Prince Edward given new title with special link to father Prince Philip as he marks 59th birthday

Prince Edward has been granted the royal title Duke of Edinburgh by his brother, King Charles III.

• Prince Edward has received the royal title Duke of Edinburgh in a nod to his late father Prince Philip.
• The former Earl of Wessex takes the title on his 59th birthday.
• This royal news comes after Kate Middleton wore Princess Charlotte's favourite hairstyle as she rocked camo in the snow for a special visit.

Prince Edward is to be known as the Duke of Edinburgh, following in the footsteps of his late father Prince Philip, after King Charles awarded him the special title to mark his 59th birthday.

The former Earl of Wessex, who lives at Bagshot Park, will formally be known as the Duke of Edinburgh after King Charles confirmed the Dukedom on March 10th.

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Wessex will now be known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Their son James Viscount, 15, has also been issued a title channge, taking on his father's former title to become the Earl of Wessex. 

Meanwhile, there is no change for Sophie and Edward's daughter, Lady Louise, 19, who is studying at the University of St. Andrews.

His new royal title comes after Archie and Lilbet was given new royal titles just days after Lilibet's secret chirstening.

The official announcement was made on the Royal Family website in a statement that reads, "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."

The post went on to explain the history of the title telling royal fans, "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."

And the palace revealed how Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, will continue the legacy of the title.

It added, "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."

The royal line of succession will be updated with the new title details.

It was first thought that the Duke of Edinburgh title would be given to someone else.

The Royal Highness was created Earl of Wessex in 1999, on the occasion of his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones.

In 2019, Queen Elizabeth II granted The Earl of Wessex the additional title of Earl of Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness’s 55th birthday.

Who has previously held the Prince of Edinburgh royal title?

The Dukedom has previously been created four times for Members of the Royal Family:

• 1726 - Prince Frederick, eldest son of King George II.
• 1764 – Prince William, brother of King George III, as part of the joint title , The Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.
• 1866 – Prince Alfred, second son of Queen Victoria.
• 1947 – Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II.