UK has new Duke of Edinburgh as king gives his brother title

LONDON (AP) – King Charles III has created his youngest brother the Duke of Edinburgh, passing on the title held by their late father, Prince Philip.

Buckingham Palace said the title was conferred on Prince Edward on Friday, his 59th birthday.

Edward is the youngest of four children of Philip and the late Queen Elizabeth II. His wife Sophie will now be known as the Duchess of Edinburgh, and their 15-year-old son James has become the Earl of Wessex, having previously been titled Edward.

Prince Philip was created Duke of Edinburgh when he married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947, and held the title until his death in 2021 at the age of 99. Philip wished that Edward should inherit the dukedom after him and the queen. Both died. Elizabeth died in September at the age of 96.

One of Philip’s legacies is the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a popular youth activities program established in 1956.

The palace said that “the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”

The announcement comes after another title change this week when Prince Harry and Meghan officially began using the titles Prince and Princess for their children Archie and Lilibet.