Charles III

{{Short description|King of the United Kingdom since 2022}} {{Redirect-multi|2|Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles||Charles, Prince of Wales (disambiguation)|and|Prince Charles (disambiguation)|and|Charles III (disambiguation)}} {{Good article}} {{Pp-blp|small=yes}} {{Use British English|date=November 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Stack begin}} {{Infobox royalty | title = Head of the Commonwealth{{efn|Ceremonial and non-hereditary title conferred by the Commonwealth heads of government to symbolise the voluntary association of nations in the Commonwealth. Charles was chosen to succeed Elizabeth II at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43840710 |title=Charles 'to be next Commonwealth head' |work=BBC News |date=20 April 2018 |access-date=20 April 2018 |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420141358/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43840710 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} | image = King Charles III (July 2023).jpg | alt = Photograph of Charles III | caption = Charles in 2023 | succession = {{Br separated entries|King of the United Kingdom|and the other Commonwealth realms{{efn|name=realms}}}} | moretext =  | reign = 8 September 2022{{sndash}}present | cor-type = Coronation | coronation = 6 May 2023 | predecessor = Elizabeth II | suc-type = {{nowrap|Heir apparent}} | successor = William, Prince of Wales | birth_name = Prince Charles of Edinburgh | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|11|14|df=yes}} | birth_place = Buckingham Palace, London, England | spouses = {{ubl|{{marriage|Diana Spencer|29 July 1981|28 August 1996|reason=divorced}}|{{marriage|Camilla Parker Bowles|9 April 2005}}}} | issue-link = #Issue | issue = {{ubl|William, Prince of Wales|Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex}} | full name = Charles Philip Arthur George{{efn|As the reigning monarch, Charles does not usually use a family name, but when one is needed, it is Mountbatten-Windsor.<ref name="royal_family_name">{{Cite web |title=The Royal Family name |url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheRoyalFamilyname/Overview.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215182305/http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/TheRoyalFamilyname/Overview.aspx |archive-date=15 February 2009 |access-date=3 February 2009 |website=Official website of the British monarchy}}</ref>}} | house = Windsor | father = Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | mother = Elizabeth II | signature = King Charles.svg | signature_alt = Charles's signature in black ink | religion = Protestant{{efn|{{Windsor monarchs religion|Charles|He|current=yes}}}} | module = {{Infobox person | embed=yes | education = Trinity College, Cambridge (MA) |module = {{Infobox military person | embed = yes | allegiance = United Kingdom | branch = {{plainlist| * Royal Navy * Royal Air Force}} | service_years = 1971–1976 | service_years_label = Years of active service | rank = full list | commands = {{HMS|Bronington|M1115|6}} | module = {{Listen voice | filename = King Charles Addresses Scottish Parliament - 12 September 2022.flac | description = Speech to the Scottish Parliament following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II | name = King Charles III | recorded = 12 September 2022}} }} }} }} {{British Royal Family}} {{Stack end}} '''Charles III''' (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms.{{efn|name=realms|The 14 other realms are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, {{nowrap|New Zealand}}, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.}}

Charles is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was born during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and became heir apparent following his mother's accession in 1952. He was created Prince of Wales in 1958 and his investiture was held in 1969. He was educated at Cheam School and Gordonstoun, and later spent six months at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia. After completing a history degree at the University of Cambridge, he served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1976. He married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 and they had two sons, William and Harry. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996 after years of estrangement and well-publicised extramarital affairs. Diana died the following year from injuries sustained in a car crash. In 2005, Charles married his long-time partner, Camilla Parker Bowles.

As heir apparent, Charles undertook official duties and engagements on behalf of his mother and represented the United Kingdom on visits abroad. He founded the Prince's Trust{{Efn|The Prince's Trust was renamed to the King's Trust following his accession to the throne.}} in 1976, sponsored the Prince's Charities and became patron or president of more than 800 other charities and organisations. He advocated for the conservation of historic buildings and the importance of traditional architecture in society, and in that vein generated the experimental new town of Poundbury. An environmentalist, Charles supported organic farming and action to address climate change during his time as manager of the Duchy of Cornwall estates, earning him awards and recognition. He has also been a prominent critic of genetically modified food, and has drawn scrutiny for his support of alternative medicine. He has authored or co-authored 17 books.

Charles became king upon his mother's death in 2022. At the age of 73 he was the oldest person to accede to the British throne, after having been the longest-serving heir apparent and Prince of Wales in British history. Significant events in his reign have included his coronation in 2023; his cancer diagnosis in 2024, which temporarily suspended planned public engagements; and the removal of his brother Andrew's remaining titles, styles, and honours in 2025.

== Early life, family, and education == [[File:Prince Charles Christening Family Portrait.jpg|thumb|Christening of Charles (centre, wearing the royal christening gown) in 1948: (from left to right) his grandfather King George VI; his mother, Princess Elizabeth, holding him; his father, Philip; and his grandmother Queen Elizabeth|alt=An infant Charles in a white christening gown with his parents and grandparents]]

Charles was born at 9:14{{nbsp}}pm on 14 November 1948<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=38455 |date=15 November 1948 |page=1}}</ref> by caesarean section at Buckingham Palace,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/may/01/king-charles-from-excessively-shy-boy-to-monarch-in-waiting|title=King Charles: 71 facts about his long road to the throne|work=The Guardian|first=Archie|last=Bland|date=1 May 2023|access-date=5 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227221026/https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/may/01/king-charles-from-excessively-shy-boy-to-monarch-in-waiting|archive-date=27 February 2024}}</ref> during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI. He was the first child of Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (later Queen Elizabeth II), and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.{{sfn|Brandreth|p=120|2007}} He was christened Charles Philip Arthur George on 15 December in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace by the archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher.{{efn|He was reportedly named "Charles" after his godfather Haakon VII of Norway (born Prince Carl of Denmark), who was called "Uncle Charles" by Elizabeth II.<ref>{{cite book|page=68|title=Charles, Prince of Wales|year=1980|first=Anthony|last=Holden|isbn=978-0-330-26167-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=215550&sek=27262&scope=27248|title=Close ties through the generations|date=8 September 2022|work=The Royal House of Norway|access-date=23 September 2023|archive-date=23 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923095304/https://www.royalcourt.no/nyhet.html?tid=215550&sek=27262&scope=27248|url-status=live}}</ref>}}{{efn|Prince Charles's godparents were: the King of the United Kingdom (his maternal grandfather); the King of Norway (his paternal cousin twice removed and maternal great-great-uncle by marriage, for whom Charles's great-great-uncle the Earl of Athlone stood proxy); Queen Mary (his maternal great-grandmother); Princess Margaret (his maternal aunt); Prince George of Greece and Denmark (his paternal great-uncle, for whom the Duke of Edinburgh stood proxy); the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven (his paternal great-grandmother); the Lady Brabourne (his cousin); and the Hon David Bowes-Lyon (his maternal great-uncle).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Christening of Prince Charles |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-an-exhibition-to-celebrate-his-sixtieth-0/the |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217142032/https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-an-exhibition-to-celebrate-his-sixtieth-0/the |archive-date=17 December 2021 |access-date=17 December 2021 |website=Royal Collection Trust}}</ref>}}<ref name="PoWsite">{{Cite web |title=HRH The Prince of Wales |url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/biographies/hrh-prince-wales |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409101949/https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/biographies/hrh-prince-wales |archive-date=9 April 2023 |access-date=13 September 2022 |publisher=Clarence House}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Book of the Baptism Service of Prince Charles |url=https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/royal-childhood/buckingham-palace/the-book-of-the-baptism-service-of-prince-charles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420021106/https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/royal-childhood/buckingham-palace/the-book-of-the-baptism-service-of-prince-charles |archive-date=20 April 2023 |access-date=25 April 2023 |website=Royal Collection Trust}}</ref> He has three younger siblings: Anne (born 1950), Andrew (born 1960), and Edward (born 1964).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Russian |first=Ale |last2=Stutsman |first2=Samantha |date=19 February 2024 |title=What to Know About King Charles' 3 Siblings, Princess Anne, Ex‑Prince Andrew and Prince Edward |url=https://people.com/everything-to-know-about-king-charles-siblings-11909570 |access-date=23 February 2026 |magazine=People}}</ref>

George VI died on 6 February 1952, after which Charles's mother acceded to the throne as Elizabeth II and he became heir apparent. Under a charter issued by Edward III in 1337, and as the monarch's eldest son, he automatically assumed the titles of Duke of Cornwall and, in the Scottish peerage, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.{{sfn|Brandreth|p=127|2007}} He attended his mother's coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.<ref>{{cite news|title=Charles made history when he watched the Queen's coronation aged four|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prince-charles-mother-princess-anne-buckingham-palace-british-b2326908.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426035608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prince-charles-mother-princess-anne-buckingham-palace-british-b2326908.html|first=Laura|last=Elston|date=26 April 2023|access-date=27 May 2024|archive-date=26 April 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

When Charles was five, Catherine Peebles was appointed as his governess to oversee his education at Buckingham Palace.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Peter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SRye55LCNFYC&pg=PA215 |title=Royal Education: Past, Present, and Future |last2=Lawton |first2=Denis |date=2003 |publisher=F. Cass |isbn=978-0-7146-8386-7 |page=215 |access-date=18 September 2022}}</ref> He began attending Hill House School in West London in November 1956,<ref>{{cite news|title=Name etched in gold, King Charles' school remembers him|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/prince-charles-ap-london-elizabeth-ii-buckingham-palace-b2330092.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525084745/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/prince-charles-ap-london-elizabeth-ii-buckingham-palace-b2330092.html|first=Danica|last=Kirka|date=1 May 2023|access-date=27 May 2024|archive-date=25 May 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> becoming the first heir apparent to be educated at a school rather than by private tutors.<ref name="time 1988">{{Cite magazine |last1=Johnson |first1=Bonnie |last2=Healy |first2=Laura Sanderson |last3=Thorpe-Tracey |first3=Rosemary |last4=Nolan |first4=Cathy |date=25 April 1988 |title=Growing Up Royal |url=http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/diana/readingroom/8191/4_25.html |url-status=dead |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050331004503/http://www.time.com/time/daily/special/diana/readingroom/8191/4_25.html |archive-date=31 March 2005 |accessdate=4 June 2009}}</ref> He did not receive preferential treatment from the school's founder and headmaster, Stuart Townend, who encouraged the Queen to have Charles train in football, noting that boys on the pitch were never deferential to anyone.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2002 |title=Lieutenant Colonel H. Stuart Townend |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/inspiration/ski-holiday/lieutenant-colonel-h-stuart-townend-l8pgv825p7r |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192950/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lieutenant-colonel-h-stuart-townend-l8pgv825p7r |archive-date=22 June 2018 |access-date=29 May 2009 |work=The Times |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Charles later attended two of his father's former schools: Cheam School in Hampshire<ref name=debrett/> from 1958,<ref name="schooling">{{Cite web |date=26 December 2018 |title=About the Prince of Wales |url=https://www.royal.uk/the-prince-of-wales |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509124719/https://www.royal.uk/the-prince-of-wales |archive-date=9 May 2016 |publisher=Royal Household}}</ref> followed by Gordonstoun in Moray, where he began classes in April 1962.<ref name="schooling" />{{sfn|Brandreth|p=139|2007}} He became patron of Gordonstoun in May 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/king-charles-becomes-patron-former-school-scotland-gordonstoun-8654073|first=Bailey|last=Richards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526225948/https://people.com/king-charles-becomes-patron-former-school-scotland-gordonstoun-8654073|title=King Charles becomes patron of his former Scottish school depicted in The Crown as 'absolute hell'|magazine=People|date=25 May 2024|archive-date=26 May 2024|access-date=27 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jonathan Dimbleby's authorised 1994 biography described Elizabeth and Philip as physically and emotionally distant parents, and criticised Philip for disregarding Charles's sensitive nature, including insisting that Charles attend Gordonstoun, where he was bullied.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rocco |first=Fiammetta |date=18 October 1994 |title=Flawed Family: This week the Prince of Wales disclosed still powerful resentments against his mother and father |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/flawed-family-this-week-the-prince-of-wales-disclosed-still-powerful-resentments-against-his-mother-and-father-but-they-also-suffered-in-their-early-years-fiammetta-rocco-delves-into-the-royal-childhoods-that-went-1443791.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216032258/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/flawed-family-this-week-the-prince-of-wales-disclosed-still-powerful-resentments-against-his-mother-and-father-but-they-also-suffered-in-their-early-years-fiammetta-rocco-delves-into-the-royal-childhoods-that-went-1443791.html |archive-date=16 February 2022 |access-date=15 February 2022 |work=The Independent (UK) |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487}}</ref> Although Charles reportedly referred to the school as "Colditz in kilts",<ref name="debrett">{{Cite web |title=HRH The Prince of Wales |url=http://www.debretts.com/people/royal-family/royal-portraits/prince-charles.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704195647/http://www.debretts.com/people/royal-family/royal-portraits/prince-charles.aspx |archive-date=4 July 2012 |access-date=27 August 2012 |publisher=Debrett's}}</ref> he later praised Gordonstoun for teaching him "a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities". In a 1975 interview Charles said he was "glad" to have attended the school and that its "toughness" had been "much exaggerated".<ref name="Colditz_kilts">{{Cite news |last=Rudgard |first=Olivia |date=10 December 2017 |title=Colditz in kilts? Charles loved it, says old school as Gordonstoun hits back at The Crown |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/10/prince-charles-school-hits-back-crown-colditz-kilts-portrayal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620040626/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/10/prince-charles-school-hits-back-crown-colditz-kilts-portrayal |archive-date=20 June 2018 |access-date=13 December 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |oclc=49632006}}</ref>

In 1966, Charles spent two terms at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, during which he visited Papua New Guinea on a school trip with his history tutor, Michael Collins Persse.<ref name="powedu">{{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales – Education |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography/education |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113072216/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography/education |archive-date=13 November 2012 |access-date=8 December 2012 |publisher=Clarence House}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 February 1966 |title=The New Boy at Timbertop |volume=33 |page=7 |work=The Australian Women's Weekly |issue=37 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51384379 |url-status=live |access-date=13 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401092057/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/51384379 |archive-date=1 April 2021 |via=National Library of Australia|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=1966 |title=Timbertop – Prince Charles Australia |publisher=British Pathé |format=Video with audio, 1 min 28 secs |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1AMDaaiHQ4 |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311031256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1AMDaaiHQ4 |archive-date=11 March 2021 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Charles later described his time at Timbertop as the most enjoyable part of his education.<ref>{{Cite news |work=Australian Associated Press |date=31 January 1973 |title=Prince had happy time at Timbertop |volume=47 |page=11 |publisher=The Canberra Times |issue=13,346 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110705075 |url-status=live |access-date=13 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401092105/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/110705075 |archive-date=1 April 2021 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> On returning to Gordonstoun, he became head boy, and left in 1967 with six GCE O-levels and two A-levels in history and French, at grades B and C respectively.<ref name=powedu/>{{sfn|Brandreth|p=145|2007}} Reflecting on his schooling, Charles later remarked that he "didn't enjoy school as much as I might have", adding that he was "happier at home than anywhere else".<ref name=Colditz_kilts/>

Breaking royal tradition, Charles proceeded directly to university after completing his A‑levels rather than joining the British Armed Forces.<ref name=debrett/> In October 1967, he was admitted to the University of Cambridge to study archaeology and anthropology for the first part of the Tripos at Trinity College, Cambridge, later switching to history.<ref name="PoWsite" /><ref name="powedu" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Brandreth|p=151|2007}}</ref> During his second year he spent one term at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth, studying Welsh history and Welsh language.<ref name=powedu/> Charles became the first British heir apparent to earn a university degree, graduating from Cambridge in June 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with lower second-class honours (2:2).<ref name=powedu/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Fiona |date=10 September 2022 |title=God Save The King! |url=https://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/news/god-save-the-king |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914213129/https://www.trin.cam.ac.uk/news/god-save-the-king |archive-date=14 September 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022 |website=Trinity College Cambridge}}</ref> Following standard practice, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) in August 1975.<ref name=powedu/>

== Prince of Wales == [[File:Fflint National Eisteddfod, 1969 (1541483).jpg|thumb|upright|Charles at the Flint National Eisteddfod, several days after his investiture as the Prince of Wales.|alt=Charles in a suit sits on stage with a book, surrounded by others in similar attire. A choir is visible in the background.]] Charles was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 26 July 1958,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=41460 |page=4733 |date=29 July 1958|postscript=;}} {{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales – Previous Princes of Wales |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/abouttheprince/previousprincesofwales |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011215745/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/abouttheprince/previousprincesofwales |archive-date=11 October 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Prince of Wales}}</ref> although his investiture did not take place until 1 July 1969, when he was crowned by his mother in a televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales – Investiture |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/biography/investiture |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020021713/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/biography/investiture |archive-date=20 October 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Clarence House}}</ref> The event was controversial in Wales amid rising Welsh nationalist sentiment.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Craig Owen |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/p/pod/dod-idx/songs-of-malice-and-spite-wales-prince-charles-and-an-anti.pdf?c=mp;idno=9460447.0007.203;format=pdf |title="Songs of Malice and Spite"?: Wales, Prince Charles, and an Anti-Investiture Ballad of Dafydd Iwan |publisher=Michigan Publishing |year=2013 |edition=7th |pages=1 |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=22 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222061102/https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/p/pod/dod-idx/songs-of-malice-and-spite-wales-prince-charles-and-an-anti.pdf?c=mp;idno=9460447.0007.203;format=pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> He took his seat in the House of Lords the following year,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 1970 |title=H.R.H. The Prince of Wales Introduced |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1970/feb/11/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-introduced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019025738/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1970/feb/11/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-introduced |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2019 |website=Hansard |page=HL Deb vol 307 c871 |no-pp=y|postscript=;}} {{cite web |title=The Prince of Wales – Biography |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109142006/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography |archive-date=9 November 2012 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Prince of Wales}}</ref> delivering his maiden speech on 13 June 1974,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 1974 |title=Sport and Leisure |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1974/jun/13/sport-and-leisure#S5LV0352P0-01354 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018220808/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1974/jun/13/sport-and-leisure#S5LV0352P0-01354 |archive-date=18 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2019 |website=Hansard |page=HL Deb vol 352 cc624–630 |no-pp=y}}</ref> the first royal to speak from the floor since the future Edward VII in 1884.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shuster |first=Alvin |date=14 June 1974 |title=Prince Charles Speaks in Lords |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/14/archives/prince-charles-speaks-in-lords-prince-charles-speaks-in-lords-with.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429033659/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/14/archives/prince-charles-speaks-in-lords-prince-charles-speaks-in-lords-with.html |archive-date=29 April 2020 |issn=0362-4331 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> He addressed the House again in 1975.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 1975 |title=Voluntary Service in the Community |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1975/jun/25/voluntary-service-in-the-community-1#S5LV0361P0-04601 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727203121/https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/lords/1975/jun/25/voluntary-service-in-the-community-1#S5LV0361P0-04601 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=16 October 2019 |website=Hansard |page=HL Deb vol 361 cc1418–1423 |no-pp=y}}</ref>

Charles increasingly undertook public duties, founding the Prince's Trust in 1976<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Prince's Trust |url=http://princescharities.org/princes-trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921102217/http://princescharities.org/princes-trust |archive-date=21 September 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=The Prince's Charities}}</ref> and travelling to the United States in 1981.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferretti |first=Fred |date=18 June 1981 |title=Prince Charles pays a quick visit to city |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/18/nyregion/prince-charles-pays-a-quick-visit-to-city.html |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429033701/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/18/nyregion/prince-charles-pays-a-quick-visit-to-city.html |archive-date=29 April 2020 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> In the mid-1970s he expressed interest in serving as Governor-General of Australia, following a suggestion by the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Fraser. The proposal was ultimately abandoned owing to a lack of public enthusiasm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Daley |first=Paul |date=9 November 2015 |title=Long to reign over Aus? Prince Charles and Australia go way back |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/09/long-to-reign-over-aus-prince-charles-and-australia-go-way-back |url-status=live |access-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613085229/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/nov/09/long-to-reign-over-aus-prince-charles-and-australia-go-way-back |archive-date=13 June 2018}}</ref> Charles later remarked, "so, what are you supposed to think when you are prepared to do something to help and you are just told you're not wanted?"<ref>{{Cite news |first=David |last=Murray |date=24 November 2009 |title=Next governor-general could be Prince Harry, William |work=The Australian |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/next-governor-general-could-be-prince-harry-william/news-story/43d5a6aa26f65e692ca31062ba9202ba |url-status=live |access-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429033659/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/next-governor-general-could-be-prince-harry-william/news-story/43d5a6aa26f65e692ca31062ba9202ba?nk=79072f8c83515c42c53f132c2debb7a3-1588131419 |archive-date=29 April 2020}}</ref>

===Military training and career=== Charles served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy during the 1970s. His military training began in 1969, in his second year at Cambridge, when he joined the Cambridge University Air Squadron and learned to fly the Chipmunk.<ref>{{Harvnb|Brandreth|pp=169–170|2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Military Career of the Prince of Wales |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography/military-career#na |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514194400/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/biography/military-career#na |archive-date=14 May 2013 |access-date=19 April 2013 |publisher=Prince of Wales}}</ref> He was presented with his RAF wings in August 1971.<ref>{{cite news|title=Vintage plane King learned to fly in takes to the sky for Coronation air show|work=The Independent|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/coronation-prince-charles-raf-bedford-prince-b2334640.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120211942/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/coronation-prince-charles-raf-bedford-prince-b2334640.html|first=Alana|last=Calvert|date=8 May 2023|access-date=27 May 2024|archive-date=20 January 2024|url-status=live}}; {{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-53435538|title=Prince Charles attends RAF Cranwell ceremony|work=BBC News|date=16 July 2020|access-date=5 October 2022|archive-date=5 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005223308/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-53435538|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:County class, 1970 (IWM).jpg|thumb|left|(Front to back) {{HMS|Norfolk|D21|6}}, {{HMS|London|D16|2}}, and {{HMS|Antrim|D18|2}} in the English Channel following joint exercises with the RAF in December 1971. Charles was serving aboard ''Norfolk'' at this time.|alt=Three county-class destroyers sailing in the English Channel]] After the passing-out parade that September, Charles embarked on a naval career and undertook a six-week course at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He subsequently served from 1971 to 1972 on the guided-missile destroyer {{HMS|Norfolk|D21|6}}, and on the frigates {{HMS|Minerva|F45|6}} from 1972 to 1973 and {{HMS|Jupiter|F60|6}} in 1974. That same year he qualified as a helicopter pilot at RNAS Yeovilton, and during his helicopter training completed commando instruction at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2024 |title=King Charles III revisits Devon commando base where he trained |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86qvd6y82go |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Charles then joined 845 Naval Air Squadron, a Royal Marines air support unit of the Fleet Air Arm, serving as a pilot aboard {{HMS|Hermes|R12|6}} and flying the Royal Marines commando variant of the Westland Wessex helicopter.{{Sfn|Brandreth|p=170|2007}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2023 |title=The Pilot King |url=https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/the-pilot-king.html |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref>

Charles spent his final ten months of active naval service commanding the coastal minehunter {{HMS|Bronington|M1115|6}}, beginning on 9 February 1976.{{sfn|Brandreth|p=170|2007}} He retired from active service later that year with the rank of Commander.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2023 |title=King Charles III: A look at the Commander-in-Chief's time in the forces |url=https://www.forcesnews.com/king-charles/king-charles-iii-look-new-forces-commander-chiefs-military-career |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=www.forcesnews.com }}</ref> Two years later he undertook the parachute training course at RAF Brize Norton, having been appointed colonel-in-chief of the Parachute Regiment in 1977, and was a member of Parachute Course 841a.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2021 |title=Prince Charles: Video shows 'upside down' parachute jump |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-dorset-57852894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008065553/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-dorset-57852894 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |access-date=5 October 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=His majesty King Charles III |url=https://www.paradata.org.uk/people/his-majesty-king-charles-iii#:~:text=The%20King%20holds%20honorary%20rank,Forces%20on%208th%20December%202008. |access-date=18 February 2025 |website=www.paradata.org.uk }}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Charles gave up flying after crash-landing a BAe 146 in Islay in 1994, when, as a passenger invited to fly the aircraft, he was at the controls; a board of inquiry found the crew negligent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Occurrence # 187927 |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=187927 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130641/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=187927 |archive-date=27 October 2017 |access-date=3 May 2023 |publisher=Flight Safety Foundation|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |last=Boggan |first=Steve |date=20 July 1995 |title=Prince gives up flying royal aircraft after Hebrides crash |work=The Independent (UK) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/prince-gives-up-flying-royal-aircraft-after-hebrides-crash-1592247.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324085302/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/prince-gives-up-flying-royal-aircraft-after-hebrides-crash-1592247.html |archive-date=24 March 2017}}</ref>

