15 Photos of a Young King Charles (and the Time He Broke Royal Protocol)
15 Photos of a Young King Charles (and the Time He Broke Royal Protocol)
Giovana GelhorenSun, August 23, 2026 at 1:20 PM UTC
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King Charles IICredit: Getty ImagesTHE GIST -
King Charles was born on November 14, 1948, and was the first son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
He was appointed as the Prince of Wales at just 9 years old and fulfilled his duties as such until he became King in 2022.
King Charles married Princess Diana on July 29, 1981. They were together until their separation in 1992.
On November 14, 1948, Queen Elizabeth II welcomed her firstborn, now King Charles III, with her husband, Prince Philip. And while Elizabeth wasn’t queen yet when he arrived (she became sovereign in 1952 following the passing of her father, King George VI), Charles was born to follow the royal lineage and one day become King.
So, of course, cameras have followed him and his family closely ever since his birth. Some moments of his early years include his mom beaming with joy at his christening, his big brother moments with his younger siblings, Princess Anne, ex-Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, and his many royal appearances as the Prince of Wales, a title that was given to him in 1958.
On July 29, 1981, the media scrutiny and public fascination heightened when he tied the knot with Princess Diana at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. But while the world knows just how tumultuous their marriage would become, Charles’ life before his marriage to Diana is still fairly unknown.
Below, scroll to learn more about Charles’ lesser-known years in the public eye, from his first-ever photoshoot with mom Queen Elizabeth to his engagement to Diana in February 1981.
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Charles’ Christening
Queen Elizabeth II and then-Prince CharlesCredit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth looked so happy in this 1948 photo of her holding a baby Charles on her lap on the day of his Christening.
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An Early Portrait
Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth IICredit: PA Images via Getty Images
Charles wasn’t even one year old when he posed for this royal portrait in 1949 with his mom in a private room at Buckingham Palace.
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Their Family Portrait
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess AnneCredit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Charles became a big brother for the first time on August 15, 1950, when his parents welcomed his sister Princess Anne. The four of them are pictured in this 1951 portrait.
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Family Bonding in 1951
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Princess AnneCredit: Corbis via Getty Images
Also taken in 1951, a 2-year-old Charles is seen playing around and bonding with his little sister.
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Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Prince PhilipCredit: Mirrorpix via Getty Images
On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth was crowned the Queen alongside her family. In this shot, Philip is looking lovingly at his wife while Charles and Anne take in the crowds outside Buckingham Palace.
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His Time at Cambridge University
Prince CharlesCredit: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Even big royal fans might be surprised to know that Charles has impressive musical abilities, having played the cello, piano, and trumpet over the years, as well as sung in choirs. In this 1967 picture, he’s playing the cello in his Cambridge University dorm. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in archaeology, anthropology, and history.
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Being Named the Prince of Wales
Prince CharlesCredit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
While Charles became the Prince of Wales in 1958 at just 9 years old, the formal investiture ceremony took place years later at Caernarfon Castle on July 1, 1969. He held the title until he became King on September 8, 2022.
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Having Fun With Prince Edward
Charles, Prince of WalesCredit: Hulton Archive/Central Press/Getty Images
In this April 1969 picture, Charles is seen riding a go-kart with his youngest sibling, Prince Edward. Edward was only 5 years old here.
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Meeting Barbra Streisand
Prince Charles and Barbra StreisandCredit: Mark Sennet/Getty Images
During one of his royal trips, Charles met with Hollywood icon Barbra Streisand while visiting the Warner Bros. studio on March 19, 1974, in Los Angeles, California.
Streisand remembered the moment in her memoir, My Name Is Barbra. “The prince was utterly charming when he came to the studio, but frankly, it’s hard to have a real conversation when you’re surrounded by fifty photographers snapping pictures,” Streisand recalled, per Business Insider. “I was drinking tea and offered him a sip… and the future king of England actually drank from my cup, which was apparently unprecedented.”
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His Trip to Canada in 1975
Prince CharlesCredit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
In another international trip, this time to Canada’s Northwest Territories on April 30, 1975, Charles decked out in a blue parka, massive gloves and even a fur hat.
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His New Bearded Look
Prince CharlesCredit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
In 1976, Charles broke royal protocol when he grew out his beard and tried out a whole new look. He hasn’t grown a beard since.
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Dating Lady Sarah Spencer
Prince CharlesCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Before Charles started dating Princess Diana, he famously dated her sister, Lady Sarah Spencer (now Lady Sarah McCorquodale). They dated for nine months from 1977 to 1978, and she introduced him to her younger sister shortly after.
Upon their engagement announcement in February 1981, Sarah told the press (via The Guardian), “I introduced them. I’m Cupid.”
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His Trip to Brazil in 1978
Prince CharlesCredit: John Scott/Princess Diana Museum/Getty Images
Despite his royal duties being serious business, many photos of his trips see Charles letting loose and having fun. In this photo taken in March 1978, he joined dancers in dancing the samba in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Playing a Prank
Prince CharlesCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
In January 1980, Charles decided to fool the press, so he showed up to a press call wearing a fake nose, mustache and spectacles. He eventually took off the fake nose to reveal himself and laughed with the photographers.
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Engaged to Princess Diana in 1981
Lady Diana Spencer and Prince CharlesCredit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
After six months of dating, Charles and Diana announced their engagement on February 24, 1981. They made an official announcement via the Lord Chancellor at 11 a.m. “It is with greatest pleasure that the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh announce the betrothal of their beloved son the Prince of Wales to the Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of the Earl Spencer and the Honourable Mrs Shand Kydd,” the statement read, per People.
From their interview, one moment has stood the test of time. When asked if they were in love, Charles famously said, “Of course, whatever in love means.”
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