Main points
- Charles III, having become king at the age of 74, carries out his duties with the support of Ukraine and participates in charity, being the patron of over 400 organizations.
- His fight against cancer began in 2024, but he continues to actively support Ukraine and other important initiatives.
King Charles III / Photo by Getty images
At the age of 74, Charles became King of the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories after the death of his mother. Despite the fact that Charles III assumed the title of King at an advanced age, he fulfills his duties as a worthy descendant of the royal family. May 6, 2026 marks three years since the coronation of the eldest son of Elizabeth II.
- 1 The Youth of King Charles III
- 2 1958 – Charles becomes Prince of Wales
- 3 Marriage to Princess Diana and romantic relationships behind her back
- 4 King Charles III and his battle with cancer
- 5 Charles III and Ukraine
- 6 The Death of Elizabeth II and the Coronation of Charles and Camilla
Charles was born in London, at Buckingham Palace, on November 14, 1948. He was the eldest son of the late Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, was chosen as her godmother, writes 24 Channel.
The youth of King Charles III
When the prince was still 5 years old, his mother was crowned at Westminster Abbey. For the little boy, it was an incredible event that made a huge impression on him.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles (now King) and Princess Anne in 1956 / Photo from the Royal Family's Instagram
Interestingly, Charles was the first young man to be educated at school, rather than with a tutor, as was customary. Like his father, he attended Chim's preparatory school in Berkshire, England, and Gordonstoun in northeast Scotland. It is worth noting that this institution was distinguished by a rather strict curriculum, and Charles himself initially spoke poorly of the school, but later admitted that he did learn a lot.
The prince broke royal tradition for the second time when he went to university instead of the British Armed Forces. However, it should be noted that Charles III later served in the navy and air force.
In early March of last year, the royal family released archival photos of King Charles III of Great Britain. The photos were taken when he was still the Prince of Wales, heir to the British throne.
Almost 50 years ago, in 1977, the King, then Prince of Wales, flew a Buccaneer jet to HMS Ark Royal from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton,
– the post says.
At the age of 27, he became a Master of Arts from Cambridge University, the first royal to hold a degree. Interestingly, in 1974, the King of Great Britain qualified as a helicopter pilot before joining 845 Squadron, operating from the aircraft carrier Commando HMS Hermes. His service in the Navy ended in February 1976. By the way, the monarch commanded the minesweeper HMS Bronington.
1958 – Charles becomes Prince of Wales
In the aforementioned year, Prince Charles received the title of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester – 11 years later, an official ceremony took place when Elizabeth II placed a wreath on her son's head.
1976 was the year Charles began to take on some of the Queen's responsibilities. He founded The Prince's Trust and is now the patron of The Prince's Charities.
Interestingly , King Charles III is a member and patron of over 400 charities. He is also the author and co-author of many books, although he has been criticized for his views on the subject of medicine.
Until the death of Elizabeth II, Prince Charles' full title contained only a few lines of text – His Royal Highness Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales, Knight of the Garter, Order of Merit, Order of Australia, Queen's Honorary Order, Order of Canada, Privy Councillor, Personal Assistant to Her Majesty, Earl of Chester, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Roscommon, Earl of Carrick, Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and High Steward of Scotland.
Marriage to Princess Diana and romantic relationships behind her back
King Charles III and Camilla Shand were introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, she was in another relationship and wanted to make her lover angry with her new acquaintance. Interestingly, the Prince of Wales fell in love with her new acquaintance at first sight.
King Charles and Camilla in their youth / Photo History Extra
However, the royal family did not like Charles's sympathy very much and did not want to see her in their ranks.
By the way, her great-grandmother, Alice Keppel, was once the mistress of her great-great-grandfather Charles, the son of Queen Victoria and heir to King Edward VII. It is rumored that during their acquaintance, Her Majesty said the following phrase to the king: “Did you know that my great-grandmother had an affair with your great-grandfather? Maybe we should try it too?”
Then Queen Elizabeth II sent her son to serve in the navy, and the potential lover was made to understand in plain text that she was unwanted. Then Camilla married Andrew Parker-Bowles. Two children were born to this marriage.
Wedding of Camilla Shand and Andrew Parker-Bowles / Photo East News
At the same time, Charles III was introduced to Diana Spencer, who later became the darling of millions of people around the world. The couple married, Diana received the status of princess and gave birth to two children – William and Harry.