===Relationships and marriages=== ====Bachelorhood==== In his youth, Charles was romantically linked to several women. His girlfriends included Georgiana Russell, the daughter of Sir John Russell, who was the British ambassador to Spain;{{sfn|Brandreth|p=192|2007}} Lady Jane Wellesley;{{sfn|Brandreth|p=193|2007}} Davina Sheffield;{{sfn|Brandreth|p=194|2007}} Lady Sarah Spencer;{{sfn|Brandreth|p=195|2007}} and Camilla Shand, who later became his second wife.{{sfn|Brandreth|pp=15–17, 178|2007}} [[File:HRH Prince Charles Allan Warren.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Photograph by Allan Warren, 1972|alt=Portrait of Charles seated]]

Charles's great-uncle Lord Mountbatten advised him to "sow his wild oats and have as many affairs as he can before settling down", but, for a wife, he "should choose a suitable, attractive, and sweet-charactered girl before she has met anyone else she might fall for ... It is disturbing for women to have experiences if they have to remain on a pedestal after marriage".{{sfn|Junor|p=72|2005}} Early in 1974, Mountbatten began corresponding with 25-year-old Charles about a potential marriage to his granddaughter, Amanda Knatchbull.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dimbleby|pp=204–206|1994}}; {{Harvnb|Brandreth|p=200|2007}}</ref> Charles wrote to Amanda's mother, Lady Brabourne, who was also his godmother, expressing interest in her daughter. Lady Brabourne replied approvingly, but suggested that a courtship with a 16-year-old was premature.{{sfn|Dimbleby|p=263|1994}}

Four years later, Mountbatten arranged for Amanda and himself to accompany Charles on his 1980 visit to India. Both fathers, however, objected: Prince Philip feared that his famous uncle{{efn|Mountbatten had served as the last British viceroy and first governor-general of India.}} would eclipse Charles, while Lord Brabourne warned that a joint visit would concentrate media attention on the cousins before they could decide whether to become a couple.{{sfn|Dimbleby|pp=263–265|1994}}

In August 1979, before Charles was due to depart alone for India, Mountbatten was assassinated by the Provisional Irish Republican Army. When Charles returned, he proposed to Amanda. But in addition to her grandfather, she had lost her paternal grandmother and younger brother in the bomb attack, and was now reluctant to join the royal family.{{sfn|Dimbleby|pp=263–265|1994}}

====Lady Diana Spencer==== {{Further|Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer|Descendants of Elizabeth II#Children of Charles and Diana}} Charles first met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977, while he was visiting her home, Althorp. He was then the companion of her elder sister Sarah and did not consider Diana romantically until mid-1980. While Charles and Diana were sitting together on a bale of hay at a friend's barbecue in July, she mentioned that he had looked forlorn and in need of care at the funeral of Lord Mountbatten. Soon, according to Dimbleby, "without any apparent surge in feeling, he began to think seriously of her as a potential bride" and she accompanied him on visits to Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House.{{sfn|Dimbleby|p=279|1994}} thumb|left|Charles and Diana on their wedding day, July 1981|alt=The smiling couple in formal attire. The bride wears a gown with a long train and holds a large bouquet, standing beside the groom in a military uniform adorned with medals. Charles's cousin Norton Knatchbull and his wife told Charles that Diana appeared awestruck by his position and that he did not seem to be in love with her.{{sfn|Dimbleby|pp=280–282|1994}} Meanwhile, the couple's continuing courtship attracted intense attention from the press and paparazzi. When Charles's father told him that the media speculation would injure Diana's reputation if Charles did not come to a decision about marrying her soon, and realising that she was a suitable royal bride (according to Mountbatten's criteria), Charles construed his father's advice as a warning to proceed without further delay.{{sfn|Dimbleby|pp=281–283|1994}} He proposed to Diana in February 1981, with their engagement becoming official on 24 February; the wedding took place at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July. Upon his marriage, Charles reduced his voluntary tax contribution from the profits of the Duchy of Cornwall from 50 per cent to 25 per cent.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 July 2009 |title=Royally Minted: What we give them and how they spend it |volume=138 |work=New Statesman |issue=4956–4968 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VPdNAQAAIAAJ |access-date=7 May 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516181019/https://books.google.com/books?id=VPdNAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> The couple lived at Kensington Palace and Highgrove House, near Tetbury, and had two children: William, in 1982, and Harry, in 1984.<ref name="time 1988"/> As of 2025, Charles has an estranged relationship with his son Harry, who relinquished his royal family obligations and moved to the United States in 2020.<ref>{{cite news|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=14 May 2025|title=Prince Harry's popularity sinks after BBC interview attacking King|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/05/14/prince-harrys-popularity-sinks-after-attack-king-bbc/|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Landler|date=11 May 2025|title=Can King Charles Heal a Royal Family Crisis Before It's Too Late?|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/world/europe/charles-harry-royal-family-crisis.html?smid=url-share|access-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> [[File:Prince Charles, Princess Diana and Prince William at Government House, 1983.jpg|thumb|Charles with Diana and William at Government House, Auckland, April 1983|alt=Diana in a green polka dot dress, Charles in a suit, and a baby William sit on a patterned rug outdoors.]] Within five years, the marriage was in trouble due to the couple's incompatibility and near 13-year age difference.{{sfn|Brown|p=720|2007}}{{sfn|Smith|p=561|2000}} In 1986 Charles had fully resumed his affair with former girlfriend, Camilla Parker Bowles.<ref name="RadioTimes01">{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Eleanor Bley |date=1 January 2020 |title=The truth behind Charles and Camilla's affair storyline in The Crown |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-crown-charles-affair-camilla-cheating |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908213027/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-crown-charles-affair-camilla-cheating |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 |publisher=Radio Times}}</ref> In a video tape recorded by Peter Settelen in 1992, Diana admitted that, from 1985 to 1986, she had been "deeply in love with someone who worked in this environment."<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 December 2004 |title=Diana 'wanted to live with guard' |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4074545.stm |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731164728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4074545.stm |archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph_12Dec2004">{{Cite news |last=Langley |first=William |date=12 December 2004 |title=The Mannakee file |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1478804/The-Mannakee-file.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731210646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1478804/The-Mannakee-file.html |archive-date=31 July 2017}}</ref> It was assumed that she was referring to Barry Mannakee,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Mark |date=7 August 2017 |title=Diana: In Her Own Words – admirers have nothing to fear from the Channel 4 tapes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/06/diana-in-her-own-words-burnishes-rather-than-tarnishes-her-image |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920223352/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/aug/06/diana-in-her-own-words-burnishes-rather-than-tarnishes-her-image |archive-date=20 September 2017 |access-date=22 October 2017 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> who had been transferred to the Diplomatic Protection Squad in 1986, after his managers determined his relationship with Diana had been inappropriate.<ref name="Telegraph_12Dec2004"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Cahal |date=8 December 2004 |title=Conspiracy theorists feast on inquiry into death of Diana's minder |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/conspiracy-theorists-feast-on-inquiry-into-death-of-dianas-minder-8002517.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801031824/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/conspiracy-theorists-feast-on-inquiry-into-death-of-dianas-minder-8002517.html |archive-date=1 August 2017 |access-date=31 July 2017 |work=The Independent (UK) |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487}}</ref> Diana later commenced a relationship with Major James Hewitt, the family's former riding instructor.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Duboff |first=Josh |date=13 March 2017 |title=Princess Diana's Former Lover Maintains He Is Not Prince Harry's Father |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/03/james-hewitt-prince-harry-father-princess-diana |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626210124/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/03/james-hewitt-prince-harry-father-princess-diana |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=25 November 2018 |magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref>

Charles and Diana's evident discomfort in each other's company led to them being dubbed "The Glums" by the press.<ref name="Quest">{{Cite web |last=Quest |first=Richard |date=3 June 2002 |title=Royals, Part 3: Troubled times |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/05/29/people.royals.3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715061326/http://edition.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/europe/05/29/people.royals.3 |archive-date=15 July 2016 |access-date=22 January 2023 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> Diana exposed Charles's affair with Parker Bowles in a book by Andrew Morton, ''Diana: Her True Story''. Audio tapes of her own extramarital flirtations also surfaced,<ref name=Quest/> as did persistent suggestions that Hewitt is Prince Harry's father, based on a physical similarity between Hewitt and Harry. However, Harry had already been born by the time Diana's affair with Hewitt began.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 September 2002 |title=Hewitt denies Prince Harry link |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2273498.stm |url-status=live |access-date=24 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215161416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2273498.stm |archive-date=15 February 2009}}</ref> [[File:Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle with Prince Charles and Princess Diana.jpg|thumb|Charles and Diana with Dan Quayle and Marilyn Quayle, November 1990|alt=The Waleses and Quayles converse while standing.]] In December 1992, the British prime minister, John Major, announced the couple's legal separation in the House of Commons. Early the following year, the British press published transcripts of a passionate, bugged telephone conversation between Charles and Parker Bowles that had taken place in 1989, which was dubbed "Tampongate" and "Camillagate".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 1989 |title=The Camillagate Tapes |url=http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/camilla.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701002359/http://www.textfiles.com/phreak/camilla.txt |archive-date=1 July 2010 |website=Textfiles.com |series=Phone Phreaking |type=phone transcript|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=29 November 2006 |title=Royals caught out by interceptions |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5258604.stm |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828024600/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5258604.stm |archive-date=28 August 2017 }}; {{Cite magazine |last=Dockterman |first=Eliana |date=9 November 2022 |title=The True Story Behind Charles and Camilla's Phone Sex Leak on The Crown |url=https://time.com/6226657/crown-charles-camilla-tampongate |access-date=17 November 2022 |magazine=Time |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116194130/https://time.com/6226657/crown-charles-camilla-tampongate |url-status=live }}</ref> Charles subsequently sought public understanding in a television film with Dimbleby, ''Charles: The Private Man, the Public Role'', broadcast in June 1994. In an interview in the film, Charles confirmed his own extramarital affair with Parker Bowles, saying that he had rekindled their association in 1986, only after his marriage to Diana had "irretrievably broken down".<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Princess and the Press |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/royals/etc/cron.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310043520/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/royals/etc/cron.html |archive-date=10 March 2017 |access-date=7 January 2017 |website=PBS|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=6 April 2005 |title=Timeline: Charles and Camilla's romance |work=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4410551.stm |url-status=live |access-date=7 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202161625/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4410551.stm |archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Dimbleby|p=395|1994}} This was followed by Diana's own admission of marital troubles in an interview on the BBC current affairs programme ''Panorama'', broadcast in November 1995.<ref>{{Cite news |title=1995: Diana admits adultery in TV interview |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/20/newsid_4341000/4341436.stm |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126055307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/20/newsid_4341000/4341436.stm |archive-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Referring to Charles's relationship with Parker Bowles, she said, "well, there were three of us in this marriage. So, it was a bit crowded." She also expressed doubt about her husband's suitability for kingship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 November 1995 |title=The Panorama Interview with the Princess of Wales |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/panorama.html |url-status=dead |access-date=8 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304163240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/politics97/diana/panorama.html |archive-date=4 March 2011}}</ref> Charles and Diana divorced on 28 August 1996,<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 1995 |title='Divorce': Queen to Charles and Diana |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/20/newsid_2538000/2538985.stm |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101223152102/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/december/20/newsid_2538000/2538985.stm |archive-date=23 December 2010}}</ref> after being advised by the Queen in December 1995 to end the marriage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 December 1995 |title=Charles and Diana to divorce |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=85e31961323ecc3686d0e7324b12170b&mediatype=video&query=UK+ROYALS%C2%A4t=8&orderBy=Relevance&hits=147&search=%2Fsearch%3Fquery%3DUK%2520ROYALS%26allFilters%3DMedia%2520and%2520entertainment%3ASubject&allFilters=Media+and+entertainment%3ASubject&productType=IncludedProducts&page=1 |url-status=live |access-date=23 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160109/http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/UK-Various-Queen-Orders-Charles-amp-Diana-To-Divorce/85e31961323ecc3686d0e7324b12170b?query=UK+ROYALS&current=8&orderBy=Relevance&hits=147&search=%2Fsearch%3Fquery%3DUK%2520ROYALS%26allFilters%3DMedia%2520and%2520entertainment%3ASubject&allFilters=Media+and+entertainment%3ASubject&productType=IncludedProducts&page=1 |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> The couple shared custody of their children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neville |first=Sarah |date=13 July 1996 |title=Charles and Diana Agree to Terms of Divorce |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/07/13/charles-and-diana-agree-to-terms-of-divorce/9e3bbdab-5f04-4edc-a395-1b64f6ea888d |url-status=live |access-date=12 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326033200/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/07/13/charles-and-diana-agree-to-terms-of-divorce/9e3bbdab-5f04-4edc-a395-1b64f6ea888d |archive-date=26 March 2023}}</ref>

Diana died following a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. Charles flew to Paris with Diana's sisters to accompany her body back to Britain.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitney |first=Craig R. |date=31 August 1997 |title=Prince Charles Arrives in Paris to Take Diana's Body Home |work=The New York Times |url=http://partners.nytimes.com/library/world/diana/uk-diana-crash-updated.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206170457/http://partners.nytimes.com/library/world/diana/uk-diana-crash-updated.html |archive-date=6 December 2013 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> In 2003, Diana's butler Paul Burrell published a note that he claimed had been written by Diana in 1995, in which there were allegations that Charles was "planning 'an accident' in [Diana's] car, brake failure and serious head injury", so that he could remarry.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2003 |title=Diana letter 'warned of car plot' |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/10/20/diana.letter |url-status=dead |accessdate=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031212002303/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/10/20/diana.letter |archive-date=12 December 2003}}; {{Cite news |last=Eleftheriou-Smith |first=Loulla-Mae |date=30 August 2017 |title=Princess Diana letter claims Prince Charles was 'planning an accident' in her car just 10 months before fatal crash |work=The Independent (UK) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/princess-diana-death-letter-prince-charles-accident-plan-car-paris-tunnel-crash-10-months-a7918671.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012172116/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/princess-diana-death-letter-prince-charles-accident-plan-car-paris-tunnel-crash-10-months-a7918671.html |archive-date=12 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She had allegedly expressed similar concerns in October 1995 to Lord Mishcon, her solicitor, that "reliable sources" had told her "that she and Camilla would be put aside" for Charles to marry Tiggy Legge-Bourke.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=20 December 2007 |title=Princess Diana letter: 'Charles plans to kill me' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573170/Princess-Diana-letter-Charles-plans-to-kill-me.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1573170/Princess-Diana-letter-Charles-plans-to-kill-me.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=28 November 2020 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> When questioned by the Metropolitan Police inquiry team as a part of Operation Paget, Charles told the authorities that he did not know about his former wife's note from 1995 and could not understand why she had those feelings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Badshah |first=Nadeem |date=19 June 2021 |title=Police interviewed Prince Charles over 'plot to kill Diana' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/19/former-met-chief-interviewed-prince-charles-over-alleged-plot-to-kill-diana |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619105520/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jun/19/former-met-chief-interviewed-prince-charles-over-alleged-plot-to-kill-diana |archive-date=19 June 2021 |access-date=8 September 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The allegations were later revealed to have been among the smears spread by journalist Martin Bashir to secure an interview with Diana for the BBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/03/19/princess-diana-source-smears-accused-claims-martin-bashir/|title=Princess Diana is the source of 'smears' I am accused of, claims Martin Bashir|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Robert|last=Mendick|date=19 March 2021|access-date=21 March 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

====Camilla Parker Bowles==== {{Main|Wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles}}

Because Charles and Parker Bowles were romantically involved periodically, both before and during their respective first marriages, their relationship received criticism from the public and the media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles and Camilla: a long friendship |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/265150.stm |access-date=5 March 2026 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bates |first=Stephen |date=9 September 2022 |title=From 'marriage wrecker' to Queen Consort: the rehabilitation of Camilla |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/09/from-marriage-wrecker-to-queen-consort-the-rehabilitation-of-camilla |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Following both of their divorces, Charles declared his relationship with Parker Bowles was "non-negotiable" and appointed Mark Bolland to enhance Parker Bowles's public profile.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLaren |first=Leah |date=11 May 2002 |title=An honest woman at last? |url=http://mattoid.com/data/People/Camilla_an_honest_woman_at_last.htm |work=The Globe and Mail |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623180803/http://mattoid.com/data/People/Camilla_an_honest_woman_at_last.htm |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=6 March 2012|postscript=;}} {{Cite magazine |last=McAllister |first=J.F.O. |date=13 February 2005 |title=The 34-Year Courtship |magazine=Time |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1027460,00.html |url-status=dead |access-date=18 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930075941/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1027460,00.html |archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 March 2005 |title=Mark Bolland: Marital aide |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/mark-bolland-marital-aide-6149523.html |url-status=dead |access-date=9 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511110051/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/mark-bolland-marital-aide-6149523.html |archive-date=11 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2019 |title=20 years on from Operation Ritz, Charles and Camilla's public debut as a couple |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-01-27/20-years-on-from-operation-ritz-charles-and-camillas-public-debut-as-a-couple |access-date=27 January 2019 |website=ITV News}}</ref>

thumb|Charles with Camilla during a visit to the US, November 2005|alt=Charles and two men in suits and uniforms with Camilla in a blue dress stand as they are engaged in conversation.

In 1999 Charles and Parker Bowles made their first public appearance as a couple at the Ritz London Hotel and the following year, she met Queen Elizabeth II at the 60th birthday party of former King Constantine II of Greece, which was seen as an apparent seal of approval by the Queen on the relationship.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McVeigh |first=Tracy |last2=Ahmed |first2=Kamal |date=3 June 2000 |title=Queen and Camilla meet at royal party |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/jun/04/tracymcveigh.kamalahmed |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2003, Parker Bowles moved into Charles's official residence, Clarence House<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 January 1999 |title=Charles and Camilla go public |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/264574.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505171500/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/264574.stm |archive-date=5 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="clarence">{{Cite news |date= 2 August 2003 |title= Prince Charles moves into Clarence House |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3119473.stm |access-date= 17 June 2024 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date= 20 August 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220820200116/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3119473.stm |url-status= live }}</ref> and she accompanied Charles on almost all of his official events, including the annual Highland Games in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles and Camilla {{!}} Gallery |url=https://www.theguardian.com/gall/0,8542,1409821,00.html |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=www.theguardian.com}}</ref> Former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, told ''The Times'' that Charles and Parker Bowles should marry, "He is heir to the throne and he loves her. The natural thing is that they should get married."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2004 |title=Charles should wed Camilla, Church of England leader says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5120595 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Their engagement was announced on 10 February 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2012 |title=Profile: Duchess of Cornwall |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-17655725 |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503190714/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-17655725 |archive-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>  The Queen's consent to the marriage{{snd}}as required by the Royal Marriages Act 1772{{snd}}was recorded in a Privy Council meeting on 2 March.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2005 |title=Order in Council |url=http://www.privy-council.org.uk/output/Page496.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101103140224/http://www.privy-council.org.uk/output/Page496.asp |archive-date=3 November 2010 |access-date=20 February 2012 |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> In Canada, the Department of Justice determined the consent of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada was not required, as the union would not produce any heirs to the Canadian throne.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valpy |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Valpy |date=2 November 2005 |title=Scholars scurry to find implications of royal wedding |work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/scholars-scurry-to-find-implications-of-royal-wedding/article18215344 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727201657/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/scholars-scurry-to-find-implications-of-royal-wedding/article18215344 |archive-date=27 July 2020}}</ref>

Charles was the only member of the royal family to have a civil, rather than a church, wedding in England. British government documents from the 1950s and 1960s, published by the BBC, stated that such a marriage was illegal; these claims were dismissed by Charles's spokesman<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 February 2005 |title=Panorama Lawful impediment? |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4262963.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929214358/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/4262963.stm |archive-date=29 September 2009}}</ref> and explained by the sitting government to have been repealed by the Registration Service Act 1953.<ref>{{Cite web |author=The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton) |date=24 February 2005 |title=Royal Marriage; Lords Hansard Written Statements 24 Feb 2005 : Column WS87 (50224-51) |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldhansrd/vo050224/text/50224-51.htm#50224-51_head0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152718/http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200405/ldhansrd/vo050224/text/50224-51.htm#50224-51_head0 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Publications.parliament.uk}}</ref>

The union was scheduled to take place in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle, with a subsequent religious blessing at the castle's St George's Chapel. The wedding venue was changed to Windsor Guildhall after it was realised a civil marriage at Windsor Castle would oblige the venue to be available to anyone who wished to be married there. Four days before the event, it was postponed from the originally scheduled date of 8 April until the following day in order to allow Charles and some of the invited dignitaries to attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 April 2005 |title=Pope funeral delays royal wedding |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4409507.stm |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020183050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4409507.stm |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref>

Charles's parents did not attend the marriage ceremony; the Queen's reluctance to attend possibly arose from her position as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 February 2005 |title=Q&A: Queen's wedding decision |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4289417.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111223817/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4289417.stm |archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref> However, his parents did attend the service of blessing and held a reception for the newlyweds at Windsor Castle.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2005 |title=Charles And Camilla Finally Wed, After 30 Years Of Waiting, Prince Charles Weds His True Love |publisher=CBS News |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/09/world/main686994.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112201734/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/09/world/main686994.shtml |archive-date=12 November 2010}}</ref> The blessing by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was televised.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oliver |first=Mark |date=9 April 2005 |title=Charles and Camilla wed |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/apr/09/monarchy.markoliver |access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref> thumb|left|Charles and Camilla during a trip to Trinidad and Tobago, March 2008|alt=Charles wearing a suit converses with a woman in a dress. Queen Camilla stands next to Charles in the background standing opposite a "Travel Foundation" vertical banner. Since their marriage in 2005, Charles has paid tribute to Camilla repeatedly in public letters, speeches and interviews, thanking her for "steadfast support" and referring to her as "my darling wife".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Max |date=12 March 2015 |title=Prince Charles opens up about love and life |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/12/world/prince-charles-interview |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=King Charles and his 'darling' Queen Camilla mark 20th wedding anniversary |url=https://news.sky.com/story/king-charles-and-his-darling-wife-as-they-celebrate-20th-wedding-anniversary-13103843 |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 September 2022 |title=King pays tribute to 'steadfast devotion to duty' of his 'darling wife' Camilla |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/camilla-parker-bowles-the-king-duchess-of-cornwall-buckingham-palace-platinum-jubilee-b2164036.html |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Jamie |date=6 February 2022 |title=Prince Charles pays tribute to 'darling wife' and future queen Camilla |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/06/prince-charles-pays-tribute-to-darling-wife-and-future-queen-camilla |access-date=5 March 2026 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

=== Official duties === {{See also|List of official overseas trips made by Charles III}} In 1965, Charles undertook his first public engagement by attending a student garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.<ref name="coronation-facts">{{Cite web |title=100 Coronation facts |url=https://www.royal.uk/100-coronation-facts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501155413/https://www.royal.uk/100-coronation-facts |archive-date=1 May 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |publisher=Royal Household}}</ref> During his time as Prince of Wales, he undertook official duties on behalf of the Queen,<ref name="nytimes-charlesgothrone-sept82022"/> completing 10,934 engagements between 2002 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|date=11 April 2023|title=King Charles averages 521 royal engagements per year, but Princess Anne does even more, according to a new report|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/princess-anne-more-royal-engagements-than-king-charles-report-2023-4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326031304/https://www.businessinsider.com/princess-anne-more-royal-engagements-than-king-charles-report-2023-4 |archive-date=26 March 2024 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=The Guardian|url-status=live}}</ref> He officiated at investitures and attended the funerals of foreign dignitaries.{{Sfn|Brandreth|p=325|2007}} thumb|upright|Charles reads Queen Elizabeth II's message during Fijian independence celebration, October 1970|alt=Charles in formal military attire stands at a podium outside, holding a document as he addresses an audience out of frame. Charles made regular tours of Wales, fulfilling a week of engagements each summer, and attending important national occasions, such as opening the Senedd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opening of the Senedd |url=http://www.assemblywales.org/visiting/about_us-assembly_history_buildings/senedd_history/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-openeing-the-senedd.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810023045/http://www.assemblywales.org/visiting/about_us-assembly_history_buildings/senedd_history/sen-projecthistory/sen-project-history-subpage/sen-project-history-openeing-the-senedd.htm |archive-date=10 August 2014 |access-date=8 August 2014 |publisher=National Assembly for Wales}}</ref> The six trustees of the Royal Collection Trust met three times a year under his chairmanship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Administration |url=http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/about/administration |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006030309/http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/about/administration |archive-date=6 October 2012 |access-date=19 April 2013 |publisher=The Royal Collection Trust}}</ref> Charles also represented his mother at the independence celebrations in Fiji in 1970,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Trumbull |first=Robert |date=10 October 1970 |title=Fiji Raises the Flag of Independence After 96 Years of Rule by British |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/10/archives/fiji-raises-the-flag-of-independence-after-96-years-of-rule-by.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910004715/https://www.nytimes.com/1970/10/10/archives/fiji-raises-the-flag-of-independence-after-96-years-of-rule-by.html |archive-date=10 September 2022 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> The Bahamas in 1973,<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 1973 |title=1973: Bahamas' sun sets on British Empire |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/9/newsid_2498000/2498835.stm |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201022831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/9/newsid_2498000/2498835.stm |archive-date=1 February 2008}}</ref> Papua New Guinea in 1975,<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 1975 |title=Papua New Guinea Celebrates Independence |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/16/archives/papua-new-guinea-celebrates-independence-papua-new-guinea-is.html |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910033448/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/16/archives/papua-new-guinea-celebrates-independence-papua-new-guinea-is.html |archive-date=10 September 2022 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> Zimbabwe in 1980<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ross |first=Jay |date=18 April 1980 |title=Zimbabwe gains independence |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/04/18/zimbabwe-gains-independence/185c3573-e9e4-4d3a-9dce-5fe89bf04605 |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204220551/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1980/04/18/zimbabwe-gains-independence/185c3573-e9e4-4d3a-9dce-5fe89bf04605 |archive-date=4 February 2021}}</ref> and Brunei in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wedel |first=Paul |date=22 February 1984 |title=Brunei celebrated its independence from Britain Thursday with traditional... |publisher=UPI |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/02/22/Brunei-celebrated-its-independence-from-Britain-Thursday-with-traditional/6194446274000 |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219232834/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/02/22/Brunei-celebrated-its-independence-from-Britain-Thursday-with-traditional/6194446274000 |archive-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> In 1983, a man named Christopher John Lewis, who had fired a shot with a .22 rifle at the Queen in 1981, attempted to escape a psychiatric hospital in order to assassinate Charles, who was visiting New Zealand with Diana and William.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ainge Roy |first=Eleanor |date=13 January 2018 |title='Damn ... I missed': the incredible story of the day the Queen was nearly shot |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/13/queen-elizabeth-assassination-attempt-new-zealand-1981 |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301120257/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/13/queen-elizabeth-assassination-attempt-new-zealand-1981 |archive-date=1 March 2018}}</ref> While Charles was visiting Australia on Australia Day in January 1994, David Kang fired two shots at him from a starting pistol in protest against the treatment of several hundred Cambodian asylum-seekers held in detention camps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=John |date=12 May 1994 |title=Cambodian Refugees |url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19940512014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120531/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA19940512014 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |website=New South Wales Legislative Assembly Hansard |publisher=Parliament of New South Wales|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=27 January 1994 |title=Student fires 2 blanks at Prince Charles |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-27-mn-15986-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812170551/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-27/news/mn-15986_1_britain-s-prince-charles |archive-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> In 1995 Charles became the first member of the royal family to visit the Republic of Ireland in an official capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2015 |title=Archive: Prince Charles visits Ireland in 1995 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-32397345/archive-prince-charles-visits-ireland-in-1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511050222/http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-32397345/archive-prince-charles-visits-ireland-in-1995 |archive-date=11 May 2018 |access-date=14 April 2018 |publisher=BBC News|postscript=;}} {{cite web |last1=McCullagh |first1=David |last2=Milner |first2=Cathy |title=Prince Charles Makes First Royal Visit to Ireland 1995 |url=http://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/0529/704766-prince-charless-first-visit-to-ireland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415063559/http://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/0529/704766-prince-charless-first-visit-to-ireland |archive-date=15 April 2018 |access-date=14 April 2018 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}</ref> In 1997 he represented the Queen at the Hong Kong handover ceremony.{{sfn|Brendon|p=660|2007}}{{sfn|Brown|p=594|1998}}

At the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, Charles caused controversy when he shook hands with Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, who had been seated next to him. Charles's office subsequently released a statement saying that he could not avoid shaking Mugabe's hand and that he "finds the current Zimbabwean regime abhorrent".<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 April 2005 |title=Charles shakes hands with Mugabe at Pope's funeral |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/italy/charles-shakes-hands-with-mugabe-at-popes-funeral-tkbbw0dwx2m |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192720/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charles-shakes-hands-with-mugabe-at-popes-funeral-tkbbw0dwx2m |archive-date=22 June 2018}} {{subscription required}}</ref> [[File:The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles reads out the message of Queen Elizabeth on her behalf during the opening ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games 2010-Delhi, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in New Delhi on October 03, 2010.jpg|thumb|left|Charles reads a message on behalf of Elizabeth II during the 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony|alt=Charles in a suit speaking at a podium during the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Attendees sit around him.]] Charles represented the Queen at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2010 |title=The Prince of Wales opens the Commonwealth Games |publisher=Clarence House |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/the-prince-of-wales-opens-the-commonwealth-games |url-status=dead |access-date=28 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521095222/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/the-prince-of-wales-opens-the-commonwealth-games |archive-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> In November 2010 he and Camilla were indirectly involved in student protests when their car was attacked by protesters.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/dec/09/charles-camilla-car-attacked-fees-protest | title=Prince Charles and Camilla caught up in London violence after student fees vote | first1=Patrick | last1=Wintour | first2=Nicholas | last2=Watt | work=The Guardian | date=9 December 2010|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |title=Royal car attacked in protest after MPs' fee vote |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11954333 |url-status=live |access-date=10 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210045010/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11954333 |archive-date=10 December 2010|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=9 December 2010 |title=Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall unhurt in attack |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11965454 |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223074043/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11965454 |archive-date=23 February 2012}}</ref> In November 2013 he represented the Queen for the first time at a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suroor |first=Hasan |date=8 May 2013 |title=Queen to miss Colombo CHOGM |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/queen-to-miss-colombo-chogm/article4695677.ece |url-status=live |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809205952/http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/queen-to-miss-colombo-chogm/article4695677.ece |archive-date=9 August 2013|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=7 May 2013 |title=Queen to miss Commonwealth meeting for first time since 1973 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/07/queen-miss-commonwealth-meeting |url-status=live |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021093826/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/may/07/queen-miss-commonwealth-meeting |archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>

Charles and Camilla made their first joint trip to the Republic of Ireland in May 2015. The British Embassy called the trip an important step in "promoting peace and reconciliation".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Urquart |first=Conal |date=13 May 2015 |title=Prince Charles Shakes the Hand of Irish Republican Leader Gerry Adams |url=https://time.com/3888516/prince-charles-gerry-adams/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521014543/http://time.com/3888516/prince-charles-gerry-adams |archive-date=21 May 2015 |access-date=21 May 2015}}</ref> During the trip, he shook hands in Galway with Gerry Adams, leader of Sinn Féin and widely believed to be the leader of the IRA, the militant group that had assassinated Lord Mountbatten in 1979. The event was described by the media as a "historic handshake" and a "significant moment for Anglo-Irish relations".<ref>{{Cite news |last=McDonald |first=Henry |date=19 May 2015 |title=Prince Charles and Gerry Adams share historic handshake |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/19/prince-charles-and-gerry-adams-share-historic-handshake |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521013218/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/19/prince-charles-and-gerry-adams-share-historic-handshake |archive-date=21 May 2015|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |title=Historic handshake between Prince Charles and Gerry Adams |work=The Independent (UK) |url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/historic-handshake-between-prince-charles-and-gerry-adams-31235024.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519215751/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/historic-handshake-between-prince-charles-and-gerry-adams-31235024.html |archive-date=19 May 2015|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |last=Adam |first=Karla |date=19 May 2015 |title=Prince Charles, in Ireland, meets with Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/prince-charles-in-ireland-meets-with-sinn-fein-party-leader-gerry-adams/2015/05/19/5dc4259c-fe28-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522142025/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/prince-charles-in-ireland-meets-with-sinn-fein-party-leader-gerry-adams/2015/05/19/5dc4259c-fe28-11e4-8c77-bf274685e1df_story.html |archive-date=22 May 2015}}</ref> thumb|Charles during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Big Lunch, April 2018|alt=Charles in a blue suit smiles while interacting with a woman in a green dress at a public event. People surround them, capturing the moment with phones. Commonwealth heads of government decided at their 2018 meeting that Charles would be the next Head of the Commonwealth after the Queen.<ref name="ny-times-charlesiiichosen">{{Cite news |date=10 September 2022 |title=Queen's Funeral Set for Sept. 19 at Westminster Abbey |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/10/world/queen-elizabeth-king-charles |url-status=live |access-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920181535/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/10/world/queen-elizabeth-king-charles |archive-date=20 September 2022 |oclc=1645522 |quote="The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday."}}</ref> The head is chosen and therefore not hereditary.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adam |first=Karla |date=20 April 2018 |title=Commonwealth backs Prince Charles as its next leader |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/20/commonwealth-backs-prince-charles-as-its-next-leader |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806024750/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/20/commonwealth-backs-prince-charles-as-its-next-leader |archive-date=6 August 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, at the request of the British government, Charles and Camilla went on an official tour of Cuba, making them the first British royals to visit the country. The tour was seen as an effort to form a closer relationship between Cuba and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 March 2019 |title=Prince Charles and Camilla make history in Cuba |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47688610 |url-status=live |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402091019/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47688610 |archive-date=2 April 2019}}</ref>

Charles contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic in March 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Reynolds |first1=Emma |last2=Foster |first2=Max |last3=Wilkinson |first3=David |date=25 March 2020 |title=Prince Charles tests positive for novel coronavirus |agency=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/25/europe/prince-charles-coronavirus-gbr-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325110903/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/25/europe/prince-charles-coronavirus-gbr-intl/index.html |archive-date=25 March 2020|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |last1=Furness |first1=Hannah |last2=Johnson |first2=Simon |date=25 March 2020 |title=Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus: These are his most recent engagements |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/03/25/prince-charles-tests-positive-coronavirus |url-status=live |accessdate=25 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325112945/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2020/03/25/prince-charles-tests-positive-coronavirus |archive-date=25 March 2020 |issn=}}</ref><ref name="BBC-virus">{{Cite web |date=25 March 2020 |title=Coronavirus: Prince Charles tests positive but 'remains in good health' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52033845 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325120442/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52033845 |archive-date=25 March 2020 |access-date=25 March 2020 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> Several newspapers were critical that Charles and Camilla were tested promptly at a time when many National Health Service doctors, nurses and patients had been unable to be tested expeditiously.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2020 |title=Warning to all as Prince Charles catches coronavirus amid 'queue jump' claims – The Yorkshire Post says |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/warning-all-prince-charles-catches-coronavirus-amid-queue-jump-claims-yorkshire-post-says-2517535 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326110610/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/warning-all-prince-charles-catches-coronavirus-amid-queue-jump-claims-yorkshire-post-says-2517535 |archive-date=26 March 2020 |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> He tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time in February 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ott |first=Haley |date=10 February 2022 |title=Britain's Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19 for the 2nd time |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/britains-prince-charles-tests-positive-for-covid-19-for-the-2nd-time |url-status=live |access-date=10 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606214457/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/britains-prince-charles-tests-positive-for-covid-19-for-the-2nd-time |archive-date=6 June 2022}}</ref> He and Camilla, who also tested positive, had received doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in February 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2021 |title=Covid: Prince Charles and Camilla get first vaccine |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56008436 |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421054642/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56008436 |archive-date=21 April 2022}}</ref> [[File:Queen’s Speech - 52063897843.jpg|thumb|Delivering the Queen's Speech to the British Parliament on behalf of his mother, May 2022|alt=Charles seated on a throne during the 2022 state opening of the British Parliament. Next to him is the Imperial State Crown.]]

Charles attended the November 2021 ceremonies to mark Barbados's transition into a parliamentary republic, abolishing the position of monarch of Barbados.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mills |first=Rhiannon |date=30 November 2021 |title=Barbados: Prince Charles acknowledges 'appalling' history of slavery as island becomes a republic |url=https://news.sky.com/story/prince-charles-acknowledges-appalling-history-of-slavery-as-barbados-becomes-a-republic-12482796 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130052708/https://news.sky.com/story/prince-charles-acknowledges-appalling-history-of-slavery-as-barbados-becomes-a-republic-12482796 |archive-date=30 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021 |website=Sky News}}</ref> He was invited by Prime Minister Mia Mottley as the future Head of the Commonwealth;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Victoria |date=28 November 2021 |title=All About Prince Charles's Visit to Barbados as the Country Cuts Ties with the Monarchy |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38366303/prince-charles-visit-to-barbados-2021-details |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034439/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38366303/prince-charles-visit-to-barbados-2021-details |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=3 May 2023 |magazine=Town & Country}}</ref> it was the first time that a member of the royal family attended the transition of a realm to a republic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nikkhah |first=Roya |date=28 November 2021 |title=Regretful Prince Charles flies to Barbados to watch his realm become a republic |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/regretful-prince-charles-flies-to-barbados-to-watch-his-realm-become-a-republic-c2vnz7k5v |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326034440/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/regretful-prince-charles-flies-to-barbados-to-watch-his-realm-become-a-republic-c2vnz7k5v |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=3 May 2023 |newspaper=Sunday Times}}</ref> In May of the following year, Charles attended the State Opening of the British Parliament, delivering the Queen's Speech on behalf of his mother, as a counsellor of state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=10 May 2022 |title=Queen remains 'very much in charge' even as Charles makes speech |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/10/queen-remains-very-much-in-charge-even-as-charles-makes-speech |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510143837/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/may/10/queen-remains-very-much-in-charge-even-as-charles-makes-speech |archive-date=10 May 2022 |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

== Reign == Charles acceded to the British throne on his mother's death on 8 September 2022. He was the longest-serving British heir apparent, having surpassed Edward VII's record of 59 years on 20 April 2011.<ref name="apparent">{{Cite news |date=20 April 2011 |title=Prince Charles becomes longest-serving heir apparent |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-13133587 |url-status=live |access-date=30 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718054032/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-13133587 |archive-date=18 July 2015}}</ref> Charles was the oldest person to succeed to the British throne, at the age of 73, surpassing the previous record holder, William IV, who was 64 when he became king in 1830.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=19 September 2013 |title=Prince of Wales will be oldest monarch crowned |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10320264/Prince-of-Wales-will-be-oldest-monarch-crowned.html |access-date=19 September 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Charles III Scottish Parliament 2022.jpg|thumb|Addressing the Scottish Parliament on 13 September 2022|alt=Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone is seated next to the King.]] Charles gave his first speech to the nation at 6 pm on 9 September, in which he paid tribute to his mother and announced the appointment of his elder son, William, as Prince of Wales.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 September 2022 |title=King Charles III pays tribute to his 'darling mama' in first address |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62842089 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910075943/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/uk-62842089 |archive-date=10 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The following day, the Accession Council publicly proclaimed Charles as king, the ceremony being televised for the first time.<ref>{{Cite news|date=10 September 2022 |title=Charles formally confirmed as king in ceremony televised for first time |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62860893 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910192001/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62860893 |archive-date=10 September 2022 |access-date=10 September 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name=ny-times-charlesiiichosen/> Attendees included Queen Camilla, Prince William and the British prime minister, Liz Truss, along with her six living predecessors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=10 September 2022 |title=Charles III is proclaimed King |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2022/sep/10/king-charles-iii-proclaimed-st-james-palace-accession-council-latest-updates |url-status=live |access-date=10 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910095507/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2022/sep/10/king-charles-iii-proclaimed-st-james-palace-accession-council-latest-updates |archive-date=10 September 2022}}</ref> The proclamation was also read out by local authorities around the United Kingdom. Other realms signed and read their own proclamations, as did Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the British Overseas Territories, the Crown Dependencies, Canadian provinces and Australian states.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Torrance |first=David |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9621/CBP-9621.pdf |title=The Accession of King Charles III |date=29 September 2022 |publisher=House of Commons Library |page=21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421205507/https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9621/CBP-9621.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=25 April 2023}}</ref>

In November 2022, the King and Queen hosted the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, during the first official state visit to Britain of Charles's reign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kirka |first=Danica |date=22 November 2022 |title=King Charles III welcomes S. African leader for state visit |url=https://apnews.com/article/british-politics-king-charles-iii-queen-elizabeth-ii-entertainment-london-3de1a8b0b71935a6ab53b6e2be561dc4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325082032/https://apnews.com/article/british-politics-king-charles-iii-queen-elizabeth-ii-entertainment-london-3de1a8b0b71935a6ab53b6e2be561dc4 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> The following March, they undertook a state visit to Germany, where Charles became the first British monarch to address the Bundestag.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Said-Moorhouse |first1=Lauren |last2=Foster |first2=Max |date=30 March 2023 |title=King Charles becomes first British monarch to address German parliament |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/europe/king-charles-germany-day-two-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927195727/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/30/europe/king-charles-germany-day-two-intl/index.html |archive-date=27 September 2023 |access-date=21 September 2023 |work=CNN}}</ref> On 6 May 2023, Charles and Camilla's coronation took place at Westminster Abbey,<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Coronation on 6 May for King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63172425 |url-status=live |access-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011170432/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63172425 |archive-date=11 October 2022}}</ref> in a ceremony planned for many years under the code name ''Operation Golden Orb.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mahler |first=Kevin |date=14 February 2022 |title=Ghosts? Here's the true tale of things that go bump in the night |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/ghosts-heres-the-true-tale-of-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night-66z03ktfc |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028081448/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ghosts-heres-the-true-tale-of-things-that-go-bump-in-the-night-66z03ktfc |archive-date=28 October 2022}}</ref>{{sfn|Pepinster|2022}} Prior to Charles's accession, reports suggested that the coronation would be "shorter, smaller, less expensive, and more representative of different faiths and community groups than that of his mother in 1953, reflecting the King's wish to acknowledge the ethnic diversity of modern Britain".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arasteh |first=Amira |date=23 September 2022 |title=King Charles III coronation: When is he officially crowned and what happens next? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/23/king-charles-iii-coronation-when-officially-crowned-what-happens |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923062731/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/23/king-charles-iii-coronation-when-officially-crowned-what-happens |archive-date=23 September 2022 |access-date=23 September 2022 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}; {{cite news |last1=Dixon |first1=Hayley |last2=Gurpreet |first2=Narwan |date=13 September 2022 |title=Coronation for the cost of living crisis as King expresses wish for 'good value' |work=The Times |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/13/charles-coronation-prince-king-monarchy-when-plans-cost-living |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925093146/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/13/charles-coronation-prince-king-monarchy-when-plans-cost-living |archive-date=25 September 2022}}</ref> Nonetheless, the coronation remained a Church of England rite, including the coronation oath, the anointing, crowning, investing with the regalia, and enthronement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2022 |title=King Charles III, the new monarch |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59135132 |url-status=live |access-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920002123/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59135132 |archive-date=20 September 2022}}</ref>

thumb|Charles and Camilla after their coronation, May 2023|alt=Charles and Camilla wearing their crowns and coronation robes waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace In July 2023, the royal couple attended a national service of thanksgiving at St Giles' Cathedral, where Charles was presented with the Honours of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 2023 |title=King Charles III: Special Edinburgh day ends with gun salute and flypast |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66098124 |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801060822/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-66098124 |url-status=live }}</ref> That same month, he asked for the profits from Britain's growing fleet of offshore wind-farms to be used for the "wider public good" rather than as extra funding for the monarchy, and it was announced that the monarchy's share of Crown Estate net profits would be reduced to 12 per cent.<ref>{{Cite news|date= 29 June 2023 |title= Windfarms help drive record profit for crown estate |url= https://theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jun/29/crown-estate-enjoys-huge-rise-in-profits-thanks-to-offshore-wind|access-date= 23 July 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date= 20 July 2023 |title= Sovereign Grant recalculated as offshore wind profits rise |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sovereign-grant-recalculated-as-offshore-wind-profits-rise |access-date= 23 July 2024 |work= GOV.UK |archive-date= 19 July 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240719141400/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sovereign-grant-recalculated-as-offshore-wind-profits-rise |url-status= live }}</ref> In September, Charles became the first British monarch to give a speech from the French Senate chamber during a state visit to France. The following month he visited Kenya, where he faced calls to apologise for colonial abuses; at a state banquet he acknowledged "abhorrent and unjustifiable acts of violence" but did not issue a formal apology.<ref name="KenyaBanquetSpeech">{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Max |last2=Feleke |first2=Bethlehem |last3=Said-Moorhouse |first3=Lauren |title=King Charles acknowledges Kenya's colonial-era suffering but stops short of apologizing |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/africa/king-charles-kenya-colonial-suffering-intl/index.html|work=CNN |date=November 2023|access-date=6 February 2024|archive-date=1 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201053501/https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/africa/king-charles-kenya-colonial-suffering-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2024, the British prime minister, Rishi Sunak, asked the King to call a general election; subsequently, royal engagements that could divert attention from the election campaign were postponed.<ref>{{cite news|work=Sky News|title=General election: Royal family postpones engagements that 'divert attention' from campaign|url=https://news.sky.com/story/royal-family-postpones-engagements-to-not-divert-attention-from-general-election-campaign-13141453|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602073647/https://news.sky.com/story/royal-family-postpones-engagements-to-not-divert-attention-from-general-election-campaign-13141453|date=22 May 2024|access-date=26 June 2024|archive-date=2 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2024, Charles and Camilla travelled to Normandy to attend the 80th anniversary commemorations of D-Day.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 6 June 2024|title= D-Day 80 years on: King speaks of 'profound sense of gratitude' at Normandy commemoration |work=ITV News|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2024-06-06/d-day-80-years-on-world-leaders-and-veterans-gather-in-commemoration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609002250/https://www.itv.com/news/2024-06-06/d-day-80-years-on-world-leaders-and-veterans-gather-in-commemoration|access-date=6 June 2024|archive-date=9 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> The same month, the King received Emperor Naruhito of Japan during his state visit to the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news|work=ABC News|title=Emperor and Empress of Japan arrive in the UK ahead of a long-awaited state visit|url=https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/emperor-empress-japan-arrive-uk-ahead-long-awaited-111341174|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624032814/https://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/emperor-empress-japan-arrive-uk-ahead-long-awaited-111341174|date=22 June 2024|archive-date=24 June 2024|access-date=26 June 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, the annual Holyrood Week, which is usually spent in Scotland, was shortened so that Charles could return to London and appoint a new prime minister following the general election.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://news.sky.com/story/king-charles-takes-part-in-ceremony-of-the-keys-in-edinburgh-as-holyrood-week-begins-13162353|title=King Charles takes part in Ceremony of the Keys in Edinburgh as Holyrood Week begins|work=Sky News|date=2 July 2024|access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> After Sunak's Conservative Party lost the election to the Labour Party led by Sir Keir Starmer, Charles appointed Starmer as prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 2024 |title=U.K. wakes up to new government as Labour Party looks set to win election: Follow live |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/uk-general-election-live-results-britain-starmer-win-labour-rcna160339 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=NBC News |archive-date=12 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712101540/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/uk-general-election-live-results-britain-starmer-win-labour-rcna160339 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:2024 Royal Visit Sydney (4).jpg|thumb|With Camilla in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, October 2024|alt=See caption]] In October 2024, the King and Queen toured Australia and Samoa; Australia was the first Commonwealth realm Charles visited since his accession.<ref>{{cite news|title=King Charles III and Queen Camilla land in Sydney, marking first visit by reigning king to Australia|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/king-charles-queen-camilla-arrive-australia-sydney-tour-royal/104478594|work=ABC News|date=18 October 2024|access-date=18 October 2024|archive-date=20 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241020174120/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-18/king-charles-queen-camilla-arrive-australia-sydney-tour-royal/104478594|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Perry |first1=Simon |title=King Charles and Queen Camilla Arrive in Australia for Historic First Tour to Commonwealth Realm |url=https://people.com/king-charles-and-queen-camilla-arrive-in-australia-for-historic-first-tour-to-commonwealth-realm-8729663 |magazine=People |date=18 October 2024 |access-date=20 October 2024}}</ref> In Samoa, he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for the first time as Head of the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite news |title=King Charles acknowledges 'painful' history amid calls for slavery reparations at Commonwealth summit |url=https://cnn.com/2024/10/25/asia/king-charles-commonwealth-leaders-meeting-intl |work=CNN |first1=Max |last1=Foster |first2=Alex |last2=Stambaugh |first3=Lauren |last3=Said-Moorhouse |date=25 October 2024 |access-date=25 October 2024 |archive-date=10 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110133910/https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/25/asia/king-charles-commonwealth-leaders-meeting-intl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The tour was significantly scaled back owing to his cancer diagnosis, with a planned visit to New Zealand among the cancelled events. Charles temporarily paused his cancer treatment during the tour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Relph |first1=Daniela |title=King of Australia's royal tour nearly didn't happen |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93y2r75ky7o |work=BBC News |date=18 October 2024 |access-date=20 October 2024 |archive-date=24 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224120550/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93y2r75ky7o |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2025, the King received Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Sandringham House, just days after the Trump–Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting. Zelenskyy later told ''The Guardian'' that Charles played a quiet but influential role in altering US president Donald Trump's attitude toward Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=9 November 2025 |title=Volodymyr Zelenskyy: why should I be afraid of Donald Trump? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/09/volodymyr-zelenskyy-why-should-i-be-afraid-donald-trump |access-date=12 November 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Korbinian |date=10 November 2025 |title=Zelensky Says King Charles Helped Sway Trump's Stance on Ukraine |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63949 |access-date=10 November 2025 |website=Kyiv Post}}</ref>

The King and Queen initially cancelled a planned visit to Vatican City during their state visit to Italy, but on 9 April 2025{{snd}}their 20th wedding anniversary{{snd}}they visited Pope Francis at Domus Sanctae Marthae as he was recovering from pneumonia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/09/king-charles-queen-camilla-visit-pope-francis|title=King Charles and Queen Camilla pay recovering Pope Francis surprise visit|first=Angela|last=Giuffrida|work=The Guardian|date=9 April 2025|accessdate=10 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1drr40xwgro|title=King and Queen meet Pope Francis at Vatican on their anniversary|first=Sean|last=Coughlan|work=BBC News|date=9 April 2025|accessdate=10 April 2025}}</ref> Francis died 12 days later.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.html|title=Pope Francis has died on Easter Monday aged 88|first=Devin|last=Watkins|website=Vatican News|publisher=Dicastery for Communication|date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Mark Carney & Charles III in the Senate Chamber, 2025.jpg|thumb|Charles seated during the Canadian Speech from the Throne in May 2025|alt=Mark Carney leans toward Charles, who is seated and wearing a suit adorned with military medals. A Canadian flag is visible in the background.]] The King, accompanied by the Queen, made his first visit to Canada as monarch in May 2025 at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, a trip that took place during a period of tension with the United States after President Trump made comments questioning Canada's sovereignty.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Coughlan |first=Sean |date=26 May 2025 |title=King Charles travels to support Canada as it fends off Trump |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkdnmm8k2no |access-date=8 February 2026 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref> During the visit, he opened the 45th Canadian Parliament and delivered the Speech from the Throne, the first time a Canadian monarch had done so in person since 1977.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 May 2025 |title=King Charles hails 'incredible opportunity' for Canada in throne speech |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/livestory/king-charles-hails-incredible-opportunity-for-canada-in-throne-speech-9.6774177 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=27 May 2025 |title= IN PHOTOS King Charles opens 45th Parliament of Canada|url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/photos/in-photos-king-charles-opens-45th-parliament-of-canada-1.7544613 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=CBC News}}</ref>

In June 2025, the King approved the decommissioning of the British Royal Train ahead of its maintenance contract ending in 2027. Described by the Keeper of the Privy Purse as part of a commitment to "fiscal discipline", the decision marked the end of 180 years of the royal family's use of a dedicated royal train.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Tony |date=30 June 2025 |title=Royal Family have travelled by train for more than 180 years |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/victoria-elizabeth-ii-british-rail-prince-albert-royal-family-b1235709.html |access-date=30 June 2025 |work=Evening Standard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mills |first=Rhiannon |date=30 June 2025 |title=Royal train to be decommissioned with family to rely on two new helicopters – as annual accounts revealed |url=https://news.sky.com/story/royal-train-to-be-decommissioned-with-family-to-rely-on-two-new-helicopters-as-annual-accounts-revealed-13390688 |access-date=30 June 2025 |work=Sky News}}</ref>

In October 2025, during a state visit to the Holy See, Charles became the first British monarch to pray alongside a pope since the Reformation, joining Pope Leo XIV for a church service in the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City.<ref>{{cite news |title=Charles makes history as first British monarch to pray with a pope since Henry VIII split church |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2025-10-23/king-charles-prays-with-pope-leo-in-vatican-in-historic-first |work=ITV News |date=23 October 2025 |access-date=23 October 2025}}</ref> Later that month, Charles undertook his first official engagement in support of the LGBT+ community, unveiling "An Opened Letter", the UK's first national memorial honouring LGBT armed forces veterans, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parry |first=Josh |date=27 October 2025 |title=King Charles unveils LGBT+ veterans memorial at National Memorial Arboretum |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr7m8kzgy77o |access-date=28 October 2025 |work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=27 October 2025 |title=King Charles lays flowers at national memorial to LGBT+ armed forces veterans |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/27/king-charles-lays-flowers-at-national-memorial-to-lgbt-armed-forces-veterans |access-date=28 October 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> On 30 October, amid continuing controversy surrounding his brother Andrew's association with the American financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Charles initiated a formal process to remove his style, titles and honours.<ref>{{cite web |title=A statement from Buckingham Palace |url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2025-10-31/a-statement-from-buckingham-palace |work=The Royal Family |date=31 October 2025 |access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref> Following Andrew's arrest on 19 February 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the King expressed his "deepest concern" and stated that "the law must take its course".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2026 |title=A Statement from His Majesty The King |url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2026-02-19/a-statement-from-his-majesty-the-king |access-date=19 February 2026 |work=The Royal Family}}</ref>

In April 2026, during a state visit to the United States, Charles became the second British monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress, after his mother Elizabeth II in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ceballos |first=Ana |date=28 April 2026 |title=King Charles is the second British monarch to address Congress, but tensions shadow the moment |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-04-28/king-charles-to-address-congress-as-u-s-british-ties-face-rare-strain |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515081140/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-04-28/king-charles-to-address-congress-as-u-s-british-ties-face-rare-strain|archive-date=15 May 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> His speech received about a dozen standing ovations.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Sean |last=Coughlan |date=28 April 2026 |title=King gets ovation for Congress speech warning of volatile world |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87qglyjr44o |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515080918/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87qglyjr44o|archive-date=15 May 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> In May, he visited Golders Green after the previous month's stabbings, meeting the victims at a Jewish Care charity centre, the Chief Rabbi, and members of the community's medical and security response teams.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manning |first=Lucy |date=14 May 2026 |title=King visits victims of Golders Green stabbings |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmp4pg0jdjo |access-date=14 May 2026 |work=BBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515080717/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmp4pg0jdjo|archive-date=15 May 2026|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Health == In March 1998, Charles had laser keyhole surgery on his right knee<ref name="health-issues">{{cite news|url=https://news.sky.com/story/kings-cancer-diagnosis-health-issues-charles-has-faced-over-the-years-13064984|title=King Charles cancer diagnosis: Health issues monarch has faced over the years|work=Sky News|date=5 February 2024|access-date=5 February 2024|archive-date=5 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205200640/https://news.sky.com/story/kings-cancer-diagnosis-health-issues-charles-has-faced-over-the-years-13064984|url-status=live}}</ref> and in March 2003, he underwent surgery at King Edward VII's Hospital to treat a hernia injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2894175.stm|title=Charles has hernia operation|work=BBC News|date=29 March 2003|access-date=22 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121133037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2894175.stm|archive-date=21 January 2024}}</ref> In 2008, a non-cancerous growth was removed from his nasal bridge.<ref name="health-issues"/>

In January 2024, Charles underwent a "corrective procedure" at the London Clinic to treat benign prostate enlargement, which resulted in the postponement of some of his public engagements.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68055575|title=King Charles in hospital for prostate treatment|work=BBC News|first=Sean|last=Coughlan|date=26 January 2024|access-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126151446/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68055575|archive-date=26 January 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In February, Buckingham Palace announced that cancer had been discovered during the treatment, but that it was not prostate cancer. Although his public duties were postponed, it was reported Charles would continue to fulfil his constitutional functions during his outpatient treatment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 2024 |title=King Charles III diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68208157 |access-date=5 February 2024 |work=BBC News|first=Sean|last=Coughlan |archive-date=5 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205180516/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68208157 |url-status=live}}</ref> He released a statement espousing his support for cancer charities and that he "remain[ed] positive" on making a full recovery.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Trapper |first1=James |title=King Charles expresses 'lifelong admiration' for cancer charities |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/10/king-charles-thanks-cancer-charities-tribute-disease |website=The Guardian |date=10 February 2024 |access-date=11 February 2024 |archive-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210223751/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/10/king-charles-thanks-cancer-charities-tribute-disease |url-status=live }}</ref> In March, Camilla deputised for him in his absence at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and at the Royal Maundy at Worcester Cathedral.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/king-charles-hails-commonwealth-misses-annual-celebrations-2024-03-11/ |title= King Charles hails Commonwealth but misses annual celebrations |work=Reuters|first=Michael|last=Holden|date=11 March 2024|access-date=11 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=ITV News|title=Queen Camilla steps in for King at Royal Maundy Service in Worcester|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2024-03-28/queen-camilla-steps-in-for-king-at-royal-maundy-service-in-worcester|date=28 March 2024|access-date=28 March 2024|archive-date=28 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328161302/https://www.itv.com/news/central/2024-03-28/queen-camilla-steps-in-for-king-at-royal-maundy-service-in-worcester|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his first major public appearance since his cancer diagnosis at the Easter service held at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 31 March.<ref>{{cite news|title=King Charles appears in public at Easter Sunday church service|work=BBC News|first1=Suzanne|last1=Leigh |first2=Charlotte|last2=Gallagher|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68700415|date=31 March 2024|access-date=31 March 2024|archive-date=31 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331002633/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68700415|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2024, it was announced that he would resume public-facing duties after making progress in his cancer treatment.<ref>{{cite news|title=King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment|work=BBC News|first=Sean|last=Coughlan|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68906421|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426232314/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68906421|date=26 April 2024|archive-date=26 April 2024|access-date=26 April 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=King Charles returns to public duties in visit to cancer treatment center|work=BBC News|first=Lauren|last=Said-Moorhouse|url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/30/uk/king-charles-cancer-center-intl-gbr-scli/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509112839/https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/30/uk/king-charles-cancer-center-intl-gbr-scli/index.html|date=30 April 2024|archive-date=9 May 2024|access-date=28 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2025, Charles was briefly admitted to hospital after experiencing temporary side effects from his cancer treatment.<ref name="Mar25-se">{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=King postpones visit after temporary side effects of ongoing cancer treatment|first1=James|first2=Sean |last1=Gregory|last2=Coughlan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vwgq24klxo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328141143/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3vwgq24klxo|date=27 March 2025|access-date=27 March 2025|archive-date=28 March 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> He subsequently postponed several planned engagements.<ref name="Mar25-se" /> In December, as part of the Stand Up to Cancer UK campaign hosted by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, he announced that his treatment schedule would be reduced the following year.<ref>{{cite news|work=BBC News|title=King says he can 'share the good news' his cancer treatment will be reduced|first=Sean|last=Coughlan|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14vvv8pnpmo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212205248/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14vvv8pnpmo|date=12 December 2025|access-date=12 December 2025|archive-date=12 December 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The King's openness about his illness, contrasting with the traditionally guarded approach of earlier monarchs, was described by the media as unprecedented and as bringing him closer to the public.<ref>{{cite news|work=AP News|title=King Charles III's openness about cancer has helped him connect with people in year after coronation|first=Danica|last=Kirka|url=https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-cancer-54f27cc73f383bd7b69e93ceddd9d538|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504043416/https://apnews.com/article/king-charles-iii-coronation-cancer-54f27cc73f383bd7b69e93ceddd9d538|date=5 May 2024|access-date=12 December 2025|archive-date=4 May 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Sky News|title=Why King Charles's openness on cancer treatment is huge step change from past|first=Rhiannon|last=Mills|url=https://news.sky.com/story/why-king-charless-openness-on-cancer-treatment-is-huge-step-change-from-past-13337274|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213045856/https://news.sky.com/story/why-king-charless-openness-on-cancer-treatment-is-huge-step-change-from-past-13337274|date=28 March 2025|access-date=12 December 2025|archive-date=13 December 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=King's cancer has changed relationship with his people|work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Hannah |last=Furness|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/12/12/king-charles-cancer-palace-public-relationship/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213003222/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2025/12/12/king-charles-cancer-palace-public-relationship/|date=12 December 2025|access-date=12 December 2025|archive-date=13 December 2025|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Diet=== As early as 1985, Charles was questioning meat consumption. In the ''1985 Royal Special'' television programme'','' he told the host, Alastair Burnet, that "I actually now don't eat as much meat as I used to. I eat more fish." He also pointed out the societal double standard whereby eating meat is not questioned but eating less meat means "all hell seems to break loose."<ref>{{Cite magazine |first1=Emma |last1=Dooney |date=6 June 2023 |title=King Charles hailed 'ahead of his time' for passionate statement on his dietary preferences |url=https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/king-charles-hailed-ahead-of-his-time-for-passionate-statement-on-his-dietary-preferences/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |magazine=Woman and Home |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704083949/https://www.womanandhome.com/life/royal-news/king-charles-hailed-ahead-of-his-time-for-passionate-statement-on-his-dietary-preferences/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Charles spoke to the BBC about the environment and revealed that, two days per week, he eats no meat nor fish and, one day per week, he eats no dairy products.<ref>{{Citation |title=Prince Charles and His Battle for Our Planet |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09y7bzx/prince-charles-and-his-battle-for-our-planet |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208105203/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09y7bzx/prince-charles-and-his-battle-for-our-planet |url-status=live |publisher=BBC World News |archive-date=8 December 2021 |mode=cs1|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |last=Garlick |first=Hattie |date=11 October 2021 |title=How to do the Prince Charles diet – and eat the perfect amount of meat and dairy |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/do-prince-charles-diet-eat-perfect-amount-meat-dairy |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 December 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/do-prince-charles-diet-eat-perfect-amount-meat-dairy |archive-date=10 January 2022 |issn=}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2022, it was reported that he eats a breakfast of fruit salad, seeds, and tea. He does not eat lunch, but takes a break for tea at 5:00 pm and eats dinner at 8:30 pm, returning to work until midnight or later.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=White |first1=Stephen |last2=Tetzlaff-Deas |first2=Benedict |last3=Munday |first3=David |date=12 September 2022 |title=King Charles doesn't eat lunch and works until midnight |url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/celebs-tv/king-charles-iii-doesnt-eat-7574575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005081348/https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/celebs-tv/king-charles-iii-doesnt-eat-7574575 |archive-date=5 October 2022 |access-date=5 October 2022 |work= The Cornishman}}</ref> Ahead of Christmas dinner in 2022, Charles confirmed to the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals that foie gras would not be served at any royal residences; he had stopped the use of foie gras at his own properties for more than a decade before becoming king.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 November 2022 |title=King Charles: Foie gras banned at royal residences |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63676759 |url-status=live |access-date=15 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215104430/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63676759 |archive-date=15 December 2022}}</ref> During a September 2023 state banquet at the Palace of Versailles, it was reported that he did not want foie gras or out-of-season asparagus on the menu. Instead, he was served lobster.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Burchfield |first=Rachel |date=20 September 2023 |title=King Charles Has "A Strict List of Culinary Demands" for Banquet Tonight at Palace of Versailles During State Visit to France |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/king-charles-culinary-demands-france/ |access-date=22 October 2023 |magazine=Marie Claire |archive-date=29 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029173849/https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/royals/king-charles-culinary-demands-france/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Charity work == Since founding the Prince's Trust in 1976, using his £7,500 of severance pay from the Royal Navy,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Smout |first1=Alistair |last2=Mills |first2=Sarah |last3=Gumuchian |first3=Marie-louise |date=16 September 2022 |title=With Charles king, his Prince's Trust youth charity goes on |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/with-charles-king-his-princes-trust-youth-charity-goes-2022-09-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126225815/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/with-charles-king-his-princes-trust-youth-charity-goes-2022-09-16 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=Reuters}}</ref> Charles has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as president of each.<ref name="Charities">{{Cite web |title=The Prince's Charities |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/atwork/theprincescharities |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926171824/http://princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/atwork/theprincescharities |archive-date=26 September 2010 |access-date=16 October 2012 |publisher=Clarence House}}</ref><ref name=nytimes-charlesgothrone-sept82022/> Together they form a loose alliance, the Prince's Charities, which describes itself as "the largest multi-cause charitable enterprise in the United Kingdom, raising more than £100 million annually ... [and is] active across a broad range of areas including education and young people, environmental sustainability, the built environment, responsible business and enterprise, and international".<ref name=Charities/> King Charles III Charitable Fund has donated over £73 million to various causes since 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/kings-charity-donate-ps195m-good-causes|title=King's Charity to donate £1.95M to good causes|work=The Wildlife Trust|date=31 January 2023 |accessdate=31 January 2023}}</ref> By September 2020 the Prince's Trust had supported over 1,000,000 young people and created 125,000 entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite web |last1= Ward |first1=Victoria |date=10 November 2023 |title= Prince's Trust rebranded to avoid 'confusion' with William's charities |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/11/10/princes-trust-renamed-king-charles-confusion-prince-william/ |access-date=16 May 2025 |work= The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Callander |first=Rebecca Burn |title=Prince's pride as charities inspire 125,000 to start their own business |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/10293727/Princes-pride-as-charities-inspire-125000-to-start-their-own-business.html |access-date=14 September 2013 |work=The Sunday Telegraph |date=7 September 2013 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225135000/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/yourbusiness/10293727/Princes-pride-as-charities-inspire-125000-to-start-their-own-business.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As Prince of Wales, Charles became patron or president of more than 800 other charities and organisations.<ref name="coronation-facts"/> He received a Gold Blue Peter badge in 2023 for his environmental work and for his support of young people through the Prince's Trust.<ref>{{cite news |date=26 April 2023 |title=King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla awarded gold Blue Peter badges |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/65400373 |access-date=22 April 2026 |work=BBC Newsround}}</ref>

The Prince's Charities Canada was established in 2010, in a similar fashion to its namesake in Britain.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mackreal |first=Kim |date=18 May 2012 |title=Prince Charles rallies top-level support for his Canadian causes |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prince-charles-rallies-top-level-support-for-his-canadian-causes/article2437881 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520170839/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prince-charles-rallies-top-level-support-for-his-canadian-causes/article2437881 |archive-date=20 May 2012}}</ref> Charles uses his tours of Canada as a way to help to draw attention to youth, the disabled, the environment, the arts, medicine, the elderly, heritage conservation and education.<ref name="charles-canada-visit">{{Cite web |work=Department of Canadian Heritage |title=His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales |url=http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/special/royalvisit/biography.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080922153922/http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/special/royalvisit/biography.htm |archive-date=22 September 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Government of Canada}}</ref> He has also set up the Prince's Charities Australia, based in Melbourne, to provide a co-ordinating presence for his Australian and international charitable endeavours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Contact Us |url=http://www.princescharitiesaustralia.org.au/contact-us |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809232135/http://www.princescharitiesaustralia.org.au/contact-us |archive-date=9 August 2014 |access-date=22 January 2013 |publisher=The Prince's Charities Australia}}</ref> [[File:Charles (17292383035).jpg|thumb|right|upright=1|With Camilla visiting the African American Heritage Center in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, March 2015]]

Charles has supported humanitarian projects; for example, he has been known to donate his blood to raise awareness for health causes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garcia |first=Guy D. |title=People: Mar. 18, 1985 |url=https://time.com/archive/6708227/people-mar-18-1985/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250524005129/https://time.com/archive/6708227/people-mar-18-1985/ |archive-date=24 May 2025 |access-date=19 February 2026 |work=TIME |language=en}}</ref>. Charles and his sons took part in ceremonies that marked the 1998 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.<ref name="charles-canada-visit" /> Charles expressed strong concerns about the human rights record of the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.{{Sfn|Dimbleby|p=250|1994}} After Ceaușescu was deposed, he supported the FARA Foundation,<ref name=PoWsite/> a charity for Romanian orphans and abandoned children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome |url=http://www.faracharity.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101012011936/http://faracharity.org |archive-date=12 October 2010 |access-date=25 September 2012 |publisher=FARA Enterprises}}</ref> Charles has also supported humanitarian causes in Israel, including a private donation to the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chemla |first1=Sarah |title=Prince Charles makes a donation to Israel's Peres Center |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/prince-charles-makes-a-donation-to-israels-peres-centre-648742 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111205722/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/prince-charles-makes-a-donation-to-israels-peres-centre-648742 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=21 June 2025 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=11 November 2020}}</ref>

=== Investigations of donations === {{Main|The King's Foundation#Cash for honours allegations and other donations|King Charles III Charitable Fund#Qatari donations}}

Two of Charles's charities, the Prince's Foundation and the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund (later renamed the King's Foundation and King Charles III Charitable Fund), came under scrutiny in 2021 and 2022 for accepting donations many in the media deemed inappropriate. In August 2021 it was announced that the Prince's Foundation was launching an investigation into the reports,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |date=29 August 2021 |title=Prince of Wales charity launches inquiry into 'cash for access' claims |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/29/prince-of-wales-charity-princes-foundation-launches-inquiry-into-cash-for-access-claims |url-status=live |access-date=30 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829150826/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/29/prince-of-wales-charity-princes-foundation-launches-inquiry-into-cash-for-access-claims |archive-date=29 August 2021}}</ref> with Charles's support.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Foster |first1=Max |last2=Said-Moorhouse |first2=Lauren |date=6 September 2021 |title=Former aide to Prince Charles steps down over cash-for-honors scandal |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/uk/prince-charles-aide-michael-fawcett-intl-gbr/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907032152/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/uk/prince-charles-aide-michael-fawcett-intl-gbr/index.html |archive-date=7 September 2021}}</ref> The Charity Commission also launched an investigation into allegations that the donations meant for the Prince's Foundation had been instead sent to the Mahfouz Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Patrick |date=18 November 2021 |title=Inquiry into foundation linked to Prince of Wales launched |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/18/inquiry-into-foundation-linked-to-prince-of-wales-launched |url-status=live |access-date=18 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118125504/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/18/inquiry-into-foundation-linked-to-prince-of-wales-launched |archive-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> In February 2022, the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the cash-for-honours allegations linked to the foundation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montebello |first=Leah |date=16 February 2022 |title=Breaking: Met Police investigate cash-for-honours allegations against Prince Charles' charity |url=https://www.cityam.com/breaking-met-police-investigate-cash-for-honours-allegations-against-prince-charles-charity |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216143136/https://www.cityam.com/breaking-met-police-investigate-cash-for-honours-allegations-against-prince-charles-charity |archive-date=16 February 2022 |access-date=16 February 2022 |publisher=City A.M.|postscript=;}} {{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Mary |date=16 February 2022 |title=Police to investigate Prince Charles' charity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60404077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216223956/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60404077 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |access-date=17 February 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref> passing their evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for deliberation in October.<ref name="timesnov22">{{Cite news |last1=Gadher |first1=Dipesh |last2=Gabriel Pogrund |last3=Megan Agnew |date=19 November 2022 |title=Cash-for-honours police pass file on King's aide Michael Fawcett to prosecutors |work=The Sunday Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/cash-for-honours-police-pass-file-on-kings-aide-michael-fawcett-to-prosecutors-hmmb3wmf0 |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328182402/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cash-for-honours-police-pass-file-on-kings-aide-michael-fawcett-to-prosecutors-hmmb3wmf0 |archive-date=28 March 2023}}</ref> In August 2023 the Metropolitan Police announced that they had concluded their investigations and no further action would be taken.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/08/21/michael-fawcett-police-alleged-cbe-honour-saudi-donor/|title=Cash-for-honours investigation into King Charles's charity dropped|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=21 August 2023|accessdate=21 August 2023|archive-date=21 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821114245/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2023/08/21/michael-fawcett-police-alleged-cbe-honour-saudi-donor/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''The Times'' reported in June 2022 that, between 2011 and 2015, Charles accepted €3 million in cash from the Prime Minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.<ref name="charlestimes">{{Cite news |last1=Pogrund |first1=Gabriel |last2=Keidan |first2=Charles |last3=Faulkner |first3=Katherine |date=25 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles accepted €1m cash in suitcase from sheikh |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/charles-accepted-1m-cash-in-suitcase-from-sheikh-j2pgnfsgx |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625171348/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charles-accepted-1m-cash-in-suitcase-from-sheikh-j2pgnfsgx |archive-date=25 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="guardiancharles">{{Cite news |last=Connett |first=David |date=25 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles is said to have been given €3m in Qatari cash |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/25/prince-charles-is-said-to-have-been-given-3m-in-qatari-cash |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625222114/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/25/prince-charles-is-said-to-have-been-given-3m-in-qatari-cash |archive-date=25 June 2022}}</ref> There was no evidence that the payments were illegal or that it was not intended for the money to go to the charity,<ref name=guardiancharles/> although the Charity Commission stated it would review the information<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles: Charity watchdog reviewing information over reports royal accepted carrier bag full of cash as a charity donation from Qatar ex-PM |url=https://news.sky.com/story/prince-charles-charity-watchdog-reviewing-information-over-reports-royal-accepted-carrier-bag-full-of-cash-as-a-charity-donation-from-qatar-ex-pm-12640980 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627103929/https://news.sky.com/story/prince-charles-charity-watchdog-reviewing-information-over-reports-royal-accepted-carrier-bag-full-of-cash-as-a-charity-donation-from-qatar-ex-pm-12640980 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=Sky News}}</ref> and announced in July 2022 that there would be no further investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coughlan |first=Sean |date=20 July 2022 |title=Prince Charles: No inquiry into £2.5m cash donation to his charity |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62011791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720223151/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-62011791 |archive-date=20 July 2022 |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref> In the same month, ''The Times'' reported that the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund received a donation of £1 million from Bakr bin Laden and Shafiq bin Laden{{snd}}both half-brothers of Osama bin Laden{{snd}}during a private meeting in 2013.<ref name="Times-Bin-Laden">{{Cite news |last1=Pogrund |first1=Gabriel |last2=Charles Keidan |date=30 July 2022 |title=Prince Charles accepted £1m from family of Osama bin Laden |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/prince-charles-accepted-1m-from-family-of-osama-bin-laden-7pd55sgn6 |url-status=live |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730173254/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prince-charles-accepted-1m-from-family-of-osama-bin-laden-7pd55sgn6 |archive-date=30 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-Bin-Laden">{{Cite news |date=13 October 2001 |title=Prince Charles dined with Bin Laden's brother |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/13/monarchy.afghanistan |url-status=live |access-date=30 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730183519/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/oct/13/monarchy.afghanistan |archive-date=30 July 2022 |quote="The Prince of Wales had dinner with a brother of Osama bin Laden two weeks after the September 11th attacks, St James' Palace said today."}}</ref> The Charity Commission described the decision to accept donations as a "matter for trustees" and added that no investigation was required.<ref name="Telegraph-Bin-Laden">{{Cite web |last=Furness |first=Hannah |date=1 August 2022 |title=Prince Charles's charity won't be investigated for accepting bin Laden family £1m donation |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/08/01/prince-charless-charity-wont-investigated-accepting-bin-laden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801173816/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/08/01/prince-charless-charity-wont-investigated-accepting-bin-laden |archive-date=1 August 2022 |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

