10 fun facts about King Charles III
From speaking Welsh to diving around historic shipwrecks, discover our top ten facts about this ruler…
Grab your history hats, gang – it’s time to find out about our monarch! Take a trip back through time and check out our top ten King Charles III facts…
10 facts about King Charles III
1. King Charles III was born at 9.14pm on 14 November 1948.
He was born at Buckingham Palace, London, to parents Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess) and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
2. He became King on 8 September 2022.
Aged 73, King Charles III became the oldest monarch ever crowned in British history when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (below, left) passed away in Balmoral, Scotland. He had been heir apparent (the next person to be crowned) since he was 3 years old.
3. From 1967 to 1970, he studied history at Cambridge University.
That makes him the first monarch in UK history with a university degree!
4. King Charles III can speak Welsh.
He spent two months learning the language as he prepared to become the Prince of Wales in 1969.
5. The King is a qualified pilot and diver.
While serving in the military, King Charles III trained as a jet and helicopter pilot and became an accomplished diver. He’s even explored shipwrecks like The Mary Rose – King Henry VIII‘s flagship!
6. Plus, he’s a keen watercolour painter.
Not only that, he’s also a published author and music lover, playing the cello in his university orchestra.
7. As Prince of Wales, he founded nearly 20 charities.
Together, these charities raise £140 million each year for good causes! He’s also passionate about the environment – as Prince, he spoke out about plastic pollution as early as 1970, drove an electric car and planted many trees during royal engagements.
8. He’s the reigning monarch in 14 other countries, as well as the UK.
These include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Jamaica. As King, he’s also the only person in the UK who can travel without a passport and drive without a licence – cool!
9. King Charles III is no stranger to an audience.
Before he became King, he featured in UK TV show Coronation Street, participated in stage magicians’ group the Magic Circle and presented the BBC weather forecast.
10. His son, Prince William, is next in line for the throne.
The King has two children – Princes William and Harry – and five grandchildren. Prince William (below, right) is next in line to become King, and was named the Prince of Wales in 2022.
What do you think of our facts about King Charles III? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
Image credits: Prince in car (c) Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS; Prince and Queen (c) Sang Tan/WPA Pool/Getty Images; Prince gives a speech (c) Hulton Archive/Getty Images; Prince sketching (c) Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images; Prince planting tree (c) Brian Morrison/Northern Ireland Office via Getty Images; Prince reads weather (c) Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images; Prince and sons (c) Anwar Hussein/Getty Images; featured image (c) Hugo Burnand-Pool/Getty Images; header image (c) Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse.
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He owns all the swans in the uk
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It's really usefull!
good facts
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very useful facts
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I never knew prince Charles played the cello
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this helped me in one of my history lessons good job.
Great facts
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amazing so much deatail
I loved the that he can speak Welsh because I am half Welsh.
I love how you knew the exact time he was born
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Very interesting facts both for adults and children!
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Not bad provided he does do what the queen did for all of us
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I didn't know number 6.
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The royal family is big and special
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Nice facts!!
He will be a great king,may he live to award himself a letter of congratulations when he reaches 100 years old.
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Love this!read it twice!!!!!
Thank you so much, National Geo Kids, I learned so much about King Charles III !!!! Thank you so much for your hard work.
How cool!!!!!!!!!
1 more fun fact about King Charles III. He has the same birthday as Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved the facts and now I know more about King Charles the III
Neato! I like that he's a multitasking sort of person. I hope I get to meet the King someday.
Amazing love the royalty!!
I wonder how he learned that language
lovely
good
I love the fact that King Charles is multi talented. It takes time to develop talents and many of us have forgotten how to do that.
Amazing facts
Omg most people have never seen another person on the throne
I hope he is going to be a good king
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he's so cute as a baby
your mags r epic i love looking at all the animals and what the public have sent in ~ big fan of your work
Amazing ☺can't wait for more
I didn't know he liked to paint with water colours
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