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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Charles III}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name          = Charles III
| name          = Charles III
| title          =
| title          =
| image          = Charles III Gold.png
| image          = Charles III 3.jpeg


| image_size    = Medium
| image_size    = Medium
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{{longitem |col1style=padding-top:0.2em
{{longitem |col1style=padding-top:0.2em
   |  
   |  
{{Collapsible list |title={{wp|Queen of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|King of the British}} and of the People of his other {{wp|Commonwealth Realms|Realms}}|titlestyle=background:transparent;text-align:center;padding-center:1.0em;
{{Collapsible list |title={{wp|Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King of the British}} and of the People of his other {{wp|Commonwealth Realms|Realms}}|titlestyle=background:transparent;text-align:center;padding-center:1.0em;
     |  
     |  
----
----
       {{Aligned table |fullwidth=on |cols=2 |class=nowrap |style=line-height:1.2em;
       {{Aligned table |fullwidth=on |cols=2 |class=nowrap |style=line-height:1.2em;
         |col1style=padding-right:0.5em;
         |col1style=padding-right:0.5em;
         |{{wp|Canada}}                                        | 1951-1997
         |{{wp|Canada}}                                        | 1957-1997
|{{wp|Australia}}                                        | 1951-1997
|{{wp|Australia}}                                        | 1957-1997
|{{wp|New Zealand}}                                        | 1951-1997
|{{wp|New Zealand}}                                        | 1957-1997
|{{wp|Jamaica}}                                        | 1962-1997
|{{wp|West Indies}}                                        | 1958-1997
|{{wp|Barbados}}                                        | 1966-1997
|{{wp|The Bahamas}}                                        | 1973-1997
|{{wp|Grenada}}                                        | 1974-1997
|{{wp|Papua New Guinea}}                                        | 1975-1997
|{{wp|Papua New Guinea}}                                        | 1975-1997
|{{wp|Puerto Rico}}                                        | 1977-1997
|{{wp|Solomon Islands}}                                        | 1978-1997
|{{wp|Solomon Islands}}                                        | 1978-1997
|{{wp|Tuvalu}}                                        | 1978-1997
|{{wp|Tuvalu}}                                        | 1978-1997
|{{wp|St. Lucia}}                                         | 1979-1997
|''{{wp|The Bahamas}}<ref>In April 1992, together with {{wp|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]].</ref>''                                        | 1973-1992
|{{wp|St. Vincent and the Grenadines}}                                       | 1979-1997
|''{{wp|Belize}}<ref>In April 1992, together with {{wp|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]].</ref>''                                      | 1981-1992
|{{wp|Belize}}                                       | 1981-1997
|{{wp|Antigua and Barbuda}}                                       | 1981-1997
|{{wp|St. Kitts and Nevis}}                                        | 1983-1997
|''{{wp|Mauritius}}''                                        | 1968-1992
|''{{wp|Mauritius}}''                                        | 1968-1992
|''{{wp|Fiji}}''                                        | 1970-1987
|''{{wp|Fiji}}''                                        | 1970-1987
|''{{wp|Pakistan}}''                                        | 1952-1956
|''{{wp|Pakistan}}''                                        | 1952-1956
|''{{wp|South Africa}}''                                        | 1952-1961
|''{{wp|South Africa}}''                                        | 1952-1996
|''{{wp|Ceylon}}''                                        | 1952-1972
|''{{wp|Ceylon}}''                                        | 1952-1972
|''{{wp|Ghana}}''                                        | 1957-1960
|''{{wp|Ghana}}''                                        | 1957-1960
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}} }} }}  
}} }} }}  
| moretext    =  
| moretext    =  
| reign        = 7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997
| reign        = 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997
| reign-type  = Reign
| reign-type  = Reign
| coronation  = 20 September 1951
| coronation  = 20 September 1957
| cor-type    = Coronation
| cor-type    = Coronation
| predecessor  = [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Frederick]]
| predecessor  = [[Frederick, King of the British|Frederick]]
| pre-type    = Predecessor  
| pre-type    = Predecessor  
| regent      = {{list collapsed|title=''See list''|1={{wp|Clement Attlee}}<br>{{wp|Winston Churchill}}<br>{{wp|Anthony Eden}}<br>{{wp|Harold Macmillan}}<br>{{wp|Alec Douglas-Home}}<br>{{wp|Harold Wilson}}<br>{{wp|Edward Heath}}<br>{{wp|James Callaghan}}<br>{{wp|Margaret Thatcher}}<br>{{wp|John Major}}}}
| regent      = {{list collapsed|title=''See list''|1={{wp|Harold Macmillan}}<br>{{wp|Alec Douglas-Home}}<br>{{wp|Harold Wilson}}<br>{{wp|Edward Heath}}<br>{{wp|John Major}}<br/>{{wp|Tony Blair}}<br/>{{wp|David Cameron}}}}
| reg-type    = {{nowrap|{{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Prime Ministers}}}}
| reg-type    = {{nowrap|{{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Ministers}}}}
| successor    = [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]]
| successor    = [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
| suc-type    =  
| suc-type    =  
| succession1  = {{wp|King of the Netherlands|King of the Dutch}}<br/>{{wp|Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand Duke of the Luxembourgers}}
| succession1  =  
| moretext1    =  
| moretext1    =  
| reign1      = 7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997
| reign1      =  
| reign-type1  = Reign
| reign-type1  =  
| coronation1  = 1 January 1952
| coronation1  =  
| cor-type1    = Inauguration
| cor-type1    =  
| predecessor1 = [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Frederick]]
| predecessor1 =  
| pre-type1    = Predecessor
| pre-type1    =  
| regent1      =  
| regent1      =  
| reg-type1    =  
| reg-type1    =  
| successor1  = [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]]
| successor1  =  
| suc-type1    =  
| suc-type1    =  
| succession2  =  
| succession2  =  
| moretext2    =  
| moretext2    =  
| reign2      =  
| reign2      =  
| reign-type2  =  
| reign-type2  =
| coronation2  =  
| coronation2  =  
| cor-type2    =  
| cor-type2    =  
Line 95: Line 89:
| suc-type3    =  
| suc-type3    =  


