Prince of Wales

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This article is about the title Prince of Wales. For other uses, see Prince of Wales (disambiguation).
For the current holder of the title Prince of Wales, see Charles, Prince of Wales.
HRH The Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales
HRH The Prince Charles, the current Prince of Wales

Prince of Wales (Welsh: Tywysog Cymru) is a title traditionally granted to the Heir Apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom (and formerly the Kingdom of Great Britain and before that the Kingdom of England). The current Prince of Wales is Prince Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II.

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[edit] Roles and responsibilities

The Prince of Wales currently has no formal role or responsibility that has been legislated by Parliament or otherwise delegated by the Monarchy. Prince Charles, as the 21st holder of the title has created the following three roles for himself:[1]

  1. Undertaking royal duties in support of The Queen
  2. Working as a charitable entrepreneur
  3. Promoting and protecting nationalisation, virtues and excellence.

[edit] History

For most of the post-Roman period, Wales was divided into several smaller states. Prior to the Norman conquest of England, the most powerful Welsh ruler at any given time was generally known as King of the Britons. In the 12th century and the 13th century, this title evolved into that of Prince of Wales. In Latin, the new title was "Princeps Wallie", while in Welsh it was "Tywysog Cymru". The literal translation of "Tywysog" is "Leader" (The verb tywys means to lead, which shares a common root with the modern Irish for prime minister, the Taoiseach).

Only a handful of native princes had their claim to be Prince of Wales recognized by the English Crown. In 1218, Llywelyn the Great had the title bestowed upon him and his successors by his half-brother-in-law, the 11-year old Henry III. In 1240, the title was inherited by his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn and, in 1246, by his nephew Llywelyn the Last (or Llywelyn ap Gruffydd). In 1282, Llywelyn was 'deposed' by Edward I of England and the Prince of Wales title became dormant.

Although Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was the last native Prince of Wales recognized by the English Crown, it is Owain Glyndŵr whom many Welsh people regard as being the last native Prince. On September 16, 1400, he was proclaimed Prince of Wales by his supporters and it was not until 1409 that his revolt in quest of Welsh independence was suppressed by Henry IV.

The tradition of investing the heir of the monarch of Britain with the title of "Prince of Wales" began in 1301, when King Edward I of England, having completed the conquest of Wales, gave the title to his heir, Prince Edward (later King Edward II of England).

According to a famous legend, the king had promised the rebellious Welsh natives that he would name "a prince born in Wales, who did not speak a word of English" and then produced his infant son to their surprise (and presumable chagrin). However, the story may well be apocryphal, as it can only be traced to the 16th century, and, in the time of Edward I, the English aristocracy spoke Norman French, not English (some versions of the legend include lack of knowledge in both languages as a requirement). However, Edward II certainly was born at Caernarfon while his father was campaigning in Wales, and like all infants, could not at the time speak English.

Since 1301, the Prince of Wales has usually been the eldest living son of the King or Queen Regnant of England (subsequently of Great Britain, 1707, and of the United Kingdom, 1801). The word "living" is important. Following the death of Prince Arthur, the Prince of Wales, Henry VII invested his second son, the future Henry VIII, with the title--although only after it was clear that Arthur's wife, Catherine of Aragon, was not pregnant. The title is not automatic; it merges into the Crown when a prince accedes to the throne, or lapses on his death leaving the sovereign free to re-grant it should another candidate qualify, such as an heir-apparent other than the eldest living son, such as that deceased eldest son's eldest son (for example, George III).

The Principality of Wales, nowadays, is always conferred along with the Earldom of Chester. The convention began in 1399; all previous Princes of Wales also received the earldom, but separately from the Principality. Indeed, before 1272 a hereditary and not necessarily royal Earldom of Chester had already been created several times, eventually merging in the crown each time. The earldom was recreated, merging in the Crown in 1307 and again in 1327. Its creations since have been associated with the creations of the Principality of Wales.

[edit] Heraldic insignia

The "Prince of Wales' Feathers". This Heraldic badge of the Heir Apparent is derived from the ostrich feathers borne by Edward, the Black Prince. The German motto "Ich dien" means "I serve."
The "Prince of Wales' Feathers". This Heraldic badge of the Heir Apparent is derived from the ostrich feathers borne by Edward, the Black Prince. The German motto "Ich dien" means "I serve."

As heir apparent to the reigning sovereign, the Prince of Wales bears the Royal Arms differenced by a white label of an appropriate number of points. Normally this is three points, like any eldest son, but could be five in the case of the Prince of Wales being grandson of the sovereign (as with George II and the future George III). To represent Wales he bears the Coat of Arms of the Principality of Wales, crowned with the heir-apparent's crown, on an inescutcheon-en-surtout. This was first used by the future King Edward VIII in 1910, and followed by the current Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. [2]

He has a badge of three ostrich feathers (which can be seen on the reverse of all decimal British two pence coins dated up to 2008); it dates back to the Black Prince and is his as the English heir even before he is made Prince of Wales.

