Prince William became the Prince of Wales in September after his father held the role for more than 64 years, and according to various reports he is set to make some big changes. The day after the Queen's death, King Charles III gave his first speech announcing some members of the royal family would be adopting new titles.
Within a day of William and Kate being named the new Prince and Princess of Wales, more than 35,000 people had signed a petition against the title being passed on.
The royal couple have already made their first public visit to Wales in their new roles, and were keen to have it reported that William's investiture will be very different to the one that was held for his father in 1969. Read what Kensington Palace had to say here.
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The last investiture at Caernarfon Castle in 1969 drew protests from groups including Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru and the Free Wales Army. The title has been controversial since the last Welsh Prince of Wales, Dafydd ap Gruffydd, was brutally killed in 1283 on the order of Edward I of England, who later gave his 16-year-old son Edward II the title.
WalesOnline understands the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, want to "quell some concerns" around the investiture. An event akin to King Charles' is off the table and there may not even be a formal investiture ceremony, it is thought.
Shortly after the public address by the new King that the titles will be handed on to his son and daughter-in-law, Wales' first Presiding Officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas spoke to ITV about a conversation he once had with the now-king. "In discussions with him when he was still Prince of Wales, when I had cultural responsibilities in the Welsh Government, one of the issues I did raise with him was that I hoped there would never again be an investiture in Caernarfon Castle," he said. “[Charles] laughed and said: ‘Do you think I want to put William through what I went through?'”
First Minister Mark Drakeford has said there should be "no rush" to plan an investiture ceremony. He added that there is time to come to a "conclusion on what might be suitable for the best way forward". You can read more on that here.
And last week, a Welsh council has voted in favour of a motion calling for the Prince of Wales title to be abolished. Plaid Cymru councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn tabled the Gwynedd Council motion which dubbed the monarchy an "archaic oppressive tradition".
According to reports in The Mirror and The Sun, William has plans to tweak certain aspects to make it his own.
The Sun reported in May 2022 that the couple want to modernise the British monarchy, and one way they have done that is being employing just half the amount of staff King Charles relied upon during his time as Prince of Wales.
They also have casual approach, as according to Valentine Low's book, " Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown," William told his staff they don't have to wear suits while in the office.
A royal source is said to have told the author: "The kids run around the office, and he does not want it to be stuffy. If we have important meetings, or are going to Buckingham Palace, then of course we wear suits. It started with casual Fridays, but then William told them that if they did not have important people coming in for meetings, they could dress casually."
Another change that The Mirror has reported is that William wants to ditch the "never complain, never explain" mentality. During the couple's controversial Caribbean tour in March 2022, they were said to be upset about some of the backlash over the tour to Commonwealth countries.
A source told The Sun: "They were bruised by attacks that their Caribbean trip harked back to the colonial age. In future they will rip up the rule-book and do things 'The Cambridge Way.' They're trying to work out what that will look like."
But as well as looking at the relationship with Commonwealth countries, The Mirror has reported that William and Kate hope to strengthen ties with the people of Wales following their new titles.
A source told the news organisation: "Right now the Prince and Princess of Wales are focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time."
And in a press release to announce their visit to Wales on September 27, a spokesman said: "Their Royal Highnesses are looking forward to spending more time in Wales over the coming months and years, taking the time to strengthen their relationship with communities in all parts of Wales."
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