'Fitting tribute to the Queen': King Charles to bestow title of Duchess of Edinburgh on Princess Charlotte

King Charles also decided to bestow the title on Princess Charlotte as he wanted to 'honor' the line of succession

PUBLISHED NOV 27, 2022

King Charles will bestow the title of the Duchess of Edinburgh on Princess Charlotte (Jane Barlow/Getty Images; Royal Family/Twitter)

LONDON, ENGLAND: King Charles has reportedly decided not to make Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh as he wishes to pass on the title to his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, in a "fitting" tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September

Accordind to The Daily Mail, until now, Edward was expected to inherit the title as the Late Prince Philip himself wanted to bestow the title on his youngest son. However, the new monarch, who now has the power to make the decision, reportedly wants to keep the title to reportedly "honor the line of succession" by giving it to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s middle child, who is third in line to the throne.

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“Discussions are underway, but the favored 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 honor the line of succession," an insider reportedly said.

(L-R) Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge stand on the balcony during the Platinum Pageant on June 05, 2022 in London, England. The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II is being celebrated from June 2 to June 5, 2022, in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II on 6 February 1952. — Prince George, William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales stand on the balcony during the Platinum Pageant on June 5 in London, England (Photo by Leon Neal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Behind her brother Prince George, Charlotte still holds the position of third in line for the throne, even after the birth of their younger brother Prince Louis, because of the changed rules of Royal primogeniture which allows a girl born to a royal couple to have the same rights as a boy. "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," sources said, adding. "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."

(L-R) Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on the balcony of Buckingham Palace watch the RAF flypast during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2, 2022 in London, England. Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952. — Queen Consort Camilla, King Charles, the late Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Louis, Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and William, Prince of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace watch the RAF flypast during the Trooping the Colour parade on June 2 in London, England (Photo by Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The title of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the most senior titles a member of the royal family can ever have. The senior title has been granted just three times in the history of the monarchy. It was first created in 1726 by George I for his grandson Prince Frederick, who was in the direct line of succession. Then it was given in 1866 during Queen Victoria’s reign for her second son, Prince Alfred. Finally, Philip and the Queen became the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 1947.

For years, within the family, it was assumed that Charles’ brother Edward, the third son of the Queen and Philip, would be granted the title after his parents' death. The move was even noted in Edward’s biography on the royal website. however, the King had something else in mind. Speaking about the King’s decision, an insider said, "It shows you what the King is thinking. It’s about promoting those directly in line to the throne rather than those on the edges." A source close to Edward said that the the inaction on granting him the title has "not gone unnoticed". This reported move to focus on the line of succession comes as Charles plans a more modern, slimmed-down monarchy.