Celebrity
William, Prince of Wales title: Prince William is the oldest person to become Prince of Wales – a title with a long and controversial past
When Prince William became the Prince of Wales in 2022, he was the oldest person to ever step into the role.
The title of Prince of Wales is reserved for the exclusive use of the heir apparent to the British throne.While many former princes of Wales held the title since childhood, Prince William was 40 when his father created him Prince of Wales the day after he acceded the throne.
King Charles held the Prince of Wales title for 64 years – longer than anyone else – but Prince William’s time in the role will be much shorter.
Here’s how the royal title came to be.
READ MORE: King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed to Rome with fly-past
The origin and history of the Prince of Wales title
The first known use of the Prince of Wales title occurred in the 1160s.
Rulers of various Welsh principalities used the title, although not consistently, up until England’s conquest of Wales.
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was instrumental in creating the Principality of Wales, used the title from 1262 until his death in 1282 during King Edward I of England’s conquest of Wales.
The title then passed briefly to his brother Daffyd, before he was defeated and killed.
READ MORE: Prince Harry makes surprise appearance in London court
In 1301, King Edward I gave the title Prince of Wales to his 16-year-old son, then known as Edward of Caernarfon.
This started the tradition of giving the title to the heir apparent to the English, and later British thrones. It is also why investitures of future princes of Wales were held at Caernarfon Castle, a medieval fortress in Gwynedd, Wales.
He was the first of 23 Princes of Wales.
After he became King Edward II of England in 1307, the Prince of Wales title was not used again until 1343 when Prince Edward, known as the Black Prince, was created Prince of Wales at 13 by his father Edward III.
Following his death in 1376, the title was bestowed on another of Edwards III’s sons, Richard of Bordeaux, who acceded the throne as Richard II just six months later.
READ MORE: Meghan reveals ‘life or death’ health battle in new podcast
Henry of Monmouth was created Prince of Wales in 1239 before acceding the throne in 1413.
More than 40 years passed before Edward of Westminster was created Prince of Wales in 1454.
In 1471, Edward of York was created Prince of Wales and held the title until he acceded the throne in 1483.
The uncanny lookalikes in the British monarchy’s history
Since then, a further 17 people have held the title of Prince of Wales, including Henry Tudor, who went on to become King Henry VIII.
Most, but not all, have been the eldest sons of British sovereigns.
The title does not automatically pass to the heir, but must be granted by the sovereign.
Who was the Prince of Wales before Charles?
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Prior to Charles, the most recent Prince of Wales was Prince Edward, the eldest son of King George V.
He was created Prince of Wales when he was 17, in June 1910, after his father acceded the throne.
His investiture took place at Caernarfon Castle in July 1911. It was the first public investiture to take place in Wales since the 18th century.
After his father’s death in January 1936, he became King Edward VIII but abdicated less than a year later because of his desire to marry divorcee Wallis Simpson.
That resulted in his younger brother, Albert, becoming King George VI – despite having never been Prince of Wales – and setting the current line of descent.
Following his death in February 1952, his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, became Queen Elizabeth II, elevating Charles to next in line to the throne. Charles was just three at the time.
How old was Charles when he became The Prince of Wales?
When he was nine, Charles was created the Prince of Wales on July 26, 1958.
An official investiture ceremony took place when he was 17 on July 1, 1969, at Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd, Wales.
At the time of his investiture, huge crowds turned out for the ceremony but there were also protests.
He held the title Prince of Wales for 64 years – longer than anyone else – until his mother’s death on September 8, 2022, at which time he acceded to the throne.
All the women who were the Princess of Wales in history
How old was Prince William?
One day later, during his first address as monarch, King Charles announced he had created William the Prince of Wales.
William was 40 and the oldest person to be created Prince of Wales.
As William was married to Catherine at the time, she automatically became Princess of Wales.
The BBC reported soon after Prince William was created Prince of Wales that there were no plans to hold an investiture, in part due to controversy over the title.
King Charles had also reportedly stated in the past that an investiture should never again be held at Caernarfon Castle.
The BBC quoted Kensington Palace as saying an investiture was “not on the table”.
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford said it was “easy to see” why a different approach was being taken “during tough times”.
An enduring royal controversy
Critics argue there is no place for a Prince of Wales within the British monarchy given the title’s links to the invasion and oppression of Wales.
Soon after William was created the Prince of Wales, Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford admitted he was not forewarned about the announcement.
A petition was started calling for the title to be scrapped, which attracted tens of thousands of signatures.
Among those opposed to the ongoing use of the title is the Welsh political party Plaid Cymru.
The BBC reported that following a meeting with the new Prince of Wales in 2022, the Senedd group said the title had “no formal place or responsibility within Welsh life”.
However, polls have consistently shown most Welsh people support the continuation of the title and its passing to Prince William.
Days after he was created Prince of Wales, William pledged to serve the people of Wales with “humility and great respect”.
He has since visited Wales twice.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
