WALES is to be promoted as a principality by Dwyfor and Meirionnydd’s AM.

Independent AM and ex-Plaid Cymru leader Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas joined the Welsh Government last month.

The tourism minister has declared he will promote Wales as “a principality within the United Kingdom” in a recent speech.

Lord Elis-Thomas said the Prince of Wales was as enthusiastic as he was about the idea.

The recently-appointed culture, tourism and sport minister was speaking at a Wales Office reception in London.

The Oxford English Dictionary describes a principality as “the territory held or governed by a prince”.

Wales has not been a principality since the 16th century and the Welsh Government itself has denied that Wales is one.

Lord Elis-Thomas told guests at the event: “We are going to promote the principality of Wales as a wonderful principality.

“The Prince of Wales is as enthusiastic as I am about marketing Wales as a principality within the United Kingdom.

Lord Elis-Thomas then joked: “Anybody who doesn’t like this word, I will see you at the end.”

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