At the age of 73, he is the oldest person in British history to be named monarch.
He became the first heir apparent to attend school, and then broke royal tradition again by going straight to university after the A-levels rather than join the Royal Armed Forces.
He was the first heir to the throne to get a divorce. He divorced Lady Diana Spencer in 1996.
He is an accomplished painter. Reports say that he mainly creates watercolor landscapes.
The monarch is an avid gardener. And is reputed to 'talk 'to his plants.
He is very fond of the works of William Shakespeare and even quoted the Bard at the end of his first address to the nation.