‘Don’t have another Prince of Wales investiture’, historian warns unionists
A historian has warned unionists against having another Prince of Wales investiture.
Professor Martin Johnes of Swansea University argued that the investiture of Prince Charles in Caernarfon in 1969 was “great PR for Welsh nationalism.”
The investiture in 1969 proved to be an excellent target for satirists – from the mocking cartoons of Tafod y Ddraig and Lol to Dafydd Iwan’s records, such as Carlo.
Arwel Vittle, author of Dim Croeso ’69 has previously written on Nation.Cymru: “What better target for ridicule for young nationalists who wanted to change and modernise their country, than a pseudo-medieval ceremony in a castle full of obsequious old men?”
Students across all University of Wales campuses held several sit-in demonstrations and hunger strikes to mark their opposition to the royal event.
Professor Johnes said that he “cannot see what unionism would have to gain” if a similar ceremony were held if and when Prince William, Duke of Cambridge becomes the Prince of Wales.
He told the The National: “1969 saw two different visions of Wales, and although the British vision far outweighed the Welsh nationalism at the time, it was great PR for Welsh nationalism.
“If it happened again, there would be a very loud minority who would use it as a way of promoting their vision to the world.
“You would see what currently happens on social media being aired more openly to a larger audience.
“If you asked my advice, I would say not to have that investiture. I cannot see what unionism would have to gain.
‘Muscular unionism’
He added: “The current UK government does seem very much in favour of muscular unionism, but that doesn’t work. It is about a singular idea of what Britishness is.
“The majority of people feel Welsh and British. The union has survived by allowing people to have two nationalities, and good politics plays those two.
“Muscular unionism doesn’t play that game. It is very easy to imagine the current UK government using an investiture to promote unionism and Britishness, but they would forget that the investiture in 1961 was to promote Welshness and Britishness.
“That is Welsh history, the Conservatives have done more for Welsh nationalism through annoying Welsh people, than anyone.”
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If the English want to celebrate the conquest with another investiture ceremony for one of their princes, they should follow the tradition of holding them in England – a tradition that continued for more than 600 years. The ceremonies arranged by Lloyd George in 1911 and by Lord Snowdon in 1969 were aberrations.
Shouldn’t that be Aberrations?
I say go for it unionists, I have read about the trouble this brought to the English establishment and these days we are more connected and plan things a lot better. Try sticking your member in the fire pit and see what happens.
Let’s see the return of M.A.C.
The Tories and the royal family live in the past – they’ll push for an investiture believing it won’t cause further nationalism, it’s the sort of arrogance I’d expect from them, it’s been there for 700 years. Let them do it, it’ll help us no end.
No English royals in wales 🏴 it’s time for a new wales 🏴 A Free Wales 🏴
And a free North wales….led by the kingdom of Gwynedd. No rule from the South of Wales.
Oh the unionists will love you, just what they like to hear. Never heard the phrase “Divide and rule”?
… they would forget that the investiture in 1961 was to promote Welshness and Britishness.
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Shurely shome mishtake? 1969, methinks.
Ryan a Ronnie did a bit dressing up as OTT older Welsh women who continually described Prince Charles as “Our hero…”. There were significant numbers of them around at the time. 50 years on, I think Royle Family repeats are more popular than the ‘real’ Royal Family! Another investiture could prove embarrassing or funny or both.
“That is Welsh history, the Conservatives have done more for Welsh nationalism through annoying Welsh people, than anyone.” Very true. Cymru am byth 🏴
Get your eggs in now so they are rotten when / if the investiture goes ahead.
Why is nobody countering with the simple truth that as an independent state, we will still be Welsh and British?