| birth_name    = Prince Charles of Cambridge, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Prussia
| birth_name    = Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1917|1|15|df=yes}}
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1917|1|15|df=yes}}
| birth_place    = {{wp|Haga Palace}}, {{wp|Stockholm}}, {{wp|Sweden}}
| birth_place    = {{wp|Haga Palace}}, {{wp|Stockholm}}, {{wp|Sweden}}
Line 102: Line 96:
| burial_date  = 5 March 2011
| burial_date  = 5 March 2011
| burial_place = {{wp|Westminster Abbey}}, {{wp|London}}
| burial_place = {{wp|Westminster Abbey}}, {{wp|London}}
| spouse      = {{marriage|{{wp|Lauren Bacall}}|15 March 1946}}
| spouse      = {{marriage|{{wp|Lauren Bacall}}|15 January 1950}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]]
| issue        = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
* [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Prince Nelson]]
* [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom|Prince Nelson]]
* [[Catherine, Princess Royal]]}}
* [[Catherine, Princess Royal]]}}
| issue-link  = #Issue
| issue-link  = #Issue
| full name      = Charles Frederick William Louis
| full name      = Charles Frederick William Louis
| house          = {{wp|House of Amsterdam-Windsor|Amsterdam-Windsor}}
| house          = {{wp|House of Hanover|Hanover}}
| father        = [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Frederick]]
| father        = [[Frederick, King of the British|Frederick]]
| mother        = {{wp|Victoria Louise of Prussia}}
| mother        = {{wp|Victoria Louise of Prussia}}
| religion      = {{wp|Protestantism|Protestant}}
| religion      = {{wp|Protestantism|Protestant}}
| module      = {{Infobox officeholder | embed=yes
| module      = {{Infobox officeholder | embed=yes
   | branch        = {{air force|United States}}
   | branch        = {{air force|United States}}
   | serviceyears  = 1942-1951 (active service)
   | serviceyears  = 1942-1957 (active service)
   | servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
   | servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
   | unit          = {{wp|6th Air Intelligence Squadron}}
   | unit          = {{wp|6th Air Intelligence Squadron}}
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}}
}}


