Prince of Wales (disambiguation) facts for kids
Prince of Wales is a special title given to the person who is next in line to become the monarch (king or queen) of the United Kingdom. It's like being the "crown prince" or "crown princess" for the UK. This title has been used for a long time, going back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when it was held by the actual princes who ruled in Wales.
Today, the title is held by William, Prince of Wales, who is the son of King Charles III. Before him, his father, Charles, held the title for many years.
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The Title of Prince of Wales
The title of Prince of Wales is not something you are born with. It is usually given by the reigning monarch to their heir apparent, which means the person who is definitely going to inherit the throne. It's a way to show who will be the next ruler.
Who Has Held the Title?
Many important people in British history have been the Prince of Wales.
- Charles III held the title for a very long time before he became King.
- His great-uncle, who later became King Edward VIII, was also a Prince of Wales.
- Edward VII, another former king, held the title for longer than anyone else in history.
- George IV of the United Kingdom was also a Prince of Wales before he became king.
Places Named Prince of Wales
Because the title is so old and important, many places around the world have been named after the Prince of Wales. These names often honor a specific prince or the royal family.
Bridges and Forts
- The Prince of Wales Bridge connects two cities, Ottawa and Gatineau, in Canada.
- The Prince of Wales Fort is a historic fort in Canada, built a long time ago by the Hudson's Bay Company.
Straits and Capes
- The Prince of Wales Strait is a narrow waterway in Canada's Arctic region, separating two large islands.
- Cape Prince of Wales is the very westernmost point of the North American mainland, located in Alaska, USA.
Mountains
- The Prince of Wales Mountains are a mountain range found on Ellesmere Island in Canada.
- The Prince of Wales Range is another mountain range, located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Islands Around the World
Several islands have also been named Prince of Wales:
- Prince of Wales Island (Alaska) is an island in Alaska, USA.
- Prince of Wales Island (Nunavut) is a large island in the Arctic part of Canada.
- Prince of Wales Island (Queensland) is one of the Torres Strait Islands in Australia.
- An island in Malaysia was once called Prince of Wales Island, but it is now known as Penang Island.
Ships Named Prince of Wales
Many ships, especially those in the Royal Navy (the British navy), have been given the name Prince of Wales.
- HMS Prince of Wales is a name used for several ships of the Royal Navy.
- One famous ship was HMS Prince of Wales (1939), a large battleship launched in 1939. Sadly, it was sunk by Japanese planes in December 1941 during World War II.
- The Prince of Wales was a ship that carried convicts (prisoners) to Australia as part of the First Fleet in 1788.
- Another ship, the HM Packet Ship Prince of Wales, sank in 1807 along with another ship, the Rochdale, causing the loss of about 400 lives.
Other Uses of the Name
The name "Prince of Wales" is also used for other things, showing its widespread recognition.
- The Prince of Wales Trophy is an award in the National Hockey League (NHL), a professional ice hockey league.
- The Prince of Wales Theatre is a famous theatre in London, England, which has hosted many popular shows since the late 1800s.
- Prince of Wales is also a very common name for pubs (public houses or bars) in England.
Related Pages
See also
In Spanish: Príncipe de Gales (desambiguación) para niños
