Tower and Town, July 2023(view the full edition)      Who Has Been Waiting For 70 Years?King Charles III has been destined to be king since he was born, but his mother (Queen Elizabeth II) had ruled for over 70 years, so he had to wait for a long time. What did he do while he waited? King Charles Early Days King Charles was born on the 14th November 1948, his mother (the late Queen Elizabeth) and his father (the late Prince Philip) had four children. King Charles went to Cambridge University and studied: archaeology, anthropology and history. Before he became king, he was the Prince of Wales, since 1969! Wanting to follow in his father's and grandfathers' footsteps he served in the Royal Navy for 5 years. (1971 - 1976) Coronation Day! King Charles was crowned on the 8th May 2023 in Westminster Abbey. "When I went to see the king in London it was an amazing atmosphere, with the whole royal family and the bands and horses." Coronations have been taking place in Westminster Abbey since 1066. Did you go to London to see the coronation? King Charles Famous Family King Charles has had two wives. Not at the same time though! On the 29th July 1981 Charles married his first wife (Lady Diana) but she tragically died in a car crash in Paris. On 9th April 2005 Charles married his second wife (Camilla, now Queen Camilla). King Charles has two lovely children Prince William and Prince Harry. Environmentalist or not? King Charles is indeed passionate about the environment, in fact over the last 50 years he has been a royal patron for over 400 environmental organisations. Whilst waiting to take the royal throne, he has spent his life helping people, exploring his passions for art and music, raising an ever growing family and speaking up for the planet. Charlotte |