CBC News Indepth: The Royal Family

INDEPTH: THE ROYAL FAMILY
Prince Charles
CBC News Online | May 13, 2005

Charles Philip Arthur George was born at Buckingham Palace on Nov. 14, 1948, to Princess Elizabeth. His mother became Queen in 1952, after the death of her father King George VI, making Prince Charles the heir apparent.

Among his many other titles, Charles is Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. He is also known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland.

He is well known to be an avid horseman and polo player, and is passionate about environmental issues. He set up The Prince's Trust, which provides grants and loans to disadvantaged youth to set up businesses. He was a helicopter pilot, and served in the Royal Navy for several years in the 1970s.

In 1981, Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, who then became Princess of Wales. Their wedding was a glamorous affair, watched by millions around the globe.

They had two sons, His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, in 1982, and His Royal Highness Prince Henry Charles Albert David, often called Prince Harry, in 1984.

The prince and Diana separated in 1992, and divorced in 1996. Diana was killed in a car crash the following year. Her death caused an unprecedented outpouring of grief around the world. A public inquiry into the cause of her death is expected to reconvene in 2005.

Related: Conspiracy theories

Prince Charles earned public approval for insisting on a royal funeral for Diana.

Prince Charles & Camilla Parker Bowles

Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles in 2002

The prince and Camilla Shand first dated in 1972, but the relationship ended about a year later. Shand went on to marry army officer Andrew Parker Bowles, but remained close friends with Charles. Camilla and her husband divorced in 1995, after having two children. Andrew Parker Bowles remarried the next year.

In 1981, Charles married Diana Spencer. After the breakup of the marriage, she told an interviewer that "There were three in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded," alluding to the constant presence of Parker Bowles. Charles later admitted to committing adultery. He defended himself by saying his marriage was "irretrievably broken down" by then.

The couple first formally appeared in public in 1999, at Parker Bowles' sister's birthday party. They have gradually introduced her to the public, in a strategy carefully choreographed by public relations handlers.

Following her marriage to Charles on April 9, 2005, Parker Bowles became known as Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. Although as the heir apparent's wife she will also be Princess of Wales, she has announced she would not use that title. Should Charles become king, Camilla will then be called Her Royal Highness The Princess Consort, although as the wife of the king she would be queen, as well.

Prince Charles timeline

Nov. 14, 1948: Born at Buckingham Palace, son of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, and the Duke of Edinburgh.
1952: Prince Charles becomes heir apparent when his mother becomes Queen.
January 1957: Becomes first heir apparent to go to school rather than have private tutor.
July 1969: Invested as Prince of Wales.
1970: Meets Camilla Shand.
June 1970: Receives his BA from Cambridge.
1971: Joins the Royal Navy.
August 1975: Receives his MA from Cambridge.
1976: Establishes The Prince's Trust.
July 29, 1981: Marries Lady Diana Spencer.
June 21, 1982: Birth of Prince William.
Sept. 15, 1984: Birth of Prince Harry.
Dec. 1992: Separation from Diana.
Aug. 28, 1996: Divorce from Diana.
Aug. 31, 1997: Death of Diana.
Feb. 10, 2005: Engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles.
April 9, 2005: Marries Camilla a day later than scheduled so that he could attend the funeral of Pope John Paul II.