In addition to these symbols used most frequently, he has a special standard for use in Wales itself. Moreover, as Duke of Rothesay he has a special coat of arms for use in Scotland (and a corresponding standard); as Duke of Cornwall the like for use in the Duchy of Cornwall. Representations of all three may be found at List of British flags.

For theories about the origin of the ostrich feather badge and of the motto "Ich dien", see Edward, the Black Prince.

[edit] Other titles and investiture

The Principality of Wales and Earldom of Chester must be created, and are not automatically acquired like the Dukedom of Cornwall, which is the Heir Apparent's title in England, and the Dukedom of Rothesay, Earldom of Carrick, and High Stewardship of Scotland, which are the Heir Apparent's titles in Scotland. The dignities are not hereditary, but may be re-created if the Prince of Wales predeceases the King. For example, when Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales predeceased King George II, his eldest son, Prince George (the future George III) was created Prince of Wales. The heir apparent is only Duke of Cornwall if he is the sovereign's eldest living son; hence the future George III, grandson of George II, did not receive this title. See Duke of Cornwall for more details.

If holder of the Dukedom of York, the traditional title for the monarch's second son, becomes Heir Apparent on the death of an older brother, he is entitled to retain that title. Prince Henry (later Henry VIII), Prince Charles (later Charles I) and Prince George (later George V) were all second sons, and were therefore already Duke of York when they received the Principality of Wales.

Following the reversion to the Earldom of Chester to the crown, in 1254 Henry III passed the Lordship of Chester (but not the title of Earl) to his son Edward, who as Edward I bestowed the Earldom of Chester on his son Edward when he created him the first Prince of Wales in 1301. The Dukedom of Cornwall was first created by Edward III for his son Edward, the Black Prince in 1337.

The Earldom of Carrick merged into the crown of Scotland with the accession in 1306 of the Earl of Carrick, Robert the Bruce, who transferred the title to his son David in 1328 (the title became automatically subsidiary to the Dukedom of Rothesay in 1469); the High Stewardship merged into the crown with the accession of Robert, 7th High Steward of Scotland as Robert III in 1371; the Dukedom of Rothesay was created by Robert III of Scotland for his son David in 1398. All three of these titles merged into the English (and subsequently British) crown with the accession of James VI of Scotland as James I of England in 1603, with the first Prince of Wales to receive them being his son Henry Frederick.

Princes of Wales may be invested, but investiture is not necessary to be created Prince of Wales. Peers were also invested, but investitures for peers ceased in 1621, during a time when peerages were being created so frequently that the investiture ceremony became cumbersome. Most investitures for Princes of Wales were held in front of Parliament, but in 1911, the future Edward VIII was invested in Caernarvon Castle in Wales. The present Prince of Wales was also invested there, in 1969. During the reading of the letters patent creating the Prince, the Honours of the Principality of Wales are delivered to the Prince. The coronet of the heir-apparent bears four-crosses pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis, surmounted by a single arch (the Sovereign's crowns are of the same design, but use two arches). A gold rod is also used in the insignia; gold rods were formally used in the investitures of dukes, but survive now in the investitures of Princes of Wales only. Also part of the insignia are a ring, a sword and a robe.

[edit] "Heir Apparent" vs. "Heir Presumptive"

The title Prince of Wales is given only to the heir apparent—that is, a male who cannot be displaced in the succession to the throne by any future birth. This would be the eldest son of the monarch, or, if he is deceased, his eldest son, and so on, or if the monarch's son has died without issue, the monarch's second eldest son, etc.

A daughter or sibling of the sovereign who is currently next in line to the throne is not the "heir apparent" because they would be displaced in the succession by any future legitimate son of the sovereign: they are instead the "heir presumptive" and cannot therefore take the title of Prince of Wales (or Princess in their own right). Hence there was no heir apparent during the reign of George VI, who had no sons: Princess Elizabeth was an heir presumptive, and was hence not eligible to be titled Princess of Wales (the option of bestowing that title on her was considered and rejected).

[edit] List of Princes of Wales

[edit] Prince of Wales as independent title

Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales
Llywelyn ab Iorwerth N/A
father was Iorwerth ab Owain Gwynedd		 c.1173 1218 April 11, 1240 Prince of Gwynedd,
Prince of Southern Powys		 Joan
Dafydd ap Llywelyn N/A
father was Llywelyn ab Iorwerth		 c. 1208 11 April 1240 February 25, 1246 Prince of Gwynedd,
Prince of Southern Powys		 Isabella de Braose
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd N/A
father was Gruffydd ap Llywelyn		 c.1223 February 25, 1246 December 11, 1283
killed in battle, Wales conquered by English		 Prince of Gwynedd Eleanor de Montfort
Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales

[edit] Prince of Wales as title of English Heir-apparent

Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Heir to the Throne Created Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales
Edward of Caernarfon
later Edward II		 Edward I April 25, 1284 November 16, 1272 February 7, 1301 July 7, 1307
became King		 September 21, 1327 Count of Ponthieu, Earl of Chester –
Edward of Windsor
later Edward III		 Edward II November 13, 1312 – January 25, 1327
became King		 June 21, 1377 Count of Ponthieu, Earl of Chester –
Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince Edward III June 15, 1330 12 May 1343[3] June 8, 1376 Earl of Chester, Duke of Cornwall Joan of Kent
Richard of Bordeaux
later Richard II		 January 6, 1367 June 8, 1376 November 20, 1376[3] June 22, 1377
became King		 February 14, 1400 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester –
Henry of Monmouth
later Henry V		 Henry IV September 16, 1387 September 30, 1399 October 15, 1399[3] March 21, 1413
became King		 August 31, 1422 Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester –
Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Heir to the Throne Created Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales

[edit] Owain Glyndwr

Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales
Owain Glyndwr N/A 1359 September 16, 1400 c.1415
conquest		 c.1416 Tywysog of Powys Fadog, Lord of Glyndyfrdwy and Lord of Cynllaith Owain Margaret Hanmer

[edit] Modern princes of Wales

Picture Name Heir of Birth Became Heir to the Throne Created Prince of Wales Ceased to be Prince of Wales Death Other titles while Prince of Wales Princess of Wales
Edward of Westminster Henry VI October 13, 1453 March 15, 1454[3] April 11, 1471 Father deposed May 4, 1471 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester Anne Neville
Edward of the Sanctuary
later Edward V		 Edward IV November 4, 1470 April 11, 1471 June 26, 1471[3] April 9, 1483
became King		 1483? Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester –
Edward of Middleham Richard III 1473 1483 August 24, 1483[3] April 9, 1484 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester, Earl of Salisbury –
Arthur Henry VII September 20, 1486 November 29, 1489 April 2, 1502 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester Catherine of Aragon
Henry, Duke of York
later Henry VIII		 June 28, 1491 April 2, 1502 February 18, 1504[3] April 22, 1509
became King		 January 28, 1547 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester, Duke of York –
Edward
later Edward VI		 Henry VIII October 12, 1537 October 1537 January 28, 1547
became King		 July 6, 1553 Duke of Cornwall, Earl of Chester –
Henry Frederick James I February 19, 1594 March 24, 1603 June 4, 1610[3] November 6, 1612 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick –
Charles
later Charles I		 November 19, 1600 November 6, 1612 November 4, 1616[3] March 27, 1625
became King		 January 30, 1649 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick, Duke of York –
Charles
later Charles II		 Charles I May 29, 1630 declared c. 1638-1641[3] January 30, 1649
title abolished
(became King 1660)		 February 6, 1685 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick –
James Francis Edward Stuart James II June 10, 1688 c. July 4, 1688[3] December 11, 1688
Father deposed		 January 1, 1766 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick –
George Augustus
later George II		 George I November 10, 1683 August 1, 1714 September 27, 1714 June 11, 1727
became King		 October 25, 1760 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick Caroline of Ansbach
Frederick Louis George II February 1, 1707 June 11, 1727 January 8, 1729[3] March 31, 1751 Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
George William Frederick
later George III		 June 4, 1738 March 31, 1751 April 20, 1751 October 25, 1760
became King		 January 29, 1820 Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Chester –
George Augustus Frederick
later George IV		 George III August 12, 1762 August 19, 1762[3] January 29, 1820
became King		 June 26, 1830 Prince Regent, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick Caroline of Brunswick
Albert Edward
later Edward VII		 Victoria November 9, 1841 December 8, 1841 January 22, 1901
became King		 May 6, 1910 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick, Earl of Dublin Alexandra of Denmark
George
later George V		 Edward VII June 3, 1865 January 22, 1901 November 9, 1901 May 6, 1910
became King		 January 20, 1936 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick, Earl of Inverness Mary of Teck
Edward
later Edward VIII and then Duke of Windsor		 George V June 23, 1894 May 6, 1910 June 23, 1910 January 20, 1936
became King		 May 28, 1972 Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick –
Charles Elizabeth II November 14, 1948 February 6, 1952 July 26, 1958 Incumbent Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Chester, Earl of Carrick Lady Diana Spencer;
Camilla Shand (latter does not use title "Princess of Wales")

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Website of the Prince of Wales(Roles)
  2. ^ britishflags.net- Prince of Wales
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Prince of Wales - Previous Princes

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Princes of Wales
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British royal titles*
Duke of Lancaster · Duke of Edinburgh · Prince & Princess of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay · Duke & Duchess of York, Duke of Albany · Earl of Wessex · Duke of Gloucester · Duke of Kent · Duke of Windsor · Duke of Clarence · Duke of Cambridge · Duke of Cumberland · Duke of Connaught and Strathearn · Duke of Sussex · Princess Royal
* since the Union of the crowns, listed by precedence of most recent bearer, grouped into similar titles