This article was originally published on WHerMoments
King Charles III was only four years old when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, ascended the throne in February 1952. In other words, he knew his mom to be the Queen for almost his entire life. But it’s easy to forget that their relationship ran much deeper than that of monarch and heir. These candid images are a reminder of the close bond they shared as mother and son.
Elizabeth’s firstborn
Queen Elizabeth II was still just a princess when she welcomed Charles into the world. He was born on November 14, 1948, at home in Buckingham Palace.
He was the firstborn child to Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. This image shows the proud new mom showing off her newborn after his Christening on December 15, 1948.
Hands-on mother
It’s perhaps surprising to learn that Princess Elizabeth was a hands-on parent. We often read about the team of nannies it takes to help raise royal babies and the rigorous training they go through to qualify.
But here we see a young Elizabeth doting on an infant Charles as he plays with an abacus built into his crib. The image was captured in Windlesham Moor, the princess and Prince Philip’s marital country home until 1949.
At ease at Windsor
Being a royal isn’t always a serious business, despite what appearances may have you believe. Here is the Queen and Prince Charles in a rarely-caught moment of relaxation at Windsor Castle in 1969.
Taken in April that year, the laidback monarch would have soon celebrated her 43rd birthday while Charles was still only 20. If only the camera could have captured what they both found so amusing.
Family portrait
Here we see an early family portrait of Princess Elizabeth, her husband Prince Philip and six-month-old son Charles. Even though she was only 13 when they first met, Elizabeth knew Philip was the man for her.
They wrote to each other often, and eventually got engaged in 1947, after the future queen had turned 21. They married at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947, marked nearly a year later by the birth of Charles.
Play time
Not a lot of people may know, but Queen Elizabeth II was mad about cars. She was keen to pitch in during World War II, so she became a qualified mechanic and learned to drive trucks as the conflict neared its end.
She may have wanted to share her love of the automobile with her son, who she is playing with here in his very own scale-model car at Balmoral in 1952.
Polo passion
The Prince of Wales kisses his mother’s hand after a polo match at Windsor. Charles loved the sport and had been playing since he was a child.
The future king regularly took part in polo competitions up until 1992. Even then he would occasionally play for fun, including at charity events until late into his 50s. Here the Queen offers her son a competition prize.
Beaming at Balmoral
Look at this image of mother and son all beaming and smiles. It’s as if they don’t have a care in the world.
It’s hard to believe, then, that this photo was taken at Balmoral in September 1952, just seven months after Elizabeth was crowned Queen. That’s right, at age 25 Elizabeth wasn’t just ruler of the United Kingdom, but also seven other independent Commonwealth countries and the other member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. Her ease here belies that weight of responsibility.
Sharing a joke
It may not have been obvious to the casual observer, but Queen Elizabeth II was renowned for having a quick wit and sharp sense of humor. Quite what she and Charles are laughing about here is anyone’s guess.
Something’s obviously going on at the 2012 Braemar games. We hope it wasn’t a child falling over during the sack race that they were apparently watching at the time.
Perfect portrait
Charles bore regal titles since the day his mother ascended the throne. It’s what comes with being the eldest son of a reigning monarch.
Many people knew him as the Duke of Cornwall. Other titles he held, though, included Baron of Renfrew, Earl of Carrick, Duke of Rothesay, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. Not that it would have meant much to the then-toddler. So, here he is sharing a lighter moment with his mom days before his first birthday.
Crowned Prince
Charles was given the title Prince of Wales in July 1958, shortly before his 10th birthday. The official ceremony, however, didn’t take place for another 11 years.
Here he is receiving the crown from his mom at Caernarfon Castle in Wales on July 1, 1969. The ceremony is purely for show, as the prince is officially instated through a series of legal papers. Nevertheless, the function was televised to the nation.
Horsing around
It can be hard keeping kids entertained while doing something they really don’t want to do. You may recall William and Kate’s youngest Louis defying his mother’s instruction to stop fidgeting and enjoy the Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.
But, was history actually repeating itself? It seems a six-year-old Charles was none too impressed with the European Horse Trials in 1955, either. As his mother watches on, he covers his eyes with a pair of gloves to spare himself the sight of it any longer.
Super Troopers
The Queen typically celebrated two birthdays. Her actual birthday was on April 21, but the occasion was observed by an “official birthday” in the summer.
Thousands of soldiers, some on horseback, and hundreds of musicians gather for military ceremonies and music to mark the occasion, while fans of the royals line the streets surrounding Buckingham Palace. Here Charles and his mother wave to well-wishers from the palace balcony.
Playtime with Edward
By the time Queen Elizabeth gave birth to her youngest, Prince Edward, in March 1964, Charles was old enough to lend a hand raising him. Here he entertains his younger brother riding around in a go-kart while their mother keeps a sharp eye.
She appears to be pointing at her watch. Maybe it’s nearly time for them to go back inside for dinner.
