Prince Charles, who turned 70 last week, is yet to take on the role he has been destined for his entire life.
Some people may think that waiting for so long to be king has been a waste of many years, but as these pictures show, it’s not as if Charles has been sitting about twiddling his thumbs.
As Charles delights in his latest duty, his role as Grandpa Wales, we take a look back on his formative years.
November 14, 1948
Charles Philip Arthur George – the first child of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is born at Buckingham Palace.
February 6, 1952
His mother becomes queen after the death of her father, King George VI, making Charles the heir apparent.
July 26, 1958
Nine-year-old Charles is given the title Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, but has to wait another 11 years until his investiture.
July 1, 1969
Charles is crowned Prince of Wales by his mother in a televised ceremony held at Caernarfon Castle in Wales.
1971 to 1976
Charles serves in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
1976
The royal establishes his own charity, The Prince’s Trust, to support and empower vulnerable people aged between 11 and 30.
February 24, 1981
Charles’ engagement to Lady Diana Spencer, who is 12 years younger, is announced. They met only 13 times
before becoming engaged.
July 29, 1981
Charles and Diana are married at St Paul’s Cathedral in a televised ceremony watched by nearly one billion people in 74 countries.
June 21, 1982
Charles becomes a dad when his first son, Prince William, is born.
September 15, 1984
Second son Prince Henry – known as Harry – is born.
December 9, 1992
UK Prime Minister John Major announces Charles and Diana are to separate after 11 years of marriage.
June 29, 1994
Charles admits in a TV interview that he had an affair with former girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles,
while married to Diana.
August 28, 1996
Charles and Diana are formally divorced.
August 31, 1997
Diana is killed in a car crash in Paris. Charles flies to the French capital to accompany the body of his ex-wife back to Britain.
February 10, 2005
With the blessing of their families, Charles and Camilla announce their engagement.
April 9, 2005
Charles and Camilla marry in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall, followed by a blessing service
at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
July 22, 2013
Charles becomes a granddad for the first time after his daughter-in-law Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, gives birth to Prince George.
September 9, 2017
Sixty years after receiving the title, Charles becomes the longest-serving Prince of Wales, surpassing his great-great-grandfather, Edward VII.
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