'''Charles III''' ({{wp|English}}: ''Charles Frederick William Louis''; {{wp|German}}: ''Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig''; {{wp|Dutch}}: ''Karel Frederik Willem Lodewijk''; 15 January 1917 - 2 March 2011), better known as '''Charles the Great''', was {{wp|King of the United Kingdom|King of the British}} as '''Charles III''', and {{wp|King of the Netherlands|King of the Dutch}} and {{wp|Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand Duke of the Luxembourgers}} as '''Charles I''' from 7 July 1951 to 15 January 1997. Known for his controversial marriage to the {{wp|Jewish}} {{wp|American}} actress, {{wp|Lauren Bacall}}, Charles was also known for his somewhat outspoken support for {{wp|decolonisation}}, political and social {{wp|liberalism}}, and for his own personal opposition against what he termed as "both the {{wp|First World|First}} and {{wp|Second World|Second}} worlds' imperialism", marked by his lifelong advocacy for the {{wp|United Kingdom}} to be more politically aligned with its former colonies, a majority of which are considered to be {{wp|Third World}} countries. However, following the end of the {{wp|Cold War}} in the early 1990s, Charles was said to have otherwise adopted a more {{wp|pan-European}} outlook, as evidenced by the instances of his often subtle support for the {{wp|European Union}}, a political and economic union which to date, consists of approximately 27 nations, including the {{wp|United Kingdom}} itself, as well as the {{wp|Netherlands}} and {{wp|Luxembourg}}.
'''Charles III''' ({{wp|English}}: ''Charles Frederick William Louis''; {{wp|German}}: ''Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig''; 15 January 1917 - 2 March 2011) was {{wp|Monarchy of the United Kingdom|King of the British}} from 7 July 1957 to 2 March 2011. The only son of [[Frederick, King of the British|King Frederick]], Charles is known for his outspoken liberalism and unorthodox character which included a controversial marriage to the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Lauren Bacall}} in 1950. His reign, which lasted for roughly fifty-four years long, was a transformative period for the {{wp|United Kingdom}} as the country weathered through the {{wp|Cold War}}, decolonisation of its {{wp|African}} colonies, and gradual political and social changes around the turn of the century.  


His reign, which spanned throughout most of the second half of the 20th century saw a series of wide-ranging and dramatic reforms that effectively transformed {{wp|Britain}}'s as well as that of the {{wp|Netherlands}} and {{wp|Luxembourg}}'s political and social climate, all of which were either personally directed or orchestrated by Charles and his {{wp|Lauren Bacall|wife}}, with his most major success being the implementation of absolute primogeniture succession system within the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, the {{wp|Netherlands}}, and within {{wp|Luxembourg}}. Prior to ascending to the throne, during the 1940s, Charles established a modestly successful career as an actor in {{wp|Cinema of the United States|Hollywood}}, earning a total of three {{wp|Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor}} awards, before later enlisting in the {{wp|United States Army Air Force}} for the {{wp|Pacific War}}, for which he was awarded several military honours, along with being the first and only {{wp|British}}, {{wp|Dutch}}, and {{wp|Luxembourgish}} royal to date to ever receive a high-ranking officer rank in the {{wp|United States Armed Forces}}, namely the rank of {{wp|Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General}}. A prolific tennis player during his princely years, Charles competed several times in the {{wp|The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon}} championships, mostly alongside his adoptive sister {{wp|Ingrid of Sweden|Princess Ingrid}} of {{wp|Sweden}} (later Queen Ingrid of {{wp|Denmark}}), with whom he won the championships several times in the years 1934, 1936, 1946, and lastly, in 1947.  
Born as the only child of his [[Frederick, King of the British|father]] from the latter's first marriage to {{wp|Victoria Louise of Prussia|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia}}, Charles, who adopted liberal views early on, quickly became an outspoken opponent against the {{wp|Nazi}} regime in {{wp|Germany}}. In 1942, while living in temporary exile in the {{wp|United States}}, Charles enlisted in the {{wp|United States Air Force}} and went on to become a decorated aviator during the course of the {{wp|Pacific War}} against {{wp|Imperial Japan}}. In 1957, following his [[Frederick, King of the British|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 {{wp|European Union}}, Charles's reign as the {{wp|British}} monarch would come to include the country's participation in the {{wp|European Economic Community}} (later the {{wp|European Union}}), the {{wp|Falklands War}} with {{wp|Argentina}}, as well as a gradual process of devolution concerning the {{wp|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, King of the British|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.  


