The Investiture of the Prince of Wales - when Prince Charles was formally presented to the Welsh people as their Prince - was broadcast live on 1 July 1969.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ brought all the pomp and pageantry to viewers and listeners in one of the biggest and most complex outside broadcasts since the Coronation. In the ceremony at Caernarfon Castle the Queen gave Charles the symbols that marked him as Prince of Wales; the sword, coronet, ring, rod and mantle. In addition to the 4000 guests present in the castle, 19 million saw it at home and another 500 million watched around the world.
Television coverage of the Investiture began on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One at 10:30am and continued until 4:30pm. At the same time it was broadcast in colour on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two. The Investiture was a great demonstration of the benefits of the new medium and the number of colour sets in use doubled during the year. There was bilingual commentary on Radio 4 Wales with the main radio broadcast on Radio 3.
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ remains the first broadcaster audiences turn to for major national events, particularly those involving the Royal Family. The events surrounding the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 saw extensive coverage as did – more recently - the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Further reading
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MCR21 comes back to life
Charles Runcie tells the story of how an outside broadcast van used at the Investiture was saved from the scrapyard.
July anniversaries
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Investiture of the Prince of Wales
1 July 1969 -
Masterchef
2 July 1990 -
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television News and Newsreel
5 July 1954 -
To the Ends of the Earth
6 July 2005 -
Hancock's Half Hour television show
6 July 1956 -
London Calling Europe began
6 July 1941 -
The Old Man of Hoy
8 July 1967 -
The first episode of The Office
9 July 2001 -
Andy Pandy
11 July 1950 -
It's That Man Again
12 July 1939 -
Watchdog
14 July 1985 -
What's My Line
16 July 1951 -
Toytown first transmitted
19 July 1929 -
Pot Black first transmitted
23 July 1969 -
Countryfile first broadcast
24 July 1988 -
Start of the Light Programme
29 July 1945 -
Olympic Games from Wembley first televised
29 July 1948 -
The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer
29 July 1981 -
The World Cup Final
30 July 1966 -
Dad's Army
31 July 1968