Prince Edwardis nowknown as the Duke of Edinburgh, but the position won’t pass to his teenage son,James.
The new appellation makes Prince Edward’s wife,Sophie, theDuchess of Edinburgh, and their 15-year-old son James, who has been styled as Viscount Severn since birth, the new Earl of Wessex. Edward received his earl title when he and Sophie wed in 1999, and she has been known as the Countess of Wessex. (The shift did not affect the title of Prince Edward and Sophie’s 19-year-old daughter,Lady Louise.)
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One day, the position could pass to one ofPrince William’s younger children —Princess Charlotte, 7, orPrince Louis, 4 — when he becomes monarch someday. The stipulation that the dukedom of Edinburgh will go back to the crown aligns with King Charles' rumored vision for aslimmer, modern monarchy.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.Chris Jackson/Getty
Prince Edward and Sophie opted not to use prince and princess titles for their children even though they were the grandchildren of the monarch.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,“Sophie told theTimes of Londonabout their decision to not use “His/Her Royal Highness” titles for Louise and James. “Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Prince Edward, James Viscount Severn, Lady Louise and Sophie.Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage
It had beenPrince Philip’s wish that his youngest son would receive the Duke of Edinburgh title after his death. On Prince Edward and Sophie’s wedding day, Buckingham Palace even indicated that the appellation was earmarked for them,The Timesreported.
Despite this, whenPrince Philip died in 2021, the title went to Prince Charles (now King Charles) as his eldest son. Reports swirled 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.
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After waiting several months since becoming monarch, King Charles poignantly handed his brother the long-awaited title on his birthday.
On the eve of his wedding in 1947 to then-Princess Elizabeth,Prince Philipwas made the Duke of Edinburgh, Baron Greenwich and Earl of Merioneth. The newlyweds were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until the Queen acceded the throne in 1952, whilePrince Philipretained his Duke of Edinburgh styling throughout life.
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The latest royal update 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 then-Princess Elizabeth when they tied the knot in 1947.
source: people.com
