Royal Family
What title did King Charles give Prince Edward for his birthday?
The announcement was made on Edwards’s 59th birthday.
Prince Edward has been given a new royal title for his 59th birthday.
What title did King Charles give Prince Edward?
King Charles III announced that he has named his younger brother the Duke of Edinburgh on his 59th birthday, honoring the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
The change is reflected on the royal family’s website, and means that Edward’s son, James, the former Viscount Severn, now becomes the Earl of Wessex.
“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,” read a palace statement.
“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.”
Edward was previously promised the title
Edward was promised the title of his late father more than 20 years ago when he married Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999 and was made Earl of Wessex.
“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.
When Philip passed away in April 2021, the title went to his eldest son, Charles, but was returned to the crown when Charles became King. Charles was then allowed to confer the title on whom he chose.
The move comes after Harry and Meghan’s children had their titles updated
News of Edward’s updated title comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s children had their titles updated on the royal family website, naming them Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
They are now shown as the sixth and seventh in line to the throne on the royal website.
“The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch,” the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote in a statement.
“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”