Biography of The Prince of Wales

Charles Philip Arthur George was born at Buckingham Palace on November 14, 1948. He is the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Prince became Heir to the British Throne at the age of three when his mother became queen in 1952.

• Education
• Visits to Canada
• Military Service
• Marriage and family
• Charitable work
• The Prince returns to Canada

Education

In 1956, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales became the first heir apparent to go to school rather than have a private tutor. The young Prince attended three schools in Britain and spent two terms as an exchange student in Melbourne, Australia.

From 1967 to 1970, The Prince studied archaeology, anthropology and history at Cambridge University. He also learned to speak Welsh at the University College of Wales.

Visits to Canada

The Prince of Wales has been visiting Canada for almost 40 years. He has been here 14 times and has visited every province and, if we count his visits to communities in Nunavut that took place before the creation of the territory in 1999, every territory as well.

Military Service

In 1971, The Prince of Wales began a naval career, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and two of his great-grandfathers. The Prince qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974 before joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, which operated from the Commando carrier HMS Hermes.

While serving on HMS Hermes in Canadian waters in 1975, the Prince of Wales spent a week in the Northwest Territories.

During his royal visits to Canada, His Royal Highness was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of:

• The Air Reserve of Canada;
• Lord Strathcona's Horse ("Royal Canadians");
• The Royal Winnipeg Rifles;
• The Royal Regiment of Canada;
• The Royal Canadian Dragoons;
• The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada; and
• The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own).

Marriage and family

On July 29, 1981, The Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer. The couple visited Canada in 1983, 1986 and 1991.

The Prince and Diana, Princess of Wales, had two children, Prince William, born on June 21, 1982, and Prince Harry, born on September 15, 1984.

In December 1992, The Prince of Wales and Princess Diana separated. The marriage was dissolved four years later. Princess Diana died in a car crash in 1997.

In February 2005, the Prince announced his engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles. They married in a civil ceremony on April 9, 2005. A prayer service and a reception followed at Windsor Castle.

After the wedding, Camilla Parker Bowles became Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

Charitable work

The Prince of Wales is patron or president of more than 400 organizations around the world. These patronages reflect The Prince's diverse interests, ranging from youth and education to organic agriculture and architecture.

The Prince of Wales' patronages include Canadian organizations, such as Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, Canadian Warplane Heritage, The Regina Symphony Orchestra and The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club.

The Prince returns to Canada

The Prince of Wales will return to Canada with his wife, The Duchess of Cornwall, in November 2009. Because this will be the first visit to Canada for the Duchess, this will be the first official visit to this country for them as a couple

"Every time I come to Canada and I've been here many times since 1970, a little more of Canada seeps into my bloodstream," said The Prince during a 1996 trip to Canada. "And from there, straight into my heart."

Other Resources

CBC News Online
Charles at 60: The Passionate Prince
The Prince of Wales

Archived Resources

The Prince of Wales: Royal Visit 2001