Reminiscing - During a royal tour of Australia in April 2018, Charles and Camilla visited Lilydale, where the prince was reunited with the now grown-up sisters. They presented him with a framed photograph of their youthful get-together 52 years earlier. Reminiscing, it was smiles and laughter all round.

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Spiffy siblings - Back in the UK, Prince Charles and his sister, Princess Anne, are seen going about their royal duties in typically spiffy attire.

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Double act - Queen Elizabeth II and a teenage Prince Charles replete in kilt at Gordonstoun School in Scotland, where the monarch opened the school's new sports center in 1967.

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Student days -

Rather than joining the military after completing his A-levels, Prince Charles went against tradition and instead went straight to university.

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A born performer -

Prince Charles in a beard, holding a dagger in his hand, and performing a scene from 'Macbeth' at university.

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Like mother, like son - The Queen and her eldest son during a photo shoot outside Windsor Castle in 1969, shortly before his investiture.

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Investiture - Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales on July 1, 1969, at an investiture at Caernarfon (Carnarvon) Castle in Wales.

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Churchgoers -

The prince attends church with his parents in tow. Did you know that Prince Charles is the only member of the royal family to get married in a civil ceremony? It was to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005.

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The flying prince - The Prince of Wales posing next to a Chipmunk training aircraft after a flying lesson.

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In control - The prince seen during another flying lesson, this time at the controls of a Basset aircraft.

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Cambridge -

Prince Charles pictured in robes at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970. Five years later he was awarded a Master of Arts degree from the same university.

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Designated pet sitter - Prince Charles holding a pet corgi on a leash, one of many dogs Queen Elizabeth II has owned.

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Informal royal -

The young prince relaxing with a good book. The pose was reportedly for an informal portrait of the royal.

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Prince of Wales - The Prince of Wales in his naval uniform during a visit to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, in 1973.

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Polo match -

Prince Charles was an avid polo player in his youth, and remained so well into his later years.

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Marriage to Diana - Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, thereafter known to millions as Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981, at St Paul's Cathedral in London.

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Baby steps - Princess Diana and Prince Charles pose with their baby, Prince William, who was born on June 21, 1982.

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Hands-on dad - Prince Charles disembarking a plane with toddler William in his arms.

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Australia tour - Prince Charles and Princess Diana posing in front of Uluru, then more commonly known as Ayers Rock, during a 1983 visit to the country.

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Majorca sun - Prince Harry as a youngster in Charles' arms, with Princess Diana in Majorca, Spain.

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Cheeky prince - Cheeky Prince William sticks his tongue out to assembled photographers.

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Spanish steps - Prince Charles sitting beside the Queen of Spain, with Diana and the two princes staring ahead during an informal moment while visiting Spain.

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Wedding day out - A young Prince William and Harry with their parents during a wedding outing.

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Happy children, happy parents - Charles and Diana in happier times, with the princes acting up as all young children do.

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Well-suited - A royal family, dressed formally but looking relaxed and happy—at least for the cameras. By 1986, Charles and Diana's marriage was in difficulty. In 1992, the couple separated.

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Father and son time - Prince Charles and his eldest son William on the ski slopes and spotting the paparazzi.

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Snow fun - Prince Harry having a laugh in the snow with his dad.

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Polo interests - A young Prince Harry accompanies his father to a polo tournament.

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Exploring Scotland -

Prince Charles in suitable attire with his sons during a trip to Scotland.

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Death of Diana - Left to right: Earl Spencer (Diana's brother), Prince William, Prince Harry, and the Prince of Wales, waiting as the hearse carrying the coffin of Diana, Princess of Wales prepares to leave Westminster Abbey, following her funeral service.

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Second marriage - In 2005, Prince Charles married his long-time love, Camilla Parker Bowles (now Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall) at Windsor Guildhall.

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Grandchildren - The documentary about Prince Charles, 'Charles at 70,' revealed the close bond he has forged with his grandchildren from William and Harry: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and latterly, Prince Archie.

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Walking down the aisle - In a wonderfully selfless gesture, Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle before her marriage to Prince Harry.

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Meghan, Duchess of Sussex -

Charles and Camilla with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

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Return to Geelong -

During a 2005 visit to Australia, Prince Charles made a nostalgic return to Geelong Grammar School. He met current pupils and recalled his time in Victoria.

Getty Images

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Australia Day - In fact, Australia remains close to the prince's heart. Here he is attending Australia Day celebrations at Australia House, in London.

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On the beach at Brisbane - In April 2018, the royal couple were back down under on a tour that included a visit to the Commonwealth Hub at Broadbeach to unveil the final plaque on the Commonwealth Walkway at Gold Coast, near Brisbane.

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Drink to his health -

Prince Charles at the Bundaberg Rum Museum and Distillery in Queensland during his and Camilla's 2018 tour. Here, the prince blends his own tipple, no doubt before drinking to the health of his hosts.

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HRH Prince Charles: a life in pictures

The heir apparent turns 73 on November 14

10/11/21 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Retrospective

Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir to the British throne. The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, His Royal Highness is also father to princes William and Harry—and is the oldest and longest-serving heir apparent in British history!

Charles has spent his life under public scrutiny, a fact the prince has not always been comfortable with. Yet he remains a hugely popular member of the royal family, and one of its hardest working! Now in his seventies, Prince Charles continues to carry out his royal duties, often accompanied by his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

Browse this gallery and take a nostalgic look back at the remarkable and well-traveled life of the man who is to be king.