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How Old Is King Charles – His Age Birthday and Family Facts

James Morgan Thompson • 2026-05-20 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

King Charles III, who turned 77 in November 2025, remains one of the most closely watched monarchs in modern British history. His age, health, and family timeline are subjects of frequent public curiosity. Below is a complete, fact-based look at how old the King is, when he was born, and how his age compares to other members of the royal family.

How Old Is King Charles III?

Charles Philip Arthur George was born on 14 November 1948 at Buckingham Palace. In 2025, he turned 77. As of May 2026, he is 77 and will turn 78 on 14 November 2026. He became king on 8 September 2022 at the age of 73, making him the oldest person ever to accede to the British throne.

  • Age (2025): 77 (turns 78 on 14 November 2026)
  • Birth Date: 14 November 1948
  • Reign Started: 8 September 2022 (age 73)
  • Current Status: Undergoing cancer treatment (since February 2024)

Key Insights

  • Charles III is the oldest person to accede to the British throne, at age 73.
  • He was the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history – 64 years.
  • In February 2024, he was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer but continues to carry out public duties.
  • Unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II (who became queen at 25), Charles became monarch much later in life.
  • His official birthday (the public celebration) is in June, separate from his actual birth date in November.

Fact Table: King Charles III Snapshot

Attribute Value
Full Name Charles Philip Arthur George
Title King of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms
Born 14 November 1948 (Buckingham Palace, London)
Age in 2025 76 (turns 77 on 14 November 2025)
Reign Start 8 September 2022
Coronation 6 May 2023
Spouse Queen Camilla (married 9 April 2005)
Children Prince William (born 1982), Prince Harry (born 1984)
Grandchildren Prince George (2013), Princess Charlotte (2015), Prince Louis (2018), Prince Archie (2019), Princess Lilibet (2021)
Longest-serving Prince of Wales 64 years (1958–2022)
Net Worth Estimated £1.8 billion (mostly Crown Estate assets)

How Old Is King Charles’ Wife, Queen Camilla?

Camilla, Queen Consort, was born on 17 July 1947. In 2025 she turned 78. As of May 2026, she is 78 and will turn 79 in July 2026. She married King Charles on 9 April 2005, after a long relationship that began in the 1970s.

Combined age

In 2025, King Charles (77) and Queen Camilla (78) have a combined age of 155 years.

Who is King Charles’ wife?

Queen Camilla, formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, became queen consort upon Charles’s accession. She is the first queen consort to be publicly introduced to the role with a significant personal history. Her official title is Queen Camilla.

How old is Camilla?

Born in 1947, she is one year older than Charles. Her age is a matter of public record, confirmed by the official Royal Family website. For more details, visit the official page for Queen Camilla.

How Old Are King Charles’ Children?

King Charles has two sons: Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Both were born during his first marriage to Diana, Princess of Wales.

How old is Prince William?

Prince William was born on 21 June 1982. In 2025 he turned 43. As of May 2026, he is 43 and will turn 44 on 21 June 2026. He is first in line to the throne. Read more about the Prince of Wales.

Heir to the throne

At 43, Prince William is 30 years younger than his father. His age is a key factor in long-term succession planning.

How old is Prince Harry?

Prince Harry was born on 15 September 1984. In 2025 he turned 41. As of May 2026, he is 41 and will turn 42 on 15 September 2026. He is fifth in line to the throne.

How Old Are King Charles’ Grandchildren?

King Charles has five grandchildren: three from Prince William and two from Prince Harry.

Prince George of Wales

Born 22 July 2013. In 2025 he turned 12. As of May 2026, he is 12 and will turn 13 on 22 July 2026. He is second in line to the throne.

Princess Charlotte of Wales

Born 2 May 2015. In 2025 she turned 10. As of May 2026, she is 11 (after her birthday on 2 May 2026) and will be 11 until her next birthday.

Prince Louis of Wales

Born 23 April 2018. In 2025 he turned 7. As of May 2026, he is 8 and will turn 9 on 23 April 2027.

Prince Archie of Sussex

Born 6 May 2019. In 2025 he turned 6. As of May 2026, he is 7 and will turn 8 on 6 May 2027.

Princess Lilibet of Sussex

Born 4 June 2021. In 2025 she turned 4. As of May 2026, she is 5 and will turn 6 on 4 June 2027.

