Prince Edward sparks question about his and Sophie Wessex’s future royal titles
Danielle Stacey
The Royal Family’s Instagram account shared footage of the Earl of Wessex’s visits to Blackpool and Preston
The royal family’s official Instagram account shared a roll of it Visit of the Earl of Wessex to Blackpool and Preston on Monday, and it sparked a reaction from her supporters.
While royal fans were delighted to see the highlights of Prince Edward’s engagement in relation to the Duke of Edinburgh’s award, as seen in the video below, many asked the same question in the comments.
WATCH: See highlights of Prince Edward’s visits to Preston and Blackpool
“I sincerely hope that the Earl of Wessex eventually becomes the Duke of Edinburgh, his family and he are one of the hardest working people in the royal family,” said one.
‘Will the Wessexes be the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh? Because they definitely deserve it,” asked another. A third added: “Edward must be made Duke of Edinburgh. Such a good man. Will honor his father.”
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It was said to have been Philip’s wish that Edward would inherit his title
It was always understood that the late Duke of Edinburgh wanted his youngest son Prince Edwardto inherit his title, but the decision is now up King Charles III.
As Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones Married in 1999, they received the titles Earl and Countess of Wessex.
But Buckingham Palace also announced that Edward would one day succeed his father as Duke of Edinburgh – but only after the death of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth the second.
The palace then said: “The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have also agreed that Prince Edward should in due course receive the Duchy of Edinburgh when the current title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.”
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Edward and Sophie received their Wessex titles on their wedding anniversary in 1999
Philip’s title passed to Charles upon his death in April 2021, and then merged with the crown when he ascended the throne last September.
The original decision to award Edward the title was made in recognition of his work with and commitment to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards – of which he is Trustee and Chairman of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards.
If the title is bestowed upon her, Edward’s wife Sophie will become the Duchess of Edinburgh – a courtesy title held by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Buckingham Palace is yet to make a formal announcement about the Wessexes’ future titles.
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