Queen Elizabeth’s youngest son Prince Edward was promised by his parents that he will be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh after Prince Philip’s death. A statement made by Buckingham Place 23 years ago read:
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The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have also agreed that Prince Edward should be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title held now by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.
No change of titles
However, in a recent twist, a palace insider claims that King Charles has no plans to give the title of Duke of Edinburgh to Prince Edward. In his bid to ‘slim down’ the monarchy, passing down the title to Prince Edward would apparently invalidate his motive.
Since giving the title to Prince Edward would eventually mean that the title will be inherited by his son James, Viscount Severn. So, the monarch is allegedly going to keep the title for himself and not use it. A palace source told MailOnline:
The King wants to slim down the monarchy [so] it wouldn't make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh.
It's a hereditary title which would then be passed on to the Earl and Countess of Wessex's son, James, Viscount Severn.
Essentially, this was accepted by the Earl when he agreed that his children would not be a prince or princess.
Broken Promises
Reportedly, a pledge confirming that Prince Edward would one day be granted the Dukedom of Edinburgh was written and given to Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex as a wedding present in June 1999.
It is believed at the time of Prince Edward’s wedding, King Charles agreed to his parents’ wish. However, the monarch is now apparently going to break that promise and rewrite the monarchy in a more modern and ‘slimmed down’ way.
Source Used
Daily Mail: Charles 'TEARS UP Queen's wedding day pledge to make Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh': Palace sources say Earl of Wessex WON'T get his late father's title 'because it would pass down to his son James and ruin King's hopes for slimmed-down monarchy'
