When Britain’s Prince Charles awoke today, on his 70th birthday, he still was not king.
In fact, he has not been the king for a very, very long time.
The first son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales is the longest serving heir apparent in British history. Charles has been next in line to the throne since his mother was crowned in 1952, when she was only 25. Born on Nov. 14, 1948, he was 3 when she became queen. Sixty-seven years into Elizabeth’s reign—the longest in the UK monarchy’s history—Charles is still waiting for his chance.
Charles has been waiting so long to take the throne that most of the British public would rather see his son Prince William become king. Once upon a time, it was not always thus.
Here is a look at scenes from Prince Charles’ life.
