Prince of Wales

## Incumbent

**Prince of Wales** (Welsh: *Tywysog Cymru*, pronounced [təu̯ˈəsoɡ ˈkəmrɨ]; Latin: *Princeps Cambriae/Walliae*) is a title historically used by native, independent Welsh princes and since the 14th century by the heir apparent of the English and later British throne.

Historically, the title was held by native Welsh princes before the 12th century; the term replaced the use of the word *king*. The first holder of the title Prince of Wales (and also King of Wales) was Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd, Wales in 1137, although his son Owain Gwynedd (also King and Prince of Wales), is often cited as having established the title. Llywelyn the Great is typically regarded as the strongest leader, holding power over the vast majority of Wales for 45 years. One of the last native Princes of Wales and grandson of Llywelyn the Great was Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last), who was killed at the Battle of Orewin Bridge in 1282. Llywelyn's brother Dafydd ap Gruffydd was tortured, hanged, drawn and quartered the following year, thus ending Welsh independence. Following these two deaths, Edward I of England invested his son Prince Edward (born in Caernarfon Castle in 1284) as the first English "Prince of Wales" in 1301. The title was claimed by the Welsh heir of Gwynedd, Owain Glyndŵr from ~1400 until ~1415 (date of his assumed death) who led Welsh forces against the English. Since then, the title has only been held by the heir of the English and subsequently British monarch.

The English (later British) title is not heritable (see section As title of the heir apparent) and is merged with the Crown when its holder eventually accedes to the throne, or reverts to the Crown if its holder predeceases the current monarch. Since 1301, the title Earl of Chester has been given in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales.[2] The Prince of Wales usually has other titles and honours, if the eldest son of the monarch; typically this means being Duke of Cornwall, which, unlike being Prince of Wales, inherently includes lands and constitutional and operational responsibilities. Since the 14th century, the title has been a dynastic title traditionally (but not necessarily) granted by the English or British monarch to the son or grandson who is the heir apparent to the throne. On 8 September 2022 the title merged with the Crown when its previous (and longest-serving) holder, Prince Charles, became King upon the death of his mother Elizabeth II.[3] The following day, King Charles III bestowed the title upon his son Prince William, Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge.[4][5]

The investiture of Charles was "largely welcomed" in Wales according to an article in the National Archives blog.[6] There was some opposition at the time to the use of the "Prince of Wales" title by the British heir apparent, and protests.[7] Following Charles's accession to the throne in September 2022, a petition was launched calling for the abolition of the title, which by 10 September had received more than 10,000 signatures.

## Native Princes of Wales

### Before Prince of Wales

Prior to the King or Prince of Wales title, the title King of the Britons was used to describe the King of the Celtic Britons, ancestors of the Welsh.[10] The Brut y Tywysogion, Gwentian Chronicles of Caradoc of Llancarvan version, which was written no earlier than the mid 16th century lists multiple Kings of the Britons as a "King of Wales".

While many different leaders in Wales claimed the title of 'King of Wales' and some ruled a majority of Wales, the modern-day territory of Wales was only fully united under the direct rule of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn from 1055 to 1063 according to historian John Davies.[14][15] Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was referred to as King of Wales or *Rex Walensium* by John of Worcester.[16] He was the last of a long line of paramount rulers among the insular Britons to have the title of King of the Britons bestowed upon him, and possibly the only one to truly rule over all the (independent) Britons. By this time, if not earlier, Wales was the only part of Britain remaining under Brittonic rule.

The native use of the title 'Prince of Wales' appeared more frequent by the eleventh century as a 'modernised' or reformed form of the old high kingship of the Britons. The Welsh had originally been the high Kings of the Britons; but the claim to be high king of late Romano-British Britain was no longer realistic after the death of Cadwaladr in 664. Cadwaldr was also heavily associated with the symbol of the Red Dragon of Wales.[19][20] The princes of the medieval period hailed largely from west Wales, mainly Gwynedd. They had significant authority which allowed them to claim authority beyond the borders of their kingdoms. This allowed many Princes to claim to rule all Wales.[21]

### End of native Princes of Wales

Following the uniting of Wales under the rule of the Llywelyn princes, Edward I King of England led 15,00 men to capture Wales following multiple failed attempts by English monarchs to maintain a grip on Wales prior to this. Resistance in Wales was led by the Prince of Wales Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (Llywelyn the Last) and he also made an attempt to recruit more Welsh soldiers in mid-Wales.[22][23] Llywelyn was killed in the Battle of Orewin Bridge by English soldiers in an ambush trick under the guise of discussions. His head was paraded through London and placed on a Tower of London spike with a mocking crown of laurel leaves.[24]

