When it comes to the British royal family, some members are more visible than others. For example, everyone knows the late Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, and younger royals like Prince Harry and Prince William. But some might be surprised to learn that the Queen and Prince Philip actually had four children: King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
Ahead of King Charles's coronation, here's everything you need to know about this younger brother, the newly named Duke of Edinburgh.
He's Queen Elizabeth's youngest son.
Prince Edward was born on March 10, 1964. At the time of his birth, he was third in line to the throne, behind his two older brothers, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, but before his older sister Princess Anne. Following the Queen's death, he's 14th in the order of succession. Upon news that the Queen was not in good health, he and his wife Sophie immediately traveled to Balmoral to be by her side.
Edward currently holds the title of Duke of Edinburgh, in addition to Prince.
Upon marriage, royal princes often receive a dukedom from the monarch; however, on Edward's wedding day, he was given the title of Earl of Wessex. In March of 2018, he was also given the title of Earl of Forfar to use in Scotland, as a birthday gift from his mother.
On March 10, 2023, King Charles conferred the title of Duke of Edinburgh upon his brother.
"His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness’s 59th birthday. The title will be held by Prince Edward for His Royal Highness’s lifetime," reads a press release shared by the royal family that day.
"The Dukedom was last created for Prince Philip in 1947, upon his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, who held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before acceding to the throne in 1952.
The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential."
As a result of Edward's new title, his son James will now use the Earl of Wessex title
Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.
Edward is the only one of his siblings who has not divorced. He married Sophie Rhys-Jones back in June of 1999 in a relatively private ceremony (by royal standards) in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, and in June of 2019, the couple celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. The happy couple have two children together, Lady Louise Windsor, and James, Viscount Severn.
He's now a full-time royal.
After a stint in the marines and an attempt at a television production career, Edward began to take over many of the responsibilities and engagements of his late father, Prince Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017. He is particularly involved in work for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which Philip founded in 1956 to help young people develop life and work skills, as well as the youth-focused The Earl and Countess of Wessex Trust. He has been the Chairman of the Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation since 2015.
Both he and his wife were rumored to be favorites of the Queen.
They are only rumors, to be certain, but the couple had a special relationship with the Queen.
"[Countess Sophie] is trusted and relied on by the Queen in a way I couldn't say applied to the Duchess of Cambridge or the Duchess of Cornwall," a royal aide told the Daily Mail. "She is like another daughter to Her Majesty, they are that close."
Similarly, a royal insider told Express: "Edward has moulded into a quiet and efficient figure who does not seek attention or acquire headlines. He and Sophie are liked for being dutiful and uncomplaining."
(It should also be noted that there is speculation that Prince Andrew was the Queen's favorite, and Princess Anne was favored by her father, so who knows?)
As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects
