Major update to royal titles with Charles ‘set to make his brother the Duke of Edinburgh’ after ‘insulting’ snub
KING Charles is set to make a major update to the royal titles by making his brother Duke of Edinburgh, a source has said.
It comes after Charles was said to have wanted Princess Charlotte to take the title as a “fitting way to remember the Queen”.
His Majesty’s younger brother Edward had been expected to inherit the Dukedom after Prince Philip’s death last year.
And it has led to months of speculation as to why he withheld it from the Earl of Wessex.
Tensions within the family rose when it appeared that Charles may hand his late father’s title to his granddaughter.
But according to new reports, the King is said to be keen to make amends with Edward after the “insulting” snub.
The brothers are reportedly close, with the monarch said to have relied on Edward’s advice while dealing with disgraced Prince Andrew.
A source close to Edward told the Mail on Sunday: “It was a slap in the face, particularly when Edward has been such a help to Charles over the Andrew farrago.
‘”Also because the Queen had promised him the title before she died and it was always believed by Edward and Sophie that, in time, the title would then be passed down to their son, Viscount Severn.
“Now it does look like the tide is turning. Clearly the King has had time to reflect on the late Queen’s wishes.”
Another source reported that the King might ask for the title to revert to the Crown after Edward dies.
The insider said: “The problem is you can have a situation where, in future, a senior title like Edinburgh, which is very important to the Union, is eventually held by someone far removed from the Throne.”
Princess Charlotte potentially taking the title had got royal fans talking.
The young princess is the first female member of the Royal Family whose place in the line of succession has not been altered by her younger brother’s birth.
Royal rules which previously meant girls were leapfrogged by their younger brothers were changed in 2013.
Unlike Charlotte, Princess Anne dropped down in the line of succession when her younger brothers were born.
It comes after reports that King Charles has made a major change to his coronation dress code.
The King wants his Coronation to represent the “modern 21st century monarchy” so will not wear old fashioned stockings and breeches.
Instead, he has opted to wear military uniform instead when he is crowned at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
The King and Queen Consort will be crowned side-by-side in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6 — which is also the fourth birthday of Harry and Meghan’s son Archie.
To reflect the modern monarchy, dukes — including Harry if he attends — will no longer have to kneel and swear allegiance.
Only the Prince of Wales will carry out the symbolic gesture, it is believed.