Yahoo News These Rarely Seen Photos of King Charles as a Dad Are Very Sweet
To his subjects, he's King Charles, but to Prince William and Prince Harry, he's always been "Pa."
Thanks to Prince Harry's book, Spare, we know the recently crowned king is a caring parent. While Harry admits Charles wasn't always the most affectionate father, he paints his father in a mostly positive light. William has also publicly expressed love for his father, saying at the Coronation Concert that he is "so proud" of Charles.
King Charles has been there for some of the biggest events in the lives of his sons and has shared loving embraces, glances, and laughs with them through the years. As the King celebrates his 76th birthday, here are the sweetest photos of Charles with his sons—from the day William was born to Charles's coronation.
1982
Prince Charles and Princess Diana welcome Prince William at St. Mary's Hospital in London on June 21.
1983
Little Prince William takes his first public steps, with his parents looking on with pride.
1984
Charles and Diana pose for the media on the steps of St. Mary's Hospital in London after the birth of Prince Harry on September 15.
1984
Charles takes a young Prince William to St. Mary's Hospital in London to see his newborn brother, Harry.
1985
Prince Charles shares a laugh with Prince William and baby Prince Harry during a photo call at Kensington Palace.
1985
Aboard the royal yacht Britannia, baby Prince Harry and young Prince William leave Italy with Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
1986
Charles watches toddler Prince Harry in the garden at Highgrove House, his beloved country home.
1986
Prince Charles and Princess Diana help a young Prince Harry hold the family's pet rabbit at Highgrove House.
1986
Prince Charles and Princess Diana pose with Prince William and a giggling Prince Harry, as well as their dog Tigga, at Kensington Palace.
1987
While their proud parents look on, Prince Harry and Prince William wave to the media on Harry's first day at Mrs. Mynors' Nursery School in London.
1988
Prince Charles helps Prince Harry climb on a fire truck during a photo call at Sandringham.
1989
Prince Charles shares a smile with William and Harry at a military ceremony outside Kensington Palace.
1990
Standing beside William, Prince Charles kisses Harry on the head at a polo match.
1993
Young Prince Harry helps his dad with his polo boots at an event in Windsor.
1994
Harry, William, and Charles attend a VJ Day Commemoration in London.
1994
Princess Diana, Prince Charles, and Prince Harry join William for his first day at elite boys school Eton College. Harry would later join him in 1998.
1995
Prince Charles enjoys a snowy afternoon of sledding with Prince Harry and Prince William while on vacation in Switzerland.
1997
Prince Charles poses with his sons on the grounds of the Balmoral Castle Estate.
1997
Prince Charles and Prince Harry join a photo call with Posh Spice (aka Victoria Beckham) and Sporty Spice Mel C from the Spice Girls in South Africa.
2000
Prince Charles and his sons often took part in photo calls while on ski holidays, such as this one in Switzerland.
2000
Charles smiles with his sons at Buckingham Palace at a celebration for the Queen Mother's 100th birthday.
2000
Prince Charles and William join Harry for his Confirmation at Eton.
2001
Charles joins Prince William for his arrival at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, where he would later meet his future wife, Kate Middleton.
2002
Prince Harry, Prince Charles, and Prince William smile and embrace for a photo call while on a ski holiday in Switzerland.
2003
Charles and William enjoy a beer at The Anglesey Food Fair in Wales.
2004
Prince William, Prince Harry, and Prince Charles participate in a charity polo match at the Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury, England.
2004
Prince Charles gives his son, Harry, a loving pat at a polo match at Cirencester Park Polo Club in Gloucestershire, England.
2005
Charles and Camilla join William for his graduation from the University of St. Andrews.
2005
Prince Harry embraces his father at a charity polo match at Beaufort Polo Club in Tetbury, England.
2006
Prince Charles smiles at Prince William and Prince Harry at Sandhurst Military Academy in Surrey, England, following the Sovereign's Parade, which marks graduation for the Academy.
2008
Prince Charles and Prince William meet Prince Harry upon his return from deployment in Afghanistan.
2009
Both Prince Harry and Prince William, pictured here at The Chakravarty Cup Polo Match in Tetbury, England, followed in their father's footsteps as avid polo players.
2011
On Prince William's wedding day, Prince Charles gazes at William and his bride, Kate Middleton, as they ride in the carriage procession to Buckingham Palace following the royal wedding.
2014
Charles and Harry share a laugh at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games in London.
2014
Prince William shows Charles and Harry something seemingly amusing on his phone during the Invictus Games.
2018
Meghan Markle's father famously did not attend her wedding to Prince Harry, so Prince Charles walked her down the aisle at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, while groom Harry looked on.
2019
Prince Harry and Prince Charles pose for photos at the global premiere of Our Planet, a Netflix series about climate change.
2020
Charles comforts William after he missed a basket during a wheelchair basketball game at a rehabilitation center for veterans.
2022
Charles smiles at son William during The Order of The Garter service at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.
2023
Prince William kisses father King Charles at his coronation at Westminster Abbey.
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