The royal family keeps setting records! On Sunday, Sept. 10, Prince Charles officially became the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history after holding the title for 59 years, one month and 15 days while his predecessor, Edward VII, held the previous record at 59 years and 45 days, People reported.

Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth, gave him the title of Prince of Wales when he was nine years old, according to the Prince of Wales’ official website. But his investiture — a ceremony where the title would be formally accepted — didn’t take place until on July 1, 1969, at Caernarfon Castle in Wales when he was 20 years old.

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“One thing I am clear about, and it is that Wales needs to look forward without forsaking the traditions and essential aspects of her past,” he vowed as he took on the responsibility of the 21st Prince of Wales. “The past can be just as much a stimulus to the future as anything else.”

Both Prince Charles and Edward VII made history as the longest reigning Prince of Wales, respectively, because they both found themselves in the same circumstances — they were both the eldest sons to queens who were set to have a long reign. Edward VII’s mother, Queen Victoria, held the title of the longest-reigning British monarch, holding her title for 63 years and 216 days. On Sept. 9, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II — Prince Charles’ mother — broke that record.

Queen Elizabeth is currently 91 years old, and she took over the throne after her father, King George VI, died in February 1952. Charles was only three years old when she became queen — making him the longest-serving heir to the throne.

But Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth aren’t the only ones in the royal family making history! Kate Middleton is expecting her third child with her huband Prince William — Prince Charles’ son — which marks the first time in an entire generation that there will be more than two children born in a direct branch of the royal family.

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