Charles III
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Emperor of the British and of the People of his other Realms
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| Reign | 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coronation | 20 September 1957 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Frederick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Thomas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Ministers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia 15 January 1917 Haga Palace, Stockholm, Sweden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 2 March 2011 (aged 94) Buckingham Palace, London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Burial | 5 March 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Lauren Bacall (m. 1950) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue Detail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| House | Hanover | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Father | Frederick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mother | Victoria Louise of Prussia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | Protestant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years of service | 1942-1957 (active service) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rank | Brigadier General | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit | 6th Air Intelligence Squadron | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battles/wars | Pacific War | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charles III (English: Charles Frederick William Louis; German: Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig; 15 January 1917 - 2 March 2011) was Emperor of the British from 7 July 1957 to 2 March 2011. The only son of King Frederick, Charles is known for his outspoken liberalism and unorthodox character which included a controversial marriage to the American actress Lauren Bacall in 1950. His reign, which lasted for roughly fifty-four years long, was a transformative period for the United Kingdom as the country weathered through the Cold War, decolonisation of its African colonies, and gradual political and social changes around the turn of the century.
Born as the only child of his father from the latter's first marriage to Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia, Charles, who adopted liberal views early on, quickly became an outspoken opponent against the Nazi regime in Germany. In 1942, while living in temporary exile in the United States, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force and went on to become a decorated aviator during the course of the Pacific War against Imperial Japan. In 1957, following his father's death, Charles ascended to the throne where his liberal inclinations initially proved to be the source of some controversy. Nonetheless, as a fervent supporter of decolonisation and the European Union, Charles's reign as the British monarch would come to include the country's participation in the European Economic Community (later the European Union), the Falklands War with Argentina, as well as a gradual process of devolution concerning the United Kingdom's constituent countries. On 15 January 1997, Charles announced his abdication from the throne, thereby leading him to be succeeded by his heir apparent Thomas. Following his abdication, while retaining some levels of activity, Charles continued to be styled as "King Emeritus", a title that he held until his death on 2 March 2011.
At the time of his death, aged 94 years old, Charles is the longest-lived British monarch whereas his wife is also the longest-lived British royal consort at 89 years old. Meanwhile, as one of the majority shareholders of Atlantic Connection, Charles is estimated to be worth around $85 billion, making him one of the richest monarchs in the world.
Early Life
Personal Information
Titles & Honours
- 15 January 1917 - 5 January 1923 His Imperial Highness Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
- 5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923 His Imperial Highness The Duke of Cornwall
- 20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957 His Imperial Highness The Prince of Wales
- 7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011 His Majesty The Emperor of the British
Honours
National & Commonwealth
Foreign
Military Appointments
United Kingdom
13 February 1935 - 30 January 1936: Officer Cadet, British Army
30 January 1936 - 11 November 1936: Second Lieutenant, British Army
11 November 1936 - 5 March 1937: Lieutenant, British Army
5 March 1937 - 11 December 1937 : Major, British Army
11 December 1937 - 22 January 1940: Colonel, British Army
22 January 1940 - 17 May 1944: Brigadier, British Army
17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Lieutenant General, British Army
16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Field Marshal, British Army
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces
15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011: Field Marshal, British Army
5 March 1936 - 11 December 1936: Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
11 December 1936 - 2 January 1938: Captain, Royal Navy
2 January 1938 - 17 May 1944: Commodore, Royal Navy
17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Vice-admiral, Royal Navy
16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Lord High Admiral, Royal Navy
15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy
20 November 1936 - 2 March 1937: Flying lieutenant, Royal Air Force
2 March 1937 - 30 October 1937: Squadron leader, Royal Air Force
30 October 1937 - 5 April 1938: Wing commander, Royal Air Force
5 April 1938 - 17 May 1944: Group captain, Royal Air Force
17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Air Marshal, Royal Air Force
16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Air Chief Marshal, Royal Air Force
7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011: Marshal of the Royal Air Force
Canada
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Army
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Australia
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Army
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Navy
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force
New Zealand
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Army
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy
7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
United States
22 March 1941 - 4 March 1942: Officer Cadet, United States Army Air Force
4 March 1942 - 11 December 1942: Second Lieutenant, United States Army Air Force
11 December 1942 - 4 March 1943: Captain, United States Army Air Force
4 March 1943 - 15 January 1947: Colonel, United States Army Air Force
15 January 1947 - 7 July 1957:
Brigadier General, United States Air Force
Ancestry
| Ancestors of Charles the Great |
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- ↑ In April 1992, together with Belize, the country together joined to become the newest states of the West Indies, thereby bringing to an end their monarchical systems which are, in turn, replaced by that of the West Indies.
- ↑ In April 1992, together with The Bahamas, the country together joined to become the newest states of the West Indies, thereby bringing to an end their monarchical systems which are, in turn, replaced by that of the West Indies.