Welsh actor Michael Sheen recently criticized the date chosen for King Charles III’s first visit to Wales since his accession to the throne. Since Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, several members of the royal family have received new titles, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, who were named Prince and Princess of Wales.
The title Prince of Wales has significant significance in Wales, having been the title of the leader of the 1400 rebellion against England, Owain Glyndŵr. September 16 is dedicated to him, and over the years, several events have taken place to celebrate the day.
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King Charles III and his queen, Camilla, recently paid a visit to Wales on a widely celebrated holiday. According to Sheen, the decision to visit the country that day was insensitive if it was done on purpose.
Read on to learn more.
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September 16th Is A Historic Day In Wales
Sheen took to Twitter recently to criticize the timing of King Charles III’s first visit to Wales. The newly crowned King and Camilla recently wrapped up their four-nation sojourn in Wales, where they were met and feted by crowds.
A beautiful day in Wales #OG pic.twitter.com/MSxjjte928
— michael sheen 💙 (@michaelsheen) September 16, 2022
In a video Sheen posted, he revealed that the date was September 16, also known as Owain Glyndŵrday, and a historic day for the country. The 53-year-old explained that if the date was clearly chosen with history in mind, the act was “insensitive.”
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Sheen began by offering his condolences to Charles and the entire Royal family for the loss of Queen Elizabeth, their mother and grandmother. He went on to talk about the timing of King Charles’ recent visit to Wales and why he had a problem with it. The actor said, “September 16 is the day that many people here in Wales celebrate Owain Glyndŵr, who was the last natural Prince of Wales, declaring himself.”
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Owain Glyndŵr Day Celebration Cancelled
Owain Glyndŵr Day is a day set aside to commemorate Glyndŵr’s efforts when he started a 15-year rebellion in 1400. The movement at the time was against the King of England, Henry IV. He was named Prince of Wales soon after. Glyndŵr led what is widely seen as the last Welsh war of independence.
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The prince was also made a figure in terms of Welsh nationalism and also the national independence movement. Every year, on September 16, thousands of citizens use the day to celebrate Glyndwr’s life as his legacy as the “rebel” Prince of Wales.
This year is markedly different as, due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth, several events that were due to take place on Glyndŵr’s day have been cancelled. This understandably stirred up discontent and anger in the community that was looking forward to that day.
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Michael Sheen Says Time Has Moved On
In him Twitter afterwards, Sheen gave a brief history of Glyndŵr day and why it is such an important day in Wales. According to him, Glyndŵr was the last native Welsh Prince the country had after the rebellion was crushed. After that, King Edward I named Prince Edward Prince of Wales in what Sheen says was “a kind of symbolic act of rebuke or punishment and humiliation.”
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The actor continued, “So today, September 16, is important to many people in Wales. Because it marks the moment where Glyndŵr claims the title of Prince of Wales once again.” According to Sheen, the King’s visit and the importance of the day are clearly related.
The 53-year-old continued, “To choose September 16 to come to Wales who has just declared that he has created his son William as the new Prince of Wales and chose today September 16 to come here as the first. visit as King seems full means.”
Michael Sheen says action ‘insensitive’
Sheen further revealed the per Page Six that, if the decision to come on such an important day was made “on purpose”, it was “insensitive to the point of insulting.” The actor continued, “If it’s done without realizing the significance of the date, then one wonders what the Prince of Wales really is for so long if you don’t realize what the day stands for.”
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Sheen went on to reveal that the video was meant to add his voice to others who expressed and mentioned how ironic it was that traditional Welsh celebrations were canceled because of King Charles’ visit. The 53-year-old said: “I hope it’s not a declaration of intent because that would be very worrying.”
With the change of titles following the death of Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate were both named the new Prince and Princess of Wales. After the announcement, the couple said they really liked the country, having lived there for a while.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
