Duke of Edinburgh
Encyclopedia
The Duke of Edinburgh is a British royal title, named after the city of Edinburgh
, Scotland
, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726. The current holder is Prince Philip
, the royal consort to Elizabeth II.
The title was first created in the Peerage of Great Britain
on 26 July 1726 by George I
, who bestowed it on his grandson Prince Frederick
, who also became Prince of Wales
the following year. Upon Frederick's death, the title was inherited by his son Prince George. When Prince George became King George III
in 1760, the title "merged into the crown
", and ceased to exist.
Four years later, on 19 November 1764, George III created a variation of the title for his younger brother, Prince William
, the full form being "Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh". In 1805, that title was inherited by William's only son, Prince William Fredrick
, who died without a male heir, causing the title to cease to exist.
Queen Victoria re-created the title on 24 May 1866 for her second son Prince Alfred
, this time in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
. When Alfred became the sovereign of the two German duchies
Saxe-Coburg
and Saxe-Gotha
in 1893, he and his five children had to renounce their British titles, so the title ceased to exist again.
The title was created for a third time on 19 November 1947 by George VI
, who bestowed it the next day on his son-in-law Lt. Philip Mountbatten
, when he married Princess Elizabeth. Earlier that year, Philip had renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles (he was born a Prince of Greece and Denmark, being a male-line grandson of king George I of Greece
and male-line great-grandson of king Christian IX of Denmark
) along with his rights to the Greek throne. In 1957, Philip became a Prince of the United Kingdom
.
, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, that he would follow his father as Duke of Edinburgh—when that title "eventually reverts to the crown". The process by which this might happen is not simple, and will almost certainly not involve Edward directly inheriting the title from his father.
Like all British dukedoms, the title of Duke of Edinburgh passes to the sons in order of age (i.e. "heirs-male" under standard Salic law
succession), unless it merges with the crown; and Edward is currently fifth in this line of succession, following his two elder brothers, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, and Prince Charles' two sons, Princes William and Harry. Thus, if the present duke dies while his wife is still the monarch, the title will be inherited by his eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales
or Charles' heir William, Duke of Cambridge if he is deceased. Consequently, the Dukedom of Edinburgh can merge with the crown only when Charles (or his heir) has inherited both the dukedom and the throne. The only way that Edward can inherit the title directly from his father is in the very unlikely event of both his elder brothers and both nephews predeceasing the Duke of Edinburgh, or if the Queen grants her husband a second dukedom of Edinburgh with a special remainder to Edward. Special remainders permit successions without the usual rules, such as the inheritance of the second Dukedom of Fife
, which passed to Edward VII's granddaughter while the original title became extinct.
(1461–1498) in the BBC historical comedy television series The Black Adder
. Rowan Atkinson
played the fictional Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Duke of Edinburgh, Laird of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles, Lord Warden of the Royal Privies, Archbishop of Canterbury
, who was the illegitimate son of Donald MacAngus, third duke of Argyll and Queen Gertrude of Flanders
. Prince Edmund was therefore the stepson of King Richard IV (a fictionalised version of Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York
); however, his illegitimacy was unknown to the King. He had Scottish titles despite Scotland being a separate kingdom at the time.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, which has been conferred upon members of the British royal family only four times times since its creation in 1726. The current holder is Prince Philip
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
, the royal consort to Elizabeth II.
History of the title
Peerage of Great Britain
The Peerage of Great Britain comprises all extant peerages created in the Kingdom of Great Britain after the Act of Union 1707 but before the Act of Union 1800...
on 26 July 1726 by George I
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
, who bestowed it on his grandson Prince Frederick
Frederick, Prince of Wales
Frederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
, who also became Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
the following year. Upon Frederick's death, the title was inherited by his son Prince George. When Prince George became King George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
in 1760, the title "merged into the crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
", and ceased to exist.
Four years later, on 19 November 1764, George III created a variation of the title for his younger brother, Prince William
Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George II and a younger brother of George III.-Early life:...
, the full form being "Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh". In 1805, that title was inherited by William's only son, Prince William Fredrick
Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh
Prince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a great-grandson of George II and nephew of George III.-Early life:...
, who died without a male heir, causing the title to cease to exist.
