The King has bestowed upon Prince William a significant military title: Colonel-in-Chief of Prince Harry's former regiment.
King Charles appointed his eldest son to the position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps this week, days after it was revealed that Harry would not be seeing his father during a flying visit to the UK.
The title was officially handed off today during a ceremony held at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop.
The 75-year-old remarked to veterans, their families, and staff, “What a great joy it is to be here on this occasion.
“But also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring your many activities and your achievements.”
This is one of Prince William’s many titles.
What other titles has the Prince received over the years and what do they mean?
What titles does Prince William have and what do they mean?
Duke of Cambridge – 2011
Born into the British Royal Family, Prince William was known as Prince William of Wales until 2011, where his title changed to Duke of Cambridge.
This title was granted on his wedding day on April 29, 2011.
One of the many royal dukedoms in the United Kingdom, it is an inherited title of nobility within the Royal Family. The English city of Cambridge is the inspiration behind the title.
It has been bestowed upon several members of the Royal Family on multiple occasions throughout history and is heritable via male progeny.
The title of Earl of Cambridge was succeeded by the title of Duke of Cambridge, which was originally established in 1660.
After going extinct multiple times, the title was resurrected in 2011 when Prince William received it on the day of his marriage to Catherine Middleton. The Duchess of Cambridge was conferred to Catherine.
He also received the titles of Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus on his wedding day.
Duke of Cornwall – 2022
When King Charles III ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, Prince William assumed the title of Duke of Cornwall, and his spouse, Catherine, became the Duchess of Cornwall.
It is a title in the Peerage of England, traditionally held by the eldest son of the reigning British monarch.
As well as the title Duke of Cornwall, Prince William ascended the titles Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.
Prince of Wales – 2022
Prince William was designated Prince of Wales by his father, King Charles III, on September 9, 2022.
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally given to the male heir apparent to the English and, later, British thrones.
The Welsh kings of Gwynedd created the title and began using it (though erratically) in the late 12th century to establish their dominance over the other Welsh kings.
This title has attracted a lot of controversy. It has drawn criticism for being derogatory to Wales in that it downplays Wales's independence as a nation and a country. Some see its continued usage as a symbol of past oppression connected to the English invasion of Wales and its status as a principality.
Earl of Chester – 2023
The title Earl of Chester was granted to Prince William on February 12, 2023.
The title has often been awarded to heirs apparent to the English monarchy from 1301, and to the British crown after 1707. Since the late 14th century, it has only been awarded in tandem with the Prince of Wales title.
