humanitarian projects; for example, he and his sons took part in ceremonies that marked the 1998International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.[175] Charles was one of the first public figures to express strong concerns about the human rights record of the Romanian dictatorNicolae Ceaușescu, initiating objections in the international arena,[177] and subsequently supported the FARA Foundation,[9] a charity for Romanian orphans and abandoned children.[178]
Two of Charles's charities,the Prince's Foundation andthe Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (later renamed the King's Foundation and King Charles III Charitable Fund, respectively), came under scrutiny in 2021 and 2022 for accepting donations the media deemed inappropriate. In August 2021, it was announced that the Prince's Foundation was launching an investigation into the reports,[179] with Charles's support.[180] TheCharity Commission also launched an investigation into allegations that the donations meant for the Prince's Foundation had been instead sent to the Mahfouz Foundation.[181] In February 2022, the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the cash-for-honours allegations linked to the foundation,[182] passing their evidence to theCrown Prosecution Service for deliberation in October.[183] In August 2023, the Metropolitan Police announced that they had concluded their investigations and no further actions would be taken.[184]
The Times reported in June 2022 that, between 2011 and 2015, Charles accepted €3 million in cash from Qatari prime ministerHamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.[185][186] There was no evidence that the payments were illegal or that it was not intended for the money to go to the charity,[186] although, the Charity Commission stated it would review the information[187] and announced in July 2022 that there would be no further investigation.[188] In the same month,The Times reported that the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund received a donation of £1 million fromBakr bin Laden and Shafiq bin Laden – both half-brothers ofOsama bin Laden – during a private meeting in 2013.[189][190] The Charity Commission described the decision to accept donations as a "matter for trustees" and added that no investigation was required.[191]
From young adulthood, Charles encouraged the understanding ofIndigenous voices, saying they held crucial messages about preservation of the land, respecting community and shared values, resolving conflict, and recognising and making good on past iniquities.[192] He dovetailed this view with his efforts against climate change,[193] as well asreconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and his charitable work in Canada.[194][195] AtCHOGM 2022, Charles, who was representing his mother, raised that reconciliation process as an example for dealing with the history ofslavery in the British Empire,[196] for which he expressed his sorrow.[197]
Letters sent by Charles to government ministers in 2004 and 2005 expressing his concerns over various policy issues – the so-calledblack spider memos – presented potential embarrassment following a challenge byThe Guardian newspaper to release the letters under theFreedom of Information Act 2000. In March 2015, theSupreme Court of the United Kingdom decided that Charles's letters must be released.[198] TheCabinet Office published the letters in May that year.[199] The reaction was largely supportive of Charles, with little criticism of him;[200] the press variously described the memos as "underwhelming"[201] and "harmless",[202] and concluded that their release had "backfired on those who seek to belittle him".[203] It was revealed in the same year that Charles had access to confidential Cabinet papers.[204]
In October 2020, a letter sent by Charles to the governor-general of Australia,Sir John Kerr, afterKerr's dismissal of Prime MinisterGough Whitlam in 1975, was released as part of the collection ofpalace letters regarding the Australian constitutional crisis.[205] In the letter, Charles was supportive of Kerr's decision, writing that what Kerr "did last year was right and the courageous thing to do".[205]
The Times reported in June 2022 that Charles had privately described the British government'sRwanda asylum plan as "appalling" and he feared that it would overshadow the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda that same month.[206] It was later claimed that Cabinet ministers had warned Charles to avoid making political comments, as they feared a constitutional crisis could arise if he continued to make such statements once he became king.[207][208]
Built environment
Charles has openly expressed his views on architecture andurban planning; he fostered the advancement ofNew Classical architecture and asserted that he "care[s] deeply about issues such as the environment, architecture, inner-city renewal, and the quality of life."[209] In a speech given for the 150th anniversary of theRoyal Institute of British Architects in May 1984, he described a proposed extension to theNational Gallery in London as a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved friend" and deplored the "glass stumps and concrete towers" of modern architecture.[210] Charles called for local community involvement in architectural choices and asked, "why has everything got to be vertical, straight, unbending, only at right angles – and functional?"[210] Charles has "a deep understanding ofIslamic art andarchitecture" and has been involved in the construction of a building and garden at theOxford Centre for Islamic Studies, which combine Islamic and Oxford architectural styles.[211]
