Debate to be had on Prince title, but not today, says FM
MARK Drakeford has said that there is a “legitimate” debate to be had regarding the Prince of Wales title.
Speaking to ITV’S Good Morning Britain ahead of King Charles’ visit to Cardiff, the First Minister was asked about his views on the role of the Prince of Wales and monarchy in general.
Ben Shephard asked Mr Drakeford: “There is groundswell behind the idea that the Prince of Wales as a title shouldn’t be passed on to Prince William, I wonder what your thoughts are on that?”
The First Minister replied: “Well, there is a legitimate debate here in Wales around that whole issue. My own view is that this is not the week for that debate to surface. This is a week when we are saying farewell to somebody who has been part of our lives for as long as most of us can ever remember. There is a debate, it’s a legitimate debate, and there’ll be time to have it after this week is over.”
He was then asked by Kate Garraway: “The new Prince of Wales is somebody that has lived in Wales, haven’t they? They have as a couple, the Prince and Princess of Wales, would you like him to move back there, be based there? Do you know if he’s learned the language? Would that be something that you would welcome and others?”
Mr Drakeford, who is a Welshspeaker, said: “Well, the language is a very important part of our life here in Wales. It’s spoken every day by thousands and thousands, nobody will expect miracles, nobody will expect somebody to become instantly fluent in a new language. But I’m quite sure that the new Prince of Wales will both understand the importance of the Welsh language, and will want to make sure that his relationship with it is a respectful one, and one that grasps that sense of significance.”
He was then challenged over his republican views. Ms Garraway asked: “Of course, you are a Republican, aren’t you? And you very elegantly said that it’s not something that you would be shouting about out of respect for the Queen. But how comfortable do you feel really, with the accession?”
The First Minister responded: “The job I do is to reflect the views and preferences of the people of Wales. I do have my own views. But I set those views aside, because that’s not my focus today.”