Charles the Great: Difference between revisions
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| name = Charles III | | name = Charles III | ||
| title = | | title = | ||
| image = Charles III | | 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| | {{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}} | | |{{wp|Canada}} | 1957-1997 | ||
|{{wp|Australia}} | | |{{wp|Australia}} | 1957-1997 | ||
|{{wp|New Zealand}} | | |{{wp|New Zealand}} | 1957-1997 | ||
|{{wp| | |{{wp|West Indies}} | 1958-1997 | ||
|{{wp|Papua New Guinea}} | 1975-1997 | |{{wp|Papua New Guinea}} | 1975-1997 | ||
|{{wp|Solomon Islands}} | 1978-1997 | |{{wp|Solomon Islands}} | 1978-1997 | ||
|{{wp|Tuvalu}} | 1978-1997 | |{{wp|Tuvalu}} | 1978-1997 | ||
|{{wp| | |''{{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|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}} | |||
|''{{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- | |''{{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 | | reign = 7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997 | ||
| reign-type = Reign | | reign-type = Reign | ||
| coronation = 20 September | | coronation = 20 September 1957 | ||
| cor-type = Coronation | | cor-type = Coronation | ||
| predecessor = [[Frederick of the | | 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 | | 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}}}} | ||
| reg-type = {{nowrap|{{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom | | reg-type = {{nowrap|{{wp|Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Ministers}}}} | ||
| successor = [[Thomas of the | | successor = [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]] | ||
| suc-type = | | suc-type = | ||
| succession1 = | | succession1 = | ||
| moretext1 = | | moretext1 = | ||
| reign1 = | | reign1 = | ||
| reign-type1 = | | reign-type1 = | ||
| coronation1 = | | coronation1 = | ||
| cor-type1 = | | cor-type1 = | ||
| predecessor1 = | | predecessor1 = | ||
| pre-type1 = | | pre-type1 = | ||
| regent1 = | | regent1 = | ||
| reg-type1 = | | reg-type1 = | ||
| successor1 = | | successor1 = | ||
| suc-type1 = | | suc-type1 = | ||
| succession2 = | | succession2 = | ||
| moretext2 = | | moretext2 = | ||
| reign2 = | | reign2 = | ||
| reign-type2 = | | reign-type2 = | ||
| coronation2 = | | coronation2 = | ||
| cor-type2 = | | cor-type2 = | ||
Line 95: | Line 88: | ||
| suc-type3 = | | suc-type3 = | ||
| birth_name = Prince Charles of Cambridge | | 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 95: | ||
| 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 | | spouse = {{marriage|{{wp|Lauren Bacall}}|15 January 1947}} | ||
| issue = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas of the | | issue = {{plainlist|* [[Thomas, King of the British|Thomas]] | ||
* [[Prince Nelson of the United Kingdom | * [[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 | | house = {{wp|House of Hanover|Hanover}} | ||
| father = [[Frederick of the | | 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- | | 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 | '''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}}. | ||
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 | 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. | ||
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 $19.7 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 | |||
==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 | *'''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 | *'''5 January 1923 - 20 January 1923''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Duke of Cornwall | ||
*'''20 January 1923 - 7 July | *'''20 January 1923 - 7 July 1957''' ''His Royal Highness'' The Prince of Wales | ||
*'''7 July | *'''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 | {{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 | {{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 - 3 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/> | ||
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{{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 | {{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 | {{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 - 3 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 - 3 March 1937''': {{wp|Flying lieutenant}}, {{wp|Royal Air Force}}<br/> | ||
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{{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 | {{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 | {{flagicon|UK|air force}} '''7 July 1957 - 3 March 2011''': {{wp|Marshal of the Royal Air Force}}<br/> | ||
{{flag|Canada}}<br/> | {{flag|Canada}}<br/> | ||
{{flagicon|Canada|army}} '''7 July | {{flagicon|Canada|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Canadian Army}}<br/> | ||
{{flagicon|Canada|naval}} '''7 July | {{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 | {{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 | {{flagicon|Australia|army}} '''7 July 1957 - 15 January 1997''': Commander-in-Chief of the {{wp|Australian Army}}<br/> | ||
{{flagicon|Australia|naval}} '''7 July | {{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 | {{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 | {{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 | {{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 | {{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/> | ||
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{{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 | {{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 | {{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/> | ||
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| 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 | | 1 = 1. '''Charles III, King of the British''' | ||
| 2 = 2. [[Frederick of the | | 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 | | 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. [[ | | 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}} |
Revision as of 17:19, 2 April 2024
Charles III | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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King of the British and of the People of his other Realms
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Buckingham Palace, London | (aged 94)||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Burial | 5 March 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Lauren Bacall (m. 1947) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue Detail | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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), better known as Charles the Great, was King of the British from 7 July 1957 to 15 January 1997. Known for his controversial marriage to the Jewish American actress, Lauren Bacall, Charles was also known for his somewhat outspoken support for decolonisation, political and social liberalism, and for his own opposition against what he termed as "the imperialism of the First and Second worlds". In the meantime, Charles was also personally a strong proponent of European unity and was reportedly one of the first individuals that first conceived the idea of the European Economic Community which later became the modern-day European Union.
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 Britain's political and social climate, all of which were either personally directed or orchestrated by Charles and his wife, with his most major success being the implementation of absolute primogeniture succession system within the United Kingdom. Prior to ascending to the throne, during the 1940s, Charles established a modestly successful career as an actor in Hollywood, earning a total of three Best Actor awards, before later enlisting in the United States Army Air Force for the Pacific War, for which he was awarded several military honours, along with being the first and only British, Dutch, and Luxembourgish royal to date to ever receive a high-ranking officer rank in the United States Armed Forces, namely the rank of Brigadier General. On 15 January 1997, following celebrations marking his 80th birthday, Charles formally abdicated the throne in favour of his son Thomas on the grounds of "ill health" and "personal issues", thereby becoming the second British monarch to do so after 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 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 $19.7 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
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 - 3 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 - 3 March 2011: Admiral of the Fleet, Royal Navy
20 November 1936 - 3 March 1937: Flying lieutenant, Royal Air Force
3 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 - 3 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 |
---|
- ↑ 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.