== Personal interests == [[File:Realms Lunch Coronation Event (52872265396).jpg|thumb|Charles with governors-general David Hurley of Australia, Mary Simon of Canada and Cindy Kiro of New Zealand during a reception at Buckingham Palace, May 2023|alt=Charles, Hurley, Simon and Kiro, all dressed formally and engaged in conversation in a lavish room with ornate decor.]] From young adulthood, Charles encouraged the understanding of Indigenous voices, saying they held crucial messages about preservation of the land, respecting community and shared values, resolving conflict, and recognising and making good on past iniquities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=John |date=26 April 2023 |title=What the reign of King Charles III means for Canada |url=https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/a-new-era |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427054936/https://canadiangeographic.ca/articles/a-new-era |archive-date=27 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |magazine=Canadian Geographic}}</ref> He dovetailed this view with his efforts against climate change,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dulcie |first=Lee |date=20 May 2022 |title=Prince Charles: We must learn from indigenous people on climate change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61517750 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429165148/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61517750 |archive-date=29 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |work=BBC News}}</ref> as well as reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and his charitable work in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2022 |title=Prince Charles commits to 'listening' to Indigenous peoples as Canadian royal tour begins |url=https://globalnews.ca/video/8842597/prince-charles-commits-to-listening-to-indigenous-peoples-as-canadian-royal-tour-begins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429165149/https://globalnews.ca/video/8842597/prince-charles-commits-to-listening-to-indigenous-peoples-as-canadian-royal-tour-begins |archive-date=29 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |publisher=Global News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katawazi |first=Miriam |date=27 June 2017 |title=Prince Charles's charities work to undo past wrongs against Indigenous people through reconciliation |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canada-150/prince-charles-canada-150-charity-indigenous/article35476084 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429165148/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canada-150/prince-charles-canada-150-charity-indigenous/article35476084 |archive-date=29 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |newspaper=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> At the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Charles, who was representing his mother, raised that reconciliation process as an example for dealing with the history of slavery in the British Empire,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brewster |first=Murray |author-link=Murray Brewster |date=24 June 2022 |title=Commonwealth countries could learn from Canada's reconciliation efforts, Prince Charles says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/commonwealth-indigenous-reconcilliation-1.6500076 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429165149/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/commonwealth-indigenous-reconcilliation-1.6500076 |archive-date=29 April 2023 |access-date=29 April 2023 |work=CBC News}}</ref> for which he expressed his sorrow.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles tells Commonwealth of sorrow over slavery |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61919514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624033738/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61919514 |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=29 April 2023 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>

Letters sent by Charles to British government ministers in 2004 and 2005 expressing his concerns over various policy issues{{snd}}known as the black spider memos{{snd}}presented potential embarrassment following a challenge by ''The Guardian'' to release the letters under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In March 2015 the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom decided that Charles's letters must be released.<ref name="Guardian20150326">{{Cite news |last=Evans |first=Rob |date=26 March 2015 |title=Supreme court clears way for release of secret Prince Charles letters |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/26/supreme-court-clears-way-release-secret-prince-charles-letters-black-spider-memos |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327040226/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/26/supreme-court-clears-way-release-secret-prince-charles-letters-black-spider-memos |archive-date=27 March 2015}}</ref> The Cabinet Office published the letters in May that year.<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Independent|title=Prince Charles' 'black spider' memos: What are they and what impact will their publication have?|first=Loulla-Mae|last=Eleftheriou-Smith|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-black-spider-memos-what-are-they-and-what-impact-will-their-publication-have-a64441.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220910034527/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-black-spider-memos-what-are-they-and-what-impact-will-their-publication-have-a64441.html|date=13 May 2015|archive-date=10 September 2022|access-date=29 May 2024|url-status=live}}; {{Cite news |title=Prince Charles's black spider memos in 60 seconds |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/11603875/Prince-Charless-black-spider-memos-in-60-seconds.html |url-status=dead |access-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516011756/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/11603875/Prince-Charless-black-spider-memos-in-60-seconds.html |archive-date=16 May 2015}}</ref> The reaction was largely supportive of Charles, with little criticism of him;<ref name="post">{{Cite news |date=14 May 2015 |title=Prince Charles, the toothfish and the toothless 'black spider' letters|author-first1=Fred|author-last1=Barbash|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/05/14/prince-charles-and-the-disappointing-black-spider-letters |url-status=live |access-date=23 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/05/14/prince-charles-and-the-disappointing-black-spider-letters |archive-date=6 April 2018}}</ref> the press variously described the memos as "underwhelming"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spector |first=Dina |date=13 May 2015 |title=There are 3 reasons why Britain might be completely underwhelmed by Prince Charles' black spider memos |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/prince-charles-black-spider-memos-may-be-disappointing-2015-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423054457/https://www.businessinsider.com/prince-charles-black-spider-memos-may-be-disappointing-2015-5 |archive-date=23 April 2019 |access-date=23 May 2015 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> and "harmless",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jenkins |first=Simon |date=13 May 2015 |title=The black spider memos: a royal sigh of woe at a world gone to the dogs |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/13/black-spider-memos-prince-charles |url-status=live |access-date=23 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614172232/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/may/13/black-spider-memos-prince-charles |archive-date=14 June 2018}}</ref> and concluded that their release had "backfired on those who seek to belittle him".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Andrew |date=13 May 2015 |title=All the 'black spider memos' expose is the passion and dignity of Prince Charles |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/11604099/All-the-black-spider-memos-expose-is-the-passion-and-dignity-of-Prince-Charles.html |url-status=live |access-date=23 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515233332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/11604099/All-the-black-spider-memos-expose-is-the-passion-and-dignity-of-Prince-Charles.html |archive-date=15 May 2015}}</ref> It was revealed in the same year that Charles had access to confidential Cabinet papers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=15 December 2015 |title=Revealed: Prince Charles has received confidential cabinet papers for decades |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/15/revealed-prince-charles-has-received-confidential-cabinet-papers-for-decades |url-status=live |access-date=22 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170110031007/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/15/revealed-prince-charles-has-received-confidential-cabinet-papers-for-decades |archive-date=10 January 2017}}</ref>

In October 2020, a letter sent by Charles to the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, after Kerr's dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in 1975, was released as part of the collection of palace letters regarding the Australian constitutional crisis.<ref name="Guardian-Oct2020">{{Cite web |last=Boseley |first=Matilda |date=24 October 2020 |title=Prince Charles's letter to John Kerr reportedly endorsing sacking of Whitlam condemned |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/oct/24/prince-charless-letter-to-john-kerr-reportedly-endorsing-sacking-of-whitlam-condemned |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213022243/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/oct/24/prince-charless-letter-to-john-kerr-reportedly-endorsing-sacking-of-whitlam-condemned |archive-date=13 February 2022 |access-date=12 February 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> In the letter, Charles was supportive of Kerr's decision, writing that what Kerr "did last year was right and the courageous thing to do".<ref name=Guardian-Oct2020/> [[File:Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends CHOGM 2022 (52169710654).jpg|thumb|With Boris Johnson at the 2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda|alt=Charles standing next to Johnson with the flag of the Commonwealth of Nations behind them]] ''The Times'' reported in June 2022 that Charles had privately described the British government's Rwanda asylum plan as "appalling" and he feared that it would overshadow the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda that same month.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Dathan |first1=Matt |last2=Low |first2=Valentine |date=10 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles: Flying migrants to Rwanda is 'appalling' |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/prince-charles-flying-migrants-to-rwanda-is-appalling-l6jzklfhm |access-date=11 June 2022 |archive-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709030718/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/prince-charles-flying-migrants-to-rwanda-is-appalling-l6jzklfhm |url-status=live|url-access=subscription |postscript=;}} {{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Harry|date=10 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles criticises 'appalling' Rwanda migrant scheme – reports|work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/10/prince-charles-criticises-appalling-rwanda-scheme-reports|access-date=28 May 2024|archive-date=20 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520114336/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jun/10/prince-charles-criticises-appalling-rwanda-scheme-reports|url-status=live|postscript=;}} {{Cite news|date=11 June 2022 |title=Rwanda deportation plan: Prince Charles 'says policy is appalling' as court rules first asylum seekers can be sent away |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rwanda-deportation-plan-prince-charles-says-policy-is-appalling-as-court-rules-first-asylum-seekers-can-be-sent-away-12631489 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611000307/https://news.sky.com/story/rwanda-deportation-plan-prince-charles-says-policy-is-appalling-as-court-rules-first-asylum-seekers-can-be-sent-away-12631489 |archive-date=11 June 2022 |access-date=11 June 2022 |work=Sky News}}</ref> It was later claimed that Cabinet ministers had warned Charles to avoid making political comments, as they feared a constitutional crisis could arise if he continued to make such statements once he became King.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Wheeler |first1=Caroline |last2=Shipman |first2=Tim |last3=Nikkah |first3=Roya |date=12 June 2022 |title=Charles won't be Prince Charming if he keeps on meddling, say ministers |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/charles-wont-be-prince-charming-if-he-keeps-on-meddling-say-ministers-bnz0n00bs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702225054/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charles-wont-be-prince-charming-if-he-keeps-on-meddling-say-ministers-bnz0n00bs |archive-date=2 July 2022 |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=The Times|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Coughlan |first=Sean |date=18 June 2022 |title=Prince Charles faces awkward trip after Rwanda row|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61808445|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523025823/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61808445|archive-date=23 May 2023|access-date=28 May 2024 |work=BBC News|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Built environment === Charles has openly expressed his views on architecture and urban planning; he fostered the advancement of New Classical architecture and asserted that he "care[s] deeply about issues such as the environment, architecture, inner-city renewal, and the quality of life."<ref name="planetizen">{{Cite web |date=13 September 2009 |title=Charles, Prince of Wales |url=http://www.planetizen.com/topthinkers/charles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316103521/http://www.planetizen.com/topthinkers/charles |archive-date=16 March 2012 |access-date=31 March 2012 |publisher=Planetizen}}</ref> In a speech given for the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects in May 1984, he described a proposed extension to the National Gallery in London as a "monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved friend" and deplored the "glass stumps and concrete towers" of modern architecture.<ref name="RIBA speech">{{Cite web |date=30 May 1984 |title=A speech by HRH The Prince of Wales at the 150th anniversary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Gala Evening at Hampton Court Palace |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speechesandarticles/a_speech_by_hrh_the_prince_of_wales_at_the_150th_anniversary_1876801621.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213205/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/speechesandarticles/a_speech_by_hrh_the_prince_of_wales_at_the_150th_anniversary_1876801621.html |archive-date=27 September 2007 |access-date=17 June 2012 |website=Prince of Wales}}</ref> Charles called for local community involvement in architectural choices and asked, "why has everything got to be vertical, straight, unbending, only at right angles{{snd}}and functional?"<ref name="RIBA speech"/> Charles has "a deep understanding of Islamic art and architecture", according to the Oxford professor Mohammed Talib,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Azeem |date=12 September 2022 |title=King Charles likely to be a friend of the Middle East |url=https://arab.news/zcz97 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231210202858/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2161106 |archive-date=10 December 2023 |access-date=2 March 2026 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> and has been involved in the construction of a building and garden at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies that combine Islamic and Oxford architectural styles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=HM King Charles III continues as the Patron of the Centre |url=https://www.oxcis.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-11/Special%20Issue%20HM%20King%20Charles%20III.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260302235034/https://www.oxcis.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-11/Special%20Issue%20HM%20King%20Charles%20III.pdf |archive-date=2 March 2026 |access-date=2 March 2026 |publisher=Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies}}</ref> [[File:SFU Urban Studies - Prince Charles (4844489710).jpg|thumb|Charles meets urban planning students from Simon Fraser University attending the INTBAU summer program, an architectural nonprofit supported by The Prince's Trust, July 2010|alt=Charles, wearing a suit, stands with a group of eight people casually dressed, smiling on a grassy field. Trees are visible in the background.]] In Charles's 1989 book ''A Vision of Britain'', and in speeches and essays, he has been critical of modern architecture, arguing that traditional designs and methods should guide contemporary ones.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capps |first=Kriston |date=9 September 2022 |title=King Charles III, City Maker |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-09/king-charles-iii-was-once-a-prince-with-a-passion-for-urban-planning |access-date=19 May 2023 |website=Bloomberg |archive-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516070348/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-09/king-charles-iii-was-once-a-prince-with-a-passion-for-urban-planning |url-status=live }}</ref> He has continued to campaign for traditional urbanism, human scale, restoration of historic buildings, and sustainable design<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Prince of Wales Accepts Vincent Scully Prize |work=artdaily.com |url=http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=15419&int_modo=1 |url-status=live |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523221124/http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=15419&int_modo=1 |archive-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> despite criticism in the press.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harper |first=Phineas |date=21 September 2022 |title=King Charles's endless meddling in architectural politics has accomplished nothing |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/21/king-charles-architectural-politics-prince-profit-poundbury-paisley-perspectives |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020104323/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/sep/21/king-charles-architectural-politics-prince-profit-poundbury-paisley-perspectives |archive-date=20 October 2022}}</ref> Two of his charities{{snd}}the Prince's Regeneration Trust and the Prince's Foundation for Building Community, which were later merged into one charity{{snd}}promote his views. The village of Poundbury was built on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall to a master plan by Léon Krier, under the guidance of Charles and in line with his philosophy.<ref name=planetizen/> In 2013 developments for the suburb of Nansledan began on the estate of the Duchy of Cornwall with Charles's endorsement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Hugh |date=30 June 2019 |title=Exclusive: Prince Charles, the new Poundbury and his manifesto to solve the housing crisis |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/exclusive-prince-charles-the-new-poundbury-and-his-manifesto-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-6v57bz09m |url-access=subscription |access-date=22 June 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806144113/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/exclusive-prince-charles-the-new-poundbury-and-his-manifesto-to-solve-the-housing-crisis-6v57bz09m |url-status=live }}</ref> Charles helped purchase Dumfries House and its complete collection of 18th century furnishings in 2007, taking a £20 million loan from his charitable trust to contribute towards the £45 million cost.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |date=28 June 2007 |title=Charles saves Dumfries House at 11th hour |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1555879/Charles-saves-Dumfries-House-at-11th-hour.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613032918/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1555879/Charles-saves-Dumfries-House-at-11th-hour.html |archive-date=13 June 2008}}</ref> The house and gardens remain property of the Prince's Foundation and serve as a museum and community and skills training centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foyle |first=Johnathan |date=27 June 2014 |title=Dumfries House: training the unemployed |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8e7fbb8a-f7c9-11e3-90fa-00144feabdc0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213123428/https://www.ft.com/content/8e7fbb8a-f7c9-11e3-90fa-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=4 May 2023 |newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2017 |title=Prince Charles to build wellbeing centre at Dumfries House |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/prince-charles-build-wellbeing-centre-dumfries-house-1444993 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007062410/https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/prince-charles-build-wellbeing-centre-dumfries-house-1444993 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |access-date=4 May 2023 |newspaper=The Scotsman}}</ref> This led to the development of Knockroon, called the "Scottish Poundbury".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freyberg |first=Annabel |date=27 May 2011 |title=Dumfries House: a Sleeping Beauty brought back to life by the Prince of Wales |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/8533968/Dumfries-House-a-Sleeping-Beauty-brought-back-to-life-by-the-Prince-of-Wales.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530002701/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/8533968/Dumfries-House-a-Sleeping-Beauty-brought-back-to-life-by-the-Prince-of-Wales.html |archive-date=30 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marrs |first=Colin |date=16 September 2016 |title=Prince Charles's stalled 'Scottish Poundbury' under scrutiny |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/prince-charless-stalled-scottish-poundbury-under-scrutiny |access-date=4 May 2023 |magazine=Architect's Journal |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206083826/https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/prince-charless-stalled-scottish-poundbury-under-scrutiny |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2025, it was reported that the design of a new generation of British towns would incorporate Charles's architectural ideas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Richard Vaughan, Richard |date=2025-09-25 |title=Next generation of Britain's new towns to be unveiled in days - based on King's Poundbury |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/next-generation-britains-towns-kings-poundbury-3939191 |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=The i Paper |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-27 |title=How the King’s vision is shaping next wave of new towns |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c179z9z1lxwo |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

After lamenting in 1996 the unbridled destruction of many of Canada's historic urban cores, Charles offered his assistance to the Department of Canadian Heritage in creating a trust modelled on Britain's National Trust, a plan that was implemented with the passage of the federal budget in 2007.<ref>{{Cite book |series=Department of Finance |url=http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/pdf/bp2007e.pdf |title=The Budget Plan 2007: Aspire to a Stronger, Safer, Better Canada |date=19 March 2007 |publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada |page=99 |access-date=1 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612210045/http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/pdf/bp2007e.pdf |archive-date=12 June 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1999 Charles agreed to the use of his title for the Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership, awarded by the National Trust for Canada to municipal governments that have committed to the conservation of historic places.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heritage Services |url=http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/services/winners.html#pow |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914170352/http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/services/winners.html |archive-date=14 September 2008 |access-date=12 October 2008 |publisher=Heritage Canada Foundation}}</ref> [[File:Scully 05 Prince Charles Prince Charles & Vincent Scully.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Charles accepts the 2005 Vincent Scully Prize from Vincent Scully|alt=Charles warmly shake hands on stage with Scully, with a red curtain backdrop. A gold table in front holds a glass award and a floral arrangement.]] Whilst visiting the US and surveying the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, Charles received the National Building Museum's Vincent Scully Prize in 2005 for his efforts in regard to architecture; he donated US$25,000 of the prize money towards restoring storm-damaged communities.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hales |first=Linda |date=26 October 2005 |title=Prince Charles to Accept Scully Prize at Building Museum |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/25/AR2005102501514.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305002651/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/25/AR2005102501514.html |archive-date=5 March 2016|postscript=;}} {{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales Accepts Vincent Scully Prize |url=http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=15419&int_modo=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523221124/http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=11&int_new=15419&int_modo=1 |archive-date=23 May 2013 |access-date=19 April 2013 |publisher=artdaily.com}}</ref> For his work as patron of New Classical architecture, Charles was awarded the 2012 Driehaus Architecture Prize from the University of Notre Dame.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 February 2012 |title=Prince Charles honored for his architectural patronage |url=https://news.nd.edu/news/prince-charles-honored-for-his-architectural-patronage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824124603/https://news.nd.edu/news/prince-charles-honored-for-his-architectural-patronage |archive-date=24 August 2020 |access-date=4 October 2017 |publisher=Notre Dame News}}</ref> The Worshipful Company of Carpenters installed Charles as an Honorary Liveryman "in recognition of his interest in London's architecture."<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk/pages/about_us/default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717001302/http://www.thecarpenterscompany.co.uk/pages/about_us/default.aspx |archive-date=17 July 2012 |access-date=17 June 2012 |website=Carpenters' Company website}}</ref>

Charles has occasionally intervened in projects that employ architectural styles such as modernism and functionalism.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2009 |title=Prince Charles Faces Opponents, Slams Modern Architecture |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601117&sid=aZWgmQ.WDjtM |access-date=20 June 2009 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. }}</ref><ref name="ArchCon14">{{Cite web |date=11 May 2009 |title=Architects urge boycott of Prince Charles speech |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna30686547 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102172302/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/30686547 |archive-date=2 January 2014 |access-date=20 June 2009 |website=NBC News|postscript=;}} {{Cite news |date=12 May 2009 |title=Architects to hear Prince appeal |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8045027.stm |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202111706/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8045027.stm |archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref> In 2009 he wrote to the Qatari royal family{{snd}}the financier of the redevelopment of the Chelsea Barracks site{{snd}}labelling Lord Rogers's design for the site "unsuitable". Rogers claimed that Charles had also intervened to block his designs for the Royal Opera House and Paternoster Square.<ref name="ArchCon2">{{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=15 June 2009 |title=Prince Charles's meddling in planning 'unconstitutional', says Richard Rogers |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jun/15/prince-charles-richard-rogers-architecture |url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224162932/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jun/15/prince-charles-richard-rogers-architecture |archive-date=24 December 2013}}</ref> CPC Group, the project developer, took a case against Qatari Diar to the High Court.<ref name="BBC-CPC group">{{Cite web |date=24 July 2010 |title=Chelsea Barracks developer apologises to Prince Charles |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-10750914 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626081117/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-10750914 |archive-date=26 June 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref> After the suit was settled, the CPC Group apologised to Charles "for any offence caused{{nbsp}}... during the course of the proceedings".<ref name="BBC-CPC group"/>

=== Natural environment === Since the 1970s, Charles has promoted environmental awareness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2007 |title=Prince Charles honored with HMS's Global Environmental Citizen Award |url=https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/02/prince-charles-honored-with-hmss-global-environmental-citizen-award |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310231535/https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2007/02/prince-charles-honored-with-hmss-global-environmental-citizen-award |archive-date=10 March 2021 |access-date=11 October 2021 |website=The Harvard Gazette}}</ref> At the age of 21 he delivered his first speech on environmental issues in his capacity as the chairman of the Welsh Countryside Committee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Valentine |date=19 February 2020 |title=No one is calling my fears over the climate dotty now, says Prince Charles |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/no-one-is-calling-my-fears-over-the-climate-dotty-now-says-prince-charles-kslhjxj7x |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808225104/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-one-is-calling-my-fears-over-the-climate-dotty-now-says-prince-charles-kslhjxj7x |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=The Times}}</ref> Charles was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential climate leaders of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Simmone |date=30 October 2025 |title=King Charles III: The 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders of 2025 |url=https://time.com/collections/time-100-climate-2025/7326570/king-charles-iii/ |access-date=30 October 2025 |website=Time Magazine}}</ref> An avid gardener, Charles has also emphasised the importance of talking to plants, stating that "I happily talk to the plants and trees, and listen to them. I think it's absolutely crucial".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferran |first=Lee |date=20 September 2010 |title=Prince Charles Eavesdrops on Tourists, Speaks to Plants |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/prince-charles-eavesdrops-tourists-speaks-plants/story?id=11679656 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601013004/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/prince-charles-eavesdrops-tourists-speaks-plants/story?id=11679656 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022 |website=ABC News}}</ref> His interest in gardening began in 1980 when he took over the Highgrove estate.<ref name="Guardian-garden">{{Cite web |last=Vidal |first=John |date=15 May 2002 |title=Charles designs 'healing garden' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/16/monarchy.johnvidal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215204436/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/16/monarchy.johnvidal |archive-date=15 December 2022 |access-date=15 December 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> His "healing garden", based on sacred geometry and ancient religious symbolism, went on display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2002.<ref name="Guardian-garden"/> [[File:PoW & DoC visiting the Hackney City Farm 08.jpg|thumb|With Camilla visiting Hackney City Farm in East London, May 2009]] Upon moving into Highgrove House, Charles developed an interest in organic farming, which culminated in the 1990 launch of his own organic brand, Duchy Originals,<ref name="duchyoriginals">{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=http://www.duchyoriginals.com/our_story.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005065906/http://www.duchyoriginals.com/our_story.php |archive-date=5 October 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 |publisher=Duchyoriginals.com}}</ref> which sells more than 200 different sustainably produced products; the profits (more than £6 million by 2010) are donated to the Prince's Charities.<ref name="duchyoriginals"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rainey |first=Sarah |date=12 November 2013 |title=Why Prince Charles's Duchy Originals takes the biscuit |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10433884/Why-Prince-Charless-Duchy-Originals-takes-the-biscuit.html |url-status=live |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401092056/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10433884/Why-Prince-Charless-Duchy-Originals-takes-the-biscuit.html |archive-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> Charles became involved with farming and various industries within it, regularly meeting with farmers to discuss their trade. A prominent critic of the practice,<ref>Spandenburg and Moser 2004, p. 32</ref> Charles has also spoken against the use of genetically modified crops, and in a letter to Tony Blair in 1998 he criticised the development of genetically modified foods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Martin |date=23 January 2019 |title=Prince Charles warned Tony Blair against GM foods |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46844454 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510230259/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46844454 |archive-date=10 May 2022 |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

