Prince William has been the subject of criticism after he posted a message on social media ahead of the 2023 BAFTA Cymru Awards. The BAFTA Cymru Awards are part of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and represent its Welsh branch, founded in 1987.
In his message, the Prince of Wales extended his best wishes to all the nominees at the 2023 BAFTACymru Awards. However, this post drew criticism due to Prince William’s absence at the event, which took place in his home country of Wales.
This controversy arose shortly after Prince William traveled to France to attend the Rugby World Cup. In France, he showed his support for the Welsh rugby team during the quarterfinals as they faced off against Argentina at the Stade de Marseille.
It’s important to note that Prince William became the Prince of Wales following his father Charles’s ascension to the British throne, which occurred after the passing of Queen Elizabeth the previous year. The title of Prince of Wales is traditionally granted to the male heir apparent to the English and later British thrones. Its origins trace back to the Welsh rulers of Gwynedd, who asserted their dominance over other Welsh rulers during the late 12th century.
Notably, just a month after Prince William received the title of Prince of Wales, an online petition gained momentum, calling for an end to the royal title “Prince of Wales” as a sign of respect for Wales. This petition, initiated by Trystan Gruffyd from Pontypridd, Wales, with the title “End ‘Prince of Wales’ Title Out of Respect for Wales,” garnered thousands of signatures. It’s worth mentioning that the petition’s launch coincided with Prince William’s formal investiture as Prince of Wales, a title that had been held by his father, King Charles, since 1958.
