Prince Charles was the first Prince of Wales ever to be educated publicly, and his senior years were spent at Gordonstoun in the Highlands. Years later, he reportedly called it "Colditz in kilts", but said it taught him self-discipline and responsibility.
Prince Charles was also the first heir to the throne to take a degree � gaining a 2.2 from Trinity College, Cambridge. He was also a member of the drama society and spoke at the Cambridge Union, even then voicing concerns about the environment.
After university, the prince joined the military and in 1971, gained his RAF wings. He then joined the Navy, serving on a destroyer and two frigates, before qualifying as a helicopter pilot. In 1976, he took command of the minehunter HMS Bronington.
In the early 1970s, the prince met and fell in love with Camilla Shand, but when he joined the military she married Andrew Parker Bowles. After he returned to civilian life aged 28, speculation grew about his love life.
Eventually, in February 1981, the Palace announced that he was engaged to 19-year-old Diana Spencer. They seemed an unlikely match, but on 29 July were married at St Paul�s Cathedral. The couple had two sons � William, born 21 June 1982, and Harry, born 15 September 1984.
Divorce and death
A few years on, the marriage was clearly suffering. In 1992 � the Queen�s self-proclaimed Annus Horribilis � the couple split.
In 1994, Prince Charles admitted on television to having an affair � it was later confirmed that the woman in question was Camilla. Diana too confessed to an affair with James Hewitt � she famously said in 1995 that there were three people in her marriage � the third, presumably, Camilla.
The divorce was finalised in 1996, but a year later Diana died in a car crash.
Marrying Camilla
Following Diana�s death, the prince was fiercely criticised for his ongoing relationship with Camilla. She too was vilified in some parts. Gradually, though, Prince Charles began to introduce her to the public as his partner.
They finally married in a civil ceremony at Windsor Guildhall on 9 April 2005. The BBC�s former royal correspondent Jennie Bond described them as "soul mates" and much of the British public and press have since accepted and even warmed to their relationship.
rotecting the planet
The prince is an outspoken campaigner on green issues and has used state visits, including to the US and Far East, to spread his message. He has referred to the fight against climate change as a "war" and has demanded that businesses and governments do more. In 2007, the Prince�s Rainforest Foundation was launched to try to find ways to halt deforestation.
Despite going carbon neutral and switching his cars to greener fuel, the prince has been accused of hypocrisy for taking too many flights.
Boys to men
The prince has tried to shield his sons from the media�s harsh glare, but it has not always been easy � when Harry dressed up in a Nazi costume in 2005, for example.
But, as the boys have matured, their relationship with their father has strengthened. When Harry served in Afghanistan, Prince Charles said he was "incredibly proud" of his son. Both princes have followed in their father's footsteps - William by gaining his RAF wings and Harry by deciding to become a helicopter pilot.
A controversial prince
Prince Charles� reputation, badly damaged after Diana, has been rebuilt. Nevertheless, he has still courted controversy, supporting causes like alternative medicine and hunting. He reportedly said Britain�s "learning culture" gave people hope beyond their abilities � a comment he claimed was "misrepresented".
Despite this, he wants to be thought of warmly. In 2005, he said he hoped that after his death he might be appreciated "a little bit more" for his contribution to British life.
Prince Charles poses for a portrait to mark his 60th birthday. Photo: Hugo Burnand
