Street parties, a concert at the capital’s castle and hundreds of picnics across the country: Wales is spending this weekend like the rest of the UK celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
But pennants aside, the milestone has reignited debate about the nation’s relationship with the monarchy, and specifically the role of the Prince of Wales.
“I think he should be the last Prince of Wales,” said Tim Rees, a member of the Bois Afan Male Voice Choir in Cwmavon.
“As much as we respect [Prince Charles]The guy hasn’t done much for Wales as a country.
“He represents Great Britain a lot, so I think it’s about time we got someone to represent Wales, in Wales.”
Rees’ opinion echoes not only calls from Welsh actor Michael Sheen, who previously suggested the role be reformed, but also voices we heard during our time in Port Talbot: respect for the monarchy, but doubts about its future and relevance in Wales.
“I’m a realist. I support the Royal Family,” said a member of the Women’s Institute.
“But I think in the future it needs to be condensed.
Young people color masks of the Queen as part of the jubilee celebrations
“As far as the Queen is concerned, she has done a tremendous job at times in very difficult times. But I do think they need to condense the Royal Family and give it more to younger people.”
His thoughts on the Prince of Wales?
“I think he has a role, but we don’t relate to him as much as we do to the Queen.”
A recent Cardiff University poll found that 55% of people support having a monarchy, while 28% would prefer to have an elected head of state.
The royal title of Prince of Wales dates back to England’s conquest of the nation in the 13th century.
Some experts believe that attitudes towards the now symbolic title are changing.
Martin Johnes, professor of history at Swansea University, said: “If we look back to Victorian times, Wales takes enormous pride that the heir to the throne was the Prince of Wales because he was seen as something that made important wales.
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“As we go back in time, the fact that Welsh nationalism has grown, that pride in it has waned a bit, has become more controversial as people debate the position of Wales in the UK.
“The vast majority of the Welsh population support Wales remaining within the UK. So we wouldn’t expect there to be overwhelming antipathy or opposition to the royals.”
“In many ways, what is interesting is not what is happening right now, but what the future will be.
“Much of the support for the monarchy is based on support for the Queen, an understanding that she has dedicated her life in different ways to the country and to the United Kingdom.
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“I think we’ll see a change in attitudes. Charles doesn’t have the popularity or respect that his mother has. William has a bit of celebrity and doesn’t have the background of his father, so maybe there’s some hope for royalists in the next generation.”
At Margam Castle, children paint flags and color paper crowns on a family jubilee day.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a stronger appetite here for the younger members of the royal family.
I ask Eve and Alessia who they prefer: Charles or William?
“Williams!” they yell “Because they have kids and they’re so nice!”
Alessia’s mother agrees: “I think maybe people’s choice would be William and Kate because they’re younger, they can relate to them more, they have little kids.”
Reference-news.sky.com