On this day a few years back Prince Charles became the oldest of all Princes of Wales since the title was attributed. In January 2008 Charles became the world’s longest serving heir apparent, passing the record of 59 years and 73 days previously held by King Edward VII, when he succeeded his mother Queen Victoria and ruled for just nine years.
In 2008, a former aide told The Sunday Times, “Charles realised long ago that he would spend most of his life as heir, not as king. His is a family marked by longevity and his mother is in good health. He has made the most of it. He has enjoyed more freedom (than if he had been king) and achieved a tremendous amount in terms of charity and public life.”
You can watch a CBS retrospective of the Prince and his wait for the throne that was broadcast on this day two years ago here.