King Charles III (2022 - Present)

Early Life

King George III otherwise known as (Charles Phillip Arthur George) when born, was the second in line to the throne behind his mother Queen Elizabeth II. At 73 years old, Charles is the oldest person to ascend to the British throne and longest serving heir apparent in British history.

Charles was first educated at Cheam school in Surrey, before attending Gordonstoun a boarding school that is in Moray, Scotland. Charles then moved to Victoria, a South-eastern state in Australia for 1 year to attend Geelong Grammar School. The final years of Charles' education was spent earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history archaeology and anthropology, from the University of Cambridge where he achieved a 2.2 degree.

Military Service

Charles served in the Royal air force and Royal navy between the years of 1971 to 1976.

• 1971 - Trained as a Royal air force pilot in Cranwell, Lincolnshire. Started military service on the HMS Norfolk.
• 1972-74 - Served on HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter
• 1974 - Became a helicopter pilot and joined the 845 Naval air squadron aboard the HMS Hermes.
• 1976 - Commander of the costal minehunter HMS Bronington.

After Charles' Military service ended:

• 1995 - Promoted to group captain of the Royal air force and was awarded the honorary five-star rank in all branches of the armed forces.
• 2012 - Became Field Marshal, Admiral of the fleet and Marshal of the Royal air force.

Marriage to Lady Diana Spencer

Prince Charles first met Lady Diana at the Althorp House, her family estate in Northamptonshire. When the two of them first spoke in person, Charles was dating Diana's older sister Sarah at the time. However, their relationship ended after Sarah said she wouldn't marry Charles "if he were the dustman or the King of England" to a journalist whilst on their holiday vacation in Klosters.

In July 1980, Charles and Diana started their secret relationship that wasn't announced till Diana was seen at Balmoral in September 1980. After 5 months of the two telling the public about their relationship, Charles proposed to Diana at Windsor castle and announced their engagement to the public on February 24th, 1981.

In July 1981, the Royal wedding happens with an estimated 750 million people watching their Westminster Abbey nuptials on July 29.

The death of Lady Diana

In August 1996, Charles and Diana came to an agreement to divorce that was finalised in August. On 31 August 1997, Diana died in a car crash in Paris as her driver was attempting to flee the paparazzi that was taking photos of Diana. The aftermath of the crash was the death of Diana, her companion, and the driver of the car. Emergency services arrived at the scene and there was one sole survivor in the car called Trevor Rees-Jones the bodyguard of Dodi and Diana.

Accession

In the afternoon of September 8th, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II passed away as the UK's longest-serving monarch. She died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years on the throne, in the presence of her family.

When asked what name he would reign as between the four names - Charles Philip Arthur George. Charles decided that he would keep the same name and be referred as King Charles III.

Royal succession in the United Kingdom occurs immediately upon the death of the reigning monarch,however Charles III's formal proclamation did not occur until 10 September 2022. On that day, the Accession Council gathered at St James's Palace in London. The line of succession is identical in all the Commonwealth realms, but the royal title as proclaimed is not.

New Charles III Coin Designs 

On Friday 30th September 2022, the first King Charles III coinage portrait was unveiled on the 2022 50 pence. Furthermore, King Charles III's portrait faces left on the 50 pence coin and does not wear a crown just like previous kings before him. 

Also, the text on the new coin says "CHARLES III • D • G • REX • F • D • 5 POUNDS • 2022" that can be translated as King Charles III, by the Grace if God, Defender of the Faith.

The Royal Mint announced the new Charles III portrait has been confirmed to appear on all UK coinage that ranges from 1 penny to £2 coins. Moreover, the £5 crown coin will feature the new memorable reverse design that shows Queen Elizabeth at the start and end of her 70-year-long reign as Queen of England.

A history of Kings and Queens of England - Learn more about the Kings and Queens that reigned England throughout the different monarch dynasties (1066-2022).