Good morning, and if you’re in the UK, I hope you’re having a nice bank holiday. In five days’ time, 71 years after he became heir to the throne and seven months after he became king, Charles will finally be crowned. First Edition is getting in early to mark the occasion with 71 facts about the monarch – the breathlessly awaited successor to the 70 facts about the Queen we brought you to mark the platinum jubilee last year.
After compiling it, I still can’t decide whether to think our new king is a hopelessly self-pitying and pampered snob, or the captive of a decrepit and inhumane system who deserves our compassion. Maybe it’s both. Read on to make your own mind up, and to learn about his favourite loo paper, his disastrous prep school football season, and how to perfect your impression by saying “ears”. And don’t miss the first of a five-part investigative miniseries drawing on the Guardian’s recent Cost of the crown project on Today In Focus. Here are the headlines.