Age accuracy

All grandchild ages are calculated from public birth dates. These ages change annually and are current as of May 2026.

How old was King Charles when he became king?

King Charles III ascended the throne on 8 September 2022 at the age of 73 years, 298 days. He is the oldest British monarch to accede, surpassing William IV (64) and Edward VII (59). His coronation took place on 6 May 2023.

  1. 1948 – Born on 14 November at Buckingham Palace.
  2. 1952 – Becomes heir apparent upon mother’s accession as Queen Elizabeth II.
  3. 1958 – Created Prince of Wales (investiture in 1969).
  4. 1981 – Marries Lady Diana Spencer.
  5. 1996 – Divorces Diana.
  6. 2005 – Marries Camilla Parker Bowles.
  7. 2022 – Becomes King Charles III after Queen’s death (age 73).
  8. 2023 – Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
  9. 2024 – Publicly announces cancer diagnosis and begins treatment.
  10. 2025 – Continues public duties with limited schedule; age 76–77.

King Charles II: A Historical Clarification

Some readers encounter references to “King Charles II” and may confuse him with the current monarch. Charles II reigned from 1660 to 1685 and died on 6 February 1685 at age 54. He is a completely different historical figure who lived more than 300 years ago.

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948 – fully verified. The exact type and stage of his cancer have not been publicly disclosed.
His current age can be calculated precisely each year. His long-term prognosis and ability to fulfill duties remain uncertain.
His accession date and age at accession are well-documented. The timing of his official birthday (June) vs real birthday (November) causes occasional confusion.
His children and grandchildren’s ages are public record. The query “King Charles 2 death” likely refers to King Charles II (died 1685), not the current monarch – many users confuse the two.

Why does King Charles’ age matter?

Charles III became monarch at an older age than any British predecessor, at 73. His reign comes during a period of public health scrutiny and ongoing modernization debates within the monarchy. His age directly influences public perception of the line of succession and the readiness of Prince William.

Compared to other modern monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II was 25 when she ascended, and King Edward VII was 59. At 77, Charles is closer to the end of his reign than the beginning, which increases attention on Prince William’s eventual role.

The public interest in his age is driven by concerns about his health, the stability of the monarchy, and the timing of succession. These factors make his age a matter of ongoing news and analysis.

What are the most reliable sources for information about King Charles?

“Charles III was born at Buckingham Palace in 1948 and became king in September 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He was crowned on 6 May 2023 and has continued treatment for cancer since diagnosis in 2024.”

Britannica – King Charles III biography

The official Royal Family website (royal.uk/charles-iii) is the primary authoritative source. Additional reliable sources include Britannica, Wikipedia, and news outlets such as BBC News and The Guardian.

What is the most important thing to know about King Charles’ age?

King Charles III was born on 14 November 1948, making him 77 in 2025 and 77 as of May 2026, turning 78 later in the year. He became king at age 73, the oldest accession in British history. His age is directly linked to ongoing health considerations and the eventual transition to Prince William. For the most current information, check the official royal website or trusted news sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is King Charles and Camilla combined?

As of 2025, King Charles is 77 and Queen Camilla is 78. Their combined age is 155 years.

What is King Charles’ official birthday?

His official birthday is celebrated publicly on a Saturday in June, usually the second Saturday, as part of Trooping the Colour. His real birthday is 14 November.

Does King Charles have cancer?

Yes, Buckingham Palace announced in February 2024 that King Charles was diagnosed with a form of cancer (not specified) and has been undergoing treatment.

When did King Charles II die?

King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland died on 6 February 1685 at age 54. He is a different historical figure from the current King Charles III.

Who is King Charles’ wife?

King Charles’ wife is Queen Camilla (formerly Camilla Parker Bowles). They married in 2005.

How old was King Charles when he became king?

He was 73 years old when he ascended the throne on 8 September 2022.

How old is Prince George?

Prince George of Wales was born 22 July 2013. He turned 12 in 2025 and will be 13 in July 2026.

How old is Queen Camilla?

Queen Camilla was born 17 July 1947. She turned 78 in 2025 and will be 79 in July 2026.

Is Prince William older than Prince Harry?

Yes, Prince William was born 21 June 1982 and Prince Harry was born 15 September 1984. William is two years and three months older.

James Morgan Thompson

About the author

James Morgan Thompson

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.