Gwynedd councillor submits motion to shelve Prince of Wales investiture plans
A Gwynedd councillor is to submit a motion calling on the local authority not to recognise the title of Prince of Wales and to shelve plans for any investiture.
Blaenau Ffestiniog Councillor for Bowydd a Rhiw, Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn said that he strongly believes that the title Prince of Wales continues the historical symbol of dominance held over Wales by the Royal Family of another country.
He is calling for all relevant authorities to abolish the title Prince of Wales, and that any discussion regarding an Investiture in Gwynedd or in Wales need to be shelved completely.
The motion will be discussed at Gwynedd’s full council meeting held on Thursday 6 October.
Charles’ investiture at Caernarfon castle in Gwynedd in 1969 drew protests including Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s non-violent mass protests, to more direct threats from the Free Wales Army and Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru.
However, he announced during his first s[speech at King that he would be continuing the tradition by making William and Kate the new Prince and Princess of Wales.
A petition against continuing with the Prince of Wales title has now attracted more than 35,000 signatures.
Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn said that he “firmly” believed “that now is the right time to discuss this issue”.
“Wales today is a modern, democratic country, with a Senedd making progress, giving the people of Wales a voice and a platform to drive change and develop as a nation,” he said.
“This archaic oppressive tradition is a blight on our nation and has been for centuries. It gives the impression that the people of Wales are owned by the system, rather than being free citizens living in our own country.
“It is holding us back from stepping out independently and making our own way in the world. In my view, this is the time for the people of Wales to be given the opportunity to make our voice heard and abolish this insulting title passed on from gentry as a continued oppressive symbol on our land and our people.
“It makes no sense, in my view that so much public money is used to sustain the Royal family, including the Prince of Wales role, given the cost of living crisis that our people are suffering up and down the country.”
‘Abolished’
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.
Cllr Wyn ap Elwyn said he believed that the investiture of 1969 divided the nation, created ill-feeling and irreparable damage within communities.
Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn said: “My Cymru is one where I hope my baby twin boys are born to a fair and equal Wales, where no one places upon us a social class, symbolism or stature that affects our proud Welsh entity. The people of Wales should be free to make our own choices and be free of any symbolic shackle placed upon us.
“In my view, it would be a complete and utter sin to entertain the idea of a ceremonial pageantry be held anywhere in Wales. It would be an insult to Wales and its people to hold an Investiture ceremony on Welsh soil.
“The days of Wales titled ‘a little principality’ was abolished in the sixteenth century’s Laws in Wales Act. It is high time the so-called honourary title, Prince of Wales, was also abolished to the history books.
“I urge Gwynedd Councillors to support this motion and urge other councils in Wales to discuss the issue. Any decisions of this nature need to be made in Wales, by the people of Wales following a public debate.”
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Da iawn Elfed. More voices like yours until the cacophony of protesting noise convinces the agitators to shove their insult somewhere dark.
Ie, DA IAWN Elwyn.
I encourage everyone to read “The Impeachment of the House of Brunswick” by the late, great Charles Bradlaugh to learn how the royals built their wealth in the last 300 years on the back of the poor.
Right on
If every council did this – we can show the British establishment and royal family – we don’t want this POW, it must end. If it’s ignored (likely) – it will be another gift for the independence movement.
We have to start somewhere
Not true at all. In two recent polls, 46 and 49% of people polled respectively, support another Prince of Wales.
Neither figure amounts to a majority.
Da iawn! Diolch. Gresyn nad yw gwleidyddion eraill wedi codi’r ddadl bwysig hon.
Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn is a man of integrity. The arrogance shown by Charles to anoint his offspring William as Prince of Wales even though tens of thousands so far have signed a petition against, our political leaders in Wales called for a debate whether we needed the title Prince & Princess anymore was ignored and extremely dismissive of an entitled overprivileged mafioso family who have used & abused Wales over the centuries. And I’ve said many times before Both William & Kate will continue where Charles left off by patronising Wales from their publicly funded Windsor cottage until their… Read more »
I hope Gwynedd Council are the first of many to reject an English man holding a Welsh title. William Windsor isn’t Tywysog Cymru by anyone’s definition. “Be a good boy now Willy and give that it back.”😉
Diolch Elfed am wneud safiad ar y mater pwysig hwn. Cytuno cant y cant, mawr obeithio bydd hyn yn ysgogi Cyngor Gwynedd a chynghorau eraill i herio’r system afiach o osod Tywysog o Loegr ar Gymru. Drwy wneud William yn Dywysog dros Gymru mae’r sefydliad yn disgwyl i’r Cymry ddathlu concwest ei cenedl a llofruddiaeth miloedd o’i cyn-deidiau a mamau. Rhaid herio hyn!