King Charles III facts: Monarch's age, wife, children, net worth and more revealed

3 May 2023, 15:37

King Charles III had been first in line to the British throne since 1952, and was the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history.

Following his mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's death on September 8, 2022, Charles ascended to the throne.

He had been the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having held the title since 1958.

• The superstar King Charles III ‘obsessed’ over and struck up an unlikely friendship with

Formerly known as Prince Charles, he undertook official duties on behalf of his mother. He founded The Prince's Trust in 1976, and is a patron, president or member of over 400 other charities and organisations.

As an environmentalist, Charles continues to raise awareness of organic farming and climate change. Since 1993, Charles has been behind the creation of Poundbury, an experimental new town based on his ideas.

Here are all the big and important facts about King Charles III:

1. How old is King Charles III?

   

   Charles was born at Buckingham Palace in London, during the reign of his grandfather George VI, on November 14, 1948.

   He celebrated his 74th birthday in 2022.

   Charles was the first child of parents Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was also the first grandchild of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

   

   After the death of his grandfather and the accession of his mother as Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, Charles became her heir apparent.

   As the monarch's eldest son, he automatically took the titles Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

   He became the Prince of Wales in 1958.

2. How many children does King Charles III have and when did he marry Princess Diana?

   

   Charles first met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977, when he was visiting her home, Althorp. However, he was visiting her elder sister, Sarah, and did not romantically meet Diana until 1980.

   Charles proposed to Diana in February 1981, and they married in St Paul's Cathedral on July 29.

   The couple lived at Kensington Palace, and at Highgrove House, and had two children: Prince William (born 1982) and Prince Harry (born 1984). Charles became the first royal father to be present at his children's births.

   

   However, within five years, the marriage was in trouble due to the couple's differences and nearly 13-year age difference. Both parties also had extramarital affairs, with Charles having a secret relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles.

   Charles and Diana separated in 1992, and were divorced in 1996. Diana died in a car crash in 1997 in Paris, aged 36.

3. When did King Charles III marry Camilla?

   

   After going public with their relationship in the late 1990s, Charles and Camilla married in 2005.

   Charles was the only member of the royal family to have a civil wedding rather than a church wedding in England.

   The marriage took place at Windsor Guildhall.

4. What is King Charles III's net worth?

   King Charles has an estimated net worth of around $400 million, according to The Richest.