On 15 January 1997, following celebrations marking his 80th birthday, Charles formally abdicated the throne in favour of his son [[Thomas of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Thomas]] on the grounds of "ill health" and "personal issues", thereby becoming the second {{wp|British}} monarch to do so after {{wp|Queen Victoria}} in 1837. Afterwards, following his death in March 2011, he was posthumously given the epithet ''the Great'' in recognition of his personal contributions to the country.
At the time of his death, aged 94 years old, Charles is the longest-lived {{wp|British}} monarch whereas his {{wp|Lauren Bacall|wife}} is also the longest-lived {{wp|British}} royal consort at 89 years old. Meanwhile, as one of the majority shareholders of {{wp|Atlantic Connection}}, Charles is estimated to be worth around $85 billion, making him one of the richest monarchs in the world.
 
At the time of his death, aged 94 years old, Charles is the longest-lived {{wp|British}}, {{wp|Dutch}}, and {{wp|Luxembourgish}} monarch whereas his {{wp|Lauren Bacall|wife}} is also the longest-lived {{wp|British}} royal consort at 89 years old. Meanwhile, as one of the majority shareholders of {{wp|Atlantic Connection}}, Charles is estimated to be worth around $19.7 billion, making him one of the richest monarchs in the world.


==Early Life==
==Early Life==
[[File:Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany - 1902.jpg|thumb|200px|right|{{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Wilhelm II}}, the last {{wp|German Emperor}}, and Charles's maternal grandfather]]
Charles was born on 15 January 1917 to [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|''Edward, Prince of Wales'']] and {{wp|Victoria Louise of Prussia|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia}}, the daughter of {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser Wilhelm II}} of the {{wp|German Empire}}. A member of the ruling {{wp|House of Hanover}}, he was also closely related to the {{wp|House of Hohenzollern}} as well due to his {{wp|Victoria Louise of Prussia|mother}}'s standing as the only daughter of {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser Wilhelm II}}, along with his own paternal grandmother, {{wp|Sophia of Prussia|Queen Sophia}} being the {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Kaiser}}'s sister herself. However, with the {{wp|German Empire}} itself effectively dissolved in the following year, and as a consequence of the passing of the ''Royal Titles Revocation Act 1924'' in the years following the end of the {{wp|First World War}}, Charles's exclusive {{wp|Prussian}} title of ''Prince of {{wp|Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia}}'', which was prior bestowed upon him by {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Wilhelm II}} himself, was ultimately revoked by his own [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|father]] as to placate {{wp|British}} nationalists in the country who had been critical of the royal family's heavily {{wp|German|Germanised}} background.
Following his birth on January 15th, it was said that prior to being given his actual name, there were other serious alternatives considered as well at the time, with the names ''George'' and ''Edward'' being the most popular alternatives. Ultimately, for reasons that were ultimately kept secret at the time, the young prince and second in line to the throne would then be given the name ''Charles'' instead. However, this decision was almost immediately met with opposition from several members of the royal family who were reportedly against having a "Charles the Third" on the throne, as some of them believed that much like the reigns of the two previous kings named ''Charles'', the reign of a third monarch named ''Charles'' would be of "inevitable disaster" due to the negativity surrounding the name's previous holders, though this concern was