Direct answer: Queen Elizabeth II's sons
Queen Elizabeth II had four children. Her sons, in birth order, are: Charles, Prince of Wales (born 1948), and Prince Andrew, Duke of York (born 1960). She also had two daughters: Anne, Princess Royal (born 1950), and Edward, Earl of Wessex (born 1964). Therefore, Queen Elizabeth's sons are Charles and Andrew. Charles is her eldest child and heir, while Andrew is her second son.
Royal family structure: how the children fit the line of succession
To understand "how old is Queen Elizabeth's son," it helps to see each child's place in the family and the succession. The following table summarizes key verified attributes of Queen Elizabeth II's children.
| Name | Birth date | Order among siblings | Title (as of 2024–2025) | Notes on role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles, Prince of Wales | 14 November 1948 | Eldest | Prince of Wales; King Charles III | Her eldest son and heir; became king at her death in 2022 |
| Anne, Princess Royal | 15 August 1950 | Only daughter; second child | Princess Royal | Not a son; key in working royal family |
| Prince Andrew, Duke of York | 19 February 1960 | Third child; second son | Duke of York | Her second son; stepped back from public duties after 2019 |
| Edward, Earl of Wessex | 10 March 1964 | Youngest child; fourth child | Earl of Wessex | Her youngest son; undertakes targeted royal engagements |
Why Charles is most often referenced
When people ask about Queen Elizabeth's son in a general sense, they are usually referring to Charles because he is the eldest son and has been the longest-serving male heir in British history. Born in 1948, he became the heir presumptive at birth and remained so until his accession as King Charles III in September 2022. His decades of public service, charities, and role as consort to Princess Diana and then King have kept him in the public eye. By contrast, Prince Andrew, though younger, has a lower public profile in recent years.
Quick comparison: the two sons at a glance
- Charles: born 1948; elder son; King from 2022; focus on sustainability and youth climate action
- Andrew: born 1960; younger son; Duke of York; reduced public role since 2019
Birth order and ages: how old are Queen Elizabeth's sons now?
Based on the verified birth dates, we can state their approximate ages relative to key milestones. Note that precise age depends on the current date, but the table below uses year of birth and indicates ages at the time of the Queen's death in 2022 and typical reference points.
| Son | Birth year | Age when Queen Elizabeth II died (8 September 2022) | Age milestone examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles, Prince of Wales | 1948 | 73 | Born 1948; became king at age 73 in 2022 |
| Prince Andrew, Duke of York | 1960 | 62 | Born 1960; was 62 at the time of the Queen's death |
As of 2024 and 2025, Charles (born 1948) is 75–76 years old, and Andrew (born 1960) is 64–65 years old. These figures are consistent across official biographies and public records.
Context: the role of a working royal son
Being a son of Queen Elizabeth carried distinct expectations. Both Charles and Andrew were educated for public service, though their paths diverged. Charles pursued a long preparation for the throne, establishing charities and causes, while Andrew entered the navy and later took on significant trade and diplomatic missions. The Queen's support for both sons was visible in countless engagements, investitures, and statements. Understanding their ages and timelines helps explain how their roles evolved: Charles moved from prince to king, while Andrew transitioned from working royal to a quieter retirement from prominent duties.
Modern succession and what the sons do today
Since the Queen's death, Charles has become the sovereign. Andrew remains a senior male member of the family, though his public engagements have been substantially reduced in recent years. Edward continues a busy schedule, and Anne performs extensive duties on behalf of the Crown. For clarity, the two sons of Queen Elizabeth II are Charles and Andrew; their ages and milestones are documented in official records, royal biographies, and statements from Buckingham Palace.
Common questions, clarified
- How many sons did Queen Elizabeth have? Two: Charles and Andrew.
- Who is the oldest son of Queen Elizabeth? Charles, born 14 November 1948.
- Did Queen Elizabeth have a son who was not a working royal? Andrew remains a senior royal, though with reduced duties; neither son is entirely outside public life.
- Are any sons of Queen Elizabeth still active in prominent roles? Charles is now king; Anne and Edward are actively engaged, while Andrew has stepped back.
Why these facts matter for understanding the monarchy
When asking "how old is Queen Elizabeth's son," you are really asking about lineage, succession, and how roles are structured over time. The Queen's children shape the present and future of the institution. Charles, as the eldest son, now leads the monarchy; Andrew, as the younger son, represents a different chapter in modern royal life. Accurate ages and timelines matter for understanding continuity, planning for the future, and respecting the historical record of the Crown.