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The Prince of Wales (A2-B1)

2069 Vues 3 J'aime Posté sur: April 12th 2021

Photo de couverture © Peter Rhys Williams / Shutterstock.com

The Prince of Wales

Niveau A2-B1 (intermédiaire)

Have you ever wondered why Prince Charles holds the title of Prince of Wales, and not Prince of England? There’s an interesting story behind this peculiarity which has more to do with Wales’ deference to England than with the power of Wales itself.

King Edward conquered Wales between 1277 and 1283. His son Edward II was born in Caernarfon Castle in Wales which was built for the king after his conquest of the country. In 1301, King Edward made his son the first Prince of Wales in an investiture at Caernarfon Castle to show the Welsh that the English lineage would continue to rule over Wales. Thus, began the tradition of English monarchies giving their eldest sons the title of Prince of Wales.

Imagine the frustration of the Welsh faced with a prince who showed no interest in the Welsh culture or language. In fact, most Welsh princes never travelled to Wales at all! Queen Elizabeth II made the decision to change this disrespectful state of affairs. Prince Charles was sent to Aberystwyth University after just one term at his chosen university – Cambridge. The aim? For him to become fluent in both the language and the ways of the Welsh.

In 1969, at his investiture, Prince Charles was able to give a speech in Welsh, and state with honesty that he had come to love Wales. Since then, he has purchased a home in Wales—Llwynywermod – and spends a week every year on a tour of Wales in addition to his other regular visits. He also founded the Prince’s Trust charity which helps vulnerable young Welsh people get their lives back on track. 

As the title is passed on only to heirs who are boys, Queen Elizabeth II did not hold the title of Princess of Wales. So, who is Princess of Wales then? This title is normally given to the wife of the current Prince of Wales. Does this make Camilla Princess of Wales then? Yes, it does! However, she doesn’t use the title out of respect to its previous holder – Princess Diana, Charles’ first wife and mother to Princes William and Harry – who passed away in 1997.

to wonder = se demander

to hold = porter, détenir

peculiarity = particularité

lineage = une lignée

thus = ainsi

disrespectful = irrespectueux

state of affairs = une situation

ways = des manières

to get your life back on track = revenir sur le droit chemin

an heir = un héritier

a holder = un détenteur

to pass away = décéder

Marque: Prince charles
Publié dans: Culture

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