Wales may gain a direct say over the Prince of Wales title, Michael Sheen says, arguing the honour carries historical insult and should not be assumed automatically for future heirs.
The actor made the case while promoting his upcoming role as Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, in a new production at the Wales Millennium Centre. Sheen said the title "symbolises something that was essentially a put-down to Wales", adding that, despite the centuries since, its meanings persist.
Sheen urged a public consultation if the title next falls vacant. "The Welsh people might decide that they don't want the title Prince of Wales to come back to Wales, and they're happy with it the way it is. But I think it would be nice to be asked," he said. Kensington Palace declined to comment.
The title is traditionally granted by the monarch rather than inherited automatically. William and Catherine received the styles of Prince and Princess of Wales from King Charles III after Queen Elizabeth's death in 2022.
Sheen framed his comments in historical context, referencing the violent origins of the title. Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was the last ruler of an independent Wales before English conquest, dying in 1282, after which his head was sent to King Edward I. Edward then invested his son Edward II as Prince of Wales in 1301. Hundreds of years later, Owain Glyndŵr led a 15-year revolt against King Henry IV and claimed the title, before Wales was retaken. Glyndŵr has since become a symbol for Welsh nationalism, commemorated across Wales in statues, monuments, pubs and street names.
Owain & Henry, co-produced by the Welsh National Theatre, of which Sheen is artistic director, and the Wales Millennium Centre, opens in November. Linus Roache plays Henry IV; Sheen co-directs with Steffan Donnelly. Rakie Ayola joins as Mared, Owain's wife, saying of her reunion with Sheen, "[Michael and I] have got some unfinished business, which is perfect to play these two married people, who've got a lot going on." Sheen also noted that researching Welsh history changed his sense of national identity and prompted him to return his OBE in 2017.
Graeme Farrow, creative director at the Wales Millennium Centre, said mounting such a production felt riskier now because costs have risen and financial exposure is greater, but called the play "a brilliant play" and said ticket demand has been "sensational". Owain & Henry runs from 5 November until 28 November.
Sheen said he hopes the play will "start a conversation" about history, identity and who should control the symbols that represent Wales.
