| Post: | Prince |
| Body: | Wales |
| Native Name: | Tywysog Cymru |
| Insignia: | Prince of Wales's feathers Badge.svg |
| Insigniasize: | 100 |
| Insigniacaption: | Prince of Wales's feathers |
| Incumbent: | William |
| Incumbentsince: | 9 September 2022 |
| Formation: |
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| First: |
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| Style: | His Royal Highness |
| Member Of: | British royal family |
| Appointer: | Monarch of the United Kingdom (previously of England) |
| Termlength: | Life tenure or until accession as sovereign |
| Flag: | Personal Banner of the Prince of Wales.svg |
| Flagcaption: | Personal standard |
Prince of Wales (Welsh: Tywysog Cymru, in Welsh pronounced as /təu̯ˈəsoɡ ˈkəmrɨ/; Latin: Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the English, and later British, throne. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Gwynedd who, from the late 12th century, used it (albeit inconsistently) to assert their supremacy over the other Welsh rulers. However, to mark the finalisation of his conquest of Wales, in 1301, Edward I of England invested his son Edward of Caernarfon with the title, thereby beginning the tradition of giving the title to the heir apparent when he was the monarch's son or grandson. The title was later claimed by the leader of a Welsh rebellion, Owain Glyndŵr, from 1400 until 1415.
King Charles III, formerly Prince of Wales, created his son William Prince of Wales on 9 September 2022 on his accession to the throne, with formal letters patent issued on 13 February 2023. The title has become a point of controversy in Wales.
The first known use of the title "Prince of Wales" was in the 1160s by Owain Gwynedd, ruler of Kingdom of Gwynedd, in a letter to Louis VII of France.[1] In the 12th century, Wales was a patchwork of Anglo-Norman Lordships and native Welsh principalities – notably Deheubarth, Powys and Gwynedd – competing among themselves for hegemony.[2] Owain's aim in using the title in his letter to Louis was probably to claim pre-eminence over the other native Welsh rulers.[3] Rhys used several titles, sometimes concurrently, and in two charters from the 1180s he is referred to as "Prince of Wales" or "Prince of the Welsh".[4] [5]
The title was revived in 1245 when Dafydd ap Llywelyn, ruler of Gwynedd, began using it in the final months of his reign. In the intervening years, Owen Gwynedd's successors in Gwynedd, including Dafydd, had, instead, adopted the titles "Prince of North Wales" or "Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon".[6]
However, it is in the reign of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Dafydd's nephew and successor in Gwynedd, that the title is consistently used over an extended period. From 1262 to his death in 1282, Llywelyn used no other style except 'Prince of Wales and Lord of Snowdon'.[7] This was accompanied by Llywelyn making the Principality of Wales (encompassing Gwynedd, Deheubarth, Powys and parts of the Marches) a political reality.[8] [9] He had achieved this by significantly expanding his directly ruled territories into Mid- and South Wales and inducing all the other remaining native Welsh rulers to do him homage and acknowledge him as overlord by 1263.[10] Additionally, Llywelyn developed governance structures which made his authority effective across the entire Principality of Wales, including in the territories of the Welsh rulers that owed him allegiance.[11] The significance of these developments was marked by Henry III of England recognising Llywelyn's title and authority in the Treaty of Montgomery of 1267.[10] As J. Beverley Smith has noted, his title "at once, acknowledged and proclaimed a status unique in Welsh political history".[12]
Llywelyn's principality was destroyed as a result of the conquest of Wales by Edward I between 1277 and 1283, during which Llewylyn was killed in 1282.[13] After his death, his brother, Dafydd, adopted Llywelyn's title and continued resistance for a few months.[14] However, Dafydd was defeated and executed in 1283 and the principality was permanently annexed by Edward I.[13]
In the fourteenth century, two pretenders to the title of 'Prince of Wales' attempted to make good their claims: Owain Lawgoch, a descendant of the Princes of Gwynedd, and Owain Glyndŵr, whose ancestors included the former rulers of Powys and Deheubarth. Owain Lawgoch's abortive attempt at invading Wales in 1372 was followed by Glyndŵr's much more serious revolt beginning in 1400.[15]
Glyndŵr's rebellion commenced with his supporters proclaiming him Prince of Wales.[16] However, it is unclear how important this was in his initial objectives, given that his immediate motivation appears to have been a personal grievance with a neighbouring English Lord.[17] [18] By 1401, he had effectively dropped his claim to the title. But, with the rebellion's military successes of 14021403 and the growth in his support in Wales, he became more ambitious. In 1404, he had himself crowned as Prince of Wales, and he launched plans to create the state institutions of a new principality. This phase of the revolt was short-lived, however. By 1406, the rebellion began to fail militarily, and, from 1409, Glyndŵr had to exchange the trappings of a ruling prince for those of a hunted outlaw. He died in obscurity, probably around 1415.[19]
See also: Investiture of the Prince of Wales.
The title is neither automatic nor heritable; it merges with the Crown when its holder eventually accedes to the throne, or reverts to the Crown if its holder predeceases the current monarch, leaving the sovereign free to grant it to the new heir apparent (such as the late prince's son or brother).[20]
The Prince of Wales usually has other titles and honours, if the eldest son of the monarch:
No formal public role or responsibility has been legislated by Parliament or otherwise delegated to the prince of Wales by law or custom. In that role, Charles often assisted Elizabeth II in the performance of her duties. He represented her when welcoming dignitaries to London and during state visits. He also represented the Queen and the United Kingdom overseas at state and ceremonial occasions such as funerals.[22] The Prince of Wales has also been granted the authority to issue royal warrants.[23]
In 2011, along with the other Commonwealth realms, the United Kingdom committed to the Perth Agreement, which proposed changes to the laws governing succession, including altering the male-preference primogeniture to absolute primogeniture.[24] The Succession to the Crown Act 2013 was introduced to the British parliament on 12 December 2012, published the next day, and received royal assent on 25 April 2013.[25] It was brought into force on 26 March 2015,[26] at the same time as the other realms implemented the Perth Agreement in their own laws.[27]
See main article: Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales.
The Prince of Wales's feathers are the badge of the Prince of Wales by virtue of being the heir apparent.[28] The ostrich feathers are generally traced back to Edward of Woodstock ('The Black Prince'). He bore (as an alternative to his differenced royal arms) a shield of Sable, three ostrich feathers argent, described as his "shield for peace", probably meaning the shield he used for jousting. These arms appear several times on his chest tomb in Canterbury Cathedral, alternating with his paternal royal arms (the royal arms of King Edward III differenced by a label of three points argent).[29] The Black Prince also used heraldic badges of one or more ostrich feathers in various other contexts.[30]
In order to finalise his conquest of Wales, Edward I began the custom of granting the title of Prince of Wales to the heir apparent to the English throne.[31] Consequently, in 1301, Edward invested his Welsh-born eldest son, Edward of Caernarfon, as the first Plantagenet Prince of Wales.[32]
Writing in Britannia, William Camden describes the killing of Llywelyn and Edward's use of the title "Prince of Wales" for his son:[33]
In 1502, Henry Tudor (the future Henry VIII) took the title after the death of his older brother Arthur, who predeceased his father, King Henry VII.[34]
The same occurred in 1616, when Henry Frederick Stuart predeceased his father James I; Henry's brother Charles Stuart, later Charles I, took the title.
See main article: Investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales. Edward (then the heir apparent; later King Edward VIII) was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in July 1911. This was the first such public investiture for centuries. He had been created Prince of Wales in June 1910.
On arrival, Edward addressed the crowd briefly, and somewhat poetically, in Welsh: "Môr o gân yw Cymru i gyd." The king presented Edward with the insignia of his office. After the ceremony the royal party rejoined the royal yacht. It was said that the ceremonial was partly "invented tradition".
See main article: Investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales.
