A Buckingham Palace source had reportedly revealed that Prince Edward is unlikely to be named Duke of Edinburgh due to King Charles’ plan to slim down the monarchy.
It was expected that the Earl of Wessex, the only of the Queen's sons not to be a duke, would one day inherit his dad's title. The title moved to Charles following the death of Prince Philip last year - but now it appears as though it may not be given to Edward.
As reported by the Mirror, this is despite the late Queen and Prince Philip having said Edward would inherit the title "in due course" when, in 1999, he married Sophie Rhys-Jones. But Charles is widely believed to favour slimming down the monarchy - and it's now claimed that he is not keen on the idea.
"The King wants to slim down the monarchy [so] it wouldn't make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh," a palace source told The Daily Mail.
"The King wants to slim down the monarchy, as is well known. That means it wouldn't make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh. It's a hereditary title which would then be passed on to the Earl and Countess of Wessex's son, James, Viscount Severn," said the source.
"Essentially, this was accepted by the Earl when he agreed that his children would not be a prince or princess."
It contradicts a statement issued when Edward got married in 1999 saying Charles was happy for him to inherit his father’s title.
At the time Buckingham Palace said in the statement: “The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have also agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title held now by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.”
Previously, Edward has stated how the final decision remains with Charles.
Edward told the BBC: “It was fine in theory, ages ago when it was sort of a pipe dream of my father’s .... and of course it will depend on whether or not the Prince of Wales, when he becomes King, whether he’ll do that, so we’ll wait and see. So yes, it will be quite a challenge taking that on.”
The Mirror has contacted the Palace for comment.
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