King Charles III’s tribute to Princess Kate and Prince William as they took on the new titles of Prince and Princess of Wales has gone viral, after footage from his first speech as monarch has resurfaced on TikTok, two years after his accession to the throne.
Charles became king on September 8, 2022 upon the death of his 96-year-old mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Her death set in motion a historic chain of events within the monarchy, which saw Charles immediately take over the crown and members of the royal family alter their positions of seniority in the official line of succession.
When Charles became king, Prince William became first in line to inherit the throne. To signify his eldest son’s new position as heir apparent, the monarch gave him and daughter-in-law Kate new titles.
William and Kate became the new Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales title dates back to the 14th century and, for successive generations, has been given to the eldest son of the monarch. It is not inherited, but given by the ruling king or queen of the day.
Charles was made Prince of Wales by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in 1958 when he was just 9 years old. He held the title for 64 years, becoming the longest-serving Prince of Wales in British history.
Charles announced his son and daughter-in-law’s title elevation during his first speech as monarch, filmed at Buckingham Palace in London on September 9, 2022. The address was broadcast across Britain and the Commonwealth later that same day.
