The King in pictures: Charles III celebrates his 76th birthday
Happy Birthday King Charles!
- Published
King Charles III is celebrating his 76th birthday today.
He will spend the day at the opening of a food hub that will distribute excess food - that would be otherwise be thrown away - to food banks, schools and community centres.
However, the UK monarch celebrates his birthday twice throughout the year.
This tradition started because the King's great-great-grandfather, Edward VII, who was King from 1901 to 1910 was born in November, which is not known in the UK for its good weather, so he was not able to have a big outdoor public celebration.
He decided to combine his birthday celebrations with an annual military parade called Trooping the Colour, in the summer, when the weather would hopefully be nicer.
However, 14 November is King Charle's actual birthday, so here is a look back at his life as a young prince, as a father, a grandfather and a public figure.
- Published6 June 2023
- Published9 September 2022
Prince Charles Philip Arthur George was born in 1948. He became the first in line to the throne when his mother, Elizabeth II, became Queen in 1953
Charles grew up in the limelight and was close to his family, including his grandmother, the Queen Mother, who was also called Elizabeth
Charles was the first royal child to attend a school rather than have private tutors. He was keen on all aspects of school life, including sport
Charles then went onto study anthropology, archaeology and history at the University of Cambridge. He became the first heir to the throne to get a degree. He took part in other activities whilst at uni, including amateur dramatics. Here he is rehearsing for a revue with his fellow students at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Once he left university, Charles started to become more involved in public duties. Pictured here in 1978, he learns a dance routine from secondary school pupils in London whilst opening an exhibition.
Later in his life, Charles married Lady Diana Spencer and had two children with her - William and Harry. Here they are on Harry's first day of nursery school in 1987. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996.
In 2005, Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, who became the Duchess of Cornwall.
The King is a grandfather to five young royals, including Louis, seen here sitting on his Grandfather's lap at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in 2022.
Charles became King later in 2022 when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II died. He took part in a grand coronation ceremony.
The King gets to meet many VIPs in his role, including heads of states and celebrities. On Wednesday night, before he turned 76, the King attending a movie premiere in London and met Mandalorian star Pedro Pascal.