King Charles' History With Wales Hasn't Gone Without Controversy
Lifestyle - News
By HOPE NGO
The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the history of uniting these countries is long, complicated, and often bloody. The English monarchy's history with Wales is incredibly controversial, and this controversy is in the spotlight now that Charles, the former Prince of Wales, has become King Charles III.
In the 16th century, England and Wales were joined into one kingdom, and the Welsh gained the same political rights as the English; however, the title of Prince of Wales was taken and given to English heirs. The last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, Dafydd ap Gruffydd, was killed in 1283 so King Edward I could name his son in Dafydd's place.
King Charles named his son and heir, Prince William, as the new Prince of Wales not long after becoming king, but conversely, a movement to declare Wales as an independent nation is growing. According to an ITV Wales Yougov Poll, less than 50% of Welsh citizens said they would support a new English "Prince of Wales" after Charles.
It doesn't help that Charles visited Wales for the first time as king on September 16, the day that the Welsh people celebrate Owain Glyndwr, whom many consider to be the last rightful Prince of Wales and led a rebellion against the English government in the 15th century. Welsh actor Michael Sheen posted a cutting video on the subject to social media.
During 9-year-old Charles' induction as the Prince of Wales, protests by Welsh nationalists raged outside the ceremonial building, and the paramilitary Free Wales Army even threatened to bomb the ceremony. William, the new Prince of Wales, is not likely to have an investiture ceremony of the kind his father had in 1969, as predicted by the BBC.