The eldest son of the reigning monarch of Great Britain is traditionally invested with the title of Prince of Wales. This tradition began in 1301, when King Edward I of England, having completed the Norman conquest of Wales, gave the title to his heir, Prince Edward (later King Edward II of England). The apocryphal story that the king promised the rebellious Welsh natives "a prince born in Wales, who did not speak a word of English", and then produced his infant son, was not written down until the sixteenth century. However, Edward II certainly was born at Caernarfon, while his father was campaigning in Wales.

Prior to the conquest of Wales, only a handful of native princes had claimed the title of Prince of Wales, the country having been divided into smaller principalities for most of the post-Roman period. In 1258, the title was claimed by Llywelyn the Last, Prince of Gwynedd, having been briefly held by his uncle, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, who was recognised by King Henry III of England as rightful ruler. In 1321, Edward I conquered Wales and granted the Principality to his eldest son, also named Edward. The Principality, nowadays, is always conferred along with the Earldom of Chester. The convention began only in 1399; all previous Princes of Wales also received the earldom, but separately from the Principality. The earldom was created several times before becoming merged in the Crown in 1272. 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, but as aforementioned, the creations of the two dignities were originally separate.

The Principality of Wales and Earldom of Chester must be created, and are not automatically acquired like the Dukedoms of Cornwall and Rothesay, which are the Heir Apparent's titles in England and Scotland, respectively. 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.

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 Principality, 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.

The Prince of Wales is styled His Royal Highness (HRH). The same style is given to the Princess of Wales, by virtue of her marriage. However, as was shown in the case of Diana, Princess of Wales, the style lapses if a Prince and Princess divorce, as it is only hers by virtue of marriage to the Prince of Wales, not in her own right.

The holders of the title have been:

Prince of Wales	Parent	From	To
Edward	Edward I	1301	1307 (acceded as Edward II)
Edward, the Black Prince	Edward III	1330	1376 (death)
Richard of Bordeaux	Edward, the Black Prince	1376	1377 (acceded as Richard II)
Henry of Monmouth	Henry IV	1399	1413 (acceded as Henry V)
Edward, Duke of Cornwall	Henry VI	1453	1471 (death)
Edward Plantagenet	Edward IV	1470	1483 (acceded as Edward V)
Edward, Duke of Cornwall	Richard III	1483	1484 (death)
Arthur, Duke of Cornwall	Henry VII	1486	1502 (death)
Henry, Duke of Cornwall	Henry VII	1502	1509 (acceded as Henry VIII)
Henry, Duke of Cornwall	James I	1603	1612 (death)
Charles, Duke of Cornwall	James I	1612	1625 (acceded as Charles I)
Charles, Duke of Cornwall	Charles I	1630	1649 (acceded as Charles II)
James Francis Edward Stuart	James II	1688	1689 (father's deposition)
George Augustus, Duke of Cornwall	George I	1714	1727 (acceded as George II)
Frederick Lewis, Duke of Cornwall	George II	1727	1751 (death)
George	Frederick	1751	1760 (acceded as George III)
George, Duke of Cornwall	George III	1762	1820 (acceded as George IV)
HRH Prince Albert Edward	Victoria	1841	1901 (acceded as Edward VII)
HRH Prince George, Duke of Cornwall	Edward VII	1901	1910 (acceded as George V)
HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Cornwall	George V	1910	1936 (acceded as Edward VIII)
HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall	Elizabeth II	1958

See also

• List of rulers of Wales
• Princess of Wales
• Prince of Wales tea blend
• Ships of the Royal Navy named HMS Prince of Wales.

External link

• The Straight Dope: How can I become Prince of Wales? (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_137b.html)

cy:Rhestr Tywysogion Cymru de:Fürst von Wales fr:Prince de Galles nl:Prins van Wales no:Prins av Wales ja:プリンス・オブ・ウェールズ pt:Príncipe de Gales pl:Książęta Walii sv:Prinsen av Wales minnan:Cymru ê Thâu-lâng