promptly dismissed by Charles's father, the then [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|''Prince of Wales'']], whom instead fully supported the choice of the given name for his eldest child and eventual successor. At the same time, his middle name and surname turned out to be that of his {{wp|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia|mother}}'s {{wp|Prussian}} ancestors instead, namely the {{wp|German Emperor|German Emperors}} {{wp|Frederick III, German Emperor|Frederick III}} and {{wp|William I, German Emperor|Wilhelm I}}. In rationalising these decisions, {{wp|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia|Victoria Louise}} herself later wrote in her memoir that her decision to name Charles partly after his {{wp|Prussian}} ancestors was due to her own personal desire to ensure that the young Charles would be born "a prince of both the {{wp|British}} and the {{wp|Germans}}".
On 5 January 1913, around four years prior to his birth, Charles's parents who were then recently married were forced to return to {{wp|Sweden}}, thereby prolonging their initial exile to the country due to the rising political and social tensions in {{wp|Europe}}. Thus, unlike his predecessors, Charles was born instead in the {{wp|Swedish}} royal residence of {{wp|Haga Palace}} in {{wp|Stockholm}}, where his parents had been residing with the permission of the {{wp|Swedish}} royal family. The events surrounding his birth, when relayed to the {{wp|British}} wartime government of {{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Prime Minister}} {{wp|David Lloyd George}}, initially aroused some controversies as the prince's birth had taken place within a foreign territory, prompting speculations regarding Charles's potential inability to succeed to the throne as the heir apparent to his father, then the [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|''Prince of Wales'']]. Ultimately, Charles's eligibility to succeed to the throne remained unaffected due to {{wp|Sweden}}'s application of the {{wp|jus sanguinis|''jus sanguinis''}} principle which did not automatically confirm Charles as a {{wp|Swedish}} citizen although he was instead given a {{wp|British}} citizenship, thereby allowing him to naturally succeed to the throne in the near future. 
For the first couple of years in {{wp|Sweden}}, Charles and his family lived mostly under the protection of {{wp|Gustaf V|King Gustaf V}} and members of the {{wp|Swedish}} royal family. In particular, his godparents, {{wp|Gustaf V|King Gustaf V}} and {{wp|Victoria of Baden|Queen Victoria}} of {{wp|Sweden}} doted greatly on the infant Charles. At the same time, as a relatively young infant, Charles was occasionally looked after by the {{wp|Gustaf V|King}}'s own granddaughter {{wp|Ingrid of Sweden|Princess Ingrid}}, daughter of the eventual {{wp|Gustaf VI Adolf|King Gustaf VI Adolf}} and {{wp|Princess Margaret of Connaught}}.


==Personal Information==
==Personal Information==


==Titles & Honours==
==Titles & Honours==
*'''15 January 1917 - 5 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Charles of Cambridge, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Prussia
*'''15 January 1917 - 5 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
*'''5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Orange, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke of Cornwall
*'''5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Duke of Cornwall
*'''20 January 1923 - 7 July 1951''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Wales, Prince of Orange, and the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg
*'''20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Wales
*'''7 July 1951 - 2 March 2011''' ''His Majesty'' The King of the British, King of the Dutch, and the Grand Duke of the Luxembourgers
*'''7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011''' ''His Majesty'' The King of the British