Although the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969 took place during a period of social change and a growing Welsh nationalist movement, it was largely welcomed by people in Wales.[35] The investiture was also attended, by invitation, by 3,500 people who lived and worked in Wales.[36] In the UK, the press focused on the pomp and regalia, with newspaper headlines such as "Welsh go wild for Their Royal Prince" and "Proud Wales takes Prince to her heart." It was also supported by the Secretary of State for Wales at the time, George Thomas, although he remained a controversial figure in Wales.[37] Thomas later said to Prime Minister Harold Wilson that Charles's speech had "boosted Welsh nationalism."[38]
The 1960s movement surrounding the investiture has historically been described as the "anti-investiture movement"[39] [40] [41] and "anti-investiture sentiment".[42] The investiture occurred during a period of revival of the Welsh national consciousness, with an outspoken section considering him as an English Prince being imposed upon Wales.[43] The investiture also led to significant protests in Wales. The group "Cofia 1282" ("Remember 1282") also held protests against the investiture.[44]
On 9 September 2022 (the day after his accession to the throne), during his first address as king, Charles III said of his son William, "Today I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru. The country whose title I've been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life of duty."[45] Buckingham Palace stated that "The Prince and Princess [of Wales] look forward to celebrating Wales's proud history and traditions as well as a future that is full of promise".[46] The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, noted that "William will be absolutely aware of the sensitivities that surround the title..."
Though the title started to be used immediately afterward, it was only documented formally by letters patent on 13 February 2023.
Charles III proclaimed William as Prince of Wales on 9 September 2022, the day after the death of Elizabeth II, surprising Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, who said he had not been given notice of the announcement. The creation of a new Prince of Wales was the catalyst for a renewed debate on the title, and already, on 8 September, a petition had been started calling for the title to be ended. The petition had garnered 25,000 signatures in its first few days.[47]
Former Welsh Assembly presiding officer, Lord Elis-Thomas, had also questioned the need for the title to continue, and recalled previous discussion with the then Prince Charles, who expressed his desire never again to have an investiture in Caernarfon Castle. According to Elis-Thomas, Charles laughed and said, "Do you think I want to put William through what I went through?".[48]
The decision to grant William the title of Prince of Wales was criticised by the Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru: Senedd member Cefin Campbell called the decision "divisive" and party leader Adam Price called for a public debate on the issue.[49]
The question raised by critics was one of respect for Wales as a country in its own right, and the continued symbol of the historical invasion and oppression of Wales. William pledged that he would serve Wales with humility and great respect for its people, and spoke of the honour he felt to do so. He signalled a desire to reform the role.[50]
The contemporary debate does not focus wholly on abolition, but explores how, if the title is to continue, it may be adapted to reflect the realities of the changing constitutional relationship with Wales. This includes the question of whether the Welsh Government should play a greater role in the appointments process, or whether there should be a Senedd ceremonial process to reflect the nation's governance over its own affairs.
