King Charles III will be crowned in Britain's biggest ceremonial event in seven decades at Westminster Abbey in London today after he became monarch of the United Kingdom on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September last year. Thousands are expected to line the streets, while millions will watch the ceremony live at home.


And with only a few hours left before the ceremony begins, here are 10 fun facts about the King and coronation that you would like to know.



  • The king was born as Charles Philip Arthur George at Buckingham Palace on 14th November 1948 at 9.14 pm. He became heir apparent (next in line to the throne) at the age of three years old in 1952, and went onto become the longest serving Prince of Wales in 2017, according to the website royal.uk.

  • He was also the first heir to see his mother crowned as Sovereign.

  • The King's first visit abroad was to Malta at the age of five. Since 1969, he has visited 48 Commonwealth countries, reported the website.

  • The King was the first heir to the throne to earn a university degree. While at school, he played piano, trumpet and cello. He continued to play the cello while an undergraduate at Cambridge.

  • King Charles was the first member of The Royal Family to successfully complete the Parachute Regiment’s training course, before being appointed as Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment in 1977

  • The King also has a frog named after him. The rare species of the frog got its name back in 2008 to honour the then Prince Charles who has always supported environmental campaigns, according to Huffington Post.

  • At the age of 16 years, The King undertook his first official Royal duty in June 1965, attending a student garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, reported royal.uk.

  • The king has presented a weather forecast bulletin on the BBC during a visit to BBC Scotland's studios in 2012.

  • King Charles has also written a book named The Old Man of Lochnagar. It is based on stories he told his younger brothers growing up.

  • The King has three siblings, two sons, two step-children, five grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.