Strolling at Balmoral
Balmoral Castle is an enormous estate located in Aberdeenshire in Scotland. The land it’s situated on stretches for roughly 50,000 acres and includes farmland, forests, moors for grouse, as well as its own sheep, cattle, deer and ponies.
At just shy of 80 square miles, it’s unlikely the Queen and Prince Charles are doing laps in this photo. But they are enjoying a stroll in the castle’s grounds nonetheless.
Charles turns four
By September 1952, Queen Elizabeth was the proud mom of two kids, after she welcomed daughter Princess Anne in August 1950. Raising two children is enough to keep anyone’s hands full.
But by this time Elizabeth was a working mom; she had a kingdom comprising 32 sovereign nations to reign over. And yet this picture, taken two months before Charles’ fourth birthday, shows a woman completely at ease with both roles. Also, how cute are Anne and Charles’ matching outfits?!
The Princess’ beads
This image was taken when Charles was nearly two months old. Princess Elizabeth appears to be a natural at motherhood.
Here we see the infant mesmerized by the beads on his mom’s necklace. Many of us are too young to have seen Charles as a baby, nor the Queen as anything other than one of the most recognizable people on the planet. And yet here they look to the whole world like nothing more than a young mother doting on her child.
60 years young
Do not mistake formal for serious. Even in more ceremonial settings the Queen was able to relax, which made those around her at ease, too.
Here she leads her son, Philip, Camilla, William, and Harry to a reception in Buckingham Palace in 2008. The occasion? It was all part of the celebrations in honor of Charles’ 60th birthday.
Balmoral fun
Considering what a devoted mother Queen Elizabeth was, it’s highly unlikely she’s dangling Anne out of a window at Balmoral here. What seems more plausible is that she’s helping her daughter climb up the wall and back in through the opening.
Meanwhile, Charles looks down at his sister while standing on the ledge of the window opposite. This was taken in September 1952 when Anne was two and Charles approached his fourth birthday.
Road-rager
Queen Elizabeth loved driving. And we mean really driving.
Just look up the story of when she drove Saudi Arabia’s crown prince around the Balmoral grounds if you don’t believe us. That was in 2003 when, at age 77, we would hope Her Royal Highness might have taken life a little easier. At least she seems to be more relaxed behind the wheel of a Daimler with her kids in the passenger seats and first-in-line to the throne, Charles, right by her side in 1957. What a relief!
Jubilant Jubilee
Trooping The Colour is a tradition for the British monarchy. It’s an event that has marked the reigning king or queen’s birthday every year since the middle of the 1600s.
It’s a military parade conducted by the British Army. But in 2022 the celebration doubled up to also mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Here Prince Charles and his mother watch a fly past in honor of her 70th year on the throne.
Train exploits
The royal family didn’t always have private jets to get around. Here we see Queen Elizabeth boarding a train to the family’s Scottish residence of Balmoral.
First Class, of course. She’s carrying a month-old Anne, while Charles stands looking decidedly unimpressed in the doorway. We thought kids were meant to love trains! Perhaps he’s bewildered as to what a media circus his life was — not that he’s likely to articulate it aged two! This was in 1950, after all.
Floral arrangements
Even during formal presentations, the affection between Queen Elizabeth and her son is abundantly clear. The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event showcasing the latest trends and designs around all things flowers.
But at the 2009 event, Her Royal Highness presented Charles with the Victoria Medal of Honor in recognition of “his passion for plants, sustainable gardening and the environment.” And it was all sealed with a tender kiss of his mother’s hand.
Park life
Prince Charles was fascinated by the game of polo from an early age. It’s a sport he would play competitively, and then just for fun up until 2005.
It’s at a polo match at Windsor Great Park in 1956 that this photo was taken alongside his mother. We wonder if either of them realized the dangers involved in the game. The prince sustained several injuries caused by falls from his steeds, some needing operations to mend fractures.
Highland Games frolics
Attending the annual Braemar Gathering was a chance for a rare family day out for Queen Elizabeth II. She was made Patron of the Society when she inherited the crown and, as with her reign, it was a position she held for longer than any other royal in history.
Here she is with dutiful son Charles and his wife Camilla by her side at the 2006 event.
Late summer fun
Late every summer, without fail, the Queen would head to Scotland for a weeks-long vacation at Balmoral Castle. And, of course, in the early years of Charles’ life at least, that meant a family pilgrimage.
She could switch off from the pressures of ruling an empire and enjoy the young family she was raising. As Princess Eugenie declared in the documentary Our Queen At Ninety, “I think Granny is the most happy there.” And here she is with Charles and Anne in 1952.
Walking in Windsor
When it came to Queen Elizabeth’s colorful fashion style, she once notably said, “If I wore beige, no one would know who I was.” Yet here function clearly takes precedence over looks, as this ensemble betrays her bright wardrobe settling squarely on the bland. But that’s fine, there’s nobody to impress while walking the grounds of her Windsor home, as she’s doing here with Charles faithfully by her side..
