King Charles III

King Charles III

King Charles III is the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, and most of the countries of the British Commonwealth. He inherited the throne from his mother Queen Elizabeth II, whose very long reign meant he was elderly, himself, when he became King.

In the 20th and 21st centuries the position of King is largely ceremonial, but Charles and other members of his family have grueling schedules of important ceremonial events.

His most important duty is to arbitrate when the Parliament of the United Kingdom should hold a general election. Through Governors General, who symbolically represent him, in Commonwealth countries, he arbitrates when their Parliaments should hold general elections.