Prince Philip’s death: Who is next Duke of Edinburgh? Here’s why Edward will get title when Charles becomes king
On April 9, 2021, Buckingham Palace announced the death of Prince Phillip. With his passing, Queen Elizabeth II's consort also left vacant the title of Duke of Edinburgh, which would have been inherited by his eldest son, Prince Charles. The title cannot lie with Charles as it will 'merge with the crown' when he ascends the throne. The title would then cease to exist but can be regranted, so Charles will eventually pass it on to his brother, Prince Edward.
His Royal Highness, the late Prince Philip was given the title by his father-in-law King George VI in 1947, before his and the Queen's wedding. Keeping with the Letters Patent issued by the monarch, Philip's title would have been inherited by his son, the Prince of Wales, Charles. The Evening Standard however explains how this title will 'merge with the crown' and shall therefore be bestowed upon Charles' youngest sibling, the Earl of Wessex, Edward.
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The decision to pass the title on to Prince Edward was made by the Queen, her late husband Philip, and their son Charles back in 1999, when Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones. In an announcement made via Buckingham Palace, the couple was also granted the titles of Earl and Countess of Wessex, and at the same time it was revealed that Edward would eventually become the next Duke of Edinburgh when Charles becomes king, not before that reports Daily Mail. The title was also in recognition of Edward's work with the youth award program called the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, reports the outlet, adding that he's also a trustee of the same.
Edward's wife, the Countess of Wessex, will also gain the Queen's other current title - Duchess of Edinburgh - after the monarch passes, reports Daily Mail. Princes Charles and Edward are the seventh and eighth people to hold the title of Duke of Edinburgh - whose origins lie in the Peerage of Great Britain. The title was created in 1726 for Prince Frederick, who went on to become the Prince of Wales. When Prince Philip was given the title, he had to give up his former titles as Prince of Greece and Denmark. In 1957, Philip's wife, the Queen, granted him the royal title of prince, announcing that he would henceforth be known as His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In their recent statement announcing Prince Philip's death, the palace wrote: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will be made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss.”
As reported by MEAWW, the late Duke of Edinburgh was being treated for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition. Sources say his death at the age of 99 was sudden and unexpected, but peaceful as he was in the company of his dear 'Lilibet'. Followers of the royal family are crushed that the prince couldn't make it to his landmark 100th birthday, for which a grand celebration was planned.