PRINCE IN WALES ON ANNIVERSARY... BUT NOT CAERNARFON

THE Prince of Wales – the longest-serving holder of the title in history – celebrated the 50th anniversary of his investiture.

The heir to the throne was named as the Prince of Wales by the Queen when he was only nine years old on July 26 1958.

But it wasn’t until 11 years later when he was formally invested into the role in a ceremony at Caernarfon Castle on July 1, 1969, when he was 20.

Charles was back in Wales to mark the anniversary, visiting the Prince’s Trust call centre at Nantgarw, to the north of Cardiff, and Ty’n-y-Coed Forest to meet horse loggers working in woodland near Llantrisant.

He is spending the week with the Duchess of Cornwall, touring the country, carrying out around 20 engagements over five days.

But he will not be returning to Caernarfon Castle – the scene of his investiture, with the prince focusing instead on meeting people across Wales and celebrating the work of charities and other organisations.

The ceremony was televised and watched by an audience of 19 million people in the UK, and millions more worldwide.

Princess Margaret’s then husband the Earl of Snowdon was responsible for the design of the setting in the castle in Gwynedd.

Charles’s regalia included the Investiture Coronet, Sword, Ring and Rod, and he was dressed in a long royal mantle or cloak of velvet and ermine.

A fresh-faced Charles – who is now the longest-serving Prince of Wales and heir apparent – knelt before the Queen to receive the insignia of office and pledge allegiance (pictured).

The Second Severn Crossing was renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge last year to honour Charles’s 70th birthday, 60 years since he took on the title in 1958.

The Queen and senior royals including William and the Duchess of Cambridge, and Harry and the Duchess of Sussex gathered in March for a Buckingham Palace reception marking the prince’s 50th anniversary of his investiture.

Leading figures from Wales were also invited.

The Archbishop of Canterbury told the event that Prince Charles had retained an enduring love of Wales.