Charles Prince of Wales: biography, photo

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

Great Britain is a country that loves and appreciates its traditions. For many centuries, the state has been ruled by kings and queens. Moreover, the British monarchy is considered the most popular in the world. Currently on the throne is Elizabeth II - the oldest monarch ever to hold the throne. She is succeeded by Charles, Prince of Wales, whose biography will be covered in this article.

Birth and childhood

Charles, Prince of Wales was born in 1948 to Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen) and her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the grandson of King George VI, and even then it was assumed that someday he would take the throne under the name of Charles III (according to tradition in Russia, kings with the name Charles are called, in the German manner, Charles).

According to the memoirs of Charles himself, his childhood could hardly be called happy. The boy suffered from a lack of attention from his mother, who became queen when he was only 3 years old. Charles was often left tocare of nannies, which were led by his grandmother. From his father, the prince also received little love. Since childhood, he was a shy child, constantly crying and complaining. The duke could not stand these qualities, so he often criticized his son. As he grew older, Charles acquired brothers and a sister. Princess Anne was born in 1950, Prince Andrew was born in 1960, and Prince Edward was born in 1964.

Education

Like all children of the royal family, until the age of 8, the prince was educated at home, studying with private teachers within the walls of Buckingham Palace. But when Charles was 8 years old, his parents decided to send their offspring to a comprehensive school in London. The event caused a real sensation in society, because the prince became the first heir to the British crown, who attended a regular school. At this time, the shy Charles suffered from the attacks of journalists who followed him everywhere. His mother, the queen, even made an official appeal and asked to leave her son alone.

The prince also studied in Scotland, at Gordonstown Preparatory School, where his father used to study. The choice of this educational institution cannot be called successful. Charles felt miserable and was bullied by his classmates.

After receiving his secondary education, Charles, Prince of Wales, entered Cambridge - the most prestigious and oldest university in England. Here he studied history, ecology, architecture. In 1970 he graduated from the university and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, according to tradition, he was also awarded a master's degree in arts. He continued his studies in Australia, and received a military education at the Naval College in Dartmouth. Upon his accession to the throne, he is expected to be regarded as the most learned king to have ever reigned in Britain.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

The heir to the throne cannot be called handsome, however, despite this, our hero enjoyed the attention of women. Charles, Prince of Wales, whose height reached almost 180 cm, was well built, had an aristocratic appearance. The picture was spoiled only by protruding ears, but the prince eventually reconciled with this shortcoming.

Charles' novels have always been well known, because he was the heir to the throne. He himself was imprudent in communications, which spoiled his reputation a lot. With Diana Spencer, his future wife, he met in 1980 when he met with her sister Sarah. Before meeting, he was already planning a wedding with Amanda Natchbull, the daughter of the last Lieutenant Governor of India, but she refused the proposal.

The wedding with Diana took place a year after they met - in 1981. However, a sudden marriage did not bring them happiness. From the very beginning, they continually fought for the sympathy of the press. According to rumors, even before marriage, Prince Charles cheated on his bride with the notorious Lady Camilla. A year after the wedding, the couple's first child, Prince William, was born, and in 1984, Prince Harry. However, the children did not save the family. Charles increasingly lost popularity, while the whole world felt sorry for Princess Diana.

Since 1992, the couple began to live separately. The divorce took place in 1996year, and a year later, the Princess of Wales tragically died in a car accident in France. The royal family attended Diana's funeral. The sons followed their mother's coffin, as did Charles, Prince of Wales. Photos from the funeral of everyone's favorite princess flew around the country.

Children and grandchildren

Married to Diana Spencer, Charles, Prince of Wales, fathered two sons.

Senior - Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. It is assumed that he will take the throne of Britain after his grandmother and father. He has been married to Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge since 2011. The couple gave Prince Charles two grandchildren: Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The girl was named after the crowned grandfather. Her name is a feminine version of Charles.

The youngest son is Prince Henry of Wales. Not married, has no children. Famous throughout Britain for his cheerful disposition and high-profile romances with famous women.

The hero of our story has no children from his second marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles.

Second wife - Camilla Parker Bowles

According to rumors, Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla maintained a relationship even before the heir met Princess Diana. But then the mother did not allow him to marry a girl of dubious reputation. Even before her marriage to Officer Parker, she was in relationships with other men, which in those days was unacceptable for a woman who would later become queen.

It was the relationship of Charles and Camilla that causeddissolution of marriage to Princess Diana. The couple got married only in 2005. For the first time in the history of the English monarchy, a wedding was held in civil order. After the wedding, Camilla became the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. However, out of respect for the deceased Diana, she tries not to mention the title of princess in public.

Community activities

Charles, Prince of Wales is actively involved in social activities. In the 70s, he even claimed the title of Lieutenant Governor of Australia, but due to the monarchical crisis, he was forced to abandon this idea. He shows special love for charity, being the patron of more than 300 organizations. He is the founder of his own "Prince Foundation", dealing with the problems of the environment, unemployment, entrepreneurship, he alth and agriculture. The prince manages to raise around £100 million in donations each year.

Prince Charles is often condemned in society because of his failed marriage to Diana Spencer. However, the lack of people's love does not prevent him from doing public affairs, devoting a lot of time to charity and living in a happy marriage with the woman he really loves. It remains to be hoped that he will become a worthy ruler, like his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.