Prince Charles

Prince Charles was born in 1948, eldest son of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He became Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, when his mother became Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. He attended her coronation. Tutored by a governess until the age of 8, he attended Cheam preparatory school in Berkshire and then Gordonstoun School in Scotland where his father had been at school. He became head boy although he has said that he did not enjoy his time at school. In 1966 he spent two terms at Geelong School in Australia and visited Papua New Guinea.

On leaving school he attended Trinity College at Cambridge University where he studied anthropology and archaeology earning a BA degree. He also attended one term at University of Wales, Aberystwyth, where he studied Welsh, learning enough to make his speech in Welsh during his investiture as Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester at Caernarfon Castle on 1st July 1969. He became the first member of the Royal Family since George 1 to attend a British Government cabinet meeting, and expressed an interest in becoming Governor General of Australia although nothing came of this. His military career included training as a jet pilot at RAF Cranwell, and naval training at Royal Naval College Dartmouth. He qualified as a helicopter pilot joining 845 Naval Squadron operating from the commando carrier HMS Hermes, and took command of HMS Bronington a coastal minehunter.

In 1977 he met Lady Diana Spencer while visiting her family home in Althorp, and they were married on 29 July 1981 in St Paul’s Cathedral. She became Princess of Wales and soon became the star attraction of the World’s press who relentlessly followed her. Unprepared for the media hype and commitments of the royal family she fell out with other members of the family, and was allegedly unstable and temperamental. Following the birth of their two sons, Princes William and Harry, the marriage was in trouble and she allegedly had several liaisons. Charles resumed his liaison with Camilla Parker Bowles. Charles and Diana were divorced on 28 August 1996. Camilla became Charles’s companion and following her divorce they were married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005 followed by a service of prayer and dedication in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. She became the Duchess of Cornwall.

Charles’s interests include architecture, inner city renewal, environmental issues and gardening. His promoted ‘green’ environmental views long before they became popular, and run an organic farming business at his country estate in Gloucestershire with its own organic Duchy brand. He takes a keen interest in philosophy, alternative medicines, religions and visits the Greek Orthodox monasteries of Mount Athos in Greece. He has paid several visits to Canada and takes an interest in the aboriginal inhabitants. He is president and patron of many charities and foundations. As well as heir to the British throne, Charles is Heir Apparent, equally and separately, to the thrones of sixteen sovereign state s known as the Commonwealth realms. He may, but not necessarily, become Head of the Commonwealth. In February 2008 he became the second oldest person in British history to be heir to the throne.

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 833