Hardly can a king have been better prepared after wait of lifetime

Spiritual, passionate and sometimes eccentric - but always devoted to the cause. Royal Editor Robert Jobson examines the long period of service by Charles III - before he even accedes formally to the throne

- Robert Jobson

THE King is a deep-thinking, spiritual man. In these uncertain times, we have an anchored monarch who like his mother before him - cares deeply about those he serves: in Britain, the realms and Commonwealth.

He might have been born into a family of wealth and privilege but he has always done his best to justify that good fortune by working to improve the lot of others less fortunate. He would be the first to admit he is not perfect.

Charles can be a little eccentric but he is a passionate, driven man who has a great admiration for the arts.

He loves Shakespeare - his favourite play is Henry V - he is a fan of radio comedy The Goon Show, the poetry of Dylan Thomas, the music of Bach and Leonard Cohen and the architecture of Rome, Sir Christopher Wren and Quinlan Terry. Charles believes in harmony and how the natural world complements the human soul.

His journey from shy prince to our oldest monarch to be crowned is a truly remarkable one. He was born at 9.14pm on November 14, 1948, at Buckingham Palace, weighing 7lb 6oz. From an early age Charles shared a close bond with his sister, Princess Anne, who was born on August 15, 1950. They relied on each other for company when their parents were on overseas tours or carrying out royal duties. The two remained close into adulthood.

There is a decade between the birth of Anne and Prince Andrew, who was born on February 19, 1960. Charles spent part of his childhood at Hampshire school, Cheam, just like his father Prince Philip who had been a pupil there in the Thirties. On May 1, 1962 his father took him to his boarding school, Gordonstoun in Scotland, but Charles found aspects of his life there difficult. He had to contend with early-morning runs, cold showers, and bullying. He alluded to the German prisoner-of-war camp Colditz Castle when he called it "Colditz in kilts".