un nice gift for 59 years of Prince Edward. Today, her birthday – and after months of waiting – the youngest son of Elizabeth II receives the title of Duke of Edinburgh from King Charles. His mother had promised him on his wedding day with Sophie, June 19, 1999, and now it’s finally his.
Edward, new Duke of Edinburgh
In reality, Edoardo had already expected the title to be conferred upon Filippo’s death, in April 2021. Also because, in the last years of his father’s life, the youngest son of Elizabeth II had already taken over various charitable offices and responsibilities of the parent and was seen as the most likely heir. However, it took Carlo a long time to decide.
King Charles’s doubts about the Duchy of Edinburgh
The problem for Charles was that Edward, currently only 13th in line to the throne, is set to descend even further when William and Kate’s children have children of their own. A title like the dukedom of Edinburgh, not hereditaryis considered too prestigious to end up in the hands of a less important Royal.
Edoardo and Sophie at an event in London last December (Getty Images)
Upon Philip’s death the title reverted to the Crown
King Charles even thought of conferring the title on himself, but then decided to honor the wishes of both parents, thanking his brother Edoardo for the loyal service dedicated up to now to the monarchical institutionespecially after Harry and Meghan’s abandonment of their duties at court.
At Trooping The Colour: Edoardo with Sophie and children Lady Louise Windsor and James, London, June 2022 (WireImage)
King Charles would have liked to pass it to Louis already
The duchy will remain to Edward for the rest of his life, but on his death it will revert to the hands of the Crown. The monarch of the moment will therefore almost certainly pass it on to Louis – third son of William and Kate and therefore closest to the throne in succession – rather than to James, 15 years old and second son of Edward and Sophie, who instead inherits from his father that of count of Wessex.
Edoardo and Sophie on their wedding day in Windsor, June 19, 1999 (Getty Images)
The rise of Sophie, the “rock” of Elizabeth and now of King Charles
For years she was Queen Elizabeth’s confidante and now Sophie, 58, is rewarded for her efforts towards the monarchy: left the title of countess, becomes duchess of Edinburgh. No change, however, for her daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor. It is dictated by the ancient monarchical laws of primogeniture, despite the fact that she is her eldest daughter.
Duke of Edinburgh, a rare title
In the history of the British monarchy the title of Duke of Edinburgh has only been conferred four times, starting with 1726 and by Prince Frederick, eldest son of King George II. Four decades later it passed to William, brother of George III and, in 1866, to Alfredo, second son of Queen Victoria.
A very young Edward with his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and father Philip, in 1976 (Getty Images)
Follow us on TwitterSpaces!
Read the book by iO Donna, Princesses you become! From Kate Middleton to Letizia of Spain
Buy it online on Prima Edicola for 9.90 euros.
Listen to the free podcast about the British royals
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED