KING Charles has appointed the new Duke of Edinburgh ending years of speculation.
Prince Edward has been named Duke of Edinburgh today on his 59th birthday, Buckingham Palace has announced.
King Charles has given Prince Edward a new title on his 59th birthday
He has inherited his late father’s title – Duke of Edinburgh
He was promised the title when he married Sophie, Countess of Wessex
The King is “pleased” to confer the title upon Prince Edward on his birthday, a spokesperson said.
It comes two years since the death of Prince Philip, who held the title for almost six decades.
Edward and Sophie, formally the Earl and Countess of Wessex, will now be Duke and Duchess.
The late Queen and Prince Philip had promised Prince Edward would get the title after his father’s death when he married in 1999.
Their 15-year-old son James has got a promotion and been upgraded from a Viscount to the new Earl of Wessex.
But there is no change in titles for their daughter Lady Louise, 19, who is studying at University of St Andrews.
The Earldom of Forfar remains with the new Duke of Edinburgh for His Royal Highness’ lifetime.
Since the Dukedom of Edinburgh is the more senior Scottish title, this is what HRH will use.
Prince Edward, who had been the Earl of Wessex, has already taken a number of his father’s patronages.
He is a trustee of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and a patron of the Edinburgh International Festival.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said today: “His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness’s 59th birthday.
“The title will be held by Prince Edward for His Royal Highness’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 continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
It comes as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s kids Archie and Lilibet are now officially a prince and princess.
The youngsters became prince and princess when the King acceded to the throne, but remained a plain “master” and “miss” on the Palace website for the past six months.
The line of succession was updated to reflect the change this week.
Archie and Lilibet now appear as Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.
Harry and Meghan intend to reserve the titles for formal settings, it is understood.
Their spokesperson said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch.
“This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
The late Queen and Prince Philip promised the title to Prince Edward
Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex pose with their children Louise and James
