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New Prince of Wales to remain president of the English FA as they play Wales at the World Cup

By NationCymru
Prince William celebrates England's first goal against Germany at Wembly in the Euros (Image: BBC)

The new Prince of Wales will remain president of the English FA despite Wales and England playing each other at the World Cup in Qatar.

Wales and England meet in Group B’s final fixture at Doha’s Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on November 29.

But William remains "avidly committed" to his role with England's footballing team and will "remain a regular fixture cheering on England" despite taking on the honourary title of Prince of Wales, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

He replaced Prince Andrew as president of the English FA in 2006, but has also been patron of the WRU since 2016, succeeding the Queen.

Wales manager Robert Page suggested last week that sending the Prince of Wales a bucket hat would win his support when Wales play England in the World Cup.

Asked if he could convert William into a Wales supporter in time for the World Cup, Wales manager Page replied: “Absolutely. Who’s he going to support?

“We’ll have to send him a bucket hat, eh?”

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'Insult'

Charles III announced that he was creating William the Prince of Wales in his first speech as King, adding: “With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the centre ground where vital help can be given.”

But a petition calling for the Royals to “end Prince of Wales title out of respect for Wales” surged to almost 35,000 signatures over the next few days.

The petition says that since the days of the Welsh Princes the title has been “held exclusively by Englishmen as a symbol of dominance over Wales”.

“The title remains an insult to Wales and is a symbol of historical oppression and also implies that Wales is still a principality, undermining Wales’ status as a nation and a country,” the petition’s author, Trystan Gruffydd, said.

The Royal title was originally given to Edward II of Caernarfon, son of Edward I who conquered Wales, as a means of confirming that the ‘Tywysog Cymru’ title previously held by native princes of Wales was subservient to that of the King of England.

Since then it has been held by 21 different heirs to the throne, although seven of them never became king.

There have previously been long periods of history, such as between 1553 with the accession of Edward Tudor and the passing of the title to Henry Frederick Stuart 63 years later, when the title did not exist at all.

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12 comments

Y Cymro

To add insult to injury, besides having an English Prince foisted on us without consultation by an adulterer King, now will have the likelihood of defacto Prince & Princess of Wales sitting in the stands cheering on England against Wales during the World Cup in Qatar. And knowing how sly Clarence House think, we will see William wearing an England shirt and Cheshire cat Kate in a Wales top so patronising Wales further. Both are English, have no connection, loyalty or love for Wales. Only independence can remove this mafia family who use and abuse Wales to their own ends. #YesCymru 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 ✊#NotMyPrinceOrPrincess 🇬🇧👎 #RepublicOfWales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👍

Reply
George Thomas

Prince and Princess of Wales are titles that either shouldn't exist or should be defined by Welsh people, however it's no added insult to see them cheer on England and they're too smart to patronising as they want to be King (and whatever title for King's wife is) of the whole of the UK. Wales is more likely to be abused by Westminster than Royal Family. Like I said, Prince and Princess of Wales are titles that either shouldn't exist or should be defined by Welsh people, but I hope we don't lose our sense of fairness in desire for independence. The worst type of independence would be similar to Brexit at the moment where anything European is being chucked out just because it's European and Britain is becoming more and more isolated. England will be our largest border when we're independent after all.

Reply
arthur owen

'adulterer King'I hope there are no skeletons in your cupboard Y Cymro,but why bring up these irrelevant matters.I wish all posters on here would stick to relevant facts.

Reply
Ivor Schilling

One of the surprising aspects of recent Queen/royal reportage was the MSM's openly discussing the widespread dislike for the imposed 'Prince of Wales' title here in Wales itself. We should keep up the pressure on this issue, and make it widely known that: MANY PEOPLE IN CYMRU SIMPLY DON'T ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A LEGITIMATE PRINCE OF WALES TODAY. The lasting legacy of the centuries-old imposition of this title upon Wales for the sons of English kings will prove a fruitful generator of national feeling in Wales, as it's a lasting and very blatant smack in the face reminder of the true disparity of the relationship.

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Cai Wogan Jones

If this seems wrong to you, please let your voice be heard. Sign this petition. https://www.change.org/p/end-prince-of-wales-title-out-of-respect-for-wales

Reply
Ivor Schilling

William and Kate should be ignored at best when they enter Wales. The nation ought to cold shoulder them, and let the world know that it is doing so.

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Llyn

I wonder if the Daily Telegraph and England fans would be happy and supporting of a "Prince of England", born in Wales, living in Wales and supporting the Welsh football team?

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Nia James

There would be uproar, but they matter, and we don't.

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Fi yn unig

Remove the title, remove the conflict. Simples!

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Huw Prys Jones

This piece of royal trivia is a complete non-story as far as Wales is concerned. William is simply an English aristocrat who holds an increasingly meaningless archaic title. Why would anyone expect him not to support his country's football team? And why would the Wales football team and fans want his support in any case? We can do perfectly well and better without him.

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Llefain

And this is a perfect encapsulation of why the title needs to be ended. It is only right that as a proud Englishman he cheer on his team against us. The fact that that simple action and identity becomes a historic insult to us and on a global stage that will never be forgotten is unnecessary and easily avoidable. Let us have dignity and let him openly cry like a child when his team gets sent home by us. Simple. 😉

Reply
Frank

Look at the kid..... he's there against the grain and has no interest whatsoever

Reply

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Replying to Ivor Schilling Cancel

William and Kate should be ignored at best when they enter Wales. The nation ought to cold shoulder them, and let the world know that it is doing so.

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