King Charleshas finally grantedPrince Edwardand his wifeSophie, the former Earl and Countess of Wessex, the titles ofDuke and Duchess of Edinburgh, while their 15-year-old son James, Viscount Severn is now the Earl of Wessex.
However, the title of Duke of Edinburgh will now not be passed down to James upon his father’s death. Instead, James will be known as the Earl of Wessex and Forfar when the Duke of Edinburgh title goes back to the Crown.
On Edward's 59th birthday, Buckingham Palace made an announcement that he will be bestowed with the title previously held by his father, the late Prince Philip, for the remainder of his life. Thelate Duke of Edinburgh, who died in April 2021, had always wanted Edward to inherit his title, but the final decision was made by King Charles.
Under the ancient rules of primogeniture, none of the changes will affect the couple's student daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, however.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness’s 59th birthday. The title will be held by Prince Edward for His Royal Highness’s lifetime.
“The Dukedom was last created for Prince Philip in 1947, upon his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, who held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before acceding to the throne in 1952.
“The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
When Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones tied the knot in 1999, they became the Earl and Countess of Wessex. It was announced that Edward would eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh after a pledge made by the lateQueenon his wedding day in June 1999, but only after the deaths of both Philip and Queen Elizabeth II.
The palace said at the time in 1999: “The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales have also agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.”
Dukedoms are the highest titles in the British roll of peerage and the Dukedom of Edinburgh was first created on 15 July 1726 during the reign of King George I, who bestowed it upon his grandson, Prince Frederick.
The Wessex’s are not the only royals assuming new titles asPrince HarryandMeghan Markle"blindsided" Buckingham Palace with Lilibet's princess christening announcement,a source told OK!
Archie, three, and Lilibet, one, are entitled to be known as Prince and Princess because they are the children of a son of a sovereign – as per rules laid out by King George V in 1917.
However, according to an insider close to the Sussexes, Harry, 38, had a "casual conversation" with King Charles shortly after the Queen's death – but there were no formal discussions or agreement on the use of titles for his children.
READ MORE:
For all your daily celebrity news and gossip, sign up to OK!’s newsletter – CLICK HERE
Charlotte Church on the moment Chris Moyles offered to take her virginity at 16
Inside Ashley Banjo's daughter's Encanto-themed birthday as he reunites with ex Francesca
Love Island Claudia's famous dad plays up for cameras as he takes daughters for lunch
'I can't be in crowded places now – I get such anxiety I feel faint', says Frankie Essex
Source: Read Full Article