"For over 700 years the title Prince of Wales has been awarded to royal heirs waiting to accede to the throne of England. They did not always achieve it - even the highest in the land have been subject to disease, death and the fortunes of war, or of politics. Few have held the position for more than ten years, and some for barely a year - while others have lived for decades in the shadow of the throne. Yet all who inhabit this intriguing role have left their stamp upon it, and it has been shaped and relished by some of the greatest personalities of the age." "Princes of Wales explores the stories of a remarkable range of royal heirs, from the charismatic Black Prince and the dissolute Prince Hal to the ill-fated Arthur and the flamboyant Prince Regent - as well as the colourful characters of the 20th century. It shows how the role reflects and defines the spirit of its age, be it medieval chivalry or Tudor myth-making, Regency excess or 1920s glamour. It charts the legendary disputes of sovereigns and their sons, and shows how different characters responded to an evolving role and a changing world. Illustrated with paintings, photographs and original documents from the National Archives, this is a compelling portrait of those who have held this uniquely privileged yet often frustrating position - the men who would be king."--Jacket.