You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

Charles, prince of Wales

British prince
Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
Facebook Twitter
URL
/biography/Charles-prince-of-Wales
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Join Britannica's Publishing Partner Program and our community of experts to gain a global audience for your work!
External Websites
  • Official Site of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
  • English Monarchs - Biography of Charles George
  • The 数字货币杠杆交易_数字货币周home of the Royal Family - The Prince of Wales
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
  • Prince Charles - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
  • Charles, prince of Wales - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
WRITTEN BY
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
See Article History
Alternative Titles: Charles Philip Arthur George, prince of Wales and earl of Chester, duke of Cornwall, duke of Rothesay, earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland

Charles, prince of Wales, in full Charles Philip Arthur George, prince of Wales and earl of Chester, duke of Cornwall, duke of Rothesay, earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, (born November 14, 1948, Buckingham Palace, London, England), heir apparent to the British throne, eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh.

8:152-153 Knights: King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table, crowd watches as men try to pull sword out of a rock
Britannica Quiz
English Men of Distinction: Fact or Fiction?
In Britain, is a knight given the title "Sir?" Is Prince Charles the Earl of Inverness? Sort fact from fiction in this quiz on Sir Francis Drake, Henry VIII, and other English men of distinction.

After private schooling at Buckingham Palace and in London, Hampshire, and Scotland, Charles entered Trinity College, Elizabeth II

Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth and the duke of Edinburgh with Prince Charles, December 1948.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Elizabeth II; Charles
Elizabeth II; Charles
Princess Elizabeth with Prince Charles, April 1949.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

On July 29, 1981, Charles married Lady Diana Frances Spencer (see August 28, 1996. A year later Diana died in an auto accident, and popular feeling for her, stronger even in death than in life, served to jeopardize the traditional form of monarchy that Charles represented. He subsequently spent much effort in modernizing his public image as the heir apparent. On April 9, 2005, he married Charles, prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles

Charles, prince of Wales, and Camilla Parker Bowles
Charles, prince of Wales, with his second wife, Camilla Parker Bowles, after their wedding on April 9, 2005.
Alastair Grant/AP Images
This article was most recently revised and updated by Michael Ray, Editor.

Learn More in these related Britannica articles:

Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership
Learn More!