Prince Edward and his father, the late Prince Philp, in 2005
Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
As Prince Edward marks his 59th birthday, the royal has been bestowed with a special honour by his elder brother, King Charles III: their late father’s Duke of Edinburgh title.
An announcement from Buckingham Palace on the morning of 10 March reads: ‘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.’
Queen Elizabeth, posing with her husband, Prince Philip, and their son, Prince Edward, 1976.
Bettmann
Prince Edward, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s youngest child, was created Earl of Wessex in 1999, upon his marriage to the then Sophie Rhys-Jones. He was granted the additional Earl of Forfar title by his mother on his 55th birthday in 2019.
Before Prince Philip, who was titled Duke of Edinburgh on his marriage to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947, the dukedom had previously been created four times for members of the Royal Family: in 1726 for Prince Frederick, eldest son of King George II; in 1764 for Prince William, brother of King George III, as part of the joint title, The Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh; and in 1866 for Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria’s second son.
Prince Edward, Prince Philip and the Countess of Wessex attend the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s 60th Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, 2016
WPA Pool/Getty Images
As well as the significant sentimental meaning it holds to all of Prince Philip’s children, it is a particularly fitting honour for Edward given that he now plays a key role in overseeing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, continuing his father’s legacy by championing the youth awards programme he founded in 1956.
The late Queen riding around Windsor with the then Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1998, following her engagement to Prince Edward
UK Press
Royal fans will also be delighted at the news that Edward’s wife, Sophie, has also been bestowed with the Duchess of Edinburgh title – especially considering her closeness to the late Queen, who held the moniker in the years between her marriage and her accession.
