In a lot of countries still with monarchies, their heir to the throne is often called a crown prince or princess – think Sweden and Norway. However, in the UK the heir to the throne is known as the Prince of Wales.
Because men took precedence over women in the order of succession, a female heir to the throne wouldn't have ever been known as the Princess of Wales but, rather, heir presumptive – for example Queen Elizabeth II, when she was known as Princess Elizabeth.
- What will the Prince of Wales be known as when he is king?
- Why has there never been a 'king' of Wales?
This changed in 2013 when the UK parliament amended the Succession to the Crown Act to end the system of male privilege. This meant William's first child would become monarch, regardless of sex. Does this mean one day the heir to the throne will be known as the Princess of Wales? Presumably yes, if the title is still used.
Where did the title Prince of Wales come from?
As far as we can tell Owain Gwynedd – the ruler of the Kingdom of Gwynedd – was the first person to use the title Prince of Wales, when he wrote a letter to Louis VII of France. Presumably he was trying to assert his superiority over the other Welsh rulers as at the time Wales was divided into a patchwork of Anglo-Norman lordships and native Welsh kingdoms.
After Owain Gwynedd’s death in 1170, the title Prince of Wales was only used from time to time by Welsh rulers. It became most well-known under Llywelyn Ap Gruffudd in the 1200s, when he united much of Wales and was officially recognised by the English king. After his death, the title disappeared again, though later leaders like Owain Glyndŵr claimed it during their rebellions against English rule.
When did it first get used for the heir to the English throne?
When Edward I defeated the Welsh, he bestowed the title of Prince of Wales to his son and heir in 1301 – and ever since then, barring the odd Welsh rebellion in the 15th century, it has been granted by the monarch to their eldest son, the heir apparent.
However, it is not an automatic or hereditary title and is formally created and invested for each new prince.
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