Charles the Prince of Wales: biography, photo

Great Britain is a country that loves and values its traditions. For many centuries, the state is ruled by kings and queens. Moreover, the British monarchy is considered the most popular in the world. Currently on the throne is Elizabeth II - the oldest monarch ever to occupy the throne. Inherit her Charles, the Prince of Wales, whose biography will be covered in this article.

Birth and childhood

Charles, Prince of Wales, was born in 1948 in the family of Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen) and her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the grandson of King George VI, and already then it was assumed that one day he would take the throne under the name of Charles III (by tradition in Russia, kings named Charles, are called, in German, Karlami).

According to the recollections of Charles himself, his childhood could hardly be called happy. The boy suffered from a lack of attention of the mother, who became the queen when he was only 3 years old. Charles was often left in the care of the nannies, which led his grandmother. From the father the prince also received not much love. Since childhood, he was a shy child, constantly crying and complaining. The Duke did not endure these qualities, so he often criticized his son. As he grew up, Charles got brothers and sister. In 1950, Princess Anne was born, in the 1960s - Prince Andrew, and in 1964 Prince Edward appeared.

Education

Like all the children of the royal family, until the age of eight, the prince received a home education, dealing with private teachers within the walls of Buckingham Palace. But when Charles was 8 years old, his parents decided to send a son to a general school in London. The event caused a real sensation in society, because the prince became the first heir to the British crown, who attended the regular school. At this time, the shy Charles suffered from the attacks of journalists who followed him everywhere. His mother, the queen, even made an official appeal and asked to leave her son alone.

Also the prince was trained in Scotland, in the preparatory school of Gordonstown, where his father used to study. The choice of this institution can not be called successful. Charles felt unhappy, subjected to abuse by his classmates.

After receiving a secondary education Charles, Prince of Wales, enrolled in Cambridge - the most prestigious and oldest university in England. Here he studied history, ecology, architecture. In 1970 he graduated from the University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Later, according to tradition, he was also awarded a master's degree. He continued his studies in Australia, and received his military education at the naval college in Dartmouth. It is assumed that after accession to the throne, he will be considered the most educated king who has ever ruled in Britain.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana

Heir to the throne can not be called handsome, however, despite this, our hero enjoyed the attention of women. Charles, the Prince of Wales, whose height was almost 180 cm, was well built, had an aristocratic appearance. The picture was spoiled only by bulging ears, but with this defect, the prince eventually resigned himself.

Charles's novels have always been heard, because he was the heir to the throne. He himself was inconsiderate in the connections, which greatly spoiled his reputation. With Diane Spencer, his future wife, he met in 1980, when he met with her sister Sarah. Prior to dating, he had already planned a wedding with Amanda Natchbul, the daughter of the last vice-governor of India, but she declined the offer.

The wedding with Diana took place one year after the acquaintance - in 1981. However, the sudden marriage did not bring them happiness. From the very beginning, they continually fought for the sympathies of the press. According to rumors, even before marriage, Prince Charles changed the bride with the infamous Lady Camilla. A year after the wedding, the first-born couple was born - Prince William, and in 1984 - Prince Harry. However, the children did not save the family. Charles increasingly lost popularity, while the whole world was sorry for Princess Diana.

Already since 1992, the spouses began to live separately. The divorce took place in 1996, and a year later the Princess of Wales tragically died in a car crash in France. The royal family took part in the funeral of Diana. Sons followed the coffin of the mother, like Charles the Prince of Wales. Photos from the burial of all beloved princesses flew all over the country.

Children and grandchildren

In marriage with Diane Spencer Charles, Prince of Wales, became the father of two sons.

The eldest is Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. It is assumed that he will take the throne of Britain after his grandmother and father. Since 2011 he is married to Catherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. The couple gave Prince Charles two grandchildren: Prince George and Princess Charlotte. The girl was named after the crowned grandfather. Her name is a female variation of the name Charles.

The youngest son is Prince Henry of Wales. He is not married, has no children. It is famous throughout Britain for its cheerful disposition and loud romances with famous women.

From the second marriage with Camilla Parker Bowles the hero of our narrative has no children.

Second wife - Camille Parker Bowles

According to rumors, Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Camilla maintained a relationship even before the acquaintance of the heir with Princess Diana. But then the mother did not allow him to marry with a girl of dubious reputation. Even before her wedding with the officer Parker, she was in a relationship with other men, which in those days was unacceptable for a woman who would later become a queen.

It was the relationship between Charles and Camilla that caused the dissolution of the marriage with Princess Diana. The couple was married only in 2005. For the first time in the history of the English monarchy, the wedding was conducted in a civil order. After the wedding, Camilla became a Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. However, out of respect for the dead Diana, she tries not to mention in public the title of princess.

Social activity

Charles, Prince of Wales, is actively engaged in social activities. In the 1970s, he even claimed to be the vice-governor of Australia, but because of the monarchy crisis he was forced to abandon this idea. A special love is shown to charity, being the patronage of more than 300 organizations. He is the founder of his own "Prince's Fund", dealing with environmental issues, unemployment, entrepreneurship, health and agriculture. Each year the prince manages to attract about 100 million pounds sterling as donations.

Prince Charles is often condemned in society because of an unsuccessful marriage with Diane Spencer. However, the absence of popular love does not prevent him from engaging in public affairs, devote much time to charity and live in a happy marriage with a woman whom he really loves. It remains to be hoped that he will become a worthy ruler, like his mother - Queen Elizabeth II.