Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh

[AuroraStar]

Mar 10, 2023 9:53:05 GMT -4 phillipa said:

The past week has made me feel bad for Louise. James is already a Viscount, and unless the titles are only for Edward's life (as they might be, since if primogeniture were how it worked Charles should be Duke of Edinburgh), he'll be both an Earl and a Duke in due course. The Sussex kids get to be Prince and Princess. Meanwhile, Louise gets to be "Lady" and that's it.

I realize absolutely none of this matters in real life but still.

From what I've read, Edward and Sohpie had decided to let their children choose at age 18 whether they wanted to take Princess and Prince titles (Louise and James are entitled to those titles, being in the male line, if they want them). Louise is now 19 and the Royal Family website still titles her Lady, which suggests she chose not to take the Princess title. That's the accepted theory, in my understanding.

[Ginger]

Mar 13, 2005 19:13:01 GMT -4 AuroraStar said:

That's the accepted theory, in my understanding.

That's my understanding as well. Having the titles doesn't mean you have to use them...And not using the titles doesn't mean you don't still have them.

Conventional wisdom has always been that raising children who are on the outer branches of the royal tree without titles would signal to the press and public that the kids are on the "normal life" path and are therefore off limits. (As opposed to direct heirs, who have a public element to their lives, even when they are little.) It's a way of drawing a boundary to protect them.

And then there's the very recent idea espoused by only one royal couple that doing the opposite and grabbing at Prince and Princess titles regardless of how out of place they are in the child's life will provide protection, but the logic behind that choice is unknown.

[romanova]

Really lovely news for a family that has spent years in the trenches in support of the monarchy. Perhaps more combative, less humble family members might learn something from Edward and Sophie about service to crown and country, but they won't.

[Auroranorth]

I think Louise will get to hit that Sarah Chatto sweet spot in the family, where she has the fun and the pomp and the money and the close-knit family life, but without the duties and responsibilities and scrutiny that come with being a senior royal. She's got the freedom to pretty much do what she wants, whether that's to build a career or get married and start a family or both or neither (to an extent.) This is the kid who could quietly work in a garden center over the summer to gain real world work experience, which is something the rest of her family could not pull off. Now she's off at university and we don't hear much about her except at moments like this.

[boxofrocks]

Good for Edward and Sophie! They tried a HIHO-like arrangement at first and made mistakes. They learned from their errors and buckled down as full-time royals. Sophie in particular has done strong work on supporting organizations against gender-based violence in combat zones.

[OnyxRose]

Mar 10, 2023 14:25:08 GMT -4 Auroranorth said:

I think Louise will get to hit that Sarah Chatto sweet spot in the family, where she has the fun and the pomp and the money and the close-knit family life, but without the duties and responsibilities and scrutiny that come with being a senior royal. She's got the freedom to pretty much do what she wants, whether that's to build a career or get married and start a family or both or neither (to an extent.) This is the kid who could quietly work in a garden center over the summer to gain real world work experience, which is something the rest of her family could not pull off. Now she's off at university and we don't hear much about her except at moments like this.

Louise and especially James just seem so shy. I do hope they’ll be like Margaret’s children and carve a nice career for themselves. It’s what they were raised knowing and that will serve them well.

[Spinderella]

I'm so happy for Edward! It is well-deserved and respectful of Her Majesty's wishes. If Charles III is still King when Edward dies, he could pass it on to one of William's children (Charlotte or Louis since George would be the direct heir) or if William is King, do the same or even give it to Edward's son. Hard to say and it would really depend on if they truly want it.

I, too feel that Louise and James are extremely shy. Maybe down the road if Louise is older and wants to take on some responsibilities within the BRF and if the roles are still available, she could become Princess Louise, but I doubt it.

[luckylexie]

Is there a reason why Edward only gets Duke of Edinburgh for life? Is it to avoid creating James a duke because his parents prefer that he lives a lower-key life without the baggage of that title? Or is it because the dukedom belongs/reverts to the monarch when the holder dies?

[Ginger]

Don't all of the royal dukedoms being bestowed upon family members go back to the crown? When Andrew dies, York will go back (and would even if he'd had a son). The Sussex Dukedom is not getting passed down to Archie, etc.

[luckylexie]

I didn’t know that. I thought Archie would become Duke of Sussex.