Just a quick clarification on the future of the title “the Duke of Edinburgh” because a few folk have been asking.

Philip was created Duke of Edinburgh at the time of his marriage to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947.  He held it for so long and with such distinction, that it’s difficult to envisage anyone else using it.

Nevertheless it is a title with a past and with a future.

When Philip’s youngest son, Prince Edward was married in 1999, it was announced that he would one day receive his father’s title.  Edward took on many of his father’s duties including responsibility for the iconic Duke of Edinburgh scheme.  Charles may be his mother’s heir.  Edward was being lined up to be their father’s.

But Edward cannot really receive the title until Charles is King.

Almost all hereditary peerages (titles like “duke”, “earl” and “baron”) are created for the holder and their “heirs male, lawfully begotten.”  Charles, as the eldest son, inherits the dukedom of Edinburgh.  To change this would require an act of Parliament.  It’s highly unlikely that Parliament will priorities sorting out a royal title over a bill on schools, budgets, hospital or Covid.

Charles could disclaim the title.  But it would still be held in reserve for his heirs and could not be easily given to Edward.

So Charles is the duke of Edinburgh.  However, it is unlikely that he will ever use the title.  He has many titles that most people know nothing of. 

When Charles becomes King all his other titles will “merge with the crown.”  He can then choose to recreate the dukedom of Edinburgh for Prince Edward, which he has publicly committed to doing.

If – God forbid – something happened to Charles before he became King, the Edinburgh title would be inherited by William.

In theory, the Queen could choose to create a new dukedom of Edinburgh for Edward now.  So there would be two dukes of Edinburgh at the same time.  It is highly unlikely that she will.  It would seem very irregular but as far as I know, there is no law against it.  In the 1900s there were two dukedoms of Fife in existence at the same time.  Though both were held by the same person.