Prince William’s Fate As The Next Prince of Wales Depends On His Father Charles

Prince William will not automatically become the next Prince of Wales when his dad Prince Charles becomes the crowned king.

The Duke of Cambridge will be the next king after Prince Charles. However, he will not automatically inherit his dad’s current title, Prince of Wales. The discretion on whether Prince William will become the next Prince of Wales depends on the heir apparent.

Queen Elizabeth II made her eldest son, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales in 1958 when he was only 10 years old. Prince Charles is the royal to hold the title for the longest time, just as his mom is the longest-reigning monarch in the British history.

When Prince Charles becomes the new monarch, he will decide on whether he will make Prince William the new Prince of Wales or not.

“As an adult, Prince William might expect to become Prince of Wales soon after his father's accession; but that will be a matter for the new King to decide because, strictly, the title is not heritable,” the UCL’s Constitution unit stated per Express.

Royal expert Iain MacMarthanne also said the same thing. According to him, Kate Middleton could be the next Princess of Wales after Princess Diana if Prince William will be given the title because it is not automatically assumed by the heir.

“The title of Prince of Wales is not assumed automatically by the heir to the throne, and remains within the gift of the monarch,” he added.

“In the case of Charles, his mother the Queen created him Prince of Wales in 1958. In the event of the Duke of Cambridge being made Prince of Wales, Catherine would automatically become Princess of Wales. Likewise, with the succession of William, Catherine will become Queen Consort.”

Meanwhile, Prince William is sure to be the next monarch after his father and Middleton will be the new queen consort when the time comes. However, Camilla may not enjoy the same privilege when her husband Prince Charles takes over the throne.

“Kate will be Queen Consort without any question,” royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said. “We've only quite recently had the clarification again that Camilla will be Princess Consort, not Queen Consort. Princess Consort historically is something that doesn't exist, it's been invented.”