Featured Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, Prince William, King Charles III, UK News
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Royal Family, Prince William, King Charles III, UK News
Prince William has now officially received his brand-new royal title from his father, King Charles III, during a rare royal ceremony.
Earlier today (Friday 16 May), the 42-year-old Prince of Wales and the 76-year-old King attended the Order of the Bath Service at Westminster Abbey.
The service is a ceremony which marks the Order's 300th anniversary year, continuing a tradition established in 1725 by Letters Patent of George I.
It was Charles' first service as the ruling monarch of the ancient order, making it a rare royal first, which saw William get installed into a brand-new role.
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Additionally, it also marked the first joint public appearance by the pair since the VE Day celebrations earlier this month (8 May).
The father-of-two, who is also their heir to the British throne, has now officially been installed as the Great Master of the Order during the ceremony, a revival of a much older custom which dates way back to medieval times.
The service included the oath-taking and installation of five Knights.
Charles was previously installed as Great Master by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, back in 1975.
Such a service takes place every four years, with the Sovereign traditionally attending every other service whereas William, as Great Master, attends each service.
Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time, last attended back in 2022.
There are three separate classes of members in the order including; Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCB), Knight or Dame Commander (KCB/DCB) and Companion (CB).
It wasn't until 1971 that women were allowed into the order.
In today's ceremony, Charles and William also joined the procession of the Officers and Knights and Dame Grand Cross through the church before taking their seats in the Quire.
The pair processed to the Henry VII, Lady Chapel for the Installation ceremonies.
The chapel in question was designated as the Chapel of the Order in 1725.
Both Charles and William's spouses, Queen Consort Camilla and Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, were notably present at the ceremony today.
Outside of this new additional moniker, William also several of other titles that he goes by other than the the most well-known one being the Prince of Wales.
In Scotland, William is known as the Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, and Baron of Renfrew.
Meanwhile, over in Ireland, the heir to the throne is known as Baron Carrickfergus.