Prince Edward’s joy at having his father’s dukedom conferred upon him by King Charles for his 59th birthday was short-lived once it was revealed a shocking caveat had been placed on the precious gift!
With Edward’s wife Sophie also upgraded to a duchess, the Duke of Edinburgh has historically been a hereditary title.
WATCH: Everything to know about Lady Louise Windsor, Sophie of Wessex and Prince Edward’s daughter
Yet Buckingham Palace announced that it “will be held” by Prince Edward only for his lifetime. It will then revert back to the Crown to be redistributed, instead of passing onto either of his two children.
While Edward’s son James, 15, now takes on the Earl of Wessex title, his 19-year-old daughter Lady Louise’s status remains unchanged – a situation seen by many as “unjust” and “archaic”.
“[Louise] seems to be a very bright young lady with the potential to be a royal star so I think she would be a great asset,” royal expert Phil Dampier tells New Idea.
“It is unfair, of course, that she is older than her brother but beneath him in the line of succession. While James is now the Earl of Wessex, her status remains the same. The ancient primogeniture laws need to be changed to reflect that.”
The dukedome was first promised to Edward and Sophie, 58, on their wedding day by the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Now that it’s eventually going to be handed back, the Windsor family have a rare chance to right a royal wrong.
Once Edward passes away, it’s possible that the ruling monarch could make Louise the Duchess of Edinburgh in her own right, bestowing the title held by Prince Philip for 73 years on his “favourite grandchild”.
“Sophie in particular is very frustrated and thinks the King should have thought to put something in place for Louise to inherit the Edinburgh title after her dad,” a source tells New Idea.
“It’s something she’s steeling herself to bring to Prince William to keep in mind for when he’s the king.”
WATCH: Princess Charlotte reminds Prince George to bow at The Queen’s funeral
But a new war of the Windsors could be brewing between the Edinburghs and the Waleses with matters complicated by reports that William, 41, might be eyeing up the highly coveted title for his own daughter, Princess Charlotte, 7.
Given that the Queen held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before she ascended the throne, it would be a “fitting way to remember [her] and a way for His Majesty to honour the line of succession,” a source told a British newspaper just weeks ago.
Who gets the title next is a decision likely to fall on William’s shoulders.
“He might well want Charlotte to have the title, especially as she is next in line to the throne after George,” says Phil.
For more, pick up the latest issue of New Idea!