==Honours==
==Honours==
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{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''22 January 1940 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''22 January 1940 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1951''': {{wp|Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957''': {{wp|Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': {{wp|Head of the British Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces}}<br/>  
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': {{wp|Head of the British Armed Forces|Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces}}<br/>  
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''15 January 1997 - 3 March 2011''': {{wp|Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011''': {{wp|Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal}}, {{wp|British Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''5 March 1936 - 11 December 1936''': {{wp|Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|Lieutenant Commander}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''5 March 1936 - 11 December 1936''': {{wp|Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|Lieutenant Commander}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''11 December 1936 - 2 January 1938''': {{wp|Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''11 December 1936 - 2 January 1938''': {{wp|Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''2 January 1938 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Commodore (Royal Navy)|Commodore}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''2 January 1938 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Commodore (Royal Navy)|Commodore}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Vice-admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-admiral}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Vice-admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-admiral}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1951''': {{wp|Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957''': {{wp|Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': {{wp|Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands|Lord High Admiral}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': {{wp|Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom|Lord High Admiral}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''15 January 1997 - 3 March 2011''': {{wp|Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|naval}} '''15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011''': {{wp|Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet}}, {{wp|Royal Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''20 November 1936 - 3 March 1937''': {{wp|Flying lieutenant}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''20 November 1936 - 2 March 1937''': {{wp|Flying lieutenant}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''3 March 1937 - 30 October 1937''': {{wp|Squadron leader}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''2 March 1937 - 30 October 1937''': {{wp|Squadron leader}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''30 October 1937 - 5 April 1938''': {{wp|Wing commander}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''30 October 1937 - 5 April 1938''': {{wp|Wing commander}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''5 April 1938 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Group captain}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''5 April 1938 - 17 May 1944''': {{wp|Group captain}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Air Marshal}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947''': {{wp|Air Marshal}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1951''': {{wp|Air Chief Marshal}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957''': {{wp|Air Chief Marshal}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''7 July 1951 - 3 March 2011''': {{wp|Marshal of the Royal Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011''': {{wp|Marshal of the Royal Air Force}}<br/>


{{flag|Canada}}<br/>
{{flag|Canada}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|army}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Canadian Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Canadian Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|naval}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Canadian Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|naval}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Canadian Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|air force}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Canadian Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Canada|air force}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Canadian Air Force}}<br/>


{{flag|Australia}}<br/>
{{flag|Australia}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|army}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Australian Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Australian Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|naval}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Australian Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|naval}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Australian Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|air force}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Australian Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|Australia|air force}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal Australian Air Force}}<br/>


{{flag|New Zealand}}<br/>
{{flag|New Zealand}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|army}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|New Zealand Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|New Zealand Army}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|naval}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal New Zealand Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|naval}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal New Zealand Navy}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|air force}} '''7 July 1951 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal New Zealand Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|New Zealand|air force}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Royal New Zealand Air Force}}<br/>


{{flag|United States}}<br/>
{{flag|United States}}<br/>
Line 200: Line 184:
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''4 March 1942 - 11 December 1942''': {{wp|Second Lieutenant}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''4 March 1942 - 11 December 1942''': {{wp|Second Lieutenant}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''11 December 1942 - 4 March 1943''': {{wp|Captain (United States O-3)|Captain}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''11 December 1942 - 4 March 1943''': {{wp|Captain (United States O-3)|Captain}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''4 March 1943 - 15 March 1946''': {{wp|Colonel (United States)|Colonel}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''4 March 1943 - 15 January 1947''': {{wp|Colonel (United States)|Colonel}}, {{wp|United States Army Air Force}}<br/>
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''15 March 1946 - 7 July 1951''':  
{{flagicon|United States|air force}} '''15 January 1947 - 7 July 1957''':  
{{wp|Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General}}, {{wp|United States Air Force}}<br/>
{{wp|Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General}}, {{wp|United States Air Force}}<br/>


Line 211: Line 195:
| boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc;
| boxstyle_3 = background-color: #ffc;
| boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc;
| boxstyle_4 = background-color: #bfc;
| 1 = 1. '''Charles III of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands'''
| 1 = 1. '''Charles III, King of the British'''
| 2 = 2. [[Frederick of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands]]
| 2 = 2. [[Frederick, King of the British|Frederick]]
| 3 = 3. {{wp|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia|Victoria Louise of Prussia}}
| 3 = 3. {{wp|Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia|Victoria Louise of Prussia}}
| 4 = 4. [[George IV and V of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands]]
| 4 = 4. [[George V, King of the British|George V]]
| 5 = 5. {{wp|Sophia of Prussia}}
| 5 = 5. {{wp|Sophia of Prussia}}
| 6 = 6. {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor}}
| 6 = 6. {{wp|Wilhelm II, German Emperor}}
| 7 = 7. {{wp|Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein|Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg}}
| 7 = 7. {{wp|Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein|Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg}}
| 8 = 8. [[Willliam V and II of the United Kingdom and of the Netherlands]]
| 8 = 8. [[William V, King of the British|William V]]
| 9 = 9. {{wp|Princess Louise of Prussia}}
| 9 = 9. {{wp|Princess Louise of Prussia}}
| 10 = 10. {{wp|Frederick III, German Emperor}}
| 10 = 10. {{wp|Frederick III, German Emperor}}

