Duke of Rothesay

Duke of Rothesay is a title of Peerage of Scotland that has been associated with the Heir Apparent to the British monarch since the 14th century, specifically with the Monarchy of Scotland and later the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The title is traditionally held by the eldest son of the reigning British monarch, currently Charles, Prince of Wales, who also holds the titles of Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. The Duke of Rothesay title is also linked to the University of Cambridge, where the holder is Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and to the Royal Navy, where the holder is Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom.

History of the Dukedom

The title of Duke of Rothesay was created in 1398 by King Robert III of Scotland for his son, David, Prince of Scotland, who was the first to hold the title. The dukedom was named after the town of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, which was an important location in the Kingdom of Scotland. The title has been held by the Heir Apparent to the British monarch since the Acts of Union 1707, which united the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland under a single monarch. The Duke of Rothesay has also been associated with the Order of the Thistle, a Chivalric order founded by King James V of Scotland in 1540, and the Royal Company of Archers, a military unit that serves as the Sovereign's Bodyguard in Scotland.

Title and Insignia

The title of Duke of Rothesay is associated with several insignia, including the Crown of Scotland, which is part of the Honours of Scotland, and the Sword of State, which is used in the Ceremony of the Keys at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Duke of Rothesay also has a coat of arms, which features the Lion rampant of Scotland and the Fleur-de-lis of France, and is used by the holder as part of their Heraldic devices. The title is also associated with the Bute Estate, a large estate on the Isle of Bute that has been owned by the Marquess of Bute since the 18th century, and the University of St Andrews, where the holder is Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.

Responsibilities and Duties

As the Heir Apparent to the British monarch, the Duke of Rothesay has several responsibilities and duties, including supporting the monarch in their official duties and representing the monarch at various events and ceremonies. The Duke of Rothesay is also involved with several charitable organizations, including the Prince's Trust, which was founded by Charles, Prince of Wales in 1976, and the Royal Scottish Academy, which is a charitable organization that promotes the arts in Scotland. The holder is also associated with the British Army, where they hold the rank of Field Marshal (United Kingdom), and the Royal Air Force, where they hold the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

List of Dukes of Rothesay

The title of Duke of Rothesay has been held by several individuals, including David, Prince of Scotland, James I of England, Charles I of England, Charles II of England, James II of England, George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United Kingdom, George IV of the United Kingdom, William IV of the United Kingdom, Victoria, Princess Royal, Edward VII of the United Kingdom, George V of the United Kingdom, Edward VIII of the United Kingdom, George VI of the United Kingdom, and Charles, Prince of Wales. The title is currently held by Charles, Prince of Wales, who has held the title since 1952, and is also associated with the Duchy of Cornwall, a private estate that provides income for the Heir Apparent.

Heraldic Devices

The Duke of Rothesay has several heraldic devices, including the Lion rampant of Scotland, the Fleur-de-lis of France, and the Crown of Scotland. The holder's coat of arms features these devices, as well as the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, which is used by the British monarch and the Heir Apparent. The Duke of Rothesay also has a personal flag, which features the Lion rampant of Scotland and the Fleur-de-lis of France, and is used to represent the holder at various events and ceremonies, including the Trooping the Colour ceremony, which is held annually in London to celebrate the Official birthday of the British monarch. The holder is also associated with the Order of the Garter, a Chivalric order founded by King Edward III of England in 1348, and the Royal Victorian Order, a Chivalric order founded by Queen Victoria in 1896.