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Charles II (1630 - 1685) came to the throne in May 1660. Although he was heir to the throne when his father, Charles I, was executed for treason to the people in 1649, Oliver Cromwell (1599 - 1658) was Lord Protector during the Interregnum ('in between kings' 1649 - 1660), and it wasn't until after Cromwell's death and the failure of Cromwell's son to take over, that Charles was eventually able to take his throne.

Charles was known as the Merry Monarch, and, although married to Catherine of Braganza, he had no legitmate offspring but had a dozen illegitimate children by seven mistresses, among them the famous Nell Gwynne. The late Diana, Princess of Wales was descended from two of Charles' sons, so her son, Prince William, if he comes to the throne, would be the first British monarch descended from Charles II.

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15y ago

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