King Charles Shouts Out Prince William in Wales After Son Took on Monarch's Former Title
The King emphasized Prince William's connection to the country while speaking at Welsh Parliament
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King Charles and Prince William at the official handover of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps role at the Army Aviation Centre in Stockbridge, England, on May 13, 2024.King Charles wove a warm word about Prince William into his speech at the Welsh Parliament for a landmark anniversary.
While speaking at the Senedd in Cardiff on July 11, the King, 75, said it brought him joy to see Prince William's special relationship with Wales continue. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Welsh Parliament to commemorate the 25th anniversary of devolution from the U.K. government, and the monarch hinted at his eldest son's connection to the country as the Prince of Wales.
"It has given me great pleasure to see my son’s relationship with this special land continue, including returning only this week to Anglesey, Ynys Môn, a place which I know means so much to him," King Charles said in the address, which he delivered in both English and Welsh.
"So, it is with countless special memories and particular pride that I am able to join you as we reflect upon the last quarter-century of the history we have shared, and which you, in your work in this Senedd, have the great responsibility of making," he added.
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Queen Camilla and King Charles at the Senedd in Cardiff, Wales, on July 11, 2024.The Prince of Wales has been the traditional title for the male heir apparent to the English throne since around 1301, and King Charles was thought to be the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history before his accession upon the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022. He used his first speech as King to announce that Prince William would take on his former title, making Kate Middleton the Princess of Wales like her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Prince William did not have an investiture ceremony for his Prince of Wales position like his father did in 1969, when he was crowned by Queen Elizabeth. A royal source told PEOPLE that Prince William and Princess Kate were focused on "deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time."
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King Charles outside the Senedd on July 11, 2024 in Cardiff, Wales.Related: Prince William Hails 'Powerful' Work of His Mission for the Unhoused at Special Event in London
Prince William and Princess Kate, both 42, already had a strong relationship with Wales — in fact, it's where they lived as newlyweds and first-time parents! William embarked on an aerial career in the military in 2009 and joined RAF Valley in Anglesey as a lieutenant in September 2010. He served as a search and rescue pilot for three years, undertaking 156 search and rescue operations, a routine operational deployment to the Falkland Islands and qualified as an operational Captain, per his royal bio.
William and Kate called North Wales home when they announced their engagement in 2010, and the future princess made her first official royal outing there a few months later. She christened the new Hereford Endeavour lifeboat in February 2011 as William watched on.
They remained based at a rented farmhouse through their newlywed years and after they welcomed their first child, Prince George, in July 2013.
A few months later, the family of three relocated to Kensington Palace in London when Prince William left operational duties with the Armed Forces, through their affection for Wales and its people has been clear during visits back since.
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The couple visited Wales for the first time since becoming the Prince and Princess of Wales as soon as they could, on September 27, 2022, one day after the royal family's mourning period for the late Queen Elizabeth came to an end.
"He is throwing himself into the new role," Rev. Steven Bunting, who hosted the couple at St. Thomas's Church in Swansea, told PEOPLE at the time. "The fact that they've come straight here on day one says it all."
On July 9, Prince William appeared in his element when he returned to RAF Anglesey, his former workplace. The heir to the throne visited for the first time as the Royal Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force station, an appointment from King Charles announced in August 2023.
Prince William toured the hub to meet personnel and learn more about their daily operations and expertly called the shots during a simulated fire response exercise.
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