Platinum Pageant
Queen Elizabeth II turned 96 in April 2022. Her reign of 70 years makes her the longest serving British monarch in history, as well as recording the longest reign of any ruling female monarch.
It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that it became increasingly rare to see Her Royal Highness in public. As her health naturally waned with age, it was a joy to still see her with a smile on her face. Here she enjoys one of her final public appearances with Charles during the Platinum Pageant in June 2022.
Tree time
If 70 years as reigning monarch wasn’t enough of a legacy for Queen Elizabeth, it was decided that there should be something to remember her by when she departed. So in October 2021, Her Royal Highness and Prince Charles planted a tree near the cricket pavilion in Balmoral.
It marked the start of an initiative in honor of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee to plant trees across the U.K. in the Queen’s name.
Canadian capers
When Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1952, she became head of state to seven independent nations, including Canada. Throughout her life, Elizabeth made 23 royal tours of the country, first as Princess Elizabeth, then as Queen of Canada.
In July 1970, Prince Charles joined his mother for what would be his first of 17 visits to the country so far. Here they are pictured arriving at Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island.
Fun and game
It’s perhaps no secret that Charles and Diana’s marriage wasn’t the happiest of memories among the royal family. So it’s reassuring that even the late Princess of Wales could raise a laugh while in the company of her mother-in-law.
Here the Queen is all laughs with British strongman Geoff Capes, a top competitor at the Braemar Highland Games. The year was 1982, a year after Charles and Diana married.
Polo prize
The grounds of Windsor Castle host among the most prestigious polo events on the sport’s calendar. Not only is the game thrilling to watch for fans, but here it’s set in the stunning surroundings of Smith’s Lawn.
Charles regularly played for the facility’s Guard’s Polo Club, and his success for the team is fondly documented by the organization. Here his mother presents the esteemed player with a prize in 1980.
Animal lovers
Queen Elizabeth held a lifelong love for animals. There was, of course, her beloved corgis.
She owned no less than 30 throughout her life, with each one’s lineage tracing back to her first, Susan. But she also loved riding horses. She was a particular fan of the Royal Windsor Horse Show, which took place every year in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Here she is with Charles and Anne at the 1956 event.
A family affair
The dynamic between the Queen and Prince Charles inevitably changed as the family continued to grow. Her Royal Highness eventually had four children: Charles and Anne as Princess Elizabeth in 1948 and 1950 respectively, then Andrew and Edward after taking the throne in 1960 and 1964.
Here we see Andrew offering a daffodil to his baby brother on the Queen’s 39th birthday as Charles watches over them.
Balcony traditions
Charles remained by his mother’s side throughout her reign as Queen Elizabeth II. Though her royal engagements steadily diminished as she reached the end of her life, the man who succeeded her was a constant source of support.
Here they are on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in June 2022, enjoying a flypast as part of the Queen’s official birthday celebrations. It would be one of Her Majesty’s final public appearances.
Prom pals
As part of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, a special Prom at the Palace event was thrown in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in 2002. It was a concert of classical music held to commemorate the Queen’s then 50-year reign, and she opened the gates of the palace gardens to the public for the first time ever to mark the occasion.
Both the Queen and Prince Charles were all smiles as they attended the concert together.
An English city garden
You might not believe it, but these beautiful grounds are actually located in central London. You see, Queen Elizabeth had multiple properties that she could call home.
This photo of the then-princess, Prince Philip, and a toddler Charles was taken in the grounds of Clarence House, just down the road from Buckingham Palace. It was their family home before she became Queen, and where Charles and Camilla lived before he was crowned King in September 2022.
Official duties
The State Opening of Parliament is a centuries-old tradition in the U.K. The reigning monarch will deliver a speech drafted by the sitting government.
The ritual is conducted either at the start of a new governing term or when a new government has been elected. Prince Philip would typically accompany the Queen for the formality. But in 2019 Her Majesty instead had her beloved Charles by her side as she read the speech.
Braemar buddies
The Queen was a regular at the Braemar Highland Gathering, as it took place near the family’s summer home in Balmoral. According to the gathering’s website, “Over the past 70 years she missed the event on only four occasions and made it very much a family day out with her children and grandchildren joining her in the Patrons’ Pavilion at various stages of their own lives.” Here are Prince Charles and Elizabeth II pictured enjoying the 2018 event..
Garter glee
The Order of the Garter is a royal tradition that stretches back around 700 years. That makes it the oldest ceremony in Britain.
What’s more, it’s the most exclusive club in town. The rules have relaxed a little in recent times, though. Today women can receive honors, and recognition extends beyond aristocracy. People are chosen based on their contributions to public life, such as prime ministers and Army officers. The Queen here shares a joke with Prince Charles at the 2019 ceremony.
A new era
The State Opening of Parliament marked the end of one parliamentary era into a new one. Just as the world mourned the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, King Charles III ushered in a new era of the British monarchy.
Here he guides his “Darling Mama” by her hand through the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster in 2019.