In Charles's 1989 bookA Vision of Britain, and in speeches and essays, he has been critical of modern architecture, arguing that traditional designs and methods should guide contemporary ones.[212] He has continued to campaign for traditional urbanism, human scale, restoration of historic buildings, and sustainable design[213] despite criticism in the press.[214] Two of his charities – the Prince's Regeneration Trust andthe Prince's Foundation for Building Community, which were later merged into one charity – promote his views. The village ofPoundbury was built on land owned by theDuchy of Cornwall to a master plan byLéon Krier, under the guidance of Charles and in line with his philosophy.[209] In 2013, developments for the suburb ofNansledan began on the estate of the Duchy of Cornwall with Charles's endorsement.[215] Charles helped purchaseDumfries House and its complete collection of 18th century furnishings in 2007, taking a £20m loan from his charitable trust to contribute toward the £45m cost.[216] The house and gardens remain property of the Prince's Foundation and serve as a museum and community and skills training centre.[217][218] This led to the development ofKnockroon, called the "Scottish Poundbury".[219][220]
Charles has occasionally intervened in projects that employ architectural styles such asmodernism andfunctionalism.[226][227] In 2009, Charles wrote to theQatari royal family – the financier of the redevelopment of theChelsea Barracks site – labellingLord Rogers's design for the site "unsuitable". Rogers claimed that Charles had also intervened to block his designs for theRoyal Opera House andPaternoster Square.[228] CPC Group, the project developer, took a case againstQatari Diar to theHigh Court.[229] After the suit was settled, the CPC Group apologised to Charles "for any offence caused... during the course of the proceedings".[229]
Since the 1970s, Charles has promoted environmental awareness.[230] At the age of 21, he delivered his first speech onenvironmental issues in his capacity as the chairman of the Welsh Countryside Committee.[231] An avid gardener, Charles has also emphasised the importance oftalking to plants, stating that "I happily talk to the plants and trees, and listen to them. I think it's absolutely crucial".[232] His interest in gardening began in 1980 when he took over the Highgrove estate.[233] His "healing garden", based on sacred geometry and ancient religious symbolism, went on display at theChelsea Flower Show in 2002.[233]
Upon moving into Highgrove House, Charles developed an interest inorganic farming, which culminated in the 1990 launch of his own organic brand,Duchy Originals,[234] which sells more than 200 different sustainably produced products; the profits (more than £6 million by 2010) are donated to the Prince's Charities.[234][235] Charles became involved with farming and various industries within it, regularly meeting with farmers to discuss their trade. A prominent critic of the practice,[236] Charles has also spoken against the use ofGM crops, and in a letter toTony Blair in 1998, Charles criticised the development of genetically modified foods.[237]
The Sustainable Markets Initiative – a project that encourages puttingsustainability at the centre of all activities – was launched by Charles at theWorld Economic Forum's annual meeting inDavos in January 2020.[238] In May of the same year, the initiative and the World Economic Forum initiated theGreat Reset project, a five-point plan concerned with enhancing sustainable economic growth following the global recession caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[239]
The holychrism oil used at Charles's coronation was vegan, made from oils of olive, sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, and benzoin, along with amber and orange blossom. His mother's chrism oil contained animal-based oils.[240]
Charles delivered a speech at the2021 G20 Rome summit, describingCOP26 as "the last chance saloon" for preventing climate change and asking for actions that would lead to a green-led, sustainable economy.[241] In his speech at the opening ceremony for COP26, he repeated his sentiments from the previous year, stating that "a vast military-style campaign" was needed "to marshal the strength of the global private sector" for tackling climate change.[242] In 2022, the media alleged that Liz Truss had advised Charles against attendingCOP27, to which advice he agreed.[243] Charles delivered the opening speech atCOP28, saying among others he prayed "with all my heart that COP28 will be a critical turning point towards genuine transformational action."[244]
Charles's Duchy Originals produced a variety of complementary medicinal products, including a "Detox Tincture" that Ernst denounced as "financially exploiting the vulnerable" and "outrightquackery".[254] Charles personally wrote at least seven letters[255] to theMedicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency shortly before it relaxed the rules governing labelling of such herbal products, a move that was widely condemned by scientists and medical bodies.[256] It was reported in October 2009 that Charles had lobbied the health secretary,Andy Burnham, regarding greater provision of alternative treatments in the NHS.[254]
Following accounting irregularities, the FIH announced its closure in April 2010.[257][258] The FIH was re-branded and re-launched later in 2010 asthe College of Medicine,[258][259] of which Charles became a patron in 2019.[260]
Sports
Charles (at front) at the 2005 Chakravarty Cup Match at Ham Polo Club, June 2005
From his youth until 2005, Charles was an avid player of competitivepolo.[261] Charles also frequently took part infox hunting untilthe sport was banned in the United Kingdom, also in 2005.[262] By the late 1990s, opposition to the activity was growing when Charles's participation was viewed as a "political statement" by those who were opposed to it.[263] Charles suffered several polo and hunting-related injuries throughout the years, including a two-inch scar on his left cheek in 1980, a broken arm in 1990, a torn cartilage in his left knee in 1992, a broken rib in 1998, and a fractured shoulder in 2001.[157]
