Queen to host celebration to mark 50 years since Prince of Wales’s investiture
The Queen and senior royals are to gather to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales.
Heir to the throne Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Princess Royal will attend the special reception hosted by the monarch at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday March 5.
Charles was created the Prince of Wales when he was only nine years old on July 26 1958.
He was formally invested with the title by the Queen 11 years later on July 1 1969 at Caernarfon Castle when he was 20.
Leading figures in Welsh and UK public life will be present, as well as representatives from the future king’s many Welsh charities and patronages.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will also give a speech to mark the occasion.
Buckingham Palace said the special reception in London would mark the prince’s 50 years of service to Wales, the UK and the Commonwealth, and will be an opportunity to celebrate a range of Welsh charities, organisations and businesses.
The investiture regalia worn by Charles in 1969 will be on show, including the Investiture Coronet, Sword, Ring and Rod, as well as the Letters Patent for the creation of Charles, Duke of Cornwall as Prince of Wales in 1958.
Among the charities present will be the Prince’s Trust Cymru, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales.
The reception will finish with a musical performance in the Ballroom by students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, of which Charles is patron.
The performance will include a new piece written for the anniversary by Welsh composer Paul Mealor, inspired by the legend of the Lady of Llyn y Fan, a mountain lake near Charles’ Welsh home, Llwynywermod in Carmarthenshire.
