03/10/2023 By Colette Lauture
King Charles III passed down his title as Duke of Edinburgh to his youngest brother Friday, Buckingham Palace said. A title once held by their late father, Prince Phillip, it was conferred to Prince Edward on his 59th birthday.
As her husband, Edward’s wife Sophie will now be known as the Duchess of Edinburgh. Their 15-year-old son James becomes Earl of Essex, Edward’s previous title.
Prince Philip was made Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 when he married the then Princess Elizabeth, holding this title until his death at age 99 in 2021. Philip requested that Edward get the dukedom after he and the queen died. Elizabeth died at the age of 96 in September.
A legacy Philip left behind is the Duke of Edinburgh awards, a well-known youth activities program founded in 1956.
The palace said the new Duke and Duchess are “proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
This announcement follows another title change this week, as Prince Harry and Meghan started officially using their titles as Prince and Princess for their children Archie and Lilibet.