Queen Victoria re-created the title on 24 May 1866 for her second son Prince Alfred
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...
, this time in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
. When Alfred became the sovereign of the two German duchies
Duchy
A duchy is a territory, fief, or domain ruled by a duke or duchess.Some duchies were sovereign in areas that would become unified realms only during the Modern era . In contrast, others were subordinate districts of those kingdoms that unified either partially or completely during the Medieval era...
Saxe-Coburg
Saxe-Coburg
Saxe-Coburg was a duchy held by the Ernestine branch of the Wettin dynasty in today's Bavaria, Germany.After the Division of Erfurt in 1572, Coburg was part of the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach, ruled by the Ernestine duke John Casimir jointly with his brother John Ernest. In 1596...
and Saxe-Gotha
Saxe-Gotha
Saxe-Gotha was one of the Saxon duchies held by the Ernestine of the Wettin dynasty in the former Landgraviate of Thuringia. The ducal residence was erected at Gotha....
in 1893, he and his five children had to renounce their British titles, so the title ceased to exist again.
The title was created for a third time on 19 November 1947 by George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
, who bestowed it the next day on his son-in-law Lt. Philip Mountbatten
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
, when he married Princess Elizabeth. Earlier that year, Philip had renounced his Greek and Danish royal titles (he was born a Prince of Greece and Denmark, being a male-line grandson of king George I of Greece
George I of Greece
George I was King of Greece from 1863 to 1913. Originally a Danish prince, George was only 17 years old when he was elected king by the Greek National Assembly, which had deposed the former king Otto. His nomination was both suggested and supported by the Great Powers...
and male-line great-grandson of king Christian IX of Denmark
Christian IX of Denmark
Christian IX was King of Denmark from 16 November 1863 to 29 January 1906.Growing up as a prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, a junior branch of the House of Oldenburg which had ruled Denmark since 1448, Christian was originally not in the immediate line of succession to the Danish...
) along with his rights to the Greek throne. In 1957, Philip became a Prince of the United Kingdom
British prince
This is a list of British princes from the accession of George I in 1714. The title of prince is at the will of the sovereign, who can both grant and revoke the title. Individuals holding the title of prince will usually also be styled His Royal Highness or formerly His Highness...
.
Dukes of Edinburgh, first creation (1726-1760)
- Prince FrederickFrederick, Prince of WalesFrederick, Prince of Wales was a member of the House of Hanover and therefore of the Hanoverian and later British Royal Family, the eldest son of George II and father of George III, as well as the great-grandfather of Queen Victoria...
(1707–1751), 1st Duke of Edinburgh (1726–1751). The eldest son of George IIGeorge II of Great BritainGeorge II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
, he was created Prince of Wales in 1727 but died before his father. - Prince GeorgeGeorge III of the United KingdomGeorge III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
(1738–1820), 2nd Duke of Edinburgh (1751–1760). The eldest son of the first duke, he was created Prince of Wales later in 1751. He succeeded his grandfather as George III in 1760, when the title merged in the crown.
Dukes of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1764-1834)
- Prince WilliamPrince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and EdinburghPrince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a grandson of George II and a younger brother of George III.-Early life:...
(1743–1805), 1st Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1764–1805). He was the younger brother of George III, who created the title for him. - Prince William FredrickPrince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and EdinburghPrince William, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh was a member of the British Royal Family, a great-grandson of George II and nephew of George III.-Early life:...
(1776–1834), 2nd Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1805–1834). He was the only son of the first duke and died without issue.
Dukes of Edinburgh, second creation (1866-1893)
- Prince AlfredAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and GothaAlfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...
(1844–1900), 1st Duke of Edinburgh (1866–1900). He was the second son of Queen Victoria and Prince AlbertPrince AlbertPrince Albert was the husband and consort of Queen Victoria.Prince Albert may also refer to:-Royalty:*Prince Albert Edward or Edward VII of the United Kingdom , son of Albert and Victoria...
, and became the sovereign Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1893. Predeceased by his only son, he died without male issue and the title became extinct.