The Sustainable Markets Initiative{{snd}}a project that encourages putting sustainability at the centre of all activities{{snd}}was launched by Charles at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos in January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Joe |date=22 January 2020 |title=This member of the British Royal Family has a vital message if we are to save the planet |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/prince-charles-the-crucial-lesson-we-have-to-learn-from-the-climate-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102060214/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/prince-charles-the-crucial-lesson-we-have-to-learn-from-the-climate-crisis |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021 |website=World Economic Forum}}</ref> In May of the same year, the initiative and the World Economic Forum initiated the Great Reset project, a five-point plan concerned with enhancing sustainable economic growth following the global recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Inman |first=Phillip |date=3 June 2020 |title=Pandemic is chance to reset global economy, says Prince Charles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/03/pandemic-is-chance-to-reset-global-economy-says-prince-charles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117152600/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/03/pandemic-is-chance-to-reset-global-economy-says-prince-charles |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=3 June 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

The holy chrism oil used at Charles's coronation was vegan, made from oils of olive, sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli and benzoin, along with amber and orange blossom. His mother's chrism oil contained animal-based oils.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 March 2023 |title=Holy oil to be used to anoint King during Coronation is vegan friendly |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/alice-jerusalem-mother-church-of-england-victoria-b2294169.html|author-first1=Ted|author-last1=Hennessey|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328152131/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/alice-jerusalem-mother-church-of-england-victoria-b2294169.html|archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=28 March 2023 |website=The Independent (UK)}}</ref> [[File:World Leaders' Summit Opening Ceremony (51648056699).jpg|thumb|Addressing the opening of COP26, November 2021|alt=Charles delivers a speech at a podium with a backdrop with the logo of COP 26 and United Nations Climate Change]] Charles delivered a speech at the 2021 G20 Rome summit, describing COP26 as "the last chance saloon" for preventing climate change and asking for actions that would lead to a green-led, sustainable economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Peter |date=31 October 2021 |title=Cop26 'literally the last chance saloon' to save planet – Prince Charles |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/31/cop26-literally-the-last-chance-saloon-to-save-planet-prince-charles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031120640/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/oct/31/cop26-literally-the-last-chance-saloon-to-save-planet-prince-charles |archive-date=31 October 2021 |access-date=31 October 2021 |website=The Guardian |oclc=60623878}}</ref> In his speech at the opening ceremony for COP26, he repeated his sentiments from the previous year, stating that "a vast military-style campaign" was needed "to marshal the strength of the global private sector" for tackling climate change.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elbaum |first=Rachel |date=1 November 2021 |title=Prince Charles calls for 'warlike footing' in climate fight as world leaders gather |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/cop26-prince-charles-warn-world-act-climate-change-rcna4217 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102003601/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/cop26-prince-charles-warn-world-act-climate-change-rcna4217 |archive-date=2 November 2021 |access-date=2 November 2021 |website=NBC}}</ref> In 2022, the media alleged that Liz Truss had advised Charles against attending COP27, to which advice he agreed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2022 |title=King Charles will not attend climate summit on Truss advice |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63105522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213150741/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63105522 |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=1 October 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref> Charles delivered the opening speech at COP28, saying among others he prayed "with all my heart that COP28 will be a critical turning point towards genuine transformational action."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Paddison |first1=Laura |title=King Charles says world heading for 'dangerous uncharted territory' at global leaders summit |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/01/climate/king-charles-cop28-uae-investment-unsg-climate-intl/index.html |access-date=19 December 2023 |agency=CNN |date=1 December 2023 |archive-date=19 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219155202/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/01/climate/king-charles-cop28-uae-investment-unsg-climate-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He received a Green Blue Peter badge on Earth Day 2026 in recognition of his long‑standing support for environmental protection and sustainability.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 April 2026 |title=King Charles gets green Blue Peter badge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cm29qzz4174o |access-date=22 April 2026 |work=BBC Newsround}}</ref>

Charles, who is patron of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, introduced the Climate Action Scholarships for students from small island nations in partnership with the University of Cambridge, the University of Toronto, the University of Melbourne, McMaster University and the University of Montreal in March 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title=The Prince of Wales launches climate action scholarships for small island nation students |url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/prince-wales-launches-climate-action-scholarships-small-island-nation-students |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314122504/https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/prince-wales-launches-climate-action-scholarships-small-island-nation-students |archive-date=14 March 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=Prince of Wales}}</ref> In 2010, he funded the Prince's Countryside Fund (renamed the Royal Countryside Fund in 2023), a charity that aims for a "confident, robust and sustainable agricultural and rural community".<ref name="Prince">[http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/who-we-are/about-us about-us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517141213/https://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/who-we-are/about-us |date=17 May 2021 }} The Prince's Countryside Fund – 26 December 2018</ref>

=== Alternative medicine === Charles has controversially championed alternative medicine, including homeopathy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feder |first=Barnaby J. |date=9 January 1985 |title=More Britons Trying Holistic Medicine |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/09/garden/more-britons-trying-holistic-medicine.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601212116/http://www.nytimes.com/1985/01/09/garden/more-britons-trying-holistic-medicine.html |archive-date=1 June 2013 |oclc=1645522}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> He first publicly expressed his interest in the topic in December 1982, in an address to the British Medical Association.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bower |first=Tom |title=The Rebel Prince, The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles |date=2018 |publisher=William Collins |isbn=978-0-00-829173-0|chapter="Chapter 6" |author-link=Tom Bower}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |author=The Prince of Wales |date=December 2012 |title=Integrated health and post modern medicine |journal=Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine |volume=105 |issue=12 |pages=496–498 |doi=10.1258/jrsm.2012.12k095 |pmc=3536513 |pmid=23263785 | issn=0141-0768 |postscript=;}} {{Cite web |last=Hamilton-Smith |first=Anthony |date=9 April 1990 |title=Medicine: Complementary and Conventional Treatments |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/1990-04-09/debates/6296182a-aae3-4b12-af8d-725a4f1f5325/MedicineComplementaryAndConventionaltreatments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913190402/https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/1990-04-09/debates/6296182a-aae3-4b12-af8d-725a4f1f5325/MedicineComplementaryAndConventionaltreatments |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=13 September 2022|postscript=;}} {{cite web |last=Rainey |first=Sarah |date=12 November 2013 |title=Prince Charles and homeopathy: crank or revolutionary? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10433939/Prince-Charles-and-homeopathy-crank-or-revolutionary.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214095738/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/10433939/Prince-Charles-and-homeopathy-crank-or-revolutionary.html |archive-date=14 February 2021 |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=The Daily Telegraph |quote=}}</ref> This speech was seen as "combative" and "critical" of modern medicine and was met with anger by some medical professionals.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Rawlins |first=Richard |date=March 2013 |title=Response to HRH |journal=Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine |volume=106 |issue=3 |pages=79–80 |doi=10.1177/0141076813478789 |pmc=3595413 |pmid=23481428 |quote=|postscript=;}} {{Cite book |last=Ernst |first=Edzard |title=Charles, the alternative prince an unauthorised biography |date=2022 |publisher=Imprint Academic |isbn=978-1-78836-070-8|postscript=;}} {{Cite journal |last=Weissmann |first=Gerald |date=September 2006 |title=Homeopathy: Holmes, Hogwarts, and the Prince of Wales |journal=The FASEB Journal |volume=20 |issue=11 |pages=1755–1758 |doi=10.1096/fj.06-0901ufm |pmid=16940145 |s2cid=9305843 |quote=|doi-access=free }}</ref> Similarly, the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health (FIH) attracted opposition from the scientific and medical community over its campaign encouraging general practitioners to offer herbal and other alternative treatments to NHS patients.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carr-Brown |first=Jonathon |date=14 August 2005 |title=Charles's 'alternative GP' campaign stirs anger |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/charless-alternative-gp-campaign-stirs-anger-zlq9rbk9ndf |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622192659/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/charless-alternative-gp-campaign-stirs-anger-zlq9rbk9ndf |archive-date=22 June 2018}} {{Subscription required}}</ref><ref name="guardian-coffee-cancer">{{Cite news |last=Revill |first=Jo |date=27 June 2004 |title=Now Charles backs coffee cure for cancer |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/jun/27/themonarchy.medicineandhealth |url-status=live |access-date=19 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927115424/http://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/jun/27/themonarchy.medicineandhealth |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref>

In April 2008, ''The Times'' published a letter from Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, which asked the FIH to recall two guides promoting alternative medicine. That year, Ernst published a book with Simon Singh called ''Trick or Treatment: Alternative Medicine on Trial'' and mockingly dedicated to "HRH the Prince of Wales". The last chapter is highly critical of Charles's advocacy of complementary and alternative treatments.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Simon |title=Trick or Treatment: Alternative Medicine on Trial |title-link=Trick or Treatment? |last2=Ernst |first2=Edzard |date=2008 |publisher=Bantam Press |author-link=Simon Singh |author-link2=Edzard Ernst}}</ref>

Charles's Duchy Originals produced a variety of complementary medicinal products, including a "Detox Tincture" that Ernst denounced as "financially exploiting the vulnerable" and "outright quackery".<ref name="TelegraphAltMed">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Tim |date=31 October 2009 |title=Prince Charles lobbies Andy Burnham on complementary medicine for NHS |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/6474595/Prince-Charles-lobbies-Andy-Burnham-on-complementary-medicine-for-NHS.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327154332/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mandrake/6474595/Prince-Charles-lobbies-Andy-Burnham-on-complementary-medicine-for-NHS.html |archive-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> Charles personally wrote at least seven letters<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colquhoun |first=David |author-link=David Colquhoun |date=12 March 2007 |title=HRH 'meddling in politics' |url=http://www.dcscience.net/?p=89 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101115065128/http://www.dcscience.net/?p=89 |archive-date=15 November 2010 |access-date=6 November 2009 |publisher=DC's Improbable Science}}</ref> to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency shortly before it relaxed the rules governing labelling of such herbal products, a move that was widely condemned by scientists and medical bodies.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hawkes |first1=Nigel |last2=Henderson |first2=Mark |date=1 September 2006 |title=Doctors attack natural remedy claims |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/doctors-attack-natural-remedy-claims-mchf8nkw22j |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193109/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/doctors-attack-natural-remedy-claims-mchf8nkw22j |archive-date=22 June 2018}} {{subscription required}}</ref> It was reported in October 2009 that Charles had lobbied the health secretary, Andy Burnham, regarding greater provision of alternative treatments in the NHS.<ref name=TelegraphAltMed/>

Following accounting irregularities, the FIH announced its closure in April 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |work=FIH |date=30 April 2010 |title=Statement from the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health |url=http://www.fih.org.uk/media_centre/closure_of_fih.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202063318/http://www.fih.org.uk/media_centre/closure_of_fih.html |archive-date=2 February 2013}}</ref><ref name="GuardianCollege">{{Cite news |last=Sample |first=Ian |date=2 August 2010 |title=College of Medicine born from ashes of Prince Charles's holistic health charity |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/aug/02/prince-charles-college-medicine-holistic-complementary |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803055156/http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/aug/02/prince-charles-college-medicine-holistic-complementary |archive-date=3 August 2010 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> The FIH was re-branded and re-launched later in 2010 as the College of Medicine,<ref name=GuardianCollege/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Colquhoun |first=David |author-link=David Colquhoun |date=29 October 2010 |title=Don't be deceived. The new "College of Medicine" is a fraud and delusion |url=http://www.dcscience.net/?p=3632 |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911051401/http://www.dcscience.net/?p=3632 |archive-date=11 September 2012|postscript=;}} {{Cite journal |last=Hawkes |first=Nigel| url-access=subscription|date=29 October 2010 |title=Prince's foundation metamorphoses into new College of Medicine |url=http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6126.full |url-status=live |journal=British Medical Journal |volume=341 |issue=1 |page=6126 |doi=10.1136/bmj.c6126 |issn=0959-8138 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202052820/http://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6126.full |archive-date=2 December 2010 |access-date=17 December 2010 |s2cid=72649598}}</ref> of which Charles became a patron in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 December 2019 |title=HRH The Prince of Wales is announced as College of Medicine Patron |url=https://collegeofmedicine.org.uk/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-is-announced-as-college-of-medicine-patron |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625044939/https://collegeofmedicine.org.uk/hrh-the-prince-of-wales-is-announced-as-college-of-medicine-patron |archive-date=25 June 2022 |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=College of Medicine}}</ref>

=== Sports === thumb|Charles (at front) at the 2005 Chakravarty Cup Match at Ham Polo Club, June 2005|alt=Charles and others on horseback during a game of polo

From his youth until 2005, Charles was an avid player of competitive polo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2005 |title=Charles decides to retire from polo playing at 57 |url=https://theguardian.com/uk/2005/nov/18/monarchy.uknews2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514135234/https://theguardian.com/uk/2005/nov/18/monarchy.uknews2 |archive-date=14 May 2023 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=The Guardian |oclc=60623878}}</ref> Charles also frequently took part in fox hunting until the sport was banned in the United Kingdom, also in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Revesz |first=Rachel |date=24 July 2017 |title=Prince Charles secret letters to Tony Blair over fox hunting get information commissioner's green light for publishing |work=The Independent (UK) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-tony-blair-fox-hunting-letters-published-information-commissioner-public-read-royal-wales-a7856651.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421154411/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-tony-blair-fox-hunting-letters-published-information-commissioner-public-read-royal-wales-a7856651.html |archive-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> By the late 1990s opposition to the activity was growing when Charles's participation was viewed as a "political statement" by those who were opposed to it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 1999 |title=Prince Charles takes sons hunting |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/496138.stm |url-status=live |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726204121/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/496138.stm |archive-date=26 July 2008}}</ref> Charles suffered several polo- and hunting-related injuries throughout the years, including a two-inch scar on his left cheek in 1980, a broken arm in 1990, a torn cartilage in his left knee in 1992, a broken rib in 1998, and a fractured shoulder in 2001.<ref name="health-issues"/>

Charles has been a keen salmon angler since youth and supported Orri Vigfússon's efforts to protect the North Atlantic salmon. He frequently fishes the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, and claims his most special angling memories are from his time spent in Vopnafjörður, Iceland.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A Celebration of Salmon Rivers: The World's Finest Atlantic Salmon Rivers |date=2007 |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-1-873674-27-7 |editor-last=Ashton |editor-first=John B. |page=7 |editor-last2=Latimer |editor-first2=Adrian}}</ref> Charles is a supporter of Burnley F.C.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 February 2012 |title=Prince of Wales supports Burnley football club |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9085234/Prince-of-Wales-supports-Burnley-football-club.html |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406123947/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9085234/Prince-of-Wales-supports-Burnley-football-club.html |archive-date=6 April 2012}}</ref>

Apart from hunting, Charles has also participated in target rifle competitions, representing the House of Lords in the Vizianagram Match (Lords vs. Commons) at Bisley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://nra.org.uk/who-are-we/history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901113347/https://nra.org.uk/who-are-we/history |archive-date=1 September 2022 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=National Rifle Association}}</ref> He became President of the British National Rifle Association in 1977.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Rifle Association |url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/patronage/national-rifle-association |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804145526/https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/patronage/national-rifle-association |archive-date=4 August 2020 |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Prince of Wales}}</ref>

=== Visual, performing, and literary arts === Charles has been involved in performance since his youth, and appeared in sketches and revues while studying at Cambridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hallemann |first=Caroline |date=5 November 2019 |title=Vintage Photos of Prince Charles at Cambridge Prove Meghan Markle Isn't the Only Actor in the Royal Family |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g28690847/prince-charles-cambridge-trinity-college-photos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523030911/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/g28690847/prince-charles-cambridge-trinity-college-photos |archive-date=23 May 2022 |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=Town & Country}}</ref>

[[File:Rsc president prince charles.jpg|thumb|left|upright|At a performance of ''Henry V'' at the Courtyard Theatre in 2007|alt=Charles in a brown coat attending the performance in Stratford-upon-Avon]] Charles is president or patron of more than 20 performing arts organisations, including the Royal College of Music, Royal Opera, English Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company (attending performances in Stratford-Upon-Avon, supporting fundraising events, and attending the company's annual general meeting),<ref name="arts">{{Cite web |title=Performing Arts |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/interests/performingarts |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621194042/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/personalprofiles/theprinceofwales/interests/performingarts |archive-date=21 June 2012 |access-date=17 June 2012 |publisher=Prince of Wales official website}}</ref> British Film Institute,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2018 |title=The Prince of Wales visits the BFI Southbank |url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/prince-wales-visits-bfi-southbank |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929021537/https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/prince-wales-visits-bfi-southbank |archive-date=29 September 2021 |access-date=28 September 2021 |publisher=Prince of Wales official website}}</ref> and Purcell School. In 2000 he revived the tradition of appointing an official harpist to the Prince of Wales, in order to foster Welsh talent at playing the national instrument of Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TRH continue their annual tour of Wales |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/trh_continue_their_annual_tour_of_wales_820.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119023007/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/newsandgallery/news/trh_continue_their_annual_tour_of_wales_820.html |archive-date=19 November 2007 |access-date=19 April 2013 |publisher=Prince of Wales website}}</ref> The role, now referred to as King's Harpist, is currently held by Mared Pugh Evans.<ref name="Pugh-Evans">{{cite web|title=Presenting the King's Harpist: RWCMD grad Mared Pugh-Evans|url=https://www.rwcmd.ac.uk/our-stories/presenting-the-kings-harpist-rwcmd-grad-mared-pugh-evans|access-date=18 April 2025}}</ref>

Charles is a keen watercolourist, having published books on the subject and exhibited and sold a number of his works to raise money for charity; in 2016 it was estimated that he had sold lithographs of his watercolours for a total of £2 million from a shop at his Highgrove House residence. For his 50th birthday 50 of his watercolours were exhibited at Hampton Court Palace and, for his 70th birthday, his works were exhibited at the National Gallery of Australia.<ref name="CNN-Watercolours">{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=Oscar |date=12 January 2022 |title=Prince Charles exhibits dozens of his watercolors, saying painting 'refreshes the soul' |work=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/prince-charles-paintings-watercolors/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112195916/https://www.cnn.com/style/article/prince-charles-paintings-watercolors/index.html |archive-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> Charles founded the Royal Drawing School in 2000, which offers drawing classes to children and the public.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 18 November 2014 |title= Art school founded by Prince Charles to be renamed Royal Drawing School |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/nov/18/art-school-founded-prince-charles-renamed-royal-drawing-school |access-date= 18 November 2014 }}</ref> In 2001, 20 lithographs of his watercolour paintings illustrating his country estates were exhibited at the Florence International Biennale of Contemporary Art<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 December 2001 |title=Prince Charles wins art award |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1701844.stm |url-status=live |access-date=22 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928071947/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1701844.stm |archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> and 79 of his paintings were put on display in London in 2022. To mark the 25th anniversary of his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1994, the Royal Mail issued a series of postage stamps that featured his paintings.<ref name=CNN-Watercolours/> Charles is Honorary President of the Royal Academy of Arts Development Trust<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Royal Academy Development Trust |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/royal-academy-trust |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321092725/https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/royal-academy-trust |archive-date=21 March 2019 |access-date=25 January 2019 |website=Royal Academy}}</ref> and, in 2015, 2022 and 2023, commissioned paintings of 12 D-Day veterans, seven Holocaust survivors, and ten members of the Windrush generation, respectively, which went on display at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2015 |title=D-Day portraits commissioned by Prince Charles go on display |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33033550 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122205114/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33033550 |archive-date=22 November 2022 |access-date=22 November 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coughlan |first=Sean |date=10 January 2022 |title=Prince Charles commissions Holocaust survivor portraits |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59957260 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111224834/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59957260 |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=11 January 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2023 |title=The King commissions 'Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation' |url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-06-06/the-king-commissions-windrush-portraits-of-a-pioneering-generation |access-date=6 June 2023 |website=The Royal Family |archive-date=6 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606113736/https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-06-06/the-king-commissions-windrush-portraits-of-a-pioneering-generation |url-status=live }}</ref>

Charles is the author of several books and has contributed a foreword or preface to numerous books by others. He has also been featured in a variety of documentary films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HRH the Prince of Wales : A Vision of Britain |url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/418089 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910053540/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/418089 |archive-date=10 September 2011 |access-date=1 May 2012 |publisher=BFI|postscript=;}} {{cite web |title=Harmony Movie Website |url=http://www.theharmonymovie.com/aboutfilm.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501213358/http://www.theharmonymovie.com/aboutfilm.php |archive-date=1 May 2012 |access-date=1 May 2012 |publisher=The Harmony Movie|postscript=;}} {{Cite AV media |title=The Prince and the Composer |publisher=BBC Four |date=1 May 2012|postscript=;}} {{cite web |title=Modern TV: The Princes Welsh Village |url=http://www.moderntv.co.uk/index.php/productions/the-princes-welsh-village |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014041/http://www.moderntv.co.uk/index.php/productions/the-princes-welsh-village |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

=== Religion and philosophy === Shortly after his accession to the throne, Charles publicly described himself as "a committed Anglican Christian";<ref name="Davies16Sep22">{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=16 September 2022 |title=King tells faith leaders he has personal 'duty to protect diversity of our country' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/16/king-tells-faith-leaders-he-has-personal-duty-to-protect-diversity-of-our-country |url-status=live |access-date=30 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115062151/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/16/king-tells-faith-leaders-he-has-personal-duty-to-protect-diversity-of-our-country |archive-date=15 January 2023}}.</ref> at age 16, during Easter 1965, he had been confirmed into the Anglican Communion by Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.{{sfn|Holden |pp=141–142|1979}} The King is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Queen, the Church and other faiths |url=https://www.royal.uk/queens-relationship-churches-england-and-scotland-and-other-faiths |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810162529/https://www.royal.uk/queens-relationship-churches-england-and-scotland-and-other-faiths |archive-date=10 August 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=Official website of the British monarchy |date=7 January 2016 }}</ref> and a member of the Church of Scotland; he swore an oath to uphold that church immediately after he was proclaimed King.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=King Charles vows to protect the security of the Church of Scotland |date=10 September 2022 |publisher=The Church of Scotland |url=https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/articles/king-charles-vows-to-protect-the-security-of-the-church-of-scotland |access-date=14 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914074809/https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/2022/articles/king-charles-vows-to-protect-the-security-of-the-church-of-scotland |archive-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> He attends services at various Anglican churches close to Highgrove<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 February 2005 |title=Prince and Camilla attend church |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/4262155.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804192306/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/4262155.stm |archive-date=4 August 2017}}</ref> and attends the Church of Scotland's Crathie Kirk with the rest of the royal family when staying at Balmoral Castle.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Graham |date=14 September 2025 |title=King and Queen attend church service near Balmoral days before Trump state visit |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/6850192/king-charles-queen-camilla-crathie-kirk/ |access-date=5 October 2025 |website=Press and Journal |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[File:Otec Jaroslav a JKV Charles.jpg|thumb|With Czech Orthodox priest {{ill|Jaroslav Šuvarský|cs}} in Prague, Czech Republic, March 2010|alt=Charles conversing with Šuvarský]]

