Kate Middleton's royal title 'almost went to someone else' before 'intervention'
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Within the ranks of the royal family, it's common for senior royals to be known by their secondary titles such as Duke, Duchess, Earl, and Countess, to name a few. Each title is distinctive, often passed down through generations, yet occasionally, more than one Royal could be in line for the same title.
Back in 1999, a unique situation arose that nearly saw the now-Princess of Wales miss out on her former title as the Duchess of Cambridge. When Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward in 1999, it was anticipated that Edward would receive the prestigious title of Duke of Cambridge, making Sophie the Duchess of Cambridge.
However, according to an insider speaking to The Telegraph in 2010, Prince Edward found inspiration from the silver screen to choose a different path, eschewing the dukedom earmarked for him, unlike his elder sibling Prince Andrew.
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The palace source divulged: "Prince Edward was going to be the Duke of Cambridge, but he watched the film Shakespeare in Love, which had a character called the Earl of Wessex. He liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead."
Therefore, Sophie was styled as the Countess of Wessex, leaving the Cambridge titles to be bestowed upon Prince William and Kate Middleton upon their marriage in 2011, reports the Mirror.
(Image: Jason Dawson/JASONPIX)
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
In 2024, Prince Edward and Sophie underwent another title change, becoming the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in honour of Edward's late father, Prince Philip. This change was part of the celebrations for Edward's 59th birthday in March.
The Duke of Edinburgh title has a long history, having been first created for Prince Frederick, the eldest son of King George II, back in 1726. In 1764, it was bestowed upon Prince William, brother of King George III, as part of the joint title The Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh.
Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria's second son, assumed the title in 1866, before it was passed on to Prince Philip upon his marriage to the late Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Edward is now the fifth holder of the Duke of Edinburgh title, which he will retain for the rest of his life.
However, the title is no longer hereditary, meaning there's no guarantee that it will be passed on to Edward and Sophie's son James when Edward passes away.
This could potentially see the title being handed down to one of the children of the Prince and Princess of Wales in the future, with Prince Louis being the most likely candidate to inherit it.
The practice of bestowing specific titles upon royals is rooted in a long history of lineage and land ownership, with each title signifying everything from a royal's duties and responsibilities to the correct way to address them.
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