1948
The first child of Prince Philip and the future Queen Elizabeth II was born Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival, he was second in line to the throne.
1949
1950
1951
1951
During his earliest years, Charles spent months at a time with his maternal grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) while his parents lived in Malta, where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy.
1952
Charles' mother became Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 6, 1952, when King George VI died at the age of 56.
1952
1953
Charles attended but the 4-year-old didn't play a role in his mother's coronation on June 2, 1953.
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
Charles remains friends with Planet Earth presenter Sir David Attenborough to this day.
1959
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first of nine U.S. presidents Charles has met to date.
1960
Prince Andrew was born Feb. 19, 1960, and jumped Anne in the line of succession upon arrival.
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
Charles formally became the Prince of Wales at his investiture on July 1, 1969.