It makes no sense for a democratic nation like Wales to have a prince, a leading Welsh politician has argued. Dafydd Elis-Thomas, the former Plaid leader and speaker of the Senedd, called for the title of "Prince of Wales" to be retired following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
In an announcement by Buckingham Palace, it was revealed that the Queen had died at Balmoral on Thursday afternoon. Following her death, it was announced that the Prince of Wales was now King Charles III.
As tradition goes, Prince William is widely expected to be the next Prince of Wales as he is the eldest son of King Charles. You can read more about when William will become Prince of Wales and where his investiture will be here.
Read more: What happens next after Queen's death: a day-by-day guide to the next 10 days
During Newyddion S4C coverage of the Queen's death on Thursday evening, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas said that the Prince of Wales title had "no meaning to it" in regards to the constitution of Wales as a "devolved and democratic" nation. While talking to the programme's presenter, journalist Bethan Rhys Roberts, he said: "It’s not a constitutional job at all. There is no meaning to it in the constitution.
"And I think, even though it won’t happen this time, I think that this title will disappear because it doesn’t make any sense for a devolved and democratic nation like Wales to have a prince these days. He added: "I have never before said that publicly and I will be in trouble now."
When asked by Bethan if he thought the King would acknowledge and agree with his statement. He replied: "No, it’s hard for him to do it - the new king to do that. But I think there needs to be a discussion in Wales in regards to what happens to the title of the Prince of Wales and what is its use, especially when Wales has become a new democratic republic.
"What sense is it to have a Prince of Wales without a constitutional function in this matter? But it is a matter that needs to be discussed."
The Prince of Wales title has historically been a controversial one. The last native Prince of Wales, Dafydd ap Gruffydd - the son of Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) and the youngest brother of Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf (Llywelyn the Last), was brutally killed on the orders of Edward I of England in 1283.
The title has since been conferred by English and later British monarchs on their heirs, the most recent before Prince Charles being Prince Edward, the future King Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor after his abdication in 1936.
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