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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Stephen Bates

King Charles: oldest new monarch ever. How will he handle his reign?

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles at the Chelsea flower show in 2009.
Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles at the Chelsea flower show in 2009. Photograph: Sang Tan/Getty Images

King Charles III has been waiting his whole life for this moment. At his birth 73 years ago he became second in line to the throne and for the past six decades, ever since his mother ascended the throne in 1952 when he was three, he has been the heir apparent.

He was brought up, trained and endlessly coached for a job that has finally come to him at an age when most men want nothing more than a peaceful retirement; a time which, in his case, might have otherwise involved growing organic vegetables and painting watercolour landscapes.

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