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Why Prince William is not yet the Prince of Wales

The Duke of Cambridge still has his old title


prince william grenfell© Photo: Getty Images
Matthew Moore
Online News Writer & Diversity and Inclusion Lead
September 9, 2022
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The Prince of Wales is the title held by the heir to the throne, but even though he now occupies that role given the sad passing of the Queen, Prince William hasn't inherited the title.

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William is currently the Duke of Cambridge and Cornwall, inheriting his father's old title, but the title Prince of Wales isn't an inherited title, meaning that King Charles can only give his son that honour following the holding of an investiture meeting.

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Charles inherited the title through letters patent on 26 July 1958, five years after the Queen ascended to the throne. The official ceremony was held on 1 July, 1969.

READ: The world pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II - best pictures

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The royal spent ten weeks in Wales immersing himself in the culture ahead of the big day and during the ceremony he gave answers in both English and Welsh. He gave his actual address in Welsh.

prince charles investiture ceremony© Photo: Getty Images

Charles had his investiture ceremony in 1969

William was one of the royals who was with Her Majesty when she passed on.

The Duke arrived at Balmoral alongside other members of his family after flying to a nearby airport in an RAF jet.

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The Duke and Duchess took to social media

He was accompanied by uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward, alongside Edward's wife Sophie Wessex.

In a moving statement following his grandmother's passing, William and Kate wrote on Instagram: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

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The Duke and Duchess pictured with The Queen in June

Prince William and Kate's Twitter account @KensingtonRoyal now refers to the couple as The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.

The statement comes shortly after the palace announced the Queen's death on their official website. Her Majesty passed away aged 96 at Balmoral in Scotland.

Elizabeth II, 96, was the nation's longest-reigning monarch, serving as head of state for more than 70 years. The Prince of Wales is now King, having acceded to the throne immediately on the death of his mother.

the queen coronation

The Queen ascended the throne aged 25

Members of the royal family have been paying tribute to their matriarch and leader of the Firm, who was Britain's longest-reigning monarch and head of state for 70 years.

The then-Princess Elizabeth ascended the throne when she was just 25 when her father King George VI passed away.

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