Princes of Wales Timeline 1240 to present day
From 1343 the title has been held by eldest son of the monarch, however, the title is not hereditary and has to be conferred by the reigning monarch. Six Princes of Wales have died before becoming King.
See also: Royal Consorts of England and Britain
Kings and Queens of England and Britain 827 – Present
Kings and Queens of Scotland 843 – Present Day
Dafydd ap Llywelyn 11th April 1240 – 25th February 1246
Son of Llewelyn the Great and Joan of Wales
Married Isabella de Braose
Dafydd’s father fought battles and concluded treaties to become ruler of all Wales. When he died Dafydd succeeded and took the title Prince of Wales. However, King Henry III would only recognise him as ruler of Gwynedd and under threat of invasion Dafydd was forced to agree. Dafydd made alliances with other Welsh rulers and mounted a series of attacks on English possessions in Wales. In 1245 Henry III invaded Gwynedd and bitter fighting ensued. In autumn 1245 a truce was agreed. Daffydd died in February 1246. He had no sons and so was succeeded by his nephew Llywelyn ap Gruffydd.
Married Isabella de Braose
Dafydd’s father fought battles and concluded treaties to become ruler of all Wales. When he died Dafydd succeeded and took the title Prince of Wales. However, King Henry III would only recognise him as ruler of Gwynedd and under threat of invasion Dafydd was forced to agree. Dafydd made alliances with other Welsh rulers and mounted a series of attacks on English possessions in Wales. In 1245 Henry III invaded Gwynedd and bitter fighting ensued. In autumn 1245 a truce was agreed. Daffydd died in February 1246. He had no sons and so was succeeded by his nephew Llywelyn ap Gruffydd.
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd 1258 – 11th December 1282
Son of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn and Senara ferch Caradog; nephew of Daffydd ap Llywelyn
Married Gwenllian of Wales
Llywelyn and his brother Owain divided their uncle’s territory. In 1255, Llywelyn defeated his two brothers, Owain and Dafydd and took Owain’s lands aiming to rule all of Wales. In 1258 he styled himself Prince of Wales and the other Welsh princes paid homage to him. In 1262 he determined to remove the English from South Wales but failed and was forced to recognise Henry III as overlord. After the death of Henry III, his son, Edward I invaded Wales. Llywelyn was killed in battle in 1283.
Married Gwenllian of Wales
Llywelyn and his brother Owain divided their uncle’s territory. In 1255, Llywelyn defeated his two brothers, Owain and Dafydd and took Owain’s lands aiming to rule all of Wales. In 1258 he styled himself Prince of Wales and the other Welsh princes paid homage to him. In 1262 he determined to remove the English from South Wales but failed and was forced to recognise Henry III as overlord. After the death of Henry III, his son, Edward I invaded Wales. Llywelyn was killed in battle in 1283.
Dafydd ap Gruffyd 11th December 1282 – 3rd October 1283
Son of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn and Senara ferch Caradog; brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd
Married Elizabeth de Ferrers
Succeeded his brother as Prince of Wales – his elder brother Owain had died in 1282. He continued to fight against English control of Wales but did not have the numbers to resist the English army. Dafydd fled to the mountains of Snowdonia but was captured in June 1283. He and his family were imprisoned. On 30th September Dafydd was found guilty of treason against King Edward I. He was executed on 3rd October 1283.
Married Elizabeth de Ferrers
Succeeded his brother as Prince of Wales – his elder brother Owain had died in 1282. He continued to fight against English control of Wales but did not have the numbers to resist the English army. Dafydd fled to the mountains of Snowdonia but was captured in June 1283. He and his family were imprisoned. On 30th September Dafydd was found guilty of treason against King Edward I. He was executed on 3rd October 1283.
Edward of Caernarfon 7th February 1301 – 7th July 1307
Son of King Edward I and Eleanor of Castile
Married Isabella of France
Edward had been born in 1284 at Caernarfon Castle during his father’s conquest of Wales. After the death of his elder brother, Alphonso, he became heir to the throne at the age of four months. His father created him Prince of Wales in February 1301. Edward relinquished the title when he became King Edward II in 1307.
