Prince Charles is known as the heir apparent since he is Queen Elizabeth’s eldest child. Following his birth, he wasn’t reportedly supposed to be styled as prince and his title would’ve been different if not for King George VI’s intervention.
Prince Charles Would’ve Been Styled Earl Of Merioneth If Not For King George VI
While speaking with Express, royal historian Marlene Koenig claimed that Prince Charles wasn’t guaranteed to be styled as a prince because of the rules that his great-grandfather King George V put in place.
“A princess cannot pass her rank and title to her children. This is due to the 1917 Letters Patent which defines who is royal and who is not. Children of the sovereign, grandchildren in the male line, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. The last one was changed by the Queen to include all children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales,” Koenig explained.
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Letters Patent Was Issued Even Before Prince Charles Was Born
Under the 1917 letters patent, Prince Charles wasn’t entitled to have the title of prince because he was born to the king’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth. And if the king didn’t intervene, Prince William and Prince Harry’s dad would’ve been styled as the Earl of Merioneth.
“George VI was the father of two daughters, which meant that Princess Elizabeth was the heiress presumptive, not the heiress apparent. Fast forward to 1948. HRH Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh is expecting her first child. Her child would not be royal unless the King issued a Letters Patent. If George VI had taken no action, Charles would have been styled as the Earl of Merioneth and Anne as the Lady Anne Mountbatten, taking their rank and titles from their father's dukedom - Philip was Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich,” Koenig explained.
A letters patent was reportedly issued by King George VI even before Prince Charles was born.
“The KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm bearing date the 22nd ultimo to define and fix the style and title by which the children of the marriage solemnized between Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, shall be designated,” his statement read.
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Prince Charles Royal Titles Today
Due to the letters patent, the queen’s children’s royal titles became what they are known today.
“Thus, royal titles for Elizabeth's children: HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh and HRH Princess Anne of Edinburgh until their mom succeeded to the throne when Charles became HRH The Duke of Cornwall and the Duke of Rothesay and HRH Princess Anne. In Scotland, Charles is styled as HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay,” Koenig concluded.
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