Charles and Diana's wedding / Photo Getty Images
Although both Charles and Camilla were married, at one point they reconnected. This news was a very painful blow for Princess Diana. Once she even called her lover for a private conversation, where she declared “that she wanted her husband.” However, the love triangle turned into a complete tragedy.
In 1996, Charles divorced Lady Di, and Camilla left her husband. A year later, Princess Diana died in a car accident in Paris. A considerable wave of accusations of the tragedy fell on the newly-made couple. When Elizabeth II gave her blessing to the marriage of her son and his lover, the storm of emotions among the public subsided somewhat.
An interesting fact is that in the early 2000s, Charles even hired specialists to help shape the image of their couple . And only in 2005 were they able to get married.
Charles and Camilla's wedding / Photo Getty Images
After the wedding, Camilla received the title of Duchess of Cornwall and Princess of Wales, and in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II stated that she wanted Camilla to have the title of Queen Consort after her death, which happened.
Last year, the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
Charles III and Camilla / Photo from the royal family's Instagram
King Charles III and his fight against cancer
His Majesty was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024. The disease was discovered at an early stage after a planned operation to remove a benign prostate tumor.
During the treatment of the disease, Charles III transferred some of his duties to other members of the British royal family, and on April 30 he returned to public life.
In March 2025, the king was hospitalized due to side effects from cancer treatment. The palace did not comment on the details of the side effects, but noted that Charles III's recovery was progressing well.
Charles III and Ukraine
In 1981, the Ukrainian ensemble “Hoverla” performed in the English city of Derby. Then the members of the group invited a member of the royal family to join them to perform several folk elements together.
Charles III dancing hopak / Photo from UkrDiaspora telegram
In early March 2022, when Russia was already waging a major and bloody war against Ukraine, the king and his wife visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Family in London, demonstrating their support for our country. Then they lit a candle and laid sunflowers.
The king also met with Ukrainian refugees, the monarchs complemented their images with blue and yellow ribbons, and in one of the conversations with Ukrainians, Camilla said: “We are for you.”
In the same year, the monarch's Easter address did not do without mentioning Ukraine, although it did not directly mention who was being discussed. But the meaning of the text allows us to conclude that the king addressed his words to Ukrainians.
Today, millions of people find themselves displaced, weary of their journey from troubled places, wounded by the past, frightened by the future – and in need of welcome, rest and kindness. In recent years, my heart has been broken by the suffering of innocent victims of conflict or persecution, some of whom I have met and who have told me stories of unspeakable tragedy as they have been forced to flee their countries and seek refuge far from home,
– said Charles.
His Majesty also visited Ukrainian military personnel who arrived in the UK for training, mentioned the topic of the war in Ukraine in a speech before the German parliament, and has met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy several times.
Last year, a parade was held in London, in which Ukrainian servicemen also participated. King Charles III stood up as a sign of respect for the Ukrainian servicemen and saluted them.
Charles III recently visited the United States, where he met with Donald Trump. In his address, he did not forget to mention Ukraine. The monarch emphasized that “unwavering determination” is needed to protect Ukraine and its people , because only in this way can a just and lasting peace be achieved.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, he also drew a parallel with the events of September 11, 2001, because that was the first and only time NATO invoked Article 5 on collective defense. In the king's opinion, the world needs the same unity now.
Death of Elizabeth II and Coronation of Charles and Camilla
Charles III was officially proclaimed King of Great Britain on September 10, 2022, following the death of Her Majesty. However, it was only 8 months later that he officially became King of the United Kingdom.
At the climax, Charles III was dressed in the sacred coronation robes and presented with the symbols of the monarchy – the orb, coronation ring, scepters, etc. Only after this did the Archbishop of Canterbury place the Crown of St. Edward, which had belonged to Elizabeth II, on the king's head.
The crowd shouted “God save the King” , the abbey bells rang and fanfares sounded. After him, his wife Camilla was crowned. She officially became queen. It should be noted that for the important event, Camilla chose a special outfit – two robes, one of which was sewn 70 years ago and belonged to Elizabeth II.
Experts have concluded that Charles III's coronation was the most expensive in British history , costing five times more than Elizabeth II's in today's money, at around £250 million, most of which was spent on extensive security measures.
Charles III celebrated the second anniversary of his coronation on May 6, 2025. On the momentous occasion, he and Queen Camilla unveiled new official portraits.
Today, the third anniversary of their coronation, the royal couple are also expected to reveal new portraits to mark another year in their roles as monarchs.