The Imminent Investment: When Will William Take The Plunge?

Prince William will not hold an investiture for his role as Prince of Wales and is instead planning a different coronation to that of his father, King Charles III. William was bestowed the title of Prince of Wales following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. However, there are no plans for a formal ceremony, with an emphasis on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales. This decision may be an indicator of how William will continue to break with tradition as heir to the throne.

William's break with tradition as heir

Williams' break with tradition as heir

Prince William, the future heir to the throne, has already broken tradition in many ways. One of the most notable breaks with tradition is his decision not to have an official investiture ceremony to become the Prince of Wales. This decision could be an indicator of how William will continue to break with tradition as heir to the throne.

Traditionally, the heir to the throne holds the title of Prince of Wales, but it is not an automatic title. The title is bestowed upon the heir by the monarch and is accompanied by a grand investiture ceremony. In the case of Prince William, he was bestowed the title of Prince of Wales following the death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. However, there are no plans for a formal investiture ceremony, as confirmed by Kensington Palace.

This break with tradition may be due to the political controversy surrounding the title of Prince of Wales and the sensitivity surrounding the investiture ceremony. In 1969, when Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales in Caernarfon Castle, a protest movement grew in Aberwystwyth, and there was even a bomb plot.

Another way in which William is breaking with tradition is in his choice of coronation style. He is said to want a very "different" coronation from that of his father, which took place at Westminster Abbey. Additionally, William has also broken with a 30-year tradition set by his father by not revealing his tax payments for the 2023-2024 financial year.

Furthermore, William has not been seen wearing a kilt in recent years, despite it being a distinguished symbol of Scottish identity and a traditional garment for English monarchs when visiting Scotland. This apparent rejection of the kilt has sparked attention and debate among royal watchers.

These breaks with tradition suggest that William may continue to make changes to the monarchy when he becomes king.

No plans for a formal ceremony

There are no plans for a formal investiture ceremony for Prince William to be invested as the Prince of Wales. The title was bestowed upon him by his father, King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The decision to forgo a formal ceremony is reportedly due to the controversy surrounding the title in Wales. The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has stated that there are sensitivities surrounding the title and that there is no rush for an investiture. He advised that the focus should be on spending more time in Wales and deepening the trust and respect of the Welsh people.

William's decision to break with tradition and not hold an investiture may be indicative of how he will continue to make changes as heir to the throne. He is said to be planning a very different coronation from his father's, aiming for a modern and relevant ceremony.

The Prince of Wales title is usually given to the heir apparent of the British throne, and an investiture is a purely ceremonial event where the prince is presented with the insignia of his rank and dignity. The last investiture ceremony was held in 1969 for King Charles III when he became the Prince of Wales.

The move to appoint William as the Prince of Wales sparked some controversy, with over 40,000 people signing a petition to end the use of the title. However, a BBC Wales poll in 2009 showed that 58% of the Welsh population was in favour of a similar public ceremony for William after the accession of Charles to the throne.

The Prince of Wales title controversy

The title of Prince of Wales is steeped in history and controversy. The heir to the throne traditionally holds the title, and it was conferred upon the new King's son, Prince William, and his wife, Catherine, by King Charles III in September 2022. However, this title has been met with opposition and calls for its abolition in Wales.

The history of Wales's relationship with England is a key factor in understanding the strong opinions surrounding the title. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, considered by some as the last true Welsh Prince of Wales, was killed in battle during Edward I's conquest of Wales in the 13th century. Edward I then installed his son as the first English Prince of Wales in 1301. Another candidate for the last native Prince of Wales is Owain Glyndŵr, a Welsh nobleman who led a 15-year revolt against English rule in the early 15th century. He reclaimed the title and announced his vision of an independent Welsh state.

The memory of Owain Glyndŵr as the "last Welsh Prince of Wales" has endured, with Wales celebrating Owain Glyndŵr Day annually. This history has led to sentiments among some Welsh people that the title of Prince of Wales is a reminder of English conquest and their nation's historical lack of autonomy.

In September 2022, a petition to scrap the title gathered over 25,000 signatures, and Gwynedd council in north Wales voted to express its opposition. However, a YouGov poll from the same period found that 66% supported the title being given to William, with 74% feeling he would fulfil the role well.

