King Charles III A Life in Royal Service

Before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III had been the designated successor to the British crown for seven decades.

His tenure as the direct heir surpassed that of any previous individual in the monarchy's annals. During his lengthy wait to become monarch, he dedicated himself to public duty as the Prince of Wales. Following a period in the armed forces and establishing his own charitable organization, he asked Princess Diana for her hand in marriage in February of 1981. Their extravagant nuptials took place at St Paul’s Cathedral that July. The pair later became parents to two boys, Prince William born in June 1982, and Prince Harry in September 1984.

Even though they had built a family, Charles and Diana decided to go their separate ways in December 1992. Their marriage officially ended with their divorce in August 1996. The prince then raised their sons alone after Diana tragically passed away in August 1997 at 36, after being involved in a vehicular collision. Charles eventually wed his future queen consort, Camilla Parker Bowles, in April 2005.

After Elizabeth II's passing in September 2022, Charles ascended to the throne. His official crowning ceremony occurred in May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, the very venue where his mother had been coronated as queen.

Browse the accompanying photo collection to revisit moments from Charles’ life.