... replaced Edward VII as the longest–serving heir apparent to the British (or English) throne on 15 April 2011. He was 62 years and 152 days old, and had been heir apparent for 59 years and 69 days.
On 12 September 2013, aged 64 years and 312 days, he replaced Sophia of Hanover as the oldest heir apparent. Sophia was the first Protestant in the order of succession to Queen Anne; she was declared the rightful heir by the Act of Settlement of 1701, but she never came to the throne because Anne outlived her by two months. Sophia's death left her son George as the heir apparent, and upon Anne's death he was duly proclaimed as King George I.
Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022. Charles duly succeeded to the throne at the age of 73 years and 298 days.
On 5 November 2024 (9 days before his 76th birthday), Charles replaced Richard III as the sixth shortest reigning monarch, having been on the throne for 2 years and 57 days.
James II of England (James VII of Scotland) reigned for 3 years and 321 days; Charles will pass this landmark (having the seventh shortest reign) if he reigns until 25 July 2026.
Only four previous monarchs have lived to be older than Charles was when he succeeded to the throne:
| • | George II | 76 years 251 days |
| • | George III | 81 years 239 days |
| • | Victoria | 81 years 243 days |
| • | Elizabeth II | 96 years 140 days |
(Edward VIII lived to be 77 years and 331 days old, but he was only 42 years and 171 days old when he abdicated.)
Charles will become the oldest reigning monarch but three (passing George II) if he reigns until 24 July 2025.
© Haydn Thompson 2025