Earl of Carrick or
Mormaer of Carrick is the title applied to the ruler of
Carrick (now southern Ayrshire), subsequently part of the
Peerage of Scotland. The position came to be strongly associated with the Scottish crown when
Robert the Bruce, who had inherited it from his maternal kin, became
King of the Scots in the early 14th century. Since the 15th century the title of 'Earl of Carrick' has automatically been held by the heir to the throne, meaning
Prince Charles is the current Earl.