On his brother's birthday, King Charles decided to mark the occasion by bestowing upon Edward and Sophie the prestigious titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. These titles hold historical significance as they previously belonged to their father, Prince Philip, who sadly passed away in April 2021 at the age of 99. But here's where things get interesting – instead of keeping these titles as is, King Charles has chosen to make them life peerages. This means they won't automatically pass on to Edward's son, James, the Earl of Wessex.
Oh, the controversy! Daily Mail commentator Richard Eden didn't mince words, calling it a mistake and suggesting that upgrading the titles would be a better way to celebrate Edward and Sophie's importance. He even hinted that it might encourage their son, James, to get more involved with royal duties, perhaps a subtle jab at Harry and Meghan's choices. But wait, the drama doesn't stop there.
Former Sun Royal editor Charles Ray weighed in on the debate, disagreeing with the idea of making the title hereditary. He pointed out that when Edward and Sophie's time comes, the title will revert back to the crown, and the reigning monarch will decide who gets it. He dismissed the notion of hereditary titles and raised the question of whether James even wants to work within the royal family. Ray also casually mentioned the increasing roles of young royals like George, Charlotte, and Louis, implying that there might be enough working roles by the time they come of age.
And just when you thought things couldn't get more intriguing, Ray dropped a bombshell by questioning the idea of making the title of Duchess of Edinburgh hereditary, suggesting that Sophie and Edward might not be particularly interested in it.
So here we are, in the midst of a royal debate that's raising eyebrows and reshaping the monarchy. Charles's decision to upgrade the titles has sent shockwaves through the monarchy, leaving Prince Harry and Meghan to ponder their diminishing relevance within the royal family. While others are getting the royal treatment, they might be left wondering about their own standing.