Married Isabella of France
Edward had been born in 1284 at Caernarfon Castle during his father’s conquest of Wales. After the death of his elder brother, Alphonso, he became heir to the throne at the age of four months. His father created him Prince of Wales in February 1301. Edward relinquished the title when he became King Edward II in 1307.
Edward of Woodstock (the Black Prince) 12th May 1343 – 8th June 1376
Son of King Edward III and Philippa of Hainault
Married Joan of Kent
Edward of Woodstock was born in 1530. He gained the nickname ‘the Black Prince’ because he wore a set of black armour. He was created Prince of Wales by his father in 1343 and held the title until his death in 1376.
Married Joan of Kent
Edward of Woodstock was born in 1530. He gained the nickname ‘the Black Prince’ because he wore a set of black armour. He was created Prince of Wales by his father in 1343 and held the title until his death in 1376.
Richard of Bordeaux 20th November 1376 – 22nd June 1377
Son of Edward of Woodstock (the Black Prince) and Joan of Kent
Married 1. Anne of Bohemia; 2. Isabella of Valois
Richard became heir to the throne after the death of his father in 1376. He was created Prince of Wales by his grandfather, Edward III and held the title until he became King Richard II in 1377.
Married 1. Anne of Bohemia; 2. Isabella of Valois
Richard became heir to the throne after the death of his father in 1376. He was created Prince of Wales by his grandfather, Edward III and held the title until he became King Richard II in 1377.
Henry of Monmouth 15th October 1399 – 21st March 1413
Son of King Henry IV and Mary de Bohun
Married Catherine of Valois
In 1399 Henry’s father deposed King Richard II and took the throne. Henry of Monmouth was created Prince of Wales at his father’s coronation. He held the title until he became King Henry V in 1413.
Married Catherine of Valois
In 1399 Henry’s father deposed King Richard II and took the throne. Henry of Monmouth was created Prince of Wales at his father’s coronation. He held the title until he became King Henry V in 1413.
Edward of Lancaster – 15th March 1454 – 25th October 1460 and 3rd October 1470 – 11th April 1471
Son of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou
Married Anne Neville
Edward, the only child of King Henry VI, was created Prince of Wales in 1454 at Windsor Castle. In 1460 he lost the title after his father was captured by Yorkists during the Wars of the Roses and Edward IV, son of Richard Duke of York, seized the throne. Henry VI was restored in October 1470 and Edward regained the title which he held until his father was deposed again on 11th April 1471. Edward of Westminster was killed on 4th May 1471 at the Battle of Tewekesbury.
Married Anne Neville
Edward, the only child of King Henry VI, was created Prince of Wales in 1454 at Windsor Castle. In 1460 he lost the title after his father was captured by Yorkists during the Wars of the Roses and Edward IV, son of Richard Duke of York, seized the throne. Henry VI was restored in October 1470 and Edward regained the title which he held until his father was deposed again on 11th April 1471. Edward of Westminster was killed on 4th May 1471 at the Battle of Tewekesbury.
Richard Duke of York 31st October 1460 – 30th December 1460
Son of Richard Earl of Cambridge and Anne Mortimer
Married Cecily Neville
When King Henry VI became mentally unstable in 1460, Richard, as heir to the throne wanted to take the throne but did not have the support of the nobility. Instead he was created Lord Protector and given the title Prince of Wales. On 30th December 1460 he was killed at the Battle of Wakefield.
Married Cecily Neville
When King Henry VI became mentally unstable in 1460, Richard, as heir to the throne wanted to take the throne but did not have the support of the nobility. Instead he was created Lord Protector and given the title Prince of Wales. On 30th December 1460 he was killed at the Battle of Wakefield.
Edward of York 26th June 1471 – 9th April 1483
Son of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville
Edward was born in 1470 and became heir to the throne when his father re-took the throne in April 1471. He was created Prince of Wales on 26th June 1471 and held the title until he became King in 1483. He was placed in the Tower of London to await coronation but disappeared soon after his uncle took the throne as Richard III. Edward and his brother are known as the Princes in the Tower.
