PRINCE Charles is now 72 years old and was made Prince of Wales 63 years ago.
Here's five surprising facts you never knew about the future King…
Five things you didn't know about Prince Charles
1. The Prince doesn't eat lunch – ever.
This is according to Buckingham Palace, who released 70 facts about Charles on his 70th birthday.
Apparently, the Royal Family's eating habits are all quite weird – none of them are allowed to eat shellfish as it's just "too dangerous" due to the high risk of a food-borne illness.
But Prince Charles, who has a bit of a thing for sushi, does flout the rule on occasion.
2. Prince Charles studied in Geelong, Australia, for two months as an exchange student in 1966.
According to The Windsors Podcast, Charles enjoyed school in Australia where he could be treated "like a normal bloke."
It was the first time the royal, who was teased back at school in the UK due to his monarch mum, truly felt "free".
3. The Prince learned to ice skate at the Richmond Ice Rink, and received a Certificate of Merit for his efforts.
However, on a trip to Nottingham in 2016 when he was gifted a pair of skates by the Coach Core programme – a scheme backed by the palace – Charles was too shy to try them out on the ice.
4. The Prince spent a term at university in Wales learning Welsh, and often uses Welsh phrases when giving speeches.
The title Prince of Wales is given only to the heir apparent – somebody who cannot be displaced in the succession to the throne by any future birth – but the Prince isn't actually Welsh having been born inside Buckingham Palace in London.
However, the Prince makes extra efforts to involve himself in Welsh culture – learning the language and visiting Wales every summer for the last fifteen years.
5. The Prince is a magician – in 1975, he became a member of the Magic Circle after passing his audition with a "cup and balls" trick.
The Prince is said to be a life-long fan of magic and celebrated his 70th birthday with a show at the London Palladium starring Britain’s finest magicians that was broadcast on ITV2.
Announcing the show, ITV said it would put on “a truly unique and unforgettable night where the world’s greatest comics join forces with the most accomplished of magicians to celebrate The Prince of Wales’s 70th Birthday”.
Who is Prince Charles?
Prince Charles is first in line to the British throne as the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II.
The heir apparent is 70 years old and was born on November 14, 1948.
The throne will pass to Prince Charles if the Queen, 92, abdicates, retires or dies – and according to reports, abdication could be a real possibility.
Her Majesty is said to have told her inner circle that if she is still on the throne at the age of 95, she will ask for a piece of legislation to grant her eldest son full power to reign while she is alive.
When did Prince Charles marry Lady Diana Spencer?
Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer on Wednesday, July 29, 1981.
They tied the knot at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the ceremony was a traditional Church of England wedding.
It was estimated to have been watched by a global TV audience of 750million, and the UK had a national holiday on the day.
However, the couple famously split in 1992 and finalised their divorce in 1996.
Why did Prince Charles walk Meghan Markle down the aisle?
Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at his son Prince Harry's wedding after her dad Thomas pulled out of the ceremony,
Kensington Palace announced the decision on May 18, 2018, the day before the wedding.
The US actress' dad Thomas Markle pulled out of the ceremony after undergoing heart surgery.
Meghan's mum, Doria Ragland, had largely been tipped to walk the bride down the aisle at St George's Chapel, but Kensington Palace revealed it would instead be her future father-in-law to do the honours.
The statement from Kensington Palace said: "Ms Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day.
"The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the Royal Family in this way."
How long has he been with Camilla Parker Bowles?
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' highly-publicised romance began as many do – at a party.
They were introduced in 1971 by Charles’ college girlfriend Lucia Santa Cruz and quickly bonded over their love of polo.
They started dating almost immediately and attended a number of polo matches together.
However, when Charles left for the Royal Navy they split up, and Camilla got engaged to Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.
Camilla and Andrew tied the knot in 1973, and they had two children together, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Their love didn’t last and they divorced in 1995, with Camilla going on to marry Prince Charles in a civil ceremony in 2005.
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