Queen marks 50th anniversary of investiture of son Charles as Prince of Wales

Britain's Charles, the Prince of Wales and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meet Nicos Anastasiades, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, at Clarence House in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Kirsty O'Connor/Pool via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth held a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to mark the 50th anniversary of the investiture of her oldest son Charles as Prince of Wales.

Senior royals including Charles's own sons William and Harry and their wives Kate and Meghan attended the party which the palace said paid tribute to the prince's 50 years of service to Wales.

Charles was created Prince of Wales, the title traditionally held by the heir to the British throne, in July 1958 when he was nine. He was formally invested with the title at a televised ceremony at Caernarfon Castle in July 1969.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with guests at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

The regalia that Charles wore for the occasion, along with the coronet, sword and other regalia used in the ceremony, were on display at the reception.

Joining the royals were figures from the prince's Welsh charities while there were musical performances by students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and a speech by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

Charles, 70, has waited longer than any of his predecessors to become monarch and would be the oldest-ever king at the start of his reign when he succeeds his 92-year-old mother, who herself holds the record for the longest reign in British history.

Britain's Charles, the Prince of Wales, actor Owen Teale and singer Wynne Evans at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Stephen Addison)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is joined by Prime Minister Theresa May at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex meet Simon Weston and Alun Cairns at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

Britain's Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall speaks with actor Owen Teale and singer Wynne Evans at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS

Britain's Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry the Duke of Sussex are seen at a reception to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain March 5, 2019. Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS