THE NEW HEIR-APPARENT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 February 1901, Page 4

THE NEW HEIR-APPARENT.

H.E.H. Prince George Frederick Ernest Albert, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killarney, has by his father’s accession become heir-apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Ireland. The title usually borne by the heir-apparent of the British sovereign is Prince of Wales, but this title is not acquired in virtue of his being heir-apparent, but is granted by individual investment. Some doubts have been expressed as to whether the Duke of York will become Prince of Wales. He will not become so until a patent to that effect is issued, but according to precedent such a patent should be issued. He is the eldest surviving son of the reigning monarch, although not the eldest born to him. Henry VIII. was created Prince of Wales after the death of his elder brother Arthur, and Charles I, after that of his elder brother Henry, Charles I. was moreover born before his father’s accession to the English throne, so that his case is very closely analogous to that of the Duke of York. The Earldom of Chester is usually associated with the Principalities of Wales, in thepatent. While the heir-apparent must wait to be created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, he is ipso factor Duke of Cornwall pursuant to a patent of Edward 111, (1337), and he is High Steward of Scotland, Duke of Eothsay, Earl of Garrick, Baron of Renfrew, and Lord of the Isles, pursuant to an act of the Scottish Parliament in 1469.