Princess of Wales is a title used since the 14th century by the wife of the Prince of Wales. The princess is a likely future queen consort, as the prince of Wales is a title reserved for the heir apparent to the British throne. When the title was first recorded it was not connected to the English throne, it developed in an independent Wales when it was held by Eleanor de Montfort, the wife of the native prince of Wales, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The current title-holder is Catherine.
Princess of Wales
Memorial to Gwenllian in Sempringham, England, where she was imprisoned since childhood
Image: Bedd y Dywysoges Elizabeth Ferrers, gwraig Dafydd ap Gruffudd 10
Image: Cofeb Catrin Glyndŵr
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the English and, later, British thrones. The title originated with the Welsh rulers of Gwynedd who, from the late 12th century, used it to assert their supremacy over the other Welsh rulers. However, to mark the finalisation of his conquest of Wales, in 1301, Edward I of England invested his son Edward of Caernarfon with the title, thereby beginning the tradition of giving the title to the heir apparent when he was the monarch's son or grandson. The title was later claimed by the leader of a Welsh rebellion, Owain Glyndŵr, from 1400 until 1415.
Edward I of England creating his son as "Prince of Wales" at the Lincoln parliament, England (14th century depiction)
Two investiture protesters hold placards with "CARLO", and one protester holds a poster with the word "BRAD" ("Betrayal"), Caernarfon Castle 1969
People at the investiture
Image: Henry 5
