Friday, September 09, 2022

Charles III--Interesting Random Facts


Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms.[fn 3] He acceded to the throne on 8 September 2022 upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. As Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay from 1952 to his accession, he was the oldest and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history,[2] and the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having held the title from 26 July 1958 until his accession.[3] At 73 years of age, Charles is also the oldest person ever to assume the British throne, a record previously held by William IV at age 64.

This is of interest to me because it ties in with one of my little pet historical interests: Prince Bertie.  As I wrote in my review of Dirty Bertie: An English King Made in France back in 2016:
Before he was King Edward VII of England, the son of Queen Victoria spent most of his life known as Bertie.
Bertie was an interesting figure, partly because he essentially spent his entire life just waiting around to become king.  He occupied the position of Prince of Wales for longer than any of his predecessors. Because Queen Victoria refused to die for so many years, Bertie didn't become King until he was 60. (Although, assuming he outlives his mother, the current Prince of Wales will one day beat that record--Prince Charles is 67 now.)
Well, Prince Charles has now officially beaten the record.  Which means, I suppose, that Prince Bertie just became a little bit less unique.  

Addedum:
As for the name "Charles III", see also from Wikipedia:

There had been speculation as to what regnal name Charles would choose upon his succession to the throne. In 2005, it was reported that Charles had suggested he might choose to reign as George VII in honour of his maternal grandfather, and to avoid association with the Stuart kings Charles I, who was beheaded, and Charles II who was known for his promiscuous lifestyle,[260] as well as to be sensitive to the memory of Bonnie Prince Charlie, once a Stuart pretender to the English and Scottish thrones, who was called "Charles III" by his supporters.[260] In 2005 Charles's office said that no decision had yet been made.[261] Following the death of Queen Elizabeth IIClarence House confirmed that Charles would use the regnal name "Charles III".[262]

For the reign of Charles I, and for the restoration of Charles II, see my list of reading material at the bottom of my post on The English Revolution.

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