Laurens van der Post became a friend of Charles in 1977; he was dubbed Charles's "spiritual guru" and was godfather to Prince William.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garner |first=Clare |date=17 December 1996 |title=Prince's guru dies aged 90 |work=The Independent (UK) |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/princes-guru-dies-aged-90-1314900.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121220174006/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/princes-guru-dies-aged-90-1314900.html |archive-date=20 December 2012}}</ref> From van der Post, Charles developed a focus on philosophy and an interest in other religions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 1996 |title=S African author Laurens van der Post dies in London |publisher=Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/s-african-author-laurens-van-der-post-dies-in-london-1.116819 |url-status=live |access-date=8 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308220846/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/s-african-author-laurens-van-der-post-dies-in-london-1.116819 |archive-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> Charles expressed his philosophical views in his 2010 book, ''Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World'',<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 January 2012 |title=Review: In Harmony with a Philosopher King |publisher=Wessex School Of Philosophy |first1=Raymond |last1=Payne |url=http://www.philosophyinwessex.org/in-harmony-with-a-philosophy-king |url-status=dead |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808035942/http://www.philosophyinwessex.org/in-harmony-with-a-philosophy-king |archive-date=8 August 2014 |postscript=; }} {{Cite news |date=29 March 2013 |title=It's time for harmony between science and spirituality |publisher=Positive News |first1=Paul |last1=Fletcher |url=http://positivenews.org.uk/2013/wellbeing/spirit/11760/its-time-harmony-science-spirituality |url-status=dead |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808033717/http://positivenews.org.uk/2013/wellbeing/spirit/11760/its-time-harmony-science-spirituality |archive-date=8 August 2014 |postscript=; }} {{Cite news |date=6 December 2010 |title=Books of the Year – Harmony and Farundell |website=Philip Carr-Gomm |url=https://philipcarr-gomm.com/books-of-the-year-harmony-and-farundell/ |access-date=30 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200924011005/https://philipcarr-gomm.com/books-of-the-year-harmony-and-farundell/ |archive-date= 24 September 2020 }}</ref> which won a Nautilus Book Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 Nautilus Awards Gold Winners |work=nautilusbookawards |url=http://www.nautilusbookawards.com/2011_GOLD_Winners.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219163149/http://nautilusbookawards.com/2011_GOLD_Winners.html |archive-date=19 December 2011 |access-date=11 May 2013 |publisher=Nautilus Book Awards |last1=Belknap |first1=Mary }}</ref> He has also visited Eastern Orthodox monasteries on Mount Athos,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Helena |date=12 May 2004 |title=Has Prince Charles found his true spiritual home on a Greek rock? |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk_news/story/0,3604,1214522,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401092057/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/may/12/monarchy.helenasmith |archive-date=1 April 2021 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> in Romania,<ref name="ref1">{{Cite web |date=13 May 2003 |title=Prinţul Charles, fermier de Fălticeni |trans-title=Prince Charles, farm owner in Fălticeni |url=http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/printul-charles-fermier-de-falticeni-616319.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105061103/http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/printul-charles-fermier-de-falticeni-616319.html |archive-date=5 November 2013 |website=Evenimentul Zilei |language=ro}}</ref> and in Serbia,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Princ Čarls u manastiru Kovilj |trans-title=Prince Charles in the Kovilj monastery |url=https://www.ekspres.net/drustvo/princ-carls-u-manastiru-kovilj |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926035631/https://www.ekspres.net/drustvo/princ-carls-u-manastiru-kovilj |archive-date=26 September 2017 |access-date=9 September 2022 |website=Ekspres.net |language=sr-Latn}}</ref> and met with Eastern Church leaders in Jerusalem in 2020, during a visit that culminated in an ecumenical service in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and a walk through the city accompanied by Christian and Muslim dignitaries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2020 |title=Prince Charles wishes Palestinians 'freedom, justice and equality' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/24/prince-charles-wishes-palestinians-freedom-justice-and-equality-west-bank |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326161121/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/24/prince-charles-wishes-palestinians-freedom-justice-and-equality-west-bank |archive-date=26 March 2020 |access-date=27 March 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian}} {{cite web |date=24 January 2020 |title=Charles arrives in Bethlehem during historic Palestinian visit |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-01-24/charles-arrives-in-bethlehem-during-historic-palestinian-visit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327044648/https://www.itv.com/news/2020-01-24/charles-arrives-in-bethlehem-during-historic-palestinian-visit |archive-date=27 March 2020 |access-date=27 March 2020 |publisher=ITV News}}</ref> Charles also attended the consecration of Britain's first Syriac Orthodox cathedral, St Thomas Cathedral, Acton.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2016 |title=Britain's first Syriac Orthodox Cathedral consecrated |url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/11/britains-first-syriac-orthodox-cathedral-consecrated.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126162550/https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/11/britains-first-syriac-orthodox-cathedral-consecrated.aspx |archive-date=26 November 2016 |access-date=9 April 2021 |website=Anglican Communion News Service}}</ref> Charles is patron of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies at the University of Oxford and attended the inauguration of the Markfield Institute of Higher Education, which is dedicated to Islamic studies in a multicultural context.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 January 2003 |title=Charles pays tribute to Muslims |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/2690305.stm |access-date=2 March 2026 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About OCIS |url=http://www.oxcis.ac.uk/about.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028192204/http://www.oxcis.ac.uk/about.html |archive-date=28 October 2007 |publisher=Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies}} {{cite web |publisher=MarkfieldInstitute |title=Introduction to MIHE |date=29 January 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZHXhVfBEs&t=51s |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308163533/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZHXhVfBEs&t=51s |access-date=29 April 2017 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In his 1994 documentary with Dimbleby, Charles said that, when king, he wished to be seen as a "defender of faith", rather than the British monarch's traditional title of ''Defender of the Faith'', "prefer[ring] to embrace all religious traditions and 'the pattern of the divine, which I think is in all of us.{{'"}}<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sullivan |first1=Kevin |last2=Boorstein |first2=Michelle |date=13 September 2022 |title=King Charles III may bring new approach to 'Defender of the Faith' |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/13/king-charles-religion-faith |url-status=live |access-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913152120/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/13/king-charles-religion-faith |archive-date=13 September 2022}}</ref> This attracted controversy at the time, as well as speculation that the coronation oath might be altered.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=9 September 2022 |title=King Charles to be Defender of the Faith but also a defender of faiths |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/09/king-charles-to-be-defender-of-the-faith-but-also-a-defender-of-faiths |url-status=live |access-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912175237/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/09/king-charles-to-be-defender-of-the-faith-but-also-a-defender-of-faiths |archive-date=12 September 2022 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> He stated in 2015 that he would retain the title of ''Defender of the Faith'', whilst "ensuring that other people's faiths can also be practised", which he sees as a duty of the Church of England.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Charles vows to keep "Defender of the Faith" title as King |publisher=secularism.org.uk |url=http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2015/02/charles-vows-to-keep-defender-of-the-faith-title-as-king |url-status=live |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203555/http://www.secularism.org.uk/news/2015/02/charles-vows-to-keep-defender-of-the-faith-title-as-king |archive-date=15 July 2015}}</ref> Charles reaffirmed this theme shortly after his accession and declared that his duties as sovereign included "the duty to protect the diversity of our country, including by protecting the space for faith itself and its practice through the religions, cultures, traditions, and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us as individuals."<ref name="Davies16Sep22" /> Although the text of the coronation oath was not altered, because the process of passing new legislation through Parliament would be lengthy and liable to raise divisive issues, a preamble spoken by the Archbishop of Canterbury was added to the text:<ref>{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Charles |date=8 May 2023 |title=The service deftly proved the King's power to unite 'neighbours in faith' |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/features/20230508/textview |work=The Daily Telegraph – Coronation Special|pages=6–7}}</ref> {{blockquote|Your Majesty, the Church established by law, whose settlement you will swear to maintain, is committed to the true profession of the Gospel, and, in so doing, will seek to foster an environment in which people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-kings-coronation-oath-an-explainer-for-catholics/ |title=The King's coronation oath: an explainer for Catholics |last=McDonagh |first=Melanie |date=2 May 2023 |website=catholicherald.co.uk |publisher= Catholic Herald |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref>}}

His inclusive, multi-faith approach and his own Christian beliefs were expressed in his first Christmas message as king. In line with his multi-faith approach, Charles has served as a patron of the Council of Christians and Jews and of the Jewish Museum London.<ref name="Jewish-Museum">{{Cite web |last=Prinsley |first=Jane |title=King Charles renews patronage of Jewish Museum London |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/king-charles-renews-patronage-of-jewish-museum-london-ugwzyewt |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=thejc.com |date=18 June 2024 |quote=Originally appointed patron of the museum in 2008, the King's renewed patronage is a "huge vote of confidence in reiterating the importance of the Jewish Museum London," a spokesperson for the museum said.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=HM The King to be Patron of the Council of Christians and Jews |url=https://www.cbcew.org.uk/king-charles-iii-patron-of-ccj/ |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=Catholic Bishops' Conference |archive-date=7 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107121835/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/king-charles-iii-patron-of-ccj/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Media image and public opinion == {{further|Cultural depictions of Charles III}} Since his birth, Charles has received close media attention, which increased as he matured. It has been an ambivalent relationship, largely impacted by his marriages to Diana and Camilla and their aftermath, but also centred on his future conduct as king.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bartlett |first=Mike |title=King Charles III |publisher=Almeida Theatre |url=http://www.almeida.co.uk/event/kingcharles3 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802205539/http://www.almeida.co.uk/event/kingcharles3 |archive-date=2 August 2014}}</ref> [[File:Price-Charles-at-JPL.jpg|thumb|Charles visiting Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the US, October 1977. A camera crew documenting his visit there is visible in the background.|alt=Charles and another man dressed in a suit discuss space exploration beside models of a spacecraft and Jupiter as a crowd watches behind them.]] Described as the "world's most eligible bachelor" in the late 1970s,<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 1979 |title=The Man Who Will Be King |publisher=The Milwaukee Journal |agency=Google News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19791001&id=PSwpAAAAIBAJ&pg=4563,324963 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423003801/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19791001&id=PSwpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6CoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4563,324963 |archive-date=23 April 2016}}</ref> Charles was subsequently overshadowed by Diana.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2016 |title=Patrick Jephson: Prince Charles Was Unable to Reconcile with Princess Diana's Extraordinary Popularity |url=http://www.independent.mk/articles/36006/Patrick+Jephson+Prince+Charles+Was+Unable+to+Reconcile+with+Princess+Diana's+Extraordinary+Popularity |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170221010930/http://www.independent.mk/articles/36006/Patrick+Jephson+Prince+Charles+Was+Unable+to+Reconcile+with+Princess+Diana%27s+Extraordinary+Popularity |archive-date=21 February 2017 |access-date=2 February 2017 |work=The Independent|issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487}}</ref> After her death the media regularly breached Charles's privacy and printed exposés. Known for expressing his opinions, when asked during an interview to mark his 70th birthday whether this would continue in the same way once he is King, he responded "No. It won't. I'm not that stupid. I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign. So, of course, you know, I understand entirely how that should operate."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Davies |first=Caroline |date=7 November 2018 |title=Prince Charles: 'Me, meddle as a king? I'm not that stupid' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/08/prince-charles-me-meddle-as-a-king-im-not-that-stupid |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108023237/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/08/prince-charles-me-meddle-as-a-king-im-not-that-stupid |archive-date=8 November 2018 |access-date=22 June 2022 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> In September 2025, ''The Economist'' analysed all Charles's public speeches over the past 30 years and concluded that he has mellowed over the past three decades.<ref>{{Cite news |title=King Charles III has mellowed over the past 30 years |url=https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/09/16/king-charles-iii-has-mellowed-over-the-past-30-years |date=16 September 2025 |access-date=5 October 2025 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>

In 2009, Charles was named the world's best-dressed man by ''Esquire'' magazine. Fashion magazine ''British GQ'' described Charles as "the true guardian of traditional British menswear" in 2012 and named him one of the most stylish people of 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|date= 5 March 2009|title= Prince Charles named world's best dressed man|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-05/prince-charles-named-worlds-best-dressed-man/1610184|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526184723/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-05/prince-charles-named-worlds-best-dressed-man/1610184|archive-date=26 May 2024|access-date= 26 May 2009|work=ABC News|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Prince |first=Bill |date=19 July 2012 |title=Prince Charles: the true guardian of traditional British menswear |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/prince-charles-best-dressed-gentleman |access-date=12 September 2025 |website=British GQ |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2025|title= The 50 Most Stylish People Alive |url= https://www.gq.com/story/the-50-most-stylish-people-alive |access-date=22 October 2025|website=British GQ}}</ref> Italian designer Donatella Versace once said Charles "is an archetype of style".<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2012 |title=Tinie Tempah is Britain's best dressed man but Duke of Cambridge fails to rank |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9048501/Tinie-Tempah-is-Britains-best-dressed-man-but-Duke-of-Cambridge-fails-to-rank.html |access-date=12 September 2025 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> In 2023 the ''New Statesman'' named Charles as the fourth-most-powerful right-wing figure of the year, describing him as a "romantic traditionalist" and "the very last reactionary in public life" for his support of various traditionalist think tanks and previous writings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2023 |title=The New Statesman's right power list |url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2023/09/the-new-statesmans-right-power-list |access-date=14 December 2023 |work=New Statesman |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214100018/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2023/09/the-new-statesmans-right-power-list |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also named one of the 100 most influential people of 2023 by ''Time'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |date= 13 April 2023 |title= King Charles III makes TIME 100 Most Influential People list |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/king-charles-time-100-most-influential-b2319202.html |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=The Independent }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 13 April 2023 |title= King Charles Is on the 2023 TIME 100 List |url= https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/6269819/king-charles/ |access-date=20 May 2025 |work=Time magazine }}</ref> Charles and Camilla topped ''Tatler''{{'}}s Social Power Index for 2022 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date= 27 June 2023 |title= King and Queen top Tatler's Social Power Index |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prince-hugh-grosvenor-charles-iii-tatler-wales-b2364980.html |access-date= 27 June 2023 |work= The Independent |archive-date= 27 June 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230627132500/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/prince-hugh-grosvenor-charles-iii-tatler-wales-b2364980.html |url-status= live }}</ref> thumb|left|upright|Charles wearing a grey double breasted suit during a state visit to Brazil, March 2009|alt=See caption A 2018 BMG Research poll found that 46 per cent of Britons wanted Charles to abdicate immediately on his mother's death, in favour of William.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=2 January 2019 |title=Almost half of British public want Prince Charles to give throne to William upon Queen's death, survey finds |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-heir-throne-abdicated-william-queen-dies-death-next-in-line-public-opinion-a8704316.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908182957/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-heir-throne-abdicated-william-queen-dies-death-next-in-line-public-opinion-a8704316.html |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=The Independent |issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487}}</ref> However, a 2021 opinion poll reported that 60 percent of the British public had a favourable opinion of him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirk |first=Isabelle |title=Public opinion of Prince Charles improves in latest royal favourability poll |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2021/12/02/public-opinion-prince-charles-improves-latest-roya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202155651/https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2021/12/02/public-opinion-prince-charles-improves-latest-roya |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=YouGov}}</ref> On his accession to the throne, ''The Statesman'' reported an opinion poll that put Charles's popularity with the British people at 42 per cent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Queen Elizabeth II passes away, Prince Charles succeeds as king |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/world/queen-elizabeth-death-1503109316.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908183307/https://www.thestatesman.com/world/queen-elizabeth-death-1503109316.html |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=8 September 2022 |work=The Statesman (India)}}</ref> More recent polling suggested that his popularity increased sharply after he became King.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Matthew |date=13 September 2022 |title=Britons' first impressions of King Charles III |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2022/09/13/britons-first-impressions-king-charles-iii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214180051/https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2022/09/13/britons-first-impressions-king-charles-iii |archive-date=14 December 2022 |access-date=14 December 2022 |website=YouGov}}</ref> As of August 2025, Charles continues to hold majority support with an approval rating of 59 per cent, and 62 percent of the public say "he is doing a good job", according to YouGov.<ref>{{Cite web |title=King Charles III popularity and fame |url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/explore/public_figure/King_Charles_III |access-date=24 August 2025 |website=YouGov |archive-date=24 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250824034158/https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/politics/popularity/royalty/all |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal family favourability trackers, August 2025 |url=https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/52737-royal-family-favourability-trackers-august-2025 |access-date=12 September 2025 |website=yougov.co.uk}}</ref>

=== Reaction to press treatment === In 1994, the German tabloid ''Bild'' published nude photos of Charles that were taken while he was vacationing in Le Barroux; they had reportedly been put up for sale for £30,000.<ref name="Independent-Sept94">{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Rhys |date=7 September 1994 |title='Hunky' Prince is exposed to public gaze |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/hunky-prince-is-exposed-to-public-gaze-1447414.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718040840/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/hunky-prince-is-exposed-to-public-gaze-1447414.html |archive-date=18 July 2022 |access-date=18 July 2022 |work=The Independent (UK) |publisher=Independent Digital News & Media Ltd |issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487}}</ref> Buckingham Palace reacted by stating that it was "unjustifiable for anybody to suffer this sort of intrusion".<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 1994 |title=German Tabloid Publishes Photo of Nude Prince Charles |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-08-mn-36022-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718040840/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-08-mn-36022-story.html |archive-date=18 July 2022 |access-date=18 July 2022 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

Charles, "so often a target of the press, got his chance to return fire" in 2002, when addressing "scores of editors, publishers, and other media executives" gathered at St Bride's Fleet Street to celebrate 300 years of journalism.{{efn|London's first daily newspaper, the ''Daily Courant'', was published in 1702.}}<ref name="Woods">{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Audrey |date=11 March 2002 |title=Prince Charles addresses editors |url=https://apnews.com/92deb09f64410b55cdfc261db024282b |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918060017/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2002/Prince-Charles-Addresses-Editors/id-92deb09f64410b55cdfc261db024282b |archive-date=18 September 2012 |access-date=17 June 2012 |publisher=AP News Archive}}</ref> Defending public servants from "the corrosive drip of constant criticism", he noted that the press had been "awkward, cantankerous, cynical, bloody-minded, at times intrusive, at times inaccurate, and at times deeply unfair and harmful to individuals and to institutions."<ref name=Woods/> But, he concluded, regarding his own relations with the press, "from time to time we are probably both a bit hard on each other, exaggerating the downsides and ignoring the good points in each."<ref name=Woods/> [[File:FEMA - 18543 - Photograph by Marvin Nauman taken on 11-04-2005 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|right|With Camilla (centre left) in front of the media pack in the French Quarter of New Orleans, United States, as part of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, November 2005|alt=Charles and Camilla amidst a crowd of people, mostly reporters and photographers]]

In 2006, Charles filed a court case against ''The Mail on Sunday'', after excerpts of his personal journals were published, revealing his opinions on matters such as the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997, in which Charles described the Chinese government officials as "appalling old waxworks".<ref name="BBCjournals">{{Cite news |date=21 February 2006 |title=Charles 'adopted dissident role' |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4734798.stm |url-status=live |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202181743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4734798.stm |archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="nytimes-charlesgothrone-sept82022">{{Cite news |last=Landler |first=Mark |date=8 September 2022 |title=Long an Uneasy Prince, King Charles III Takes On a Role He Was Born To |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/world/europe/charles-king-uk.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920024032/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/08/world/europe/charles-king-uk.html |archive-date=20 September 2022 |oclc=1645522}}</ref> Charles and Camilla were named in 2011 as individuals whose confidential information was reportedly targeted or actually acquired in conjunction with the news media phone hacking scandal.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rainey |first1=Sarah |last2=Blenkinsop |first2=Andrew |date=13 July 2011 |title=Phone hacking: who's who in the News International scandal |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8635999/Phone-hacking-whos-who-in-the-News-International-scandal.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219183123/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8635999/Phone-hacking-whos-who-in-the-News-International-scandal.html |archive-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>

''The Independent'' noted in 2015 that Charles would only speak to broadcasters "on the condition they have signed a 15-page contract, demanding that Clarence House attends both the 'rough cut' and 'fine cut' edits of films and, if it is unhappy with the final product, can 'remove the contribution in its entirety from the programme'."<ref name="I.Burrell15">{{Cite news |last=Burrell |first=Ian |date=2 December 2015 |title=The 15-page contract that reveals how Charles tries to control the media |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-the-15page-contract-that-reveals-how-the-prince-of-wales-tries-to-control-the-media-a6756541.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421210152/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prince-charles-the-15page-contract-that-reveals-how-the-prince-of-wales-tries-to-control-the-media-a6756541.html |archive-date=21 April 2022 |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=The Independent |issn=1741-9743|oclc=185201487}}</ref> This contract stipulated that all questions directed at Charles must be pre-approved and vetted by his representatives.<ref name=I.Burrell15/>

== Residences and finance == {{further|Finances of the British royal family}}

In 2023, ''The Guardian'' estimated Charles's personal wealth at £1.8 billion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Pegg |first=David |title=Revealed: King Charles's private fortune estimated at £1.8bn |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2023/apr/20/revealed-king-charless-private-fortune-estimated-at-almost-2bn |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420091007/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/ng-interactive/2023/apr/20/revealed-king-charless-private-fortune-estimated-at-almost-2bn |archive-date=20 April 2023 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> This estimate includes the assets of the Duchy of Lancaster worth £653 million (and paying Charles an annual income of £20 million), jewels worth £533 million, real estate worth £330 million, shares and investments worth £142 million, a stamp collection worth at least £100 million, racehorses worth £27 million, artworks worth £24 million and cars worth £6.3 million.<ref name=":0"/> Most of this wealth, which he inherited from his mother, Elizabeth II, was exempt from inheritance tax.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=13 September 2022 |title=King Charles will not pay tax on inheritance from the Queen |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/13/king-charles-will-not-pay-tax-on-inheritance-from-the-queen |url-status=live |access-date=6 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423100639/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/13/king-charles-will-not-pay-tax-on-inheritance-from-the-queen |archive-date=23 April 2023 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878}}</ref>[[File:Clarence house.jpg|thumb|Clarence House, Charles's London residence since 2003|alt=Photograph of the white building with a Union flag flying over it]]

Clarence House, previously the residence of the Queen Mother, was Charles's official London residence from 2003, after being renovated at a cost of £6.1 million.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Clarence House makeover in grand hotel manner|first=Maev|last=Kennedy|url=https://theguardian.com/uk/2003/aug/06/monarchy.arts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528075305/https://theguardian.com/uk/2003/aug/06/monarchy.arts|date=6 August 2003|access-date=28 May 2024|archive-date=28 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> He previously shared apartments eight and nine at Kensington Palace with Diana before moving to York House at St James's Palace, which remained his principal residence until 2003.<ref name=clarence/> Highgrove House in Gloucestershire is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, having been purchased for Charles's use in 1980, and which he rented for £336,000 per annum.{{sfn|Temple|2012}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bates |first=Stephen |date=28 July 2005 |title=MPs tell Prince of Wales: Open up |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/28/monarchy.immigrationpolicy |access-date=19 May 2023 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523030646/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/jul/28/monarchy.immigrationpolicy |url-status=live }}</ref> Since William became Duke of Cornwall, Charles is expected to pay £700,000 per annum for use of the property.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Cosmopolitan|title=King Charles has to pay Prince William £700,000 in rent to keep his Highgrove home|first=Mehera|last=Bonner|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a41131938/king-charles-pay-prince-william-rent-highgrove/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016202710/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a41131938/king-charles-pay-prince-william-rent-highgrove/|date=9 September 2022|access-date=28 May 2024|archive-date=16 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> Charles also owns a property near the village of Viscri in Romania.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muir |first=Ellie |date=31 May 2023 |title=A fireplace, CD player and a 'little wooden bed': Inside King Charles's Romanian hideaway that you can rent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/king-charles-romania-transylvania-royal-rent-property-b2348995.html |access-date=3 June 2023 |work=The Independent|archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601151243/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/royal-family/king-charles-romania-transylvania-royal-rent-property-b2348995.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=BBC News|title=Romanian tourists swamp village loved by Prince Charles|first=Stephen|last=McGrath|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53984239|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528165522/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53984239|date=6 September 2020|access-date=3 June 2023|archive-date=28 May 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

As Prince of Wales, Charles's primary source of income was generated from the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns 133,658 acres of land (around 54,090 hectares), including farming, residential, and commercial properties, as well as an investment portfolio. Since 1993, he has paid tax voluntarily under the ''Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation'', updated in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sovereign Grant Act 2011: guidance |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance#tax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127195311/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance/sovereign-grant-act-2011-guidance#tax |archive-date=27 January 2016 |access-date=3 December 2017 |publisher=www.gov.uk}}</ref> Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs were asked in December 2012 to investigate alleged tax avoidance by the Duchy of Cornwall.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Booth |first=Robert |date=14 December 2012 |title=Prince Charles's £700m estate accused of tax avoidance |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/dec/14/prince-charles-estate-tax-avoidance |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112114506/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/dec/14/prince-charles-estate-tax-avoidance |archive-date=12 November 2013 |oclc=60623878}}</ref> The Duchy was named in the Paradise Papers, a set of confidential electronic documents relating to offshore investment that were leaked to the German newspaper ''Süddeutsche Zeitung'' in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Osborne |first=Hilary|work=The Guardian|date=7 November 2017|archive-date=7 May 2024|access-date=28 May 2024|title=Prince Charles's estate made big profit on stake in friend's offshore|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/07/prince-charles-profit-best-friend-hugh-van-cutsem-offshore-firm-paradise-papers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507080201/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/nov/07/prince-charles-profit-best-friend-hugh-van-cutsem-offshore-firm-paradise-papers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Washington |first=Stuart |date=8 November 2017 |title=Paradise Papers: Prince Charles's estate, the Duchy of Cornwall, invested through Caribbean tax havens |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-08/paradise-papers-prince-charles-invested-through-tax-havens/9129830 |url-status=live |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421154947/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-08/paradise-papers-prince-charles-invested-through-tax-havens/9129830 |archive-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> In the 2021–22 financial year, Charles received £23 million from the Duchy of Cornwall and paid a voluntary income tax of £5.9 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/royal-family/article/william-prince-income-tax-7-million-revealed-9mfvqzwzs|title=Revealed: Prince William’s £7 million income tax bill|work=The Times|first=Katie|last=Tarrant|date=2 May 2026|access-date=5 May 2026}}</ref>

== Titles, styles, honours, and arms == {{Main|List of titles and honours of Charles III}}

{{See also|List of awards received by Charles III}} {{Multiple image | total_width = 250 | image1 = Royal Cypher of Charles III.svg | alt1 = A logo with "CR III" and a crown | caption1 = Royal cypher surmounted by the Tudor Crown<ref name="royalcypher">{{Cite news |date=26 September 2022 |title=King Charles: New royal cypher revealed |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63034255 |url-status=live |access-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926211057/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-63034255 |archive-date=26 September 2022}}</ref> | image2 = Royal Cypher of King Charles III (Scotland).svg | alt2 = A logo with "CR III" and a crown | caption2 = Scottish cypher surmounted by the Crown of Scotland<ref name="royalcypher"/> | image3 = Canadian Royal Cypher of Charles III.svg | alt3 = A logo with "CR III" and a crown | caption3 = Canadian cypher surmounted by the Canadian Royal Crown<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heritage |first=Canadian |date=11 August 2017 |title=Canadian Royal Crown and Royal Cypher |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-symbols-titles/royal-crown-cypher.html |access-date=3 May 2024 |website=www.canada.ca |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929225100/https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-symbols-titles/royal-crown-cypher.html |url-status=live }}</ref> }}

=== Titles and styles === Charles has held many titles and honorary military positions throughout the Commonwealth, is sovereign of many orders in his own countries and has received honours and awards from around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales visits the Royal Gurkha Rifles and Knole House |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/the-prince-of-wales-visits-the-royal-gurkha-rifles-and-knole-house |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502003443/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/the-prince-of-wales-visits-the-royal-gurkha-rifles-and-knole-house |archive-date=2 May 2014 |access-date=1 May 2014 |publisher=Prince of Wales}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2012 |title=The Queen Appoints the Prince of Wales to Honorary Five-Star rank |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/the_queen_appoints_the_prince_of_wales_to_honorary_five_star_1126275880.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629032823/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/the_queen_appoints_the_prince_of_wales_to_honorary_five_star_1126275880.html |archive-date=29 June 2012 |access-date=27 June 2012 |publisher=The Prince of Wales website|postscript=;}} {{cite web |date=16 June 2012 |title=Prince Charles awarded highest rank in all three armed forces |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/9335960/Prince-Charles-awarded-highest-rank-in-all-three-armed-forces.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616180559/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-charles/9335960/Prince-Charles-awarded-highest-rank-in-all-three-armed-forces.html |archive-date=16 June 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 |work=The Daily Telegraph|postscript=;}} {{London Gazette | issue = 60350 | date = 7 December 2012 | page = 23557 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 November 1948 |title=The London Gazette, Issue 38452, Page 5889 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38452/page/5889 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912205719/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38452/page/5889 |archive-date=12 September 2022 |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2021 |title=HRH The Duke of Edinburgh |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/187-hrh-the-duke-of-edinburgh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411005304/https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/187-hrh-the-duke-of-edinburgh |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=7 May 2021 |website=College of Arms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Malloch |first=Russell |date=24 April 2023 |title=King Charles III and The Gazette: Commonwealth awards |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/104162 |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=The Gazette |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509021155/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/all-notices/content/104162 |url-status=live }}</ref> In each of his realms he has a distinct title that follows a similar formula: ''King of Saint Lucia and of His other Realms and Territories'' in Saint Lucia, ''King of Australia and His other Realms and Territories'' in Australia, etc. In the Isle of Man, which is a Crown Dependency rather than a separate realm, he is known as Lord of Mann. Charles is also styled ''Defender of the Faith''.

There had been speculation throughout Elizabeth II's reign as to what regnal name Charles would choose upon his accession; instead of ''Charles III'', he could have chosen to reign as ''George VII'' or used one of his other given names.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Guy |last=Jones |date=28 November 1958 |title=Motto may be more to Charles than to any of predecessors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946285/the-journal-herald |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946285/the-journal-herald |archive-date=1 March 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=Newspapers.com |page=15}} {{Cite web |title=Prince seeks to uphold popularity of monarchy |author-first1=David Gaddis|author-last1=Smith|work=Newport News |via=Newspapers.com |date=3 May 1981 |access-date=1 March 2023 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946396/daily-press |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946396/daily-press |url-status=live }} {{Cite web |title=Londoner's Diary: Princely glove is not picked up |author= |via=Newspapers.com |work=Evening Standard |date=29 April 1987 |access-date=1 March 2023 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946346/evening-standard |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094744/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946346/evening-standard |url-status=live }} {{Cite web |title=Charles prefers George VII for his kingly title |first=Christopher |last=Morgan |via=Newspapers.com |work=Calgary Herald |date=13 February 2000 |access-date=1 March 2023 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946417/calgary-herald |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119946417/calgary-herald |url-status=live }} {{Cite web |title=Here's Why Prince Charles Could Be Called George VII When He's King |first=Phil |last=Boucher |work=People |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=1 March 2023 |url=https://people.com/royals/heres-why-prince-charles-could-be-called-george-vii-when-hes-king |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094745/https://people.com/royals/heres-why-prince-charles-could-be-called-george-vii-when-hes-king |url-status=live }}</ref> It was reported that he might use George in honour of his grandfather George VI and to avoid associations with previous controversial kings named Charles.{{efn|Namely, the Stuart kings Charles I, who was beheaded, and Charles II, who was known for his promiscuous lifestyle. Charles Edward Stuart, once a Stuart pretender to the English and Scottish thrones, was called ''Charles III'' by his supporters.<ref name="CallMeGeorge">{{Cite news |last=Pierce |first=Andrew |date=24 December 2005 |title=Call me George, suggests Charles |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/call-me-george-suggests-charles-xqqg2th2r23 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193059/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/call-me-george-suggests-charles-xqqg2th2r23 |archive-date=22 June 2018}}</ref>}}<ref name=CallMeGeorge/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cruse |first=Beth |date=23 May 2021 |title=The 4 names Prince Charles could choose when he becomes king |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/4-names-prince-charles-could-5446836 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228190148/https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/4-names-prince-charles-could-5446836 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |access-date=28 February 2023 |work=Nottingham Post |issn=2044-3331 |oclc=749994959}}</ref> Charles's office asserted in 2005 that no decision had yet been made.<ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Michael |date=27 December 2005 |title=Charles denies planning to reign as King George |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/dec/27/monarchy.michaelwhite |url-status=live |access-date=2 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002150016/http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/dec/27/monarchy.michaelwhite |archive-date=2 October 2013 |issn=1756-3224 |oclc=60623878 |quote="Clarence House yesterday issued a pained denial of claims that the Prince of Wales has held private discussions with "trusted friends" about the possibility of reigning as George VII rather than risk the negative connotations attached to the name King Charles."}}</ref> Speculation continued for a few hours following his mother's death,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 September 2022 |title=Accession of Charles III: 'A monarch's choice of name is not a trivial thing' |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2022/09/18/accession-of-charles-iii-a-monarch-s-choice-of-name-is-not-a-trivial-thing_5997394_23.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301095656/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2022/09/18/accession-of-charles-iii-a-monarch-s-choice-of-name-is-not-a-trivial-thing_5997394_23.html |archive-date=1 March 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=Le Monde}}</ref> until Prime Minister Liz Truss announced and Clarence House confirmed that Charles had chosen the regnal name ''Charles III''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 September 2022 |title=Charles chooses Charles III for his title as King |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/mother-liz-truss-downing-street-prince-george-christian-b2163145.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909080336/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/mother-liz-truss-downing-street-prince-george-christian-b2163145.html |archive-date=9 September 2022 |access-date=16 April 2023 |work=The Independent (UK) |issn=1741-9743 |oclc=185201487 |quote="Charles has become King Charles III – with his title as monarch a personal choice that was entirely his own."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 September 2022 |title=Britain's new monarch to be known as King Charles III |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-new-monarch-be-known-king-charles-iii-2022-09-08 |url-status=live |access-date=8 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908183620/https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britains-new-monarch-be-known-king-charles-iii-2022-09-08 |archive-date=8 September 2022 |quote="Clarence House confirmed on Thursday that Britain's new monarch will be known as King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth, PA Media reported on Thursday."}}</ref>

Charles, who left active military service in 1976, was awarded the highest rank in all three armed services in 2012 by his mother: Admiral of the Fleet, Field Marshal, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.<ref name=ward>{{cite web | last=Ward | first=EJ | title=King Charles military service and career: What medals does he have? | website=LBC | date=5 May 2023 | url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/explained/king-charles-medals-military-uniform-rank/ | access-date=7 December 2023 | archive-date=12 December 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212181030/https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/explained/king-charles-medals-military-uniform-rank/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Arms === {{Further|Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales|Coat of arms of the United Kingdom|Coat of arms of Canada}}

As Prince of Wales, Charles's coat of arms was based on the arms of the United Kingdom, differenced with a white label and an inescutcheon of the Principality of Wales, surmounted by the heir apparent's crown, and with the motto {{lang|de|Ich dien}} ({{IPA|de|ɪç ˈdiːn|lang}}, "I serve") instead of ''Dieu et mon droit''.

When Charles became king, he inherited the royal coats of arms of the United Kingdom and of Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Coats of Arms |url=https://www.royal.uk/coats-arms |access-date=18 May 2023 |website=The Royal Family |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922084041/https://www.royal.uk/coats-arms |url-status=live }}</ref> The design of his royal cypher, featuring a depiction of the Tudor Crown instead of St Edward's Crown, was revealed on 27 September 2022. The College of Arms envisaged that the Tudor crown will be used in new arms, uniforms and crown badges as they are replaced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Royal Cypher |url=https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/205-royal-cypher |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927145228/https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/205-royal-cypher |archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022 |publisher=College of Arms}}</ref> On 10 October 2024, designed by artist Timothy Noad, the new Royal Arms, alongside the new Lesser Arms, used by the UK government were officially unveiled, with both arms reflecting the stylistic changes made after Charles's accession.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/news/new-coat-of-arms/|access-date=30 December 2025 |website=GOV.UK |archive-date=11 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211193347/https://gcs.civilservice.gov.uk/news/new-coat-of-arms/ |title=New Coat of Arms|date=10 October 2024|url-status=live }}</ref>{{Clear}}

{{multiple image | align = center | total_width = 700 | perrow = | image1 = Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales.svg | caption1 = Coat of arms as Prince of Wales (1958–2022) | image2 = Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (2022, variant 2).svg | caption2 = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom | image3 = Coat of arms of the United Kingdom in Scotland (2022).svg | caption3 = Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom for use in Scotland | image4 = Royal Coat of Arms of Canada.svg | caption4 = Royal coat of arms of Canada | footer = }}

=== Banners, flags, and standards === {{See also|Flags of Charles III}}

==== As heir apparent ==== The banners used by Charles as Prince of Wales varied depending upon location. His personal standard for the United Kingdom was the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom differenced as in his arms, with a label of three points ''argent'' and the escutcheon of the arms of the Principality of Wales in the centre. It was used outside Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Canada, and throughout the entire United Kingdom when Charles was acting in an official capacity associated with the British Armed Forces.<ref name="flags">{{Cite web |title=Standards |url=http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/titles-and-heraldry/standards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607014357/http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/the-prince-of-wales/titles-and-heraldry/standards |archive-date=7 June 2016 |access-date=31 August 2016 |publisher=Prince of Wales}}</ref>

The personal flag for use in Wales was based upon the Royal Badge of Wales.<ref name=flags/> In Scotland the personal banner used between 1974 and 2022 was based upon three ancient Scottish titles: Duke of Rothesay (heir apparent to the King of Scots), High Steward of Scotland, and Lord of the Isles. In Cornwall, the banner was the arms of the Duke of Cornwall.<ref name=flags/>

In 2011, the Canadian Heraldic Authority introduced a personal heraldic banner for the Prince of Wales for Canada, consisting of the shield of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada defaced with both a blue roundel of the Prince of Wales's feathers surrounded by a wreath of gold maple leaves and a white label of three points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Prince of Wales |url=http://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=2281 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304185440/http://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/project.asp?lang=e&ProjectID=2281 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=4 January 2016 |website=Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges |publisher=Office of the Governor General of Canada: Canadian Heraldic Authority}}</ref> {{multiple image | align = center | total_width = 700 | perrow = | header = Banners of arms | caption_align = center | image1 = Royal Standard of the Prince of Wales.svg | caption1 = Royal standard of the Prince of Wales for the United Kingdom | image2 = Personal Banner of the Prince of Wales.svg | caption2 = Standard for Wales | image3 = Personal Banner of the Duke of Rothesay.svg | caption3 = Standard for Scotland | image4 = Flag of the Duke of Cornwall.svg | caption4 = Banner of arms of the Duke of Cornwall | image5 = Royal Standard of the Prince of Wales (in Canada).svg | caption5 = Royal standard of the Prince of Wales for Canada | footer = }}

==== As sovereign ==== {{Main|Royal Standard of the United Kingdom|Royal standards of Canada|King's Flag for Australia}}

The royal standard of the United Kingdom is used to represent the King in the United Kingdom and on official visits overseas, except in Australia and Canada. It is the royal arms in banner form undifferentiated, having been used by successive British monarchs since 1702. The royal standard of Canada is used by the King in Canada and while acting on behalf of Canada overseas. It is the ''escutcheon'' of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada in banner form undifferentiated.

{{Multiple image | perrow = 4 | total_width = 700 | align = center | header = Royal Standards | caption_align = center | image1 = Royal standard of the United Kingdom.svg | caption1 = United Kingdom (outside Scotland) | image2 = Royal Standard of the United Kingdom (in Scotland).svg | caption2 = Scotland | image3 = Royal Standard of Canada.svg | caption3 = Canada | image4 = Royal Standard of Australia.svg | caption4 = Australia }}

== Ancestry == {{ahnentafel |collapsed=yes |align=center |ref={{sfn|Paget|1977}} |boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc; |boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9; |boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc; |boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc; |1= 1. '''Charles III of the United Kingdom''' |2= 2. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh |3= 3. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom |4= 4. Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark |5= 5. Princess Alice of Battenberg |6= 6. George VI of the United Kingdom |7= 7. Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon |8= 8. George I of Greece |9= 9. Grand Duchess Olga Constantinovna of Russia |10= 10. Prince Louis of Battenberg |11= 11. Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine |12= 12. George V of the United Kingdom |13= 13. Princess Victoria Mary of Teck |14= 14. Claude Bowes-Lyon, 14th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne |15= 15. Cecilia Cavendish-Bentinck }}

== Published works == {{Further|Bibliography of Charles III}} As Prince of Wales, Charles wrote four books and was a co-author of other works.

*''The Old Man of Lochnagar''. Illustrated by Sir Hugh Maxwell Casson. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1980. Hardcover: {{ISBN|0-241-10527-7}}. *''A Vision of Britain: A Personal View of Architecture''. Doubleday, 1989. Hardcover: {{ISBN|978-0-385-26903-2}}. *''Rain Forest Lecture''. Royal Botanic Gardens, 1990. Paperback: {{ISBN|0-947643-25-7}}. *''HRH the Prince of Wales Watercolours''. Little, Brown and Company, 1991. Hardcover: {{ISBN|0-8212-1881-6}}.

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == === Citations === {{reflist}}

=== Bibliography === {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Brandreth |first=Gyles |date=2007 |title=Charles and Camilla: Portrait of a Love Affair |url=https://archive.org/details/charlescamillapo00bran |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-09-949087-6 |author-link=Gyles Brandreth }} * {{Cite book |last=Brendon |first=Piers |author-link=Piers Brendon |year=2007 |title=The Decline and Fall of the British Empire, 1781–1997 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-224-06222-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Judith |title=The Twentieth Century, The Oxford History of the British Empire Volume IV |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-19-924679-3 |author-link=Judith M. Brown}} * {{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Tina |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781846053122 |title=The Diana Chronicles |date=2007 |publisher=Century Random House |isbn=978-1-84605-312-2|url-access=registration }} * {{Cite book |last=Dimbleby |first=Jonathan |url=https://archive.org/details/princeofwalesbio00dimb |title=The Prince of Wales: A Biography |date=1994 |publisher=William Morrow and Company |isbn=0-6881-2996-X |author-link=Jonathan Dimbleby }} * {{Cite book |last=Holden |first=Anthony |url=https://archive.org/details/princecharles0000unse |title=Prince Charles |date=1979 |publisher=Atheneum |isbn=978-0-593-02470-6 |author-link=Anthony Holden |url-access=registration }} * {{Cite book |last=Junor |first=Penny |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312352745 |title=The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor |date=2005 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-35274-5 |oclc=59360110 |author-link=Penny Junor }} * {{Cite book |last=Paget |first=Gerald |title=The Lineage and Ancestry of H.R.H. Prince Charles, Prince of Wales ''(2 vols)'' |publisher=Charles Skilton |year=1977 |isbn=978-0-284-40016-1}} * {{Cite book |last=Pepinster |first=Catherine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yBhbEAAAQBAJ |title=Defenders of the Faith: Queen Elizabeth II's funeral will see Christianity take centre stage |date=2022 |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |isbn=978-1-3998-0006-8|access-date=26 October 2022 |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621062745/https://books.google.com/books?id=yBhbEAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }} * {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Sally Bedell |url=https://archive.org/details/dianainsearchofh00sall |title=Diana in Search of Herself: Portrait of a Troubled Princess |date=2000 |publisher=Signet |isbn=978-0-451-20108-9 |author-link=Sally Bedell Smith }} * {{Cite book |last=Temple |first=Jon |title=Living off the State: A Critical Guide to UK Royal Finance |year=2012 |publisher=Progress Books |isbn=978-0-9558311-1-9 |edition=2nd}} {{refend}}

== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book |last=Benson |first=Ross |title=Charles: The Untold Story |url=https://archive.org/details/charlesuntoldsto00bens |date=1994 |publisher=St Martins Press |isbn=978-0-312-10950-9 |author-link=Ross Benson}} * {{Cite book |last=Brown |first=Michèle |title=Prince Charles |date=1980 |publisher=Crown |isbn=978-0-517-54019-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Campbell |first=J. |url=https://archive.org/details/charlesprinceofo0000camp |title=Charles: Prince of Our Times |date=1981 |publisher=Smithmark |isbn=978-0-7064-0968-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Cathcart |first=Helen |url=https://archive.org/details/princecharlesbio00newy |title=Prince Charles: The biography |date=1977 |publisher=Taplinger Pub. Co; Ltd |isbn=978-0-8008-6555-9 |edition=illustrated}} * {{Cite book |last1=Fisher |first1=Graham |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_070916095x |title=Charles: The Man and the Prince |last2=Fisher |first2=Heather |date=1977 |publisher=Robert Hale |isbn=978-0-7091-6095-3}} * {{Cite book |last=Gilleo |first=Alma |title=Prince Charles: Growing Up in Buckingham Palace |date=1978 |publisher=Childs World |isbn=978-0-89565-029-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Graham |first=Caroline |url=https://archive.org/details/camillacharleslo0000grah |title=Camilla and Charles: The Love Story |date=2005 |publisher=John Blake |isbn=978-1-84454-195-9 |url-access=registration}} * {{Cite book |last1=Heald |first1=Tim |title=The Man Who Will Be King H.R.H. (Prince of Wales Charles) |last2=Mohrs |first2=Mayo |date=1979 |location=New York |publisher=Arbor House}} * {{Cite book |last=Hedley |first=Olwen |title=Charles, 21st Prince of Wales |date=1969 |publisher=Pitkin Pictorials |isbn=978-0-85372-027-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Hodgson |first=Howard |title=Charles: The Man Who Will Be King |date=2007 |publisher=John Blake Publishing |isbn=978-1-84454-306-9 |edition=illustrated}} * {{Cite book |last=Holden |first=Anthony |url=https://archive.org/details/kingcharlesiiibi00hold |title=King Charles III: A Biography |date=1988 |publisher=Grove |isbn=978-1-55584-309-0 |author-link=Anthony Holden}} *: {{Cite book |last=Holden |first=Anthony |url=https://archive.org/details/charlesatfifty00hold |title=Charles at Fifty |date=1998 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-375-50175-3 |author-mask=1 |url-access=registration}} *: {{Cite book |last=Holden |first=Anthony |title=Charles: A Biography |date=1999 |publisher=Corgi Books |isbn=978-0-552-99744-7 |author-mask=1}} * {{Cite book |last=Jencks |first=Charles |url=https://archive.org/details/princearchitects0000jenc |title=Prince, Architects & New Wave Monarchy |date=1988 |publisher=Rizzoli |isbn=978-0-8478-1010-9 |author-link=Charles Jencks |url-access=registration}} * {{Cite book |last=Jobson |first=Robert |title=Charles at Seventy – Thoughts, Hopes & Dreams: Thoughts, Hopes and Dreams |date=2018 |publisher=John Blake |isbn=978-1-78606-887-3}} * {{Cite book |last=Junor |first=Penny |url=https://archive.org/details/charlesvictimorv0000juno |title=Charles: Victim or Villain? |date=1998 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-0-00-255900-3 |url-access=registration}} * {{Cite book |last=Lacey |first=Robert |title=Monarch: The Life and Reign of Elizabeth II |date=2008 |publisher=Free Press |isbn=978-1-4391-0839-0 |author-link=Robert Lacey}} * {{Cite book |last=Lane |first=Peter |title=Prince Charles: a study in development |date=1988 |publisher=Robert Hale |isbn=978-0-7090-3320-2}} * {{Cite book |last=Liversidge |first=Douglas |url=https://archive.org/details/princecharlesmon00live |title=Prince Charles: monarch in the making |date=1975 |publisher=A. Barker |isbn=978-0-213-16568-0 |url-access=registration}} * {{Cite book |last=Martin |first=Christopher |title=Prince Charles and the Architectural Debate (Architectural Design Profile) |date=1990 |publisher=St Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-04048-2}} * {{Cite book |last=Mayer |first=Catherine |url=https://archive.org/details/borntobekingprin0000maye |title=Born to Be King: Prince Charles on Planet Windsor |date=2015 |publisher=Henry Holt and Co. |isbn=978-1-62779-438-1 |author-link=Catherine Mayer |url-access=registration}} *: {{Cite book |last=Mayer |first=Catherine |url=https://archive.org/details/charlesheartofki0000maye |title=Charles: The Heart of a King |date=2015 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-7535-5593-4 |author-mask=1 |author-link=Catherine Mayer}} * {{Cite book |last=Nugent |first=Jean |title=Prince Charles, England's Future King |date=1982 |publisher=Dillon |isbn=978-0-87518-226-1}} * {{Cite book |last=Regan |first=Simon |title=Charles, the Clown Prince |date=1977 |publisher=Everest Books |isbn=978-0-905018-50-8 |author-link=Simon Regan}} * {{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Sally Bedell |title=Prince Charles: The Passions and Paradoxes of an Improbable Life |date=2017 |publisher=Random House Trade Paperbacks |isbn=978-0-8129-7980-0}} * {{Cite book |last1=Spangenburg |first1=Ray |title=Open For Debate: Genetic Engineering |last2=Moser |first2=Diane |publisher=Benchmark Books |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-8129-7980-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Veon |first=Joan M. |title=Prince Charles: The Sustainable Prince |date=1997 |publisher=Hearthstone |isbn=978-1-57558-021-0}} * {{Cite book |last=Wakeford |first=Geoffrey |title=Charles, Prince of Wales |date=1962 |publisher=Associated Newspapers}} {{refend}}

== External links == {{Commons}} * [https://www.royal.uk/the-king The King] at the Royal Family website * [https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/royal-family/members-royal-family/king-charles-iii.html King Charles III] at the website of the Government of Canada * [https://www.rct.uk/collection/people/charles-iii-king-of-the-united-kingdom-b-1948#/type/subject Charles III] at the website of the Royal Collection Trust * {{NPG name|name=King Charles III}} * {{IMDb name|id=0697608|name=King Charles III}} * {{C-SPAN|12967}}

{{S-start}} {{S-hou|House of Windsor|14 November|1948}} |- {{s-reg}} {{s-bef|before=Elizabeth II}} {{s-ttl|title=King of the United Kingdom,<br>Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands '''and''' Tuvalu|years=8 September 2022 – present}} {{s-inc|heir=William|heir-type=Heir apparent}} {{s-break}} {{S-roy|uk}} |- {{S-vac|rows=2|last=Edward (VIII)}} {{S-ttl|title=Prince of Wales|years=26 July 1958 – 8 September 2022}} {{S-aft|after=William|rows=2}} |- {{S-ttl|title=Duke of Cornwall<br />Duke of Rothesay|years=6 February 1952 – 8 September 2022}} {{S-reg|uk}} {{S-bef|before=Prince Philip}} {{S-ttl|title=Duke of Edinburgh|years=9 April 2021 – 8 September 2022}} {{S-non|reason=Merged with the Crown}} {{S-aca}} {{S-bef|before=The Earl Mountbatten of Burma}} {{S-ttl|title=President of the United World Colleges |years=1978–1995}} {{S-aft|after=The Queen of Jordan}} {{S-bef|before=Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother}} {{S-ttl|title=President of the Royal College of Music |years=1993–present}} {{S-inc}} |- {{S-hon}} {{S-bef|before=The Duke of Gloucester}} {{S-ttl|title=Great Master of the Order of the Bath|years=10 December 1974 – 8 September 2022}} {{S-vac|next= The Prince of Wales}} {{s-bef|before=Elizabeth II}} {{s-ttl|title=Head of the Commonwealth|years=8 September 2022 – present}} {{s-inc}} {{S-mil}} {{S-bef|before=Elizabeth II}} {{S-ttl|title=Lord High Admiral|years=8 September 2022 {{Sndash}}present}} {{S-inc}} {{S-prec}} |- {{S-non|reason=First}} {{S-ttl|title=Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom<br />'''''HM The King'''''}} {{S-aft|after=The Prince of Wales}} {{S-end}}

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