The investiture of the new Prince and Princess of Wales is expected to be on a smaller scale than the previous ceremony in 1969, when King Charles was invested as Prince of Wales by Queen Elizabeth II. While there are currently no plans for a formal investiture ceremony, William and Catherine have expressed their commitment to deepening their relationship with the people of Wales.

William's different coronation plans

William's Coronation Plans

While Prince William's coronation plans are yet to be fully revealed, sources suggest that he is already thinking about how to make the ceremony "relevant" and "modern". Here are some of the ways in which William's coronation may differ from that of his father, King Charles III:

Modernisation and Relevance

William is reportedly keen to ensure that his coronation is modern and relevant to a contemporary audience. This could mean updating certain traditions and rituals to make them more accessible and understandable to the public. A source close to William stated:

> "He is really thinking, how do we make his coronation feel most relevant in the future? He is mindful of the fact that in 20 years’ time, or whenever his time comes, how can the coronation be modern but also unifying to the nation and the Commonwealth? I think his coronation will look and feel quite different."

Homage of the People

William is expected to reject the "homage of the people" ritual, which involves the public swearing allegiance to the monarch and their heirs. At King Charles III's coronation, the wording of this ritual was toned down due to controversy, but William is likely to omit it entirely. A source close to William commented:

> "There is no way he will go down that route or anything like it."

Location and Traditions

Despite his desire for modernisation, William will retain some longstanding traditions. The coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey, maintaining a custom that has been in place since 1066. While William wants to make his coronation relevant, he also recognises the importance of certain rituals and symbols that connect his monarchy to the nation's history.

Timing and Scale

King Charles III's coronation took place eight months after he ascended the throne, and the ceremony was shorter and smaller in scale compared to previous coronations. William's coronation may follow a similar approach, indicating a shift towards a more streamlined and efficient ceremony that reflects the modern era.

Dress Code

William's coronation may also feature a more relaxed dress code. At King Charles III's coronation, peers were allowed to wear lounge suits instead of ceremonial robes, and the general dress code for men included morning dress, lounge suits, formal military uniforms, or national dress. This shift towards a more casual attire reflects a desire to make the event more accessible and less rigidly formal.

Music and Performances

The musical selections for William's coronation may also be carefully chosen to appeal to a broader audience. While traditional pieces are expected, more contemporary songs may be included to cater to diverse musical tastes.

Security and Protests

Given the protests and security concerns surrounding King Charles III's coronation, William's coronation may involve enhanced security measures and strategies to manage potential disruptions.

William's Role in Planning

Prince William played an active role in planning his father's coronation, and this experience will undoubtedly influence his own ceremony. William's involvement in the planning process indicates his commitment to shaping the monarchy's future and ensuring that royal traditions evolve to remain relevant to the British public.

The history of the Prince of Wales title

The title "Prince of Wales" is reserved for the heir apparent to the British throne. The title dates back to 1301 when King Edward I, after his conquest of Wales and execution of David III (also known as Dafydd ap Gruffydd), the last native prince of Wales, gave the title to his son, the future King Edward II. Since then, most, but not all, of the eldest sons of English sovereigns have been given the title.

The title is specifically granted by the sovereign and the recipient is invested as the Prince of Wales. The title ceases to exist when a Prince of Wales becomes king, until a monarch bestows it upon their son. The title is not automatically given to the heir; instead, a male heir apparent has to be created the Prince of Wales by the sovereign.

The wife of the Prince of Wales is typically given the title "Princess of Wales". This title has been used since the 14th century, and the current title holder is Catherine (née Middleton), the wife of Prince William, the current Prince of Wales. Prior to the title "Princess", the title "Queen" was used by some spouses of the rulers of Wales.

The investiture of the Prince of Wales is the ceremony formally acknowledging a new Prince of Wales. The prince is presented and invested with the insignia of his rank and dignity, in the manner of a coronation. An investiture is purely ceremonial.

In 1969, Queen Elizabeth II held a ceremony at Caernarfon Castle to invest her son, Prince Charles, as the Prince of Wales. In the ceremony, the Queen gave Charles the symbols that marked him as Prince of Wales: the sword, coronet, ring, rod, and mantle. In addition to the 4000 guests present in the castle, 19 million watched on TV in the UK, and another 500 million watched around the world.

Frequently asked questions