Following the sad death and funeral of Prince Philip in 2021, there is one question that has crossed many peoples mind.
The day before his wedding to the then Princess Elizabeth, the title of Duke of Edinburgh was given to Philip on November 19, 1947 by King George VI. Philip was actually the third person to hold the title which was created in 1726.
But who will be next to take the title now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away and Charles is now King?
Who is the new Duke of Edinburgh?
When Prince Philip’s youngest son Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones married in 1999, they were given the titles the Earl and Countess of Wessex. However, at this time, Buckingham Palace also revealed that Edward would eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh following the event of his father's death.
Originally, in keeping with the Letters Patent issued - when George VI gave Philip the title in 1947 - the title was automatically inherited by Charles, Prince of Wales, as the duke's eldest son.
However, following the death of the Queen and King Charles's accession to the throne, the title has now merged with the crown and the Dukedom of Edinburgh would cease to exist if it was not granted to Edward.
It occurs this way because Edward is the youngest of three sons, meaning he is not being given the title by direct inheritance.
The Earl of Wessex has certainly proved his capabilities as the Duke of Edinburgh, taking on many of his father's patronages. He is a trustee of the much-loved Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and patron of the Edinburgh International Festival.
It was confirmed in March 2023 that King Charles had granted Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh title.
The new title means that Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, will now become the Duchess of Edinburgh.