FIRST ROYAL ROLE
The young Charles takes up the title of Prince of Wales
Prince Charles was created Prince of Wales in 1958, aged just nine; his investiture followed in July 1969, when he was 20. In an official portrait (above), he is seen wearing the coronet (also pictured left) and a ring (right) consisting of an amethyst on a band of Welsh gold. He also carries a sword, representing justice, and a staff
With a ring made of Welsh gold in the shape of two dragons, holding an amethyst, Prince Charles became symbolically wedded to Wales in 1969, in a ceremony that was watched by more than 500 million people worldwide.
“By far the most moving and meaningful moment came when I put my hands between Mummy’s and swore to be her liegeman… such magnificent, medieval, appropriate words,” he wrote later of the service.