King Charles III appeared overcome with emotion during the national anthem as His Majesty mourns the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1966 Charles spent two terms at the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School in Victoria, Australia, during which he visited Papua New Guinea on a school trip with his history tutor, Michael Collins Persse.[24][25] He later described his time at Timbertop as the most enjoyable part of his education.[26] On returning to Gordonstoun, he emulated his father by becoming head boy, and left in 1967 with six GCE O-levels and two A-levels in history and French, at grades B and C respectively.[24][27] Reflecting on his schooling, Charles later remarked, “I didn’t enjoy school as much as I might have; but, that was only because I’m happier at home than anywhere else”.[23]
Breaking royal tradition, Charles proceeded directly to university after his A-levels rather than joining the British Armed Forces.[18] In October 1967 he was admitted to the University of Cambridge to study archaeology and anthropology for the first part of the Tripos as a student of Trinity College, Cambridge. He later switched to history for the second part.[9][24][28] During his second year he spent one term at the University College of Wales in Aberystwyth, studying Welsh history and the Welsh language.[24] Charles became the first British heir apparent to earn a university degree, graduating in June 1970 from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with lower second-class honours (2:2).[24][29] Following standard practice, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Cantab) in August 1975.[24]
With his parents and sister Anne, October 1957
Prince of Wales
Charles was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 26 July 1958,[30] although his investiture did not take place until 1 July 1969, when he was crowned by his mother in a televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.[31] The event was controversial in Wales amid rising Welsh nationalist sentiment.[32] He took his seat in the House of Lords the following year,[33] delivering his maiden speech on 13 June 1974,[34] the first royal to speak from the floor since the future Edward VII in 1884.[35] He addressed the House again in 1975.[36]
Charles increasingly undertook public duties, founding the Prince’s Trust in 1976[37] and travelling to the United States in 1981.[38] In the mid-1970s he expressed interest in serving as Governor-General of Australia, following a suggestion by the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Fraser. The proposal was ultimately abandoned owing to a lack of public enthusiasm.[39] Charles later remarked, “so, what are you supposed to think when you are prepared to do something to help and you are just told you’re not wanted?