A BBC Wales poll in 1999 showed that 73% of Welsh speakers believed the title should continue after Charles.[51] A BBC poll in 2009, 40 years following the investiture, revealed 58% of Welsh people support the title "Prince of Wales"; 26% opposed the title. However, only 16% responded that Wales had benefited from having a prince.[52] [53]
In July 2018, an ITV poll found that 57% of Welsh people supported the title passing to William, with 22% for abolition or vacating the title. Support for another investiture was lower, with 31% supporting a ceremony similar to the 1969 one, 18% supporting a ceremony different to 1969, and 27% opposing an investiture.[54]
In 2019, a BBC Wales poll showed that 50% supported the continuation of the title and 22% opposed. On the investiture, 41% supported a similar ceremony to 1969, 20% a different-style investiture ceremony, and 30% opposed any future investiture.[55] [56] A 2021 poll by Beaufort Research for Western Mail showed 61% of respondents in Wales supported another investiture, including 60% of Welsh-speakers polled.[57]
In June 2022, an ITV/YouGov poll showed that 46% of adults in Wales wanted the Prince of Wales title to continue, and 31% said it should be abolished.[58] In September 2022, a YouGov poll showed 66% support for Prince William to be given the title compared to 22% opposed, with 19% supporting a 1969-style investiture, 30% a different style of investiture and 34% opposing any investiture of Prince William as Prince of Wales.[59]
| Person | Name | Heir of | Birth | Became heir apparent | Created Prince of Wales | Ceased to be Prince of Wales | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 April 1284 | 19 August 1284 | 7 February 1301 | 7 July 1307 acceded to throne as Edward II | 21 September 1327 | |||
| Edward of Woodstock | 15 June 1330 | 12 May 1343 | 8 June 1376 deceased | ||||
| 6 January 1367 | 8 June 1376 | 20 November 1376 | 22 June 1377 acceded to throne as Richard II | 14 February 1400 | |||
| 16 September 1386 | 30 September 1399 | 15 October 1399 | 21 March 1413 acceded to throne as Henry V | 31 August 1422 | |||
| Edward of Westminster | 13 October 1453 | 15 March 1454 | 11 April 1471 father deposed | 4 May 1471 deceased | |||
| 4 November 1470 | 11 April 1471 | 26 June 1471 | 9 April 1483 acceded to throne as Edward V | 1483 | |||
| 1473 | 26 June 1483 | 24 August 1483 | 31 March or 9 April 1484 deceased | ||||
| 20 September 1486 | 29 November 1489 | 2 April 1502 deceased | |||||
| Henry Tudor | 28 June 1491 | 2 April 1502 | 18 February 1504 | 21 April 1509 acceded to throne as Henry VIII | 28 January 1547 | ||
| Edward Tudor | Henry VIII | 12 October 1537 | [60] [61] | 28 January 1547 acceded to throne as Edward VI | 6 July 1553 | ||
| 19 February 1594 | 24 March 1603 | 4 June 1610 | 6 November 1612 deceased | ||||
| 19 November 1600 | 6 November 1612 | 4 November 1616 | 27 March 1625 acceded to throne as Charles I | 30 January 1649 | |||
| Charles I | 29 May 1630 | 30 January 1649 title abolished; acceded to throne 1660 as Charles II | 6 February 1685 | ||||
| 10 June 1688 | 11 December 1688[62] father deposed | 1 January 1766 | |||||
| 10 November 1683 | 1 August 1714 | 27 September 1714 | 11 June 1727 acceded to throne as George II | 25 October 1760 | |||
| 1 February 1707 | 11 June 1727 | 7 January 1728 | 31 March 1751 deceased | ||||
| George William Frederick | 4 June 1738 | 31 March 1751 | 20 April 1751 | 25 October 1760 acceded to throne as George III | 29 January 1820 | ||
| George Augustus Frederick | George III | 12 August 1762 | 17 August 1762 | 29 January 1820 acceded to throne as George IV | 26 June 1830 | ||
| 9 November 1841 | 8 December 1841 | 22 January 1901 acceded to throne as Edward VII | 6 May 1910 | ||||
| 3 June 1865 | 22 January 1901 | 9 November 1901 | 6 May 1910 acceded to throne as George V | 20 January 1936 | |||
| Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David | 23 June 1894 | 6 May 1910 | 20 January 1936 acceded to throne as Edward VIII; abdicated 1936 | 28 May 1972 | |||
| 14 November 1948 | 6 February 1952 | 8 September 2022 acceded to throne as Charles III | living | ||||
| 21 June 1982 | 8 September 2022 | 9 September 2022[63] | Incumbent | living | |||
The current sovereign Charles III was the longest serving Prince of Wales for 64 years and 44 days between 1958 and 2022, and the oldest person to hold the position. He was also heir apparent for longer than any other in British history.[64] Upon the death of his mother on 8 September 2022, Charles became king and the title merged with the Crown.[65] The following day, King Charles III bestowed the title upon his elder son, Prince William, Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge.[66] [67] Prince William is the oldest person to be created Prince of Wales.