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


| image_size    = Medium
| image_size    = Medium
Line 47: Line 48:
| predecessor  = [[Frederick, King of the British|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|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|Prime Ministers}}}}
| reg-type    = {{nowrap|{{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Ministers}}}}
| successor    = [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
| successor    = [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
Line 90: Line 91:
| birth_name    = Prince Charles of Cambridge 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}}
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|2011|3|2|1917|1|15|df=yes}}
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|2011|3|2|1917|1|15|df=yes}}
| death_place  = {{wp|Buckingham Palace}}, {{wp|London}}
| death_place  = {{wp|Buckingham Palace}}, {{wp|London}}
| 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 January 1947}}
| spouse      = {{marriage|{{wp|Lauren Bacall}}|15 January 1950}}
| issue        = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
| issue        = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]
* [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom|Prince Nelson]]
* [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom|Prince Nelson]]
Line 116: Line 117:
}}
}}


'''Charles III''' ({{wp|English}}: ''Charles Frederick William Louis''; {{wp|German}}: ''Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig''; 15 January 1917 - 2 March 2011), better known as '''Charles the Great''', was {{wp|King of the United Kingdom|King of the British}} from 7 July 1957 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 opposition against what he termed as "the imperialism of the {{wp|First World|First}} and {{wp|Second World|Second}} worlds". In the meantime, Charles was also personally a strong proponent of {{wp|European}} unity and was reportedly one of the first individuals that first conceived the idea of the {{wp|European Economic Community}} which later became the modern-day {{wp|European Union}}.  
'''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 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}}. 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}}. On 15 January 1997, following celebrations marking his 80th birthday, Charles formally abdicated the throne in favour of his son [[Thomas, King of the British|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.
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 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 and acquired a reputation for his liberalism which earned him both praise and criticism from the government and the public. 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 1 January 1971, the 270th anniversary of the birth of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}, Charles oversaw the historic moon landing of the {{wp|United Kingdom}}'s {{wp|Albion}} spacecraft involving {{wp|Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain}} {{wp|Eric Brown (pilot)|Eric Brown}} and {{wp|Group captain|Group Captain}} {{wp|John Cunningham (RAF officer)|John Cunningham}}, thereby beating both the {{wp|United States}} and the {{wp|Soviet Union}} in the {{wp|Space Race}}. On 15 January 1997, Charles, having spent forty years on the throne, announced his abdication and was succeeded by his heir apparent [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]]. Following his abdication, Charles, who continued to be involved in philanthropy and other works, was styled "King Emeritus", a title he held until his death on 2 March 2011.  


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}} monarch whereas his {{wp|Lauren Bacall|wife}} is also the longest-lived {{wp|British}} royal consort at 89 years old. 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. From 1950 until his death in 2011, he was married to the {{wp|American}} actress {{wp|Lauren Bacall}}, with the couple's wedding, the first between a {{wp|British}} monarch and an {{wp|American}} actress, being a source of considerable controversy at the time. Nonetheless, the couple's unconventional public image and shared liberal values helped modernise the royal family as all their three children together went on to marry non-{{wp|British}} commoners themselves.


==Early Life==
==Early Life==
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==Titles & Honours==
==Titles & Honours==
*'''15 January 1917 - 5 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
*'''15 January 1917 - 5 January 1923''' ''His Imperial Highness'' Prince Charles of Cambridge and Prussia
*'''5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Duke of Cornwall
*'''5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923''' ''His Imperial Highness'' The Duke of Cornwall
*'''20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Wales
*'''20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957''' ''His Imperial Highness'' The Prince of Wales
*'''7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011''' ''His Majesty'' The King of the British
*'''7 July 1957 - 2 March 2011''' ''His Majesty'' The King of the British


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{{flagicon|UK|army}} '''16 March 1947 - 7 July 1957''': {{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 1957 - 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/>
Line 155: Line 156:
{{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}} '''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 1957  - 15 January 1997''': {{wp|Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom|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 1957''': {{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 1957 - 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/>

Latest revision as of 14:39, 16 September 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
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 the Pacific War against Imperial Japan. In 1957, following his father's death, Charles ascended to the throne and acquired a reputation for his liberalism which earned him both praise and criticism from the government and the public. 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 1 January 1971, the 270th anniversary of the birth of the United Kingdom, Charles oversaw the historic moon landing of the United Kingdom's Albion spacecraft involving Captain Eric Brown and Group Captain John Cunningham, thereby beating both the United States and the Soviet Union in the Space Race. On 15 January 1997, Charles, having spent forty years on the throne, announced his abdication and was succeeded by his heir apparent Thomas. Following his abdication, Charles, who continued to be involved in philanthropy and other works, was styled "King Emeritus", a title 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. 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. From 1950 until his death in 2011, he was married to the American actress Lauren Bacall, with the couple's wedding, the first between a British monarch and an American actress, being a source of considerable controversy at the time. Nonetheless, the couple's unconventional public image and shared liberal values helped modernise the royal family as all their three children together went on to marry non-British commoners themselves.

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 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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