Full Name: Charles Philip Arthur George
Profession: Prince of Wales
Why Famous: Charles is the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II, and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, having held the position since 1952.
His interests and work as the heir to the British throne has encompassed numerous interests and organisations, including The Prince's Trust and The Prince's Charities. He has championed organic farming and action on climate change, and, more controversially, has supported some forms of alternative medicine.
Charles has been an occasionally controversial figure and has been subject to intense media speculation, particularly over his relationships with his first wife Diana Spencer and his current wife Camilla Parker Bowles.
Born: November 14, 1948
Birthplace: London, England
Age: 72 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Scorpio
Articles and Photos
Defender of the Faith Henry Rejects Rome
A Pope awarded the title Defender of the Faith to King Henry VIII on this day for staunchly defending the Pontiff’s values. But there was to be an ironic twist.
October 11, 1521Taj Mahal: A Monument To Love
An emperor’s beloved wife died on this day. Heartbroken, he began a 22-year project to build a unique monument on her burial site – the magnificent Taj Mahal.
June 17, 1631The Day Murdoch Spoilt the Queen's Christmas
Queen Elizabeth II made the first live Christmas Day broadcast of her reign on December 25, 1952. Forty years later a pre-recorded message would be leaked.
December 25, 1952Coronation Street, King of the Soaps
Thought to have no great future when launched on this day, Coronation Street still reigns supreme
December 9, 1960
Married Life
- 1981-07-29 His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales weds Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral, London
- 1995-12-19 Queen Elizabeth asks Prince Charles and Princess Diana to divorce
- 1996-07-15 Prince Charles and Princess Diana sign divorce papers
- 2005-04-09 His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales marries Camilla Parker Bowles
Historical Events
- 1969-07-01 Investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales is watched by large crowds in Caernarfon, Wales and by millions on television
- 1981-02-24 Britain's Prince Charles announces engagement to Lady Diana Spencer
- 1982-06-28 Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, name their baby "William"
- 1984-05-17 Prince Charles calls proposed addition to the National Gallery, London, a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend," sparking controversy on the role of the Royal Family and course of modern architecture.
- 1988-03-10 Avalanche at Swiss Ski resort Klosters nearly kills Prince Charles
- 1995-11-20 Princess Diana admits she cheated on Prince Charles in a TV interview
- 2000-03-30 Richard Branson is knighted by Charles, Prince of Wales for "services to entrepreneurship" at Buckingham Palace, London
- 2005-02-10 His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales announces engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles
- 2015-05-19 Historic first handshake between Prince Charles and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams at the National University of Ireland in Galway
- 2017-11-12 For the first time Prince Charles lays the wreath to Great Britain's war dead, replacing Queen Elizabeth
- 2018-04-20 Commonwealth countries decide Prince Charles will succeed Queen Elizabeth as the next head of the Commonwealth
- 2018-11-06 Great Britain's Prince Charles calls slavery "an indelible stain" but stops short of an apology in a speech in Accra, Ghana
- 2020-03-25 United Kingdom's Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19
- 2020-04-03 London's Nightingale hospital opened by Prince Charles (remotely) after nine days with 4,000 beds to treat COVID-19 patients at the ExCeL Centre
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