Charles has been a keen salmon angler since youth and supportedOrri Vigfússon's efforts to protect the North Atlantic salmon. He frequently fishes theRiver Dee in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and claims his most special angling memories are from his time spent inVopnafjörður, Iceland.[264] Charles is a supporter ofBurnley F.C.[265]
Apart from hunting, Charles has also participated in target rifle competitions, representing the House of Lords in the Vizianagram Match (Lords vs. Commons) atBisley.[266] He became President of the BritishNational Rifle Association in 1977.[267]
Charles is a keenwatercolourist, having published books on the subject and exhibited and sold a number of his works to raise money for charity; in 2016, it was estimated that he had sold lithographs of his watercolours for a total of £2 million from a shop at his Highgrove House residence. For his 50th birthday, 50 of his watercolours were exhibited atHampton Court Palace and, for his 70th birthday, his works were exhibited at theNational Gallery of Australia.[272] In 2001, 20lithographs of his watercolour paintings illustrating his country estates were exhibited at theFlorence International Biennale of Contemporary Art[273] and 79 of his paintings were put on display in London in 2022. To mark the 25th anniversary of his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1994, theRoyal Mail issued a series of postage stamps that featured his paintings.[272] Charles is Honorary President of theRoyal Academy of Arts Development Trust[274] and, in 2015, 2022, and 2023, commissioned paintings of 12 D-Day veterans, sevenHolocaust survivors, and ten members of theWindrush generation, respectively, which went on display at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace.[275][276][277]
Charles is the author of several books and has contributed aforeword orpreface to numerous books by others. He has also been featured in a variety of documentary films.[278]
Religion and philosophy
Shortly after his accession to the throne, Charles publicly described himself as "a committedAnglican Christian";[279] at age 16, during Easter 1965, he had beenconfirmed into theAnglican Communion by Archbishop of CanterburyMichael Ramsey in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.[280] The King is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England[281] and a member of theChurch of Scotland; he swore an oath to uphold that church immediately after he was proclaimed king.[282] He attends services at various Anglican churches close to Highgrove[283] and attends the Church of Scotland'sCrathie Kirk with the rest of the royal family when staying at Balmoral Castle.
Laurens van der Post became a friend of Charles in 1977; he was dubbed Charles's "spiritual guru" and was godfather to Prince William.[284] From van der Post, Charles developed a focus on philosophy and an interest in other religions.[285] Charles expressed his philosophical views in his 2010 book,Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World,[286] which won a Nautilus Book Award.[287] He has also visitedEastern Orthodox monasteries onMount Athos,[288] in Romania,[289] and in Serbia,[290] and met with Eastern Church leaders in Jerusalem in 2020, during a visit that culminated in an ecumenical service in theChurch of the Nativity in Bethlehem and a walk through the city accompanied by Christian and Muslim dignitaries.[291] Charles also attended the consecration of Britain's firstSyriac Orthodox cathedral,St Thomas Cathedral, Acton.[292] Charles is patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies at theUniversity of Oxford and attended the inauguration of theMarkfield Institute of Higher Education, which is dedicated to Islamic studies in a multicultural context.[211][293]In his 1994 documentary with Dimbleby, Charles said that, when king, he wished to be seen as a "defender of faith", rather than the British monarch's traditional title ofDefender of the Faith, "preferr[ing] to embrace all religious traditions and 'the pattern of the divine, which I think is in all of us.'"[294] This attracted controversy at the time, as well as speculation that the coronation oath might be altered.[295] He stated in 2015 that he would retain the title ofDefender of the Faith, whilst "ensuring that other people's faiths can also be practised", which he sees as a duty of the Church of England.[296] Charles reaffirmed this theme shortly after his accession and declared that his duties as sovereign included "the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions, and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals."[279]
Since his birth, Charles has received close media attention, which increased as he matured. It has been an ambivalent relationship, largely impacted by his marriages to Diana and Camilla and their aftermath, but also centred on his future conduct as king.[299]
Described as the "world's most eligible bachelor" in the late 1970s,[300] Charles was subsequently overshadowed by Diana.[301] After her death, the media regularly breached Charles's privacy and printed exposés. Known for expressing his opinions, when asked during an interview to mark his 70th birthday whether this would continue in the same way once he is king, he responded "No. It won't. I'm not that stupid. I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign. So, of course, you know, I understand entirely how that should operate."[302] In 2009 Charles was named the world's best-dressed man byEsquire magazine.[303] In 2023 theNew Statesman named Charles as the fourth most powerful right-wing figure of the year, describing him as a "romantic traditionalist" and "the very lastreactionary in public life" for his support of various traditionalist think-tanks and previous writings.[304]
