Why Scotland was denied a prince
THE government considered changing the title of Prince of Wales to Prince of Scotland as a response to Irish independence in the 1920s.
The previously unpublished revelation, contained in restricted files, shows how the government was concerned about quashing nationalist sentiment north of the Border.
The plan was strongly rejected by King George V, who felt it would devalue existing titles used by the heir to the throne when he was in Scotland. The suggestion is revealed in correspondence between Buckingham Palace and Scots-born former Prime Minister Arthur Balfour, which is held in the private restricted section of the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh.
A 1924 letter from the Palace to Balfour, then a Conservative party elder statesman and monarchy and parliament go-between, states: "His Majesty does not smile upon the idea of a committee to consider the use of the title of 'Prince of Scotland' by the Prince of Wales.
"As you know his Royal Highness is Prince and Great Steward of Scotland."
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Saturday 18 February 2012
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