<P> Since 1301 the title Earl of Chester has generally been granted to heirs apparent to the English throne, and from the late 14th century it has been given only in conjunction with that of Prince of Wales . Both titles must be created for each individual and are not automatically acquired . The Earldom of Chester was one of the most powerful earldoms in medieval England extending principally over the counties of Cheshire and Flintshire . </P> <P> A Prince of Wales also holds a number of additional titles . As heir apparent to the English / British throne he is--if the eldest living son of the monarch--Duke of Cornwall . As heir apparent to the Scottish throne he is Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland . </P> <P> Individual princes have also held additional titles, which were theirs prior to becoming Prince of Wales . Before ascending the throne Henry VIII, Charles I and George V were each Duke of York . Prior to his father inheriting the English throne in 1603, the future Charles I was created Duke of Albany and Earl of Ross in Scotland . Both Prince Frederick (eldest son of George II) and his son Prince George (later George III) were Duke of Edinburgh . </P> <P> The title Prince of Wales is given only to the heir apparent--somebody who cannot be displaced in the succession to the throne by any future birth . The succession had followed male - preference primogeniture, which meant that the heir apparent was the eldest son of the reigning monarch or, if he was deceased, his eldest son and so on, or if the monarch's eldest son had died without issue, the monarch's second eldest son, etc . As such, a daughter of the sovereign who was next in line to the throne was never the heir apparent because she would be displaced in the succession by any future legitimate son of the sovereign . </P>

Where does the title prince of wales come from