Monarchs have the best doctors and medical care at their disposal, but no one knows what may happen to them, or when. Queen Elizabeth II’s father, King George VI, died at the young age of 56 after a lung operation. He had only been on the throne for just over a decade, meaning Elizabeth was just a young woman when she became queen. Unlike her father, Elizabeth was blessed with a long and healthy life, living until the ripe age of 96. In turn, this meant that her son, King Charles III, was the Prince of Wales until he was 73 years old.
Charles inherited many things from his mother, but the most important thing is something that can’t be given a monetary value: his position as sovereign. Even though he didn’t take to the throne until he was much older, he would have been meticulously prepared for this sacred role from a very early age.
If it weren’t for King Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936, Charles would never have been in line for the throne at all. Elizabeth’s uncle chose to give up the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, which meant the crown fell to George, and the line of succession totally shifted. If it weren’t for this remarkable twist of fate and Elizabeth’s part to play in it, Charles would never have inherited the sovereignty.
Post source: The List