Prince of Wales

royal title held by the heir to the British (previously the English) throne, and prior to that by Welsh princes

Prince of Wales is a royal title. It is usually held by the eldest son of the King or Queen of the United Kingdom. It is the title of the royal who is first in line to the throne. The title is not automatic, but is given by the reigning monarch.

Prince of Wales
Tywysog Cymru
HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Incumbent
William, Prince of Wales

since 8 September 2022
StyleHis Royal Highness
Sir
ResidenceClarence House
AppointerMonarch of the United Kingdom
Term lengthLife tenure or until accession as Sovereign
Inaugural holderDafydd ap Llywelyn
Websitewww.princeofwales.gov.uk

When a person becomes King or Queen, their eldest son immediately becomes Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. The current Prince of Wales, Prince William, was born in 1982, and was known as Prince William of Wales (his father is King Charles III). In 2022, his father became King, and he became The Duke of Cornwall (in Scotland he was called The Prince William, Duke of Rothesay). In 2022, the King made him Prince of Wales, and he is now called Prince of Wales, except in Scotland, where he is still The Prince William, Duke of Rothesay.


King George II created his son, Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales. When Frederick died, the King made Frederick's eldest son, George, Prince of Wales.

Princes from 1284

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For earlier rulers, see List of rulers of Wales.

House of Anjou (Plantagenet) (1284 - 1484)

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House of Lancaster (1399 - 1471)

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House of York (1471 - 1484)

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House of Tudor (1486 - 1547)

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