Llywelyn's brother Dafydd, took over leadership of Welsh fighters, but was caught in 1283. He was dragged through the streets of Shrewsbury by a horse, hanged, revived and disemboweled by English officials. His bowels were thrown into a fire as he watched. Finally, his head was cut off and placed on a Tower of London spike next to his brother Llywelyn, and his body cut into quarters.[25]

Following the deaths of Llywelyn and Dafydd, Edward King of England sought to end Welsh independence and introduced the royal ordinance of the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284. The statute was a constitutional change causing Wales to lose its de facto independence and formed the Principality of Wales within the "Realm of England". The name refers to Rhuddlan Castle in Denbighshire, where it was first promulgated on 19 March 1284.[28] The statute confirmed the annexation of Wales and introduced English common law to Wales for criminal cases, while civil cases were still dealt with under the Welsh laws of Hywel Dda.
Monument to Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) in Cilmeri where he was killed in 1282

### Rival Princes of Wales

During the period 1400–1413, after a rebellion against English rule in Wales, there existed a native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndŵr and a Prince of Wales (who later became Henry V of England) appointed by the English monarchy. The native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr led Welsh forces against the English Prince of Wales and English rule in Wales.[30][31] With the assassination of Owain Lawgoch the senior line of the House of Aberffraw became extinct.[32] As a result, the claim to the title 'Prince of Wales' fell to the other royal dynasties, of Deheubarth and Powys. The leading heir in this respect was Owain Glyndwr who was descended from both dynasties.[33][34]

Glyndŵr was pronounced Prince of Wales in Glyndyfrdwy on 16 September 1400; and with his armies he proceeded to attach English towns in north-east Wales with guerilla tactics, disappearing into the mountains. He gathered much support across Wales. King Henry led several attempted invasions of Wales but with limited success. Bad weather and the guerilla tactics of Glyndŵr created a mythical status for him, a man at one with the elements who had control over the weather. [35]

### Welsh arms

#### Llywelyn the Last

The three native princes of Wales used the House of Gwynedd arms. The House of Gwynedd is divided between the earlier House of Cunedda, which lasted from c. 420–825, and the later House of Aberffraw, beginning in 844. The first is named after Cunedda, the founding king of Gwynedd; and the second after Aberffraw, the old capital of Gwynedd.[36] The senior line of the House of Aberffraw, descended from Llywelyn the Great in patrilineal succession, became extinct on the death of Owain Lawgoch in 1378.[37] The flag of the Princely House of Aberffraw, blazoned *Quarterly or and gules, four lions passant guardant two and two counterchanged langued and armed Azure*.[38]

#### Owain Glyndwr

'Y Ddraig Aur' (The golden dragon) of Owain Glyndŵr is attested to have been flown during the Battle of Tuthill at Caernarfon, and throughout the Welsh independence campaign.[39][40][41]
Owain Glyndwr adapted the House of Gwynedd arms by making the lions rampant, making clear his descent from the princes of Gwynedd and Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (Llywelyn the Last) and his defence of Wales. It is also suggested that this design was influenced by the arms of Powys Fadog and the coat of Deheubarth. Glyndwr's father was a hereditary prince of Powys Fadog. Glyndwr's mother was noblewoman of Deheubarth. The Glyndwr arms was also used as a banner, carried into battle against the English. This banner is a symbol of Welsh defiance, resilience and protest.[42]

The banner of Owain Glyndŵr is associated with Welsh nationhood.[43] It was carried into battle by Welsh forces during Glyndŵr's battles against the English, includes four lions on red and gold. The standard is similar to the arms of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last), the last Prince of Wales before the conquest of Wales by Edward I of England. The design may also be influenced by the arms of Glyndwr's parents, both of whom had lions in their arms.[44]

## As title of the English and British heir apparent

According to conventional wisdom, since 1301 the Prince of Wales has usually been the eldest living son (if and only if he is also the heir apparent) of the King or Queen Regnant of England (subsequently of Great Britain, 1707, and of the United Kingdom, 1801). 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. When Frederick, Prince of Wales died while his father reigned, George II created Frederick's son George (the king's grandson and new heir apparent) Prince of Wales. The title is not automatic and is not heritable; 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 to the new heir apparent (such as the late prince's son or brother).[45]

William Camden's *Britannia* describes the beginning of the English Prince of Wales as heir apparent after Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was "slain";[46]