Edward was born in 1470 and became heir to the throne when his father re-took the throne in April 1471. He was created Prince of Wales on 26th June 1471 and held the title until he became King in 1483. He was placed in the Tower of London to await coronation but disappeared soon after his uncle took the throne as Richard III. Edward and his brother are known as the Princes in the Tower.
Edward of Middleham 24th August 1483 – 9th April 1484
Son of King Richard III and Anne Neville
Edward of Middleham became heir to the throne when his father became King. He was created Prince of Wales on 24th August and held the title until his death on 9th April 1484.
Edward of Middleham became heir to the throne when his father became King. He was created Prince of Wales on 24th August and held the title until his death on 9th April 1484.
Arthur Tudor 29th November 1489 – 2nd April 1502
Son of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York
Married Catherine of Aragon
Arthur was born in 1486 and created Prince of Wales in 1489. He held the title until his death on 2nd April 1502.
Married Catherine of Aragon
Arthur was born in 1486 and created Prince of Wales in 1489. He held the title until his death on 2nd April 1502.
Henry Tudor 18th February 1504 – 21st April 1509
Son of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York; brother of Arthur Tudor
Married Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard and Katherine Parr
Prince Henry became heir to the throne after his brother’s death in 1502. He was created Prince of Wales in 1504 and held the title until he became King Henry VIII in 1509.
Married Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Kathryn Howard and Katherine Parr
Prince Henry became heir to the throne after his brother’s death in 1502. He was created Prince of Wales in 1504 and held the title until he became King Henry VIII in 1509.
Henry Frederick Stuart 4th June 1610 – 6th November 1612
Son of King James VI of Scotland, James I of England and Anne of Denmark
Henry became heir to the English throne when his father became King James I of England in 1603. He was created Prince of Wales on 4th June 1610 and held the title until his death in November 1612.
Henry became heir to the English throne when his father became King James I of England in 1603. He was created Prince of Wales on 4th June 1610 and held the title until his death in November 1612.
Charles Stuart 4th November 1616 – 27th March 1625
Son of King James VI of Scotland, James I of England and Anne of Denmark
Married Henrietta Maria of France
Charles became heir to the throne after the death of his elder brother Henry. He was created Prince of Wales in November 1616 and held the title until he became King Charles I in 1625.
Married Henrietta Maria of France
Charles became heir to the throne after the death of his elder brother Henry. He was created Prince of Wales in November 1616 and held the title until he became King Charles I in 1625.
Charles Stuart – around May 1638 – 30th January 1649
Son of King Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France
Married Catherine of Braganza
Charles was the eldest son of King Charles I and heir to the throne. He was designated Prince of Wales around May 1638 but was not formally created. He held the title until his father was executed in 1649 and the monarchy was abolished. The monarchy was restored in 1660 and he became King Charles II.
Married Catherine of Braganza
Charles was the eldest son of King Charles I and heir to the throne. He was designated Prince of Wales around May 1638 but was not formally created. He held the title until his father was executed in 1649 and the monarchy was abolished. The monarchy was restored in 1660 and he became King Charles II.
James Francis Edward Stuart – 4th July 1688 – 11th December 1688
Son of King James II and Mary of Modena
Married Maria Clementina Sobieska
James was heir to the throne from the time of his birth in June 1688. He was created Prince of Wales in June. He held the title until his father was deposed in December 1688. After his father’s deposement he was known as the Old Pretender and tried, without success, to regain the throne. He was the father of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Married Maria Clementina Sobieska
James was heir to the throne from the time of his birth in June 1688. He was created Prince of Wales in June. He held the title until his father was deposed in December 1688. After his father’s deposement he was known as the Old Pretender and tried, without success, to regain the throne. He was the father of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
George Augustus – 27th September 1714 – 11th June 1727
Son of George of Hanover and Sophia Dorothea of Celle
Married Caroline of Ansbach
George became heir to the throne when his father became King George I on 1st August 1714. He was created Prince of Wales in September 1714 and held the title until he became King George II in June 1727.
