King Charles: oldest new monarch ever. How will he handle his reign?

No heir has ever spent as long waiting to accede the throne. The future of the monarchy is in his hands - and he faces many tricky questions. Can he succeed?

King Charles III has been waiting his whole life for this moment. At his birth 73 years ago he became second in line to the throne and for the past six decades, ever since his mother ascended the throne in 1952 when he was three, he has been the heir apparent.

He was brought up, trained and endlessly coached for a job that has finally come to him at an age when most men want nothing more than a peaceful retirement; a time which, in his case, might have otherwise involved growing organic vegetables and painting watercolour landscapes.