Some people wait 74 years for a moment like this.
On May 6, the United Kingdom will see its first coronation in seven-plus decades as King Charles III is officially crowned the country's reigning monarch. And it will be quite the historic event as he is the oldest-ever person to assume the British throne after Queen Elizabeth II ruled for 70 years before her death at the age of 96 in September. Before his promotion, Charles had cemented himself as both the oldest and the longest-serving heir apparent in British history. (His previous title as Prince of Wales had been held since July 1958, and, after his father, Prince Philip, died in April 2021, Charles had also inherited the title of Duke of Edinburgh.)
"This is going to be one biggest moments of King Charles's reign," royal correspondent Sharon Carpenter told E! News in an exclusive interview. "He was on that Buckingham Palace balcony during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. And now 70 years later, here he is coming out on that balcony as King."
Charles was just 4 years old during what Carpenter described as that "very significant moment in his life," but it's just one of many milestone events he has attended on his road to the throne.
Ahead of his coronation ceremony, which will be the first ever to be streamed for obvious reasons, we are looking back on Charles' life, from his 1948 birth to his respective weddings to Princess Diana and Queen Camilla, as well as the births of his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Continue reading to see Charles' life in pictures before he is crowned:
The first child of Prince Philip and the future Queen Elizabeth II was born Nov. 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival, he was second in line to the throne.
During his earliest years, Charles spent months at a time with his maternal grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) while his parents lived in Malta, where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy.
Charles' mother became Queen Elizabeth II on Feb. 6, 1952, when King George VI died at the age of 56.
Charles attended but the 4-year-old didn't play a role in his mother's coronation on June 2, 1953.
Charles remains friends with Planet Earth presenter Sir David Attenborough to this day.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first of nine U.S. presidents Charles has met to date.
Prince Andrew was born Feb. 19, 1960, and jumped Anne in the line of succession upon arrival.
1969
Charles formally became the Prince of Wales at his investiture on July 1, 1969.
1971
Charles showed up to a Windsor polo match in June behind the wheel of the Aston Martin convertible the queen gifted him for his 21st birthday.
1972
Gathered at Buckingham Palace, Charles was ready to get this family portrait session going.
1973
Putting the royal in Royal Navy, Sub-Lieutenant Wales prepared to ship out on the HMS Minerva.
1975
When in Canada's Northwest Territories...in April...