Britain’s King Charles gave his youthful brother Prince Edward the title of the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday, handing him the title final held by his father Prince Philip.
Sophie, the previous Countess of Wessex, is now the Duchess of Edinburgh and their 15-year-old son James, Viscount Severn is the brand new Earl of Wessex.
It comes after one other title change this week when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex started formally utilizing the titles Prince and Princess for his or her kids Archie and Lilibet.
The new duke and duchess will probably be in Edinburgh – their first outing with their new titles within the metropolis which impressed their title – afterward Friday at a reception to mark the primary 12 months of battle in Ukraine
Buckingham Palace stated in a press release: “His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon the Prince Edward, on the occasion of HRH’s 59th birthday today.
“The title will probably be held for HRH’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 proceed Prince Philip’s legacy of selling
alternatives for younger folks of all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.”
The dukedom – which in the past has been hereditary – will not, however, pass down to the Edinburghs’ son James when Edward dies.
Viscount Severn will become the Earl of Wessex and Forfar when the title of The Duke of Edinburgh reverts to the Crown, the Palace said.
Edward will also remain for his lifetime the Earl of Forfar, another of his titles, but will use the Duke of Edinburgh because it is the more senior Scottish title.
Philip had always wanted his youngest son Edward to inherit his title, but the decision ultimately was down to Charles as King.
When Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones married in 1999, they were given the titles the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
But Buckingham Palace also announced Edward would eventually one day succeed his father as the Duke of Edinburgh – but not until after the death of both Philip and the Queen.
The palace said at the time: “The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales have additionally agreed that the Prince Edward must be given the dukedom of Edinburgh sooner or later when the current title now held by Prince Philip ultimately reverts to the Crown.”
In keeping with the Letters Patent issued when King George VI gave Philip the title in 1947, Charles inherited the Edinburgh dukedom when Philip died – but he did not use it.
On the death of the Queen six months ago, Charles acceded to the throne and the title merged with the crown and could be granted to someone to someone else.
But despite agreeing to his father’s wishes in 1999, Charles was reported to be reluctant to hand the dukedom over to Edward when he became king.
He is known to be in favour of a slimmed-down monarchy.
Edward appeared to be aware of the uncertainty, hinting in a TV interview in the aftermath of Philip’s death: “It was kind of a pipe dream of my father’s… and naturally it would rely upon whether or not or not the Prince of Wales, when he turns into king, whether or not he’ll try this.”
To grant it to Edward, Charles might want to difficulty a brand new Letters Patent – an doc from a sovereign issued underneath the Great Seal of the Realm.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
