King Charles: 71 facts about his long road to the throne

Everything you need to know about man who became heir to British throne 71 years ago today

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1. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948 at 9.14pm, by caesarean section, after a 30-hour labour. His birth was the first of a senior member of the royal family not to be attended by a senior politician – to ensure that the newborn was a genuine descendant of the monarch – since the 17th century.

2. Philip was not present, and at one point, went to play squash. He is said to have declared that his son looked like a plum pudding.