PRINCESS Charlotte is set to become the Duchess of Edinburgh after Prince Edward missed out on the title, a source has said.
The King is said to want his granddaughter to take it as a “fitting way to remember the Queen”, who was also Duchess of Edinburgh, they added.
Princess Charlotte is set to become the Duchess of Edinburgh
King Charles’ younger brother Prince Edward, right, had previously been expected to inherit the title
His Majesty’s younger brother had been expected to inherit the Dukedom after Prince Philip’s death last year. Months of speculation have followed as to why he withheld it from the Earl of Wessex.
A source told the Mail on Sunday: “Discussions are under way, but the favoured outcome for the King is that this title ought to go to Princess Charlotte.
“It would be a fitting way to remember the Queen – who, of course, had the title Duchess of Edinburgh – and a way for His Majesty to honour the line of succession.”
Princess Charlotte is the first female member of the Royal Family whose place in the line of succession has not been altered by her younger brother’s birth.
Royal rules which previously meant girls were leapfrogged by their younger brothers were changed in 2013.
Unlike Charlotte, Princess Anne dropped down in the line of succession when her younger brothers were born.
The source said: “Charlotte’s position is historically significant because she is the first female member of the Royal Family whose place in the line of succession will not be surpassed by her younger brother.
“So it is constitutionally significant that Charlotte should be given such a corresponding title, because it is not beyond the realms of possibility that she will accede the throne if, for example, Prince George does not have children.”
The title of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the most senior of all in the Royal Family.
Last week a source suggested Prince Edward would be missing out on the title.
It was suggested then that the King would simply keep the title for himself to align with his goals of a slimmed-down monarchy.
The late Queen and Prince Philip had promised that Prince Edward would get the title after his father’s death when he married Sophie Wessex in 1999.
It came after the King asked Parliament to expand his Counsellors of State to include Prince Edward and Princess Anne.
His siblings will be able to stand in for him when he is overseas or unwell.
