King Charles III grants Prince Edward Duke of Edinburgh title on 59th birthday
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Prince Edward has been named the Duke of Edinburgh.
King Charles III granted his younger brother the title on Thursday, Edward’s 59th birthday.
The change, which is reflected on the royal family’s website, means that Edward’s son, James, the former Viscount Severn, has taken over the Earl of Wessex title.
The duke’s wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones, for her part, is now the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Queen Elizabeth II last held the title before ascending the throne in 1952, 70 years before her death.
The late monarch’s husband, Prince Philip, was the Duke of Edinburgh when he died in April 2021 at age 99.
The title briefly went to Charles, 74, until he became king in September 2022.
On Thursday, Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming the change, reading, “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 release continued.
“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.”
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The statement concluded by calling Edward and his wife, 58, “proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
Prior to his passing, Philip wished for Edward to receive the title next.
“The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have … agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title now held by the Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown,” the royal family wrote in a 1999 statement.
On Thursday, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s children also had their titles updated on the royal website, naming them Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The couple called their children’s titles their “birthright” in a statement to Page Six.
“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex added.
Harry, 39, and Markle, 41, who live in California with their son and daughter, have been invited to Charles’ coronation in May despite their royal exit — and ensuing tell-alls.
The duo have yet to confirm or deny their attendance, with a source telling us, “Whatever happens, Harry and Meghan will always be the ones in the headlines. They do hold the upper hand.”
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