A 2018 BMG Research poll found that 46 per cent of Britons wanted Charles to abdicate immediately on his mother's death, in favour of William.[305] However, a 2021 opinion poll reported that 60 per cent of the British public had a favourable opinion of him.[306] On his accession to the throne,The Statesman reported an opinion poll that put Charles's popularity with the British people at 42 per cent.[307] More recent polling suggested that his popularity increased sharply after he became king.[308] As of October 2024[update], Charles had an approval rating of 62 per cent, according to statistics and polling companyYouGov.[309]
Reaction to press treatment
In 1994 the German tabloidBild published nude photos of Charles that were taken while he was vacationing inLe Barroux; they had reportedly been put up for sale for £30,000.[310] Buckingham Palace reacted by stating that it was "unjustifiable for anybody to suffer this sort of intrusion".[311]
Charles, "so often a target of the press, got his chance to return fire" in 2002, when addressing "scores of editors, publishers, and other media executives" gathered atSt Bride's Fleet Street to celebrate 300 years of journalism.[i][312] Defending public servants from "the corrosive drip of constant criticism", he noted that the press had been "awkward, cantankerous, cynical, bloody-minded, at times intrusive, at times inaccurate, and at times deeply unfair and harmful to individuals and to institutions."[312] But, he concluded, regarding his own relations with the press, "from time to time we are probably both a bit hard on each other, exaggerating the downsides and ignoring the good points in each."[312]
The Independent noted in 2015 that Charles would only speak to broadcasters "on the condition they have signed a 15-page contract, demanding that Clarence House attends both the 'rough cut' and 'fine cut' edits of films and, if it is unhappy with the final product, can 'remove the contribution in its entirety from the programme'."[315] This contract stipulated that all questions directed at Charles must be pre-approved andvetted by his representatives.[315]
In 2023The Guardian estimated Charles's personal wealth at£1.8 billion.[316] This estimate includes the assets of theDuchy of Lancaster worth £653 million (and paying Charles an annual income of £20 million), jewels worth £533 million, real estate worth £330 million, shares and investments worth £142 million,a stamp collection worth at least £100 million, racehorses worth £27 million, artworks worth £24 million, and cars worth £6.3 million.[316] Most of this wealth which he inherited from his mother was exempt from inheritance tax.[316][317]
Clarence House, previously the residence of the Queen Mother, was Charles's official London residence from 2003, after being renovated at a cost of £6.1 million.[318] He previously shared apartments eight and nine at Kensington Palace with Diana before moving toYork House at St James's Palace, which remained his principal residence until 2003.[85] Highgrove House in Gloucestershire is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, having been purchased for Charles's use in 1980, and which he rented for £336,000 per annum.[319][320] Since William became Duke of Cornwall, Charles is expected to pay £700,000 per annum for use of the property.[321] Charles also owns a property near the village ofViscri in Romania.[322][323]
As Prince of Wales, Charles's primary source of income was generated from the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns 133,658 acres of land (around 54,090 hectares), including farming, residential, and commercial properties, as well as an investment portfolio. Since 1993, he has paid tax voluntarily under theMemorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, updated in 2013.[324]Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs were asked in December 2012 to investigate alleged tax avoidance by the Duchy of Cornwall.[325] The Duchy is named in theParadise Papers, a set of confidential electronic documents relating tooffshore investment that were leaked to the German newspaperSüddeutsche Zeitung.[326][327]
Charles has held many titles and honorary military positions throughout the Commonwealth, is sovereign of many orders in his own countries and has received honours and awards from around the world.[330][331][332][333][334] In each of his realms, he has a distinct title that follows a similar formula:King of Saint Lucia and of His other Realms and Territories inSaint Lucia,King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories in Australia, etc. In theIsle of Man, which is aCrown Dependency rather than a separate realm, he is known asLord of Mann. Charles is also styledDefender of the Faith.
There had been speculation throughout Elizabeth II's reign as to whatregnal name Charles would choose upon his accession; instead ofCharles III, he could have chosen to reign asGeorge VII or used one of his other given names.[335] It was reported that he might use George in honour of his grandfather George VI and to avoid associations with previous controversial kings named Charles.[j][336][337] Charles's office asserted in 2005 that no decision had yet been made.[338] Speculation continued for a few hours following his mother's death,[339] until Liz Truss announced and Clarence House confirmed that Charles had chosen the regnal nameCharles III.[340][341]
As Prince of Wales, Charles's coat of arms was based on the arms of the United Kingdom, differenced with a white label and aninescutcheon of the Principality of Wales, surmounted by the heir apparent's crown, and with the mottoIch dien (German:[ɪçˈdiːn], "I serve") instead ofDieu et mon droit.
