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Photo © Public Domain
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King Charles III, Royal, King Charles III, born Charles Philip Arthur George in 1948, ascended to the British throne on September 8, 2022, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. His coronation in May 2023 marked the formal beginning of a reign shaped by decades of preparation and public scrutiny.Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and trained in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, Charles spent much of his life as heir apparent—the longest in British history. His early public image was shaped by ceremonial duties and a deep interest in architecture, environmentalism, and interfaith dialogue. He founded The Prince’s Trust in 1976, a charity aimed at supporting disadvantaged youth, and has long advocated for sustainability and organic farming.His personal life has often eclipsed his public work. His marriage to Diana Spencer in 1981 captivated global audiences but unraveled under intense media pressure and mutual infidelity. Their divorce in 1996 and Diana’s death the following year left a lasting imprint on public perceptions of the monarchy. In 2005, Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Camilla.Since becoming king, Charles has faced both ceremonial milestones and personal challenges. In 2024, Buckingham Palace announced his diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer, prompting a temporary reduction in public engagements. Despite this, he has continued to carry out state duties and international visits, including a recent trip to Normandy and a planned tour of Australia and Samoa.
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Photo © John Matthew Smith
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Princess Diana, Royal, Princess Diana, born Diana Frances Spencer in 1961, emerged as one of the most recognizable public figures of the late 20th century. Her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981 marked her entry into the British royal family and launched a global fascination with her life, style, and humanitarian work. Though often referred to as “Princess Diana,” she was formally titled Diana, Princess of Wales—a distinction that carried ceremonial weight but not sovereign status.Raised in an aristocratic family with close ties to the monarchy, Diana’s early life was shaped by privilege and personal upheaval, including her parents’ divorce. Her wedding to Charles was broadcast to hundreds of millions worldwide, but the fairy-tale narrative quickly unraveled. The couple’s relationship was strained by infidelity, media scrutiny, and incompatible expectations, culminating in a high-profile divorce in 1996.Throughout and after her time as a royal, Diana cultivated a public role that extended beyond traditional duties. She became known for her advocacy on issues such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, and landmine eradication—often challenging stigmas and protocol in the process. Her approach to charity work was tactile and personal, marked by hospital visits and direct engagement with marginalized communities.Diana died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, while fleeing paparazzi. The incident sparked an unprecedented wave of public mourning and raised questions about media ethics and royal privacy.

July 29th,2025

Consider the world outside a museum. Imagine that the world that we live in is really another kind of museum where the works of art exist in the landscape itself. What if you could have a gallery guide which would tell you about the buildings and artworks you find around you. It would show you what the place used to look like and introduce you to some of the people who shaped it.

Our growing virtual collection of photographs and drawings, maps and documents, podcasts and videos tell the stories of how some of the more iconic places in our cities got to be the way they are and what they might become.

Explore buildings of the past, present and future. Look at the vast selection of artwork that graces the public realm. And discover how places have evolved over time. Deconstruct the layers of history that form the fabric of our urban landscape. Meet people who have made their mark on our cities and country who have lived in the past or are living now. Listen to their voices. Take (or make) a tour. And join us at an event either virtual or real.

Our curators are the artists, architects, photographers and historians who created the images, podcasts and videos to share their knowledge and insights. Our collaborators are museums, universities, cities, and civic organizations who are the stewards of our shared cultural history.

Use the guide online or take it with you on your phone…..

Like the cities we live in, this is a work in progress……..Enjoy!

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