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The Prince of Wales hosted an investiture at Windsor Castle on Wednesday


Prince William paid tribute to his father, the King, and the late Queen Elizabeth II
Faye James
Senior Editor
Updated: 11 May 2023
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The Prince of Wales made a poignant gesture of respect to both his father, King Charles III, and late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, during an investiture at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. 

The Prince was observed wearing the cypher of both monarchs, a symbolic recognition that clearly marked the transition of power within the royal family.

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According to a tweet by @isaguor, this unique honour makes William the first since Lord Mountbatten to be appointed as Aide-de-camp by multiple monarchs. 

The tweet, which acknowledged @DanielAndrew242 for the information, quickly garnered attention, highlighting the historical significance of the event.

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The star-studded concert, attended by thousands, followed the illustrious weekend of royal events and coronation celebrations. 

Among the royal attendees were eight-year-old Princess Charlotte and Prince George, nine, both seen waving Union flags enthusiastically along with the massive crowd.

Prince William paid tribute to his father, the King, and the late Queen Elizabeth II© Getty
Prince William paid tribute to his father, the King, and the late Queen Elizabeth II

Prince William offered an emotional tribute to his father, King Charles III, and his late grandmother. 

His speech echoed the hopes and aspirations of a nation standing at the crossroads of tradition and the future.

The coronation in Westminster Abbey© Getty
Their coronation took place at Westminster Abbey

"As my grandmother said when she was crowned, Coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future," Prince William stated, his words reverberating through the 20,000-strong crowd. 

"And I know she's up there fondly keeping an eye on us as she would be a very proud mother."

the queen with prince william and kate middleton
Prince William was always close to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth

The Prince highlighted the family's pride in King Charles and his dedication to celebrating and supporting people of all faiths and backgrounds. 

He also applauded his father's understanding of the impending climate crisis, a critical issue that King Charles III has long championed.

"Pa, we are all so proud of you," the prince declared, his words echoing the sentiments of many within the United Kingdom and across the world.

He concluded his moving speech with a powerful proclamation: "God save the King". This resonated with the concertgoers, who sang in unison, "God Save the King," as landmarks around the UK were illuminated with colourful lights.

The King proudly wore his signet ring during his historic coronation ceremony© Getty Images
The King proudly wore his signet ring during his historic coronation ceremony

The moment was a fitting tribute to the monarchs of past and present, acknowledging the continuity of tradition, the impact of personal legacy, and the promise of a hopeful future. It was a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the royal family, a nod to the old, a welcome to the new, and a statement of hope for what lies ahead.

Prince William's gesture was a meaningful symbol of his respect for his father and grandmother. 

Prince William singing the national anthem along with the crowd on stage© Getty
Prince William singing the national anthem along with the crowd on stage

It was a nod to the immense responsibility passed from one generation to another and a testament to the deep-seated respect within the monarchy.

This moment, like so many others during the coronation weekend, will be etched in the annals of royal history as a poignant intersection of the past, the present, and the future.

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