For more than 20 years, it was assumed that one day Prince Edward would assume the Dukedom of Edinburgh.
Prince Philip’s youngest son was lined up for the title by the man himself and the decision was shared on the day that Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in June 1999.
However, there seems to have been a shift in tone from royal sources in recent months following on from the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III.
After Prince Philip’s death in April 2021, as his eldest son, the then Prince Charles inherited the Dukedom of Edinburgh.
As he was already Prince of Wales, this title outranked all others, meaning he was not known by his inherited dukedom.
On September 8 2022, when he became King, all of Charles’s former titles were merged into the Crown, and now cease to exist.
This was always the plan, with the understanding that the Queen and the then Prince of Wales had agreed on the couple inheriting the title in due course.
All that needs to occur now is for The King to grant assent to the fourth creation of the Dukedom of Edinburgh and bestow it on his youngest brother.
So, why hasn’t this yet happened?
Perhaps The King has had a change of heart. He is well known for wanting a slimmed down monarchy, and might feel as though it could be a royal title lost in generations to come.
For example, within a generation, two current royal dukedoms will pass out of the immediate Royal Family. The Duke of Kent and the Duke of Gloucester are both grandsons of a Monarch (George V) and have carried out royal duties for decades.
But their families are different – both have male heirs with their own male heirs. The succession to their titles is secure. However, none of their descendants have royal roles and won’t take on royal duties when they inherit their dukedoms.
Could The King be considering the impact of a new wave of dukes with no duties?
After all, Prince Edward does have an heir – his son, James, was born in 2007.
He is currently known by his father’s secondary title, Viscount Severn, as is traditional. But Edward as Duke of Edinburgh would see James, in time, succeed to a dukedom. Would this fit with The King’s vision of a drastically reduced Royal Family?
In equal measures, perhaps we are all guilty of jumping the gun. Who is to say the Dukedom will not be offered to Prince Edward in time? Either way, it is a question that continues to live in the minds of royal watchers.
Research and additional reporting by Lydia Starbuck.
