Prince Edward To Inherit Prince Philip’s Title For This Surprising Reason

Prince Edward will inherit Prince Philip’s dukedom title for a surprising reason.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, Prince Edward, will be inheriting the Duke of Edinburgh title. However, there is a surprising reason why the dukedom will be passed down to the Count of Wessex.

According to royal expert Iain MacMarthanne, the Duke of Edinburgh title will go to Prince Edward to “ensure its survival.”

“In respect of the dukedom of Edinburgh it was felt to ensure its survival that it should pass to another of his sons - this being Prince Edward,” MacMathanne told Express.

The 99-year-old royal still holds the title and once it is passed down to his youngest child it would mean that Prince Edward would also take over the Award scheme that Prince Philip founded in 1956.

“Nothing has been confirmed but Edward, who will inherit his father’s title in due course, is almost certain to take over the Award, too,” Penny Junor wrote in her 2005 book “The Firm.”

“He is just as passionate about it as his father, and, having done it himself – which his father never could because he was over age for the Award when it was launched – he is the best possible ambassador for the organisation.”

However, there were some concerns about Prince Edward taking over the role from his dad. According to Junor, although the father and son share the same passion for the award, the older royal remains a “stronger brand.”

“Director of the Award Mike Gretton is privately worried about what will happen when the Duke of Edinburgh goes because he is a stronger brand than Edward,” Junor explained.

“But he has absolutely no doubt that in fundraising terms, and also organisationally, having the royal connection is very important to the organisation.”

Meanwhile, Prince Edward’s wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, revealed earlier that their children Lady Louise Windsor, 16, and James, Viscount Severn, 12, are unlikely to use their royal titles when they turn 18.

The countess explained that they brought up their kids with the understanding that they are likely to have to work for a living. That’s the reason why the royal couple refused to use the HRH title for them. The Count and Countess of Wessex’s children can decide for themselves if they would want the HRH title when they reach the legal age, but the royal mom believes that her children wouldn’t take it.