THE ROYAL FACT FILE
NAME: Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-windsor TITLE: King Charles III PLACE OF BIRTH: Buckingham Palace, London DOB: 14 November 1948 HEIGHT: 5’10” or 178cm Wives: Two. He married Lady Diana Spencer on 29 July 1981 (divorced 1996) then tied the knot to Camilla Parker Bowles on 9 April 2005. Children: Two sons, Prince William, born 21 June 1982 and Prince Harry, born 15 September 1984. Siblings: Yes, three, all younger. Princess Anne, born 15 August 1950; Prince Andrew, born 19 February 1960; and Prince Edward, born 10 March 1964. School life: Aged eight, he attended Hill House School in London followed by a move to Cheam Preparatory School in Hampshire ten months later. Aged 13 he moved to northeast Scotland and spent five years studying at Gordonstoun school. How about schools overseas? Of course! Two terms as an exchange student in Australia in 1966 at Geelong Grammar School, known as the part of his schooling life he enjoyed most. Exam results: Five O-levels (GCSES) in English language, English literature, history, Latin and French. A-levels in history and French. One Cambridge University BA degree (later promoted to Master of Arts), where he studied archaeology and anthropology, then changed to history for the second part of the course. Any other qualifications? Indeed! He trained as an aviator and earned his RAF wings in August
1971. He’s also a qualified helicopter pilot.
Hidden talents: Acting – we’re not kidding! At university, he joined comedy group Cambridge Footlights, acting in many funny sketches including one from inside a dustbin. This experience possibly paved the way for his cameo appearance in Coronation Street to mark the show’s 40th anniversary in 2000.
Musical instruments: The piano, the guitar and the cello. The King is also a classically trained singer… la, la, la!
Likes: Scuba diving – he learned and qualified in 1971 while a Royal Navy cadet.
Dislikes: He doesn’t eat lunch. A hearty brunch of cheesy baked eggs is his go-to option.
If he wasn’t King? He could spend more time writing books. He published his first, a children’s story called The Old Man of Lochnagar, in 1980. Fave brew: A cup of Darjeeling tea with milk and honey.
Party trick: Considering he was made an honorary life member of the Magic Circle after performing an impressive cup and balls trick, probably that.
Hot wheels: The Aston Martin gifted from his parents for his 21st birthday, 53 years ago. He’s still enjoying the car now and even converted it to run on fuel produced from wine and cheese! Animals: Chickens, dogs and horses are a few of his favourites, but he also owns all the dolphins and whales in British waters due to a law made by the UK Parliament in 1324. They’re recognised as ‘royal fish’.
Superpowers: He can predict the future – well, kind of! In the ’80s he revealed how he talked to plants and was an outspoken champion of organic and sustainable farming, and faced years of mockery as a result. However, now experts have revealed plants can indeed communicate with each other, and the world has woken up to the importance of a sustainable future. Cue an “I told you so” comment coming from the King!
The King is a fan of the Harry Potter films!