Latest revision as of 10:26, 29 May 2024

Charles III
Medium
King of the British and of the People of his other Realms
Reign7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997
Coronation20 September 1957
PredecessorFrederick
SuccessorThomas
Prime Ministers
See list
BornPrince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
(1917-01-15)15 January 1917
Haga Palace, Stockholm, Sweden
Died2 March 2011(2011-03-02) (aged 94)
Buckingham Palace, London
Burial5 March 2011
Westminster Abbey, London
Spouse
Lauren Bacall (m. 1950)
Issue
Detail
Full name
Charles Frederick William Louis
HouseHanover
FatherFrederick
MotherVictoria Louise of Prussia
ReligionProtestant
Military service
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1942-1957 (active service)
RankBrigadier General
Unit6th Air Intelligence Squadron
Battles/warsPacific War

Charles III (English: Charles Frederick William Louis; German: Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig; 15 January 1917 - 2 March 2011) was King 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 Royal Highness Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
  • 5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923 His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall
  • 20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957 His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
  • 7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011 His Majesty The King of the British

Honours

National & Commonwealth

Foreign

Military Appointments

 United Kingdom
wikipedia:United Kingdom 13 February 1935 - 30 January 1936: Officer Cadet, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 30 January 1936 - 11 November 1936: Second Lieutenant, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 11 November 1936 - 5 March 1937: Lieutenant, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 5 March 1937 - 11 December 1937 : Major, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 11 December 1937 - 22 January 1940: Colonel, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 22 January 1940 - 17 May 1944: Brigadier, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Lieutenant General, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Field Marshal, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces
wikipedia:United Kingdom 15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011: Field Marshal, British Army
wikipedia:United Kingdom 5 March 1936 - 11 December 1936: Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 11 December 1936 - 2 January 1938: Captain, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 2 January 1938 - 17 May 1944: Commodore, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Vice-admiral, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Lord High Admiral, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 15 January 1997 - 2 March 2011: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy
wikipedia:United Kingdom 20 November 1936 - 2 March 1937: Flying lieutenant, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 2 March 1937 - 30 October 1937: Squadron leader, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 30 October 1937 - 5 April 1938: Wing commander, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 5 April 1938 - 17 May 1944: Group captain, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 17 May 1944 - 16 March 1947: Air Marshal, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957: Air Chief Marshal, Royal Air Force
wikipedia:United Kingdom 7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011: Marshal of the Royal Air Force

 Canada
Wikipedia:Canada 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Army
Wikipedia:Canada 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy
Wikipedia:Canada 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Force

 Australia
wikipedia:Australia 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Army
wikipedia:Australia 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Navy
wikipedia:Australia 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force

 New Zealand
wikipedia:New Zealand 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the New Zealand Army
wikipedia:New Zealand 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy
wikipedia:New Zealand 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997: Commander-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force

 United States
United States 22 March 1941 - 4 March 1942: Officer Cadet, United States Army Air Force
United States 4 March 1942 - 11 December 1942: Second Lieutenant, United States Army Air Force
United States 11 December 1942 - 4 March 1943: Captain, United States Army Air Force
United States 4 March 1943 - 15 January 1947: Colonel, United States Army Air Force
United States 15 January 1947 - 7 July 1957: Brigadier General, United States Air Force

Ancestry

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
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