Photographs of King Charles III throughout his lifetime, including precious moments with his mother, the Queen.
After the announcement that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, “died peacefully at Balmoral” on 8 September, her son, Prince Charles, succeeded her as the monarch of the United Kingdom. He will be known as King Charles III.
Charles was born on 14 November 1948 to Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with his mother going on to become the Queen in 1952. He is the firstborn of the Queen’s four children.
Over the years, Charles has served the nation with his family by his side. His investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969 fully-initiated him into the world of royalty, and he has gone on to undertake royal duties both in the UK and abroad. After his first marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1981, the couple went on to have two children: Prince William and Prince Harry. Through Prince William’s marriage, he has three grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Through Prince Harry’s marriage, he has a further two grandchildren: Archie Mountbatten-Windsor and Lillibet Mountbatten-Windsor. King Charles II married Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005 – with the King recently calling her his “darling wife.”
King Charles III assumed his role as monarch after the death of his mother, although it is understood he may not be formally coronated as King until 2023. Here, we look back at his life, both at his royal engagements and at his life as a son, father and grandfather. From his birth in 1948 to becoming Britain’s monarch in 2022, these are some of the key moments in King Charles III’s life.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (who was a Princess at this time), looks lovingly at her firstborn child, Charles. Charles was born on 14 November 1948 and will go on to be known as Prince Charles, until his mother’s passing in September 2022, when he takes to the throne as King Charles III.
Elizabeth and Philip smile with their baby, Charles. King Charles III is eight months old in this photo.
Elizabeth, who is now Queen Elizabeth II, looks out across a garden with her two children: Charles (now King Charles III) and Anne (now Princess Royal).
Queen Elizabeth II, Charles and Anne smile as they have a portrait taken. The two children can be seen sweetly holding their mother.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are seen smiling with Prince Charles. The Queen was awarding the two men with trophies at a Polo Game they had played.
Charles is crowned by his mother, the Queen, on 1 July 1969, in Caernarvon, Wales. This is when he officially starts his investiture as the Prince of Wales.
Prince Charles is seen walking arm in arm with his grandmother; Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh sit surrounded by their four children. The then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and Anne, Princess Royal, can be see resting casually on the arms of the sofa.
Prince Charles is seen with his fiancé, Lady Diana Spencer, in 1981. The couple first met in 1977 and married in the summer of 1981.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, marry on July 29, 1981. Here they are stood on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, by their side.
Prince Charles (now King Charles III) and Princess Diana are seen leaving a London hospital with a newborn Prince William.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are seen looking lovingly at their firstborn son, Prince William, who is 18 months old in this photo.
The Prince and Princess of Wales smile proudly with their newborn son, Prince Harry, on 16 September 1984.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana, holding a young William and Harry, are seen looking relaxed as they pose in a meadow of flowers.
Prince Charles is seen sweetly kissing his mother’s hand, as she grins widely. Her Majesty, the Queen, was presenting him with another prize at a Polo game.
The Prince of Wales enjoys a conversation with his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, at the horse-racing in Epsom.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana are seen taking their two children, Prince William and Prince Harry, to school. It is the Princes’ first day at Eton.
Prince Charles takes his sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, and his niece, Zara Phillips, skiing. Zara is the daughter of Anne, Princess Royal.
The Prince of Wales and Her Majesty, the Queen, grin at each other during a speech at Buckingham Palace in 1998. This photo was taken on the eve of the future King’s birthday.
Charles joins his mother, Her Majesty the Queen, for a visit to Chelsea Flower Show. This is a favourite event of The Royal Family, who attend every year.
Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. After the marriage, she assumes the title of the Duchess of Cornwall.
Prince Charles smiles while pictured with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince Harry is seen returning from his RAF tour in Afghanistan.
Prince Charles places a sweet kiss on the hand of his mother, Her Majesty, the Queen. The pair are seen here attending Chelsea Flower Show together.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are seen holding hands and laughing as they make imprints of their feet on a trip to Cornwall.
Prince Charles is seen smiling with his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, and his parents, Her Majesty, the Queen, and Prince Philip. The family are seen here attending the wedding of Charles’ first son, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Prince Charles is pictured on the balcony at Buckingham Palace with his son, Prince William, and his wife; The Duchess of Cambridge. The couple married on April 29, 2011.
Prince Charles looks sweetly at his grandson, Prince George, who points at something from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
The future King Charles III attends a reception at Buckingham Palace with members of his family. He is stood next to his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Her Majesty, the Queen, Prince Philip and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are also in attendance.
Prince Charles stands with his family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at Trooping the Colour. Charles’ two eldest grandchildren, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are standing near their grandfather.
The Prince of Wales appears to share a joke with his father, the Duke of Edinburgh. Both smile widely while Philip crosses his arms humorously.