the Prince of Wales a title given to the first son of a British king or queen. Title of the heir apparent to the British throne. In 1301 Edward I of England granted it to his son Edward after conquering Wales and executing the last native Welsh prince (1283). Since that time most of the eldest sons of English sovereigns have been given the title. The title ceases to exist when a Prince of Wales becomes king, until a monarch bestows it on a son