Prince Edwardhas a new royal title: the Duke of Edinburgh.
King Charles IIIannounced that he conferred the title created for his father,Prince Philip, onto his younger brother on Friday — the morning of Edward’s 59th birthday.
Prince Edward’s son — James, Viscount Severn — has now become the Earl of Wessex as a result. This title was given to Edward when he married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.
The royal family’s official website has beenupdatedto reflect Prince Edward and James' new titles.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie.Stuart C. Wilson - Pool/Getty
“The Dukedom was last created forPrince Philipin 1947, upon his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, who held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before acceding to the throne in 1952,” the release added. “The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continuePrince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
It had beenPrince Philip’s wish that his youngest son would receive the title after his death.
Towards the end of his life, Prince Edward – alongside Sophie — continued representingPrince Philipat award ceremonies for the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering program for young people, whichQueen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years created.
Despite this, whenPrince Philip died in 2021, his title went to Charles, 74, as his eldest son. There had been reports that Charles would hold onto the title, with some commentatorssaying it would not go to Edward and Sophieas he mulled what to do with it.
After waiting several months since becoming monarch, King Charles has chosen to hand it on to his brother at a significant moment: his brother’s birthday. Prince Edward will hold the title for his lifetime, after which it will return to the crown — raising the possibility that it could then be passed to one ofPrince William’s younger children:Princess Charlotte, 7, orPrince Louis, 4.
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Prince Edward and Sophie.David Parry - WPA Pool/Getty
The announcement also followsMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s children’s titles beingupdated on the royal family’s websiteon Thursday to read “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.” They were previously styled as “Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor” and “Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.”
King George VI later conferred the dukedom onPrince Philipand the-then Princess Elizabeth on theirwedding day in 1947.
source: people.com