> As concerning the Princes of Wales of British bloud in ancient times, you may reade in the Historie of Wales published in print. For my part I thinke it requisite and pertinent to my intended purpose to set downe summarily those of latter daies, descended from the roiall line of England. King Edward the First, unto whom his father King Henrie the Third had granted the Principalitie of Wales, when hee had obtained the Crowne and Lhewellin Ap Gryffith, the last Prince of the British race, was slain, and therby the sinewes as it were of the principalitie were cut, in the twelft yeere of his reigne united the same unto the Kingdome of England. And the whole province sware fealty and alleageance unto Edward of Caernarvon his sonne, whom hee made Prince of Wales. But King Edward the Second conferred not upon his sonne Edward the title of Prince of Wales, but onely the name of Earle of Chester and of Flint, so farre as ever I could learne out of the Records, and by that title summoned him to Parliament, being then nine yeres old. King Edward the Third first created his eldest sonne Edward surnamed the Blacke Prince, the Mirour of Chivalrie (being then Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester), Prince of Wales by solemne investure, with a cap of estate and Coronet set on his head, a gold ring put upon his finger, and a silver vierge delivered into his hand, with the assent of Parliament.[47]
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Prince Charles was created Prince of Wales when nine years old on 26 July 1958,[48] some six years after he became heir apparent, and invested eleven years later at age twenty, on 1 July 1969.[49] The investiture of Charles was "largely welcomed" in Wales[6] however, there was also an "anti-investiture movement" against the "Prince of Wales" title in Wales.[50] The investiture was watched by 19 million in the UK and another 500 million around the world.

Along with the other Commonwealth realms, the United Kingdom in 2011 committed to the Perth Agreement, which proposed changes to the laws governing succession, including altering the primogeniture to absolute cognatic.[52] 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.[53] It was brought into force on 26 March 2015,[54] at the same time as the other realms implemented the Perth Agreement in their own laws.[55]

### Titles and roles

Since 1301, the title Earl of Chester has been granted to each heir apparent to the English throne who was also Prince of Wales. Both titles are given to each individual holder by the Sovereign and are not automatically acquired.[2] The Duchy of Cornwall was created in 1337 by Edward III King of England for his son and heir to the English crown, Prince Edward. A charter was created which ruled that the eldest heir to the English throne would be the Duke of Cornwall.[56]

The Prince of Wales is traditionally the heir apparent of the monarch of the United Kingdom. No formal public role or responsibility has been legislated by Parliament or otherwise delegated to him by law or custom, either as heir apparent or as Prince of Wales. In that role before her death, Charles often assisted the Queen in the performance of her duties, for example, representing the Queen when welcoming dignitaries to London and attending state dinners during state visits. He also represented the Queen and the United Kingdom overseas at state and ceremonial occasions such as state funerals.[57] The Prince of Wales has also been granted the authority to issue royal warrants by the monarch.[58]

### British (formerly English) insignia

As heir apparent to the reigning sovereign, the Prince of Wales bears the Royal Arms differenced by a white label of three points. 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 most recent Prince of Wales, the future King Charles III.[59]

The heraldic badge of the three feathers is the badge of the Duke of Cornwall, or heir apparent to the British throne.[60] The ostrich feathers heraldic motif is generally traced back to Edward, the Black Prince (1330–1376), eldest son and heir apparent of King Edward III of England. The Black Prince 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*).[61] The Black Prince also used heraldic badges of one or more ostrich feathers in various other contexts.[62]

### Movement to end the title

The protests leading up to the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales were described as the "anti-investiture movement".[50] Multiple organisations and individuals in Wales were against the investiture including Dafydd Iwan[63], Edward Millward[64],Cofia 1282 ("remember 1282")[65] and the Welsh Language Society[66]. The investiture itself was controversial and led to widespread protests.[67] On the day of the investiture, a few nonviolent protesters were arrested. [68]

Since the investiture of Charles, further notable organisations and figures in Wales have called for an end to the title including Plaid Cymru (which has since changed its stance)[69][70], Republic[71], Michael Sheen[72], Dafydd Elis-Thomas[73], Leanne Wood[74], Carrie Harper[75] and Bethan Sayed.[76] On 9 September 2022, William was announced as Prince of Wales by Charles, and a petition was mounted to end the title, with over 10,000 signatures by the following day on the 10th of September.[8][9]

### Opinion polls

A BBC Wales poll in 1999 found that 73 per cent of Welsh speakers wanted the position of Prince of Wales to continue.[77]

A BBC poll in 2009, marking the 40th anniversary of the investiture, indicated that 38 per cent of the Welsh population was in favour of a similar public ceremony for Prince William after Prince Charles became king.[78]

An ITV poll in 2018 found 57% of Welsh people in support of the title passing on when the then prince became king, with 27% opposed. Support for a similar investiture was lower, with 31% supporting, 27% opposed and 18% wanting a different kind of investiture.

## List of Princes of Wales (English or British heirs apparent)

Queen Elizabeth II's son Charles, was Prince of Wales for 64 years and 44 days between 1958 and 2022, longer than any predecessor. He was also heir apparent for longer than any other in British history.