With the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth ||, Prince Charles has finally became the king of England ending a wait of more than 70 years.

Charles, 73, will be the oldest monarch to take the throne in a lineage that dates back 1,000 years.

As Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay from 1952 to his accession, he was the oldest and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, and the longest-serving Prince of Wales.

King Charles III was born in Buckingham Palace, the first child of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the first grandchild of King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth.

Charles was groomed from birth to be the King one day.

Charles was formally crowned Prince of Wales, the title traditionally held by the heir to the throne, at a grand ceremony in 1969.

Since he was crowned as the Prince of Wales in 1969 before he completed his education, he was the first British heir to receive a degree the following year.

Charles joined the armed forces, initially with the Royal Air Force in 1971, like many other Royals.

Charles has always been criticised for his doomed marriage to Lady Diana Spencer (who he married in 1981 and had two sons - Prince William and Prince Harry) and his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, his second wife.

The new King's supporters say he has often been misunderstood and is a serious-minded man with a genuine concern for his people.

Considering how Charles's second wife Camilla still divides public opinion, her crowning would be a highlight.