Dukes of Edinburgh, third creation (1947-)
- Prince PhilipPrince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
(1921-), 1st Duke of Edinburgh (1947-). He was bestowed the title when he married the future Elizabeth II (who was thereafter known as the Duchess of Edinburgh until she became queen in 1952). However, he was not bestowed the title "prince"British princeThis is a list of British princes from the accession of George I in 1714. The title of prince is at the will of the sovereign, who can both grant and revoke the title. Individuals holding the title of prince will usually also be styled His Royal Highness or formerly His Highness...
until 1957.
Future dukes
It was announced in 1999, at the time of the wedding of Prince Edward, Earl of WessexPrince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, that he would follow his father as Duke of Edinburgh—when that title "eventually reverts to the crown". The process by which this might happen is not simple, and will almost certainly not involve Edward directly inheriting the title from his father.
Like all British dukedoms, the title of Duke of Edinburgh passes to the sons in order of age (i.e. "heirs-male" under standard Salic law
Salic law
Salic law was a body of traditional law codified for governing the Salian Franks in the early Middle Ages during the reign of King Clovis I in the 6th century...
succession), unless it merges with the crown; and Edward is currently fifth in this line of succession, following his two elder brothers, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, and Prince Charles' two sons, Princes William and Harry. Thus, if the present duke dies while his wife is still the monarch, the title will be inherited by his eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
or Charles' heir William, Duke of Cambridge if he is deceased. Consequently, the Dukedom of Edinburgh can merge with the crown only when Charles (or his heir) has inherited both the dukedom and the throne. The only way that Edward can inherit the title directly from his father is in the very unlikely event of both his elder brothers and both nephews predeceasing the Duke of Edinburgh, or if the Queen grants her husband a second dukedom of Edinburgh with a special remainder to Edward. Special remainders permit successions without the usual rules, such as the inheritance of the second Dukedom of Fife
Duke of Fife
Duke of Fife is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, named after Fife in Scotland. There have been two creations of the title, the first in 1889 and the second in 1900, both in favour of Alexander Duff, 6th Earl Fife in the Peerage of Ireland and 1st Earl of Fife in the Peerage of the...
, which passed to Edward VII's granddaughter while the original title became extinct.
Dukes of Edinburgh in fiction
Prince Edmund (Blackadder)Prince Edmund (Blackadder)
Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Duke of Edinburgh is a fictional character in the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder.-Character overview:...
(1461–1498) in the BBC historical comedy television series The Black Adder
The Black Adder
The Black Adder is the first series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson, directed by Martin Shardlow and produced by John Lloyd...
. Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He is most famous for his work on the satirical sketch comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News, and the sitcoms Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line...
played the fictional Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Duke of Edinburgh, Laird of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles, Lord Warden of the Royal Privies, Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, who was the illegitimate son of Donald MacAngus, third duke of Argyll and Queen Gertrude of Flanders
Gertrude of Flanders
Gertrude of Flanders is a fictional character in the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder . She was played by Elspet Gray.In the series, she is the Queen of Flanders in her own right and the wife of King Richard of England and Scotland and mother of Princes Harry and Edmund.In attitude, Gertrude mainly...
. Prince Edmund was therefore the stepson of King Richard IV (a fictionalised version of Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York
Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York
Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York, 1st Duke of Norfolk, 1st Earl of Norfolk, Earl Marshal was the sixth child and second son of King Edward IV of England and Elizabeth Woodville. He was born in Shrewsbury....
); however, his illegitimacy was unknown to the King. He had Scottish titles despite Scotland being a separate kingdom at the time.
See also
- EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
- The Duke of Edinburgh's AwardThe Duke of Edinburgh's AwardThe Duke of Edinburgh's Award , is a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 to 24, regardless of personal ability....
- Edinburgh of the Seven SeasEdinburgh of the Seven SeasEdinburgh of the Seven Seas is the main settlement of the island of Tristan da Cunha, in the Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha overseas territory of the United Kingdom, in the South Atlantic Ocean...
- Prince Edmund (Blackadder)Prince Edmund (Blackadder)Prince Edmund Plantagenet, Duke of Edinburgh is a fictional character in the first series of the BBC sitcom Blackadder.-Character overview:...
, for a fictitious Duke of Edinburgh - List of dukedoms by reign
External links
- HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on Burke's Peerage
- Duke of Edinburgh