Married Caroline of Ansbach
George became heir to the throne when his father became King George I on 1st August 1714. He was created Prince of Wales in September 1714 and held the title until he became King George II in June 1727.
Frederick Louis – 8th January 1729 – 20th March 1751
Son of King George II and Caroline of Ansbach
Married Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
Frederick became heir to the throne when his father became King. He was created Prince of Wales in January 1729 and held the title until he died in March 1751.
Married Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
Frederick became heir to the throne when his father became King. He was created Prince of Wales in January 1729 and held the title until he died in March 1751.
George William Frederick – 20th April 1751 – 25th October 1760
Son of Frederick Prince of Wales and Augusta of Saxe-Gotha
Married Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
George became heir to the throne after the death of his father in March 1751. He was created Prince of Wales on 20th April 1751 and held the title until he succeeded his grandfather as King George III.
Married Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
George became heir to the throne after the death of his father in March 1751. He was created Prince of Wales on 20th April 1751 and held the title until he succeeded his grandfather as King George III.
George Augustus Frederick – 19th August 1762 – 29th January 1820
Son of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
Married Caroline of Brunswick
George was the eldest son of King George III and was created Prince of Wales a week after his birth in 1762. He held the title for 57 years until he became King George IV in 1820.
Married Caroline of Brunswick
George was the eldest son of King George III and was created Prince of Wales a week after his birth in 1762. He held the title for 57 years until he became King George IV in 1820.
Albert Edward – 8th December 1841 – 22nd January 1901
Son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
Married Alexandra of Denmark
Albert was created Prince of Wales four weeks after his birth. He held the title for 59 years until he became King Edward VII following the death of his mother.
Married Alexandra of Denmark
Albert was created Prince of Wales four weeks after his birth. He held the title for 59 years until he became King Edward VII following the death of his mother.
George Frederick Ernest Albert – 9th November 1901 – 6th May 1910
Son of King Edward VII and Alexandra of Denmark
Married Mary of Teck
George became heir to the throne when his father became King Edward VII in 1901. He was created Prince of Wales in November 1901 and held the title until he became King George V in May 1910.
Married Mary of Teck
George became heir to the throne when his father became King Edward VII in 1901. He was created Prince of Wales in November 1901 and held the title until he became King George V in May 1910.
Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David – 23rd June 1910 – 20th January 1936
Son of King George V and Mary of Teck
Married Wallis Simpson
Edward became heir to the throne when his father became King George V in 1910. He was created Prince of Wales in June 1910 and held the title until he became King Edward VIII in January 1936. He abdicated the throne in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson and his brother became King George VI.
Married Wallis Simpson
Edward became heir to the throne when his father became King George V in 1910. He was created Prince of Wales in June 1910 and held the title until he became King Edward VIII in January 1936. He abdicated the throne in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson and his brother became King George VI.
Charles Philip Arthur George – 26th July 1958 – 8th September 2022
Son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
Married 1. Diana Spencer; 2. Camilla Parker Bowles
Charles became heir to the throne when his mother became Queen on 6th February 1953. He was created Prince of Wales on 26th July 1958 and was the longest serving Prince of Wales having held the title for 64 years.
Married 1. Diana Spencer; 2. Camilla Parker Bowles
Charles became heir to the throne when his mother became Queen on 6th February 1953. He was created Prince of Wales on 26th July 1958 and was the longest serving Prince of Wales having held the title for 64 years.
William Arthur Philip Louis – 8th September 2022 – Present
Son of King Charles III and Diana Spencer
Married Catherine Middleton
William became heir to the throne when his father became King on 8th February 2022. The following day his father created him Prince of Wales.
Married Catherine Middleton
William became heir to the throne when his father became King on 8th February 2022. The following day his father created him Prince of Wales.
Published Jul 22, 2020 @ 3:45 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for Princes of Wales Timeline:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2020 – 2022). Princes of Wales Timeline 1240 – Present. https://www.thetimelinegeek.com/princes-of-wales-1240-present Last accessed [date]