When Charles became king, he inherited the royal coats of arms of the United Kingdom and of Canada.[343] The design of his royal cypher, featuring a depiction of theTudor crown instead ofSt Edward's Crown, was revealed on 27 September 2022. The College of Arms envisages that the Tudor crown will be used in new arms, uniforms and crown badges as they are replaced.[344]
Coat of arms as Prince of Wales (1958–2022)
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom
Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland
The banners used by Charles as Prince of Wales varied depending upon location. His personal standard for the United Kingdom was theRoyal Standard of the United Kingdom differenced as in his arms, with a label of three pointsargent and the escutcheon of the arms of the Principality of Wales in the centre. It was used outside Wales, Scotland, Cornwall, and Canada, and throughout the entire United Kingdom when Charles was acting in an official capacity associated with the British Armed Forces.[345]
The personal flag for use in Wales was based upon theRoyal Badge of Wales.[345] In Scotland, the personal banner used between 1974 and 2022 was based upon three ancient Scottish titles: Duke of Rothesay (heir apparent to theKing of Scots),High Steward of Scotland, and Lord of the Isles. In Cornwall, the banner was the arms of the Duke of Cornwall.[345]
The royal standard of the United Kingdom is used to represent the King in the United Kingdom and on official visits overseas, except in Australia and Canada. It is the royal arms in banner form undifferentiated, having been used by successive British monarchs since 1702. The royal standard of Canada is used by the King in Canada and while acting on behalf of Canada overseas. It is theescutcheon of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada in banner form undifferentiated.
^The Prince's Trust was renamed to The King's Trust following his accession to the throne.
^He was reportedly named "Charles" after his godfatherHaakon VII of Norway (born Prince Carl of Denmark), who was called "Uncle Charles" byElizabeth II.[6][7]
^abJohnson, Bonnie; Healy, Laura Sanderson; Thorpe-Tracey, Rosemary; Nolan, Cathy (25 April 1988)."Growing Up Royal".Time. Archived fromthe original on 31 March 2005. Retrieved4 June 2009.
^Holland, Fiona (10 September 2022)."God Save The King!".Trinity College Cambridge.Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved14 September 2022.
^Torrance, David (29 September 2022).The Accession of King Charles III(PDF). House of Commons Library. p. 21.Archived(PDF) from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved25 April 2023.
^"Prince Charles dined with Bin Laden's brother".The Guardian. 13 October 2001.Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved30 July 2022.The Prince of Wales had dinner with a brother of Osama bin Laden two weeks after the September 11th attacks, St James' Palace said today.
^Garner, Clare (17 December 1996)."Prince's guru dies aged 90".The Independent (UK).Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved31 March 2012.
^"Princ Čarls u manastiru Kovilj" [Prince Charles in the Kovilj monastery].Ekspres.net (in Serbian (Latin script)).Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved9 September 2022.
^Prinsley, Jane (18 June 2024)."King Charles renews patronage of Jewish Museum London".thejc.com. Retrieved7 January 2025.Originally appointed patron of the museum in 2008, the King's renewed patronage is a "huge vote of confidence in reiterating the importance of the Jewish Museum London," a spokesperson for the museum said.
^White, Michael (27 December 2005)."Charles denies planning to reign as King George".The Guardian.ISSN1756-3224.OCLC60623878.Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved2 October 2012.Clarence House yesterday issued a pained denial of claims that the Prince of Wales has held private discussions with "trusted friends" about the possibility of reigning as George VII rather than risk the negative connotations attached to the name King Charles.
^"Britain's new monarch to be known as King Charles III".Reuters. 8 September 2022.Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved8 September 2022.Clarence House confirmed on Thursday that Britain's new monarch will be known as King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth, PA Media reported on Thursday.
^"Coats of Arms".The Royal Family. 2022.Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved18 May 2023.
^"Royal Cypher". College of Arms.Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved28 September 2022.
^abc"Standards". Prince of Wales.Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved31 August 2016.
^"The Prince of Wales".Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges. Office of the Governor General of Canada: Canadian Heraldic Authority.Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved4 January 2016.
1 Office is either vested in the Crown, or vacant.Status is currently debated. 2 There is debate around whether these offices constitute Officers of the Crown.
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