Charles at 75: Britain’s king celebrates birthday with full schedule as he makes up for lost time
Charles at 75: Britain’s king celebrates birthday with full schedule as he makes up for lost time
King Charles’s birthday on November 14, marks two milestones. The king will be celebrating his 75th birthday and his first as a crowned monarch following his coronation in May. (Nov. 13)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Monday, July 3, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Andrew Milligan/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III departs Westminster Abbey after his coronation ceremony in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, center gestures as he meets with Kenyan Scouts during a visit to Nyali beach in Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Simon Maina/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2019 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles arrive for the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III tours City Shamba, an urban farming project at Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, right, gestures as he stands next to Britain’s Queen Camilla, left, during a visit at Covent Garden market, in central London, Wednesday May 17, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Daniel Leal/Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III sits besides Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s Prince William, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, and King Charles III during the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland, at St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Jane Barlow/Pool photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III addresses French lawmakers from both the upper and the lower house of parliament as Senate President Gerard Larcher, top left, and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet listen at the French Senate, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Paris. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Emmanuel Dunand, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III speaks in the German parliament Bundestag on the second day of his trip to Germany in Berlin, Thursday, March 30, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Wolfgang Kumm/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, his wife Brigitte Macron, right, Britain’s King Charles III, center left, and Queen Camilla arrive for a state dinner, at the Chateau de Versailles, west of Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III salutes as he attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/ Andreea Alexandru, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Monday, July 3, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Andrew Milligan/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III meets members of the public during his visit to Kinneil House in Edinburgh, Scotland, Monday, July 3, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Andrew Milligan/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III departs Westminster Abbey after his coronation ceremony in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III departs Westminster Abbey after his coronation ceremony in London Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, center gestures as he meets with Kenyan Scouts during a visit to Nyali beach in Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Simon Maina/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, center gestures as he meets with Kenyan Scouts during a visit to Nyali beach in Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Simon Maina/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2019 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles arrive for the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 2019 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles arrive for the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament in London. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III tours City Shamba, an urban farming project at Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III tours City Shamba, an urban farming project at Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, right, gestures as he stands next to Britain’s Queen Camilla, left, during a visit at Covent Garden market, in central London, Wednesday May 17, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Daniel Leal/Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III, right, gestures as he stands next to Britain’s Queen Camilla, left, during a visit at Covent Garden market, in central London, Wednesday May 17, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Daniel Leal/Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III sits besides Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III sits besides Queen Camilla during the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s Prince William, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, and King Charles III during the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland, at St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Jane Barlow/Pool photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s Prince William, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, and King Charles III during the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the presentation of the Honours of Scotland, at St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Jane Barlow/Pool photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III addresses French lawmakers from both the upper and the lower house of parliament as Senate President Gerard Larcher, top left, and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet listen at the French Senate, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Paris. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Emmanuel Dunand, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III addresses French lawmakers from both the upper and the lower house of parliament as Senate President Gerard Larcher, top left, and President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet listen at the French Senate, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Paris. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. (Emmanuel Dunand, Pool via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III speaks in the German parliament Bundestag on the second day of his trip to Germany in Berlin, Thursday, March 30, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Wolfgang Kumm/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III speaks in the German parliament Bundestag on the second day of his trip to Germany in Berlin, Thursday, March 30, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Wolfgang Kumm/dpa via AP, File)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, his wife Brigitte Macron, right, Britain’s King Charles III, center left, and Queen Camilla arrive for a state dinner, at the Chateau de Versailles, west of Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
FILE - French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, his wife Brigitte Macron, right, Britain’s King Charles III, center left, and Queen Camilla arrive for a state dinner, at the Chateau de Versailles, west of Paris, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III salutes as he attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III salutes as he attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, Pool, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave after the State Opening of Parliament at the Houses of Parliament, in London, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/ Andreea Alexandru, File)
FILE - Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla wave to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony in London, Saturday, May 6, 2023. At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up. The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, by highlighting causes close to his heart. With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. (AP Photo/ Andreea Alexandru, File)
LONDON (AP) — At an age when many of his contemporaries have long since retired, King Charles III is not one to put his feet up.
The king will mark his 75th birthday on Tuesday by busily highlighting causes close to his heart.
With Queen Camilla at his side, Charles will visit a project that helps feed those in need by redistributing food that might otherwise go to landfills. Then he’ll host a party for 400 nurses and midwives, saluting the National Health Service’s own 75th birthday. For good measure, the king appears on the cover of this month’s Big Issue, which gives marginalized people the opportunity to earn money by selling the magazine on the street.
It’s the sort of day that’s been typical of the king’s first 14 months on the throne.
After the seven-decade reign of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has rushed to show that the monarchy remains relevant in modern British society. He’s made three overseas visits, pledged to open the royal archives to researchers investigating the crown’s links to slavery and expressed “sorrow and regret’’ for “abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence” committed against Kenyans during their struggle for independence.
Charles’s reign has gotten off to a steady start, but he still needs to set out a clear vision for the future, said Ed Owens, an historian and author of “After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?’’
“It’s a difficult moment for the monarchy because it’s going through this period of transition from being adulated as a default position to now being questioned and challenged in new ways,’’ Owens said. “And I just wish that the king and his heir would set out more clearly what they want to do rather than take for granted what they think the British public want from the monarchy.”
Charles’ long apprenticeship meant he was a grey-haired septuagenarian when he finally took the throne, fueling concerns he would have a hard time connecting with a country that no longer takes deference to the monarchy for granted.
But all those decades also gave him more training and experience to draw upon than his mother, who was just 25 when she became queen.
While Elizabeth, like all British monarchs before her, was educated by tutors, Charles was bundled off to Hill House School in London before his eighth birthday to begin experiencing the world outside the palace. The school prides itself on teaching children that they should learn to live with people of different nationalities, races and religions.
In another royal first, Charles earned a degree in history from the University of Cambridge. He later spent six years in the Royal Navy before leaving to focus on his duties as heir to the throne.
As Prince of Wales, the future king founded a charity that helps young people get jobs and training. He started an organic food company and dabbled in urban planning. He was also an early advocate for conservation and environmental protection — something that helps him appeal to his younger subjects.
But it is his heir, Prince William, who is now focused on the younger generation, seeking a leading role in the environmental movement with his Earthshot Prize, a global competition to find ways to combat climate change. He is also working on initiatives to fight homelessness and raise awareness of the importance of mental health.
While William may be easing the strain on his father, his younger brother has offered public challenges.
Over the past year Prince Harry released a Netflix series and a memoir that exposed rivalries within the royal family, criticized the palace’s relations with the media and said his wife, Meghan, was subjected to racism as a working member of the royal family.
All of that contributed to Harry and Meghan’s decision to give up royal duties and move to California three years ago, leaving the royal family without the glamorous young couple who were expected to help the monarchy reach out to younger people.
“What Harry and Meghan have also done is they provided us with another view onto this institution,” Owens said. “They’ve pulled back the curtain in terms of its inner workings and have revealed what is often a quite poisonous, toxic culture with these competing households.”
As he weathers these storms, Charles has his queen for support.
The biggest controversy of Charles’ life was the breakdown of his first marriage to the late Princess Diana amid stories about his longtime relationship with the woman who would become his second wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles.
Although Diana’s fans initially bridled at the idea of Camilla ever becoming queen, by the time the invitations for the coronation went out Charles had made his wishes clear: “The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.’’