William vows to serve with ‘humility and respect’ in first act as Prince of Wales as he calls Welsh First Minister

PRINCE William has carried out his first official act as Prince of Wales - telling the Welsh first minister he'll serve with "humility and respect".

William's promise comes after King Charles 73, gave the former the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge their new titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales on Friday.

The title was previously given to William's mother, Princess Diana, when she married Charles in 1981.

Today he spoke over the phone with Mark Drakeford and expressed his and The Princess of Wales’s honour in being asked by His Majesty The King to serve the Welsh people.

The Prince and Princess will spend the months and years ahead deepening their relationship with communities across Wales.

Wiliam said they want to do their part to "support the aspirations" of the Welsh people and to "shine a spotlight" on both the challenges and opportunities in front of them. 

He added that he and the Princess will be travelling to Wales "very soon".

It comes as...

• The Queen has begun her final journey after her coffin was taken from her beloved Balmoral
• A sombre Princess Anne followed her late mother's coffin from Balmoral this morning
• Mourners in Scotland showed an incredible mark of respect for the Queen
• The website of the firm on the side of the Queen's coffin crashed just seconds after it appeared on TV
• Princes William and Harry and wives Kate and Meghan dramatically reunited yesterday in tribute to the Queen
• Princess Kate revealed son Louis' poignant reaction after she told him the Queen had died

It comes after William and Harry and wives Kate and Meghan dramatically reunited yesterday in tribute to the Queen.

The brothers put aside their differences as the four inspected flowers outside Windsor Castle.

A royal source said: “It was an important show of unity for the Queen.”

William’s olive branch was delivered, and accepted, less than an hour before the “Fab Four” gathered outside Windsor Castle.

Only William and Kate were expected to meet the public from 4.30pm.

But the walkabout was delayed until 5.15pm to include Harry and Meghan.

William yesterday also paid tribute to his "grannie" who was by his side during his "saddest moments".

The royal shared the moving statement on his official Instagram.

He said: "On Thursday, the world lost an extraordinary leader, whose commitment to the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth was absolute.

"So much will be said in the days ahead about the meaning of her historic reign.

"I, however, have lost a grandmother. And while I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.

"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real."

He also praised the Queen for the 20 years of "guidance and support" she has given his wife Kate Middleton.

And he revealed how children George, nine, Louis, four, and seven-year-old Charlotte, have created memories that will last "their whole lives" thanks to holiday spent with the Queen.