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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Courtney Pochin

Prince William and Kate Middleton have a new motto they now have to live by

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8, her eldest son Charles has been proclaimed King Charles III and in his first official speech as our new monarch, he announced that he was giving his hair apparent, Prince William, the title of the Prince of Wales. His wife Kate, also subsequently became the Princess of Wales.

King Charles said: "Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty. With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given."

As well as their new titles of Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton will also have a new motto to live by.

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog.

William and Kate are now the Prince and Princess of Wales (PA)

The new motto is Ich Dien, a German phrase which means 'I serve'.

The words are found on the heraldic badge of the Prince of Wales, which is also known as the Prince of Wales' feathers.

It is typically found on a ribbon on either side of the crown and feathers that make up the badge.

The motto has also featured on British two-pence coins over the years and its use dates back to the 14th Century when Edward the Black Prince was the Prince of Wales.

The Prince of Wales feathers (.wikipedia)

And it seems Prince William is already honouring this new motto, if a statement he gave following his grandmother's passing is any indication.

Posting on social media, he said: "On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute.

"So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign. I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful.

"I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had 20 years of her guidance and support.

The couple have a new motto: Ich Dien (Getty Images)

"My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.

"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life."

He contiunued: "I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real.

"I thank her for the kindness she showed my family and me. And I thank her on behalf of my generation for providing an example of service and dignity in public life that was from a different age, but always relevant to us all.

"My grandmother famously said that grief was the price we pay for love. All of the sadness we will feel in the coming weeks will be testament to the love we felt for our extraordinary Queen.

"I will honour her memory by supporting my father, The King, in every way I can."

This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pullouts.

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