Prince William to be installed as Great Master of the Order as he takes over title from King Charles
Prince William has taken on a new title
Prince William will be installed as the Great Master of the Order of the Bath in a ceremony on Friday after receiving the title.
On Friday (May 16), King Charles, 76, and the Prince of Wales, 42, will attend the Order of the Bath service at Westminster Abbey.
This will mark the 300th anniversary of the Order’s founding.
During this historic service, Prince William will be installed as the new Great Master of the Order. The title was held by his father for nearly five decades.
Prince William will be appointed new Great Master of the Order
The moment represents a significant milestone not only for the future king but also for the royal family.
It will be King Charles’ first time attending the service as Sovereign of the Order.
He was originally appointed as Great Master himself by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath was founded by King George I in 1725, reviving a medieval knighthood tradition.
The name refers to the symbolic bath that knights once took as part of a ritual purification before receiving their honours.
Today, the Order recognises senior military officers and high-ranking civil servants across three tiers. These tiers are: Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCB), Knight/Dame Commander (KCB/DCB), and Companion (CB).
The service is held every four years. The Sovereign traditionally attends every other service. However, the Great Master is expected to attend each one.
Great Master of the Order service
Prince William, 42, will now be installed as Great Master of the Order.
This role adds to his growing list of royal responsibilities as he continues to prepare for his future as king.
According to reports, William and Kate will be a “much more emotionally engaged” king and queen.
Royal author Tom Quinn told Harper’s Bazaar: “What we can expect to see when William and Kate take the throne is a much more emotionally engaged couple. And it’s partly because I think they want to be a king and queen who are seen to engage much more with ordinary people in a very relaxed way.”
What will Prince William be called?
The appointment of Prince William as Great Master is being seen as yet another sign of his evolving role in the monarchy. It mirrors his father’s early responsibilities and honours during his time as heir.
As for what William will be called when he becomes king, he is expected to rule as King William V.
However, monarchs may choose a different name upon accession.
Currently known as the Prince of Wales, William also holds the titles Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn, and more.
The Great Master of the Order of the Bath adds another honour to his already substantial royal profile.
Read more: Prince William admits ‘grief is the worst pain’ in heartbreaking new statement
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