Happy Birthday, Prince Charles!
On Nov. 14, 2018, His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, turns 70! This long-standing royal hasn't always earned our favor, but we think it's time to cut him some slack and show him a little love. In honor of his big day, we're sharing all the reasons we secretly love Prince Charles and why you should, too. Keep reading for more!
He's the Next King of England
If rank and status count for anything, then Prince Charles is at the top of the list. At the Heads of Commonwealth dinner in April, Queen Elizabeth made the official announcement that her successor would be none other than her eldest son, Prince Charles. As the next heir to the throne, the prince has promised "not to meddle" in political affairs and vows to remain an impartial royal figure during his reign as king.
His Kids Turned Out Great
If you need just two reasons to love Prince Charles, then here they are: Prince William and Prince Harry. Somehow, one of Britain's most under-appreciated royals managed to produce two of the most beloved princes in modern history. While we are quick to give the late Princess Diana credit for her incredible sons, but the truth is, Charles raised them following her death and is also responsible for how amazing they turned out.
He's a Protective Father
Speaking of Prince William and Prince Harry, following Princess Diana's untimely death in 1997, Prince Charles stepped up to the plate to keep his sons out of the spotlight. Seen here at Diana's funeral, the prince was focused on giving his boys time to heal from their painful loss, choosing to stay with the princes at their estate in Balmoral, Scotland, to give them time to grieve away from the public eye.
He Adores His Mum
Although the tabloids have tried to paint a picture of a fractured family relationship, it's clear from their many joint outings that Prince Charles deeply respects and loves his mother, Queen Elizabeth. Often seen laughing together, it warms our hearts to know that this mother-son duo has maintained a strong bond throughout their lives, even when Prince Charles has made life choices that his mum didn't agree with.
He Broke the Rules for Love
One of the biggest reasons Prince Charles became so unpopular was his alleged love affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles before and during his marriage to Princess Diana. While it's hard to forgive infidelity, it's also hard to let go of one's true love. For Charles, that person was Camilla and in the end, the two made their way back together, despite earning the scorn of his family and the world. If anything, Charles' decision to marry Camilla proves that in matters of the heart, love will always win.
He is a Major Philanthropist
What's not to love about someone who actively tries to make the world a better place? Prince Charles devotes a lot of his time to helping charities he believes in. In fact, he has worked with more than 400 charities throughout his life, serving as either president or a major donor, which earned him GQ's Man of the Year Lifetime Achievement award for Philanthropy in 2018. The prince even runs many of his own charitable organizations and reportedly raises more than £100 million ($131 million) in annual donations.
He's a True Gentleman
You will not catch Prince Charles tweeting insults from his bathroom at 3 a.m. What you will see is the prince being a total gentleman, opening doors, smiling, being polite and even offering to escort an unattended lady, as he did with Duchess Meghan's mom, Doria Ragland, at Meghan and Prince Harry's 2018 wedding.
He Walked Meghan Down the Aisle in Place of Her Dad
Of all the things we've found to love about Prince Charles, one of our very favorite is the fact that he gallantly walked his new daughter-in-law, Duchess Meghan, down the aisle during her May 19, 2018, wedding to Prince Harry. Learning that Meghan's own dad wouldn't be there, Prince Charles happily stood by Meghan's side and escorted her through the doors of St. George's Chapel to meet her husband-to-be at the altar, melting all our hearts in the process.
He Was Actually Kinda Hot Back in the Day
Regardless of what you think about Prince Charles today, you have to admit, he wasn't so hard on the eyes during his heyday. Seen here in 1977, Prince Charles was actually pretty sexy in a shirtless royal kind of way. We can totally see where Prince William and Prince Harry get one half of their hotness from.
He Has a Sense of Humor
It's not uncommon to see Prince Charles mid-laugh when out and about with his family. In the BBC documentary "Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70," the future king admitted to "poking fun" at royal traditions, saying, "If it becomes too serious, it's rather depressing." His wit and good humor have long been part of his personality. In a 1969 BBC radio interview, the prince talked about protests in the wake of his term at University College of Wales, saying "as long as I don't get covered too much in egg and tomato, I'll be all right."
He Adores His Grandkids
Along with Prince Charles admitting that he worries about the kind of world he's leaving his grandchildren, his son Prince William shared in the BBC documentary "Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70" that his dad is a doting grandpa to young Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. When asked about Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's pregnancy, Prince Charles reportedly shared that he was excited for his fourth grandchild, saying he'd toasted the couple "several times" upon learning the happy news.
He Loves Animals
It's no secret that Prince Charles has enjoyed a lifelong love of animals. Photo archives of the pet-loving prince show he's apt to cuddle with dogs his fans bring to his public appearances, and he's the proud owner of several of his own pups, including two Jack Russell Terriers, Beth and Bluebell. The prince, who shared that he cried when he cradled his first race horse in his arms as it died, also owns an organic farm that's home to pigs, sheep and cattle.
He's Actually a Talented Artist
Yes, it's true. Prince Charles has a passion for the arts and a long history of painting his own masterpieces. Since 1997, the talented prince sold his works of art, bringing in a reported £2 million ($2.6 million). Although he donates all of the proceeds from his paintings to The Prince of Wales' Charitable Foundation, his amazing achievement has earned him the recognition of Britain's highest-paid living artist.
He Loves Cheese
Go ahead and laugh, but we're dead serious when we say we can't help but love a guy who loves cheese. Prince Charles (seen here in 2018 about to enjoy a sample of Camembert) began his love affair with fermented dairy decades ago, with his wife, Camilla Parker-Bowles revealing he especially loves local cheeses sold at farmers' markets. Any man who knows a good cheese platter (and supports local businesses) has the key to our hearts.
He Served in the British Military
We love a man in uniform! Following in his father, Prince Philip's, footsteps, Prince Charles proudly served in the Royal Navy, after completing training as a jet pilot in the Royal Air Force. Although his official military service ended in 1976, the prince still holds the rank of Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force and can still be seen wearing his uniform for important occasions.
He's Not Afraid to Try New Things
Prince Charles might seem stiff and unyielding to the public, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Since his early years abroad, the prince has made it his mission to step outside his comfort zone and learn about the customs and cultures of the world. In his 20s, Prince Charles even became the pupil of guru Laurens van der Post while in South Africa, studying ancient African tribalism and even dream interpretation, which set him on a lifelong spiritual pursuit that encompasses many ideas and beliefs.
He's a Total Environmentalist
In a world plagued by climate change, it's nice to know that Prince Charles is an ally of the environment. For decades, Charles has championed sustainable living, investing time and money into movements that protect forests, soil, water, animal welfare and more. The prince has even inspired his sons to join the cause, with Prince Harry teaming up with his dad in 2018 to speak out about dying coral reefs and how we can work to save them.
