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Who was Caesarion and how did he become co-ruler with Cleopatra VII?

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Ptolemaic sculpture — Ptolemaic dynasty Head of a queen, marble sculpture possibly made in Egypt, Ptolemaic period (305–30 bce); in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 14 × 12 × 11.5 cm.

Caesarion (born 47 BCE) was the son of Cleopatra VII and, as his name "little Caesar" implies, is widely believed to be the son of the Roman leader Julius Caesar.123

Following the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE, Cleopatra returned to Egypt from Rome. Shortly thereafter, her co-ruler and brother, Ptolemy XIV, died—an event Cleopatra likely orchestrated to clear the throne for her son. She subsequently established Caesarion as her co-ruler.123

While he was her co-ruler from 44 BCE, his position was formally solidified by 34 BCE during an event known as the "Donations of Alexandria." In this display, Mark Antony proclaimed Caesarion to be the true son and heir of Julius Caesar, granting him the title "King of Kings" while Cleopatra was hailed as "Queen of Kings." This move was a strategic attempt to bolster their political standing and challenge the legitimacy of Octavian, who had been legally adopted by Caesar. Following the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium, Caesarion was executed by Octavian in 30 BCE.123