Prince Charles, the longtime heir to the British throne, celebrated his 72nd birthday on Saturday. To mark the occasion, his mother Queen Elizabeth posted a touching throwback photo to Instagram that showed her and her infant son around the time he was born in 1948.

“Wishing The Prince of Wales a very happy birthday today!” the photo was captioned. “Follow our link in bio to find out more about His Royal Highness’s life and work.”

People Magazine reported that in celebration of his birthday, Charles served as guest editor for Country Life Magazine for the third year in a row. Charles penned an article for the publication in which he called on readers to recognize hope despite the many difficulties that 2020 has thrown our way.

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“The country, and the world, have experienced changes we could never have foreseen,” Charles wrote. “Uncertainty has become a steady state; the previously unimaginable has become unexceptional; the extraordinary has become normal. At such a time, it is tempting, and understandable, to focus on the losses, the failures and the challenges. However, if the life of the land teaches anything, it is the need to look at the long term.”

Charles went on to praise “the strength of our society: its resourcefulness, its compassion and its stoical determination” amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He then expressed hopes that the world will apply the same traits to the fight against climate change.

“Like the threatened red squirrels collecting their hazelnuts or jays their seeds and acorns, we must be wise and far-sighted,” he said. “We have a very short window of opportunity, which must not be squandered, in which to seize something good from this crisis and, as we rebuild, to put Nature, our planet and our children and grandchildren first.”

This comes as rumors have been swirling that the Queen may step down after her 95th birthday next year so that Charles can take the throne. He has been the heir to the throne longer than anyone else in British history, having been second in line ever since his mother became queen in 1952. When Charles does become king, he will also be the oldest king to ever be crowned.

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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