The royal family, and this time the spotlight is on Prince Harry and Meghan, who might be feeling a pang of envy. Why do you ask? Well, that’s because King Charles has some royal upgrades in store, and I can almost hear the teacups clinking in Buckingham Palace. Amid the drama of 2023’s royal family, the less flashy members of “The Firm” are quietly carrying out their royal duties. But here’s the kicker: Edward and Sophie Wessex, the unsung heroes of the royal year, are about to receive a royal upgrade, courtesy of King Charles.
On his brother’s birthday, King Charles decided to mark the occasion by conferring on Edward and Sophie the prestigious titles of Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. These titles have 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 chose to make them these life peers. This means they will not automatically pass to Edward’s son, James, Earl of Wessex.
Ah the controversy! Daily Mail commentator Richard Eden minced no words, calling it a mistake and suggesting that improving the headlines would be a better way to celebrate the importance of Edward and Sophie. He even suggested it might encourage their son, James, to become more involved in royal duties, perhaps a subtle criticism of Harry and Meghan’s choices. But wait, the drama doesn’t end there.
Former Sun Royal editor Charles Ray took part in the debate, disagreeing with the idea of making the title hereditary. He stressed that when Edward and Sophie’s time comes, the title will revert to the crown and the reigning monarch will decide who gets it. He rejected 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 growing roles of younger royals like George, Charlotte and Louis, implying that there might be enough working roles by the time they reach adulthood.
And just when we thought things couldn’t get any more intriguing, Ray dropped a bombshell by questioning the idea of making the title of Duchess of Edinburgh hereditary, suggesting that Sophie and Edward wouldn’t. might not be particularly interested.
So here we are in the middle of a royal debate that is raising eyebrows and reshaping the monarchy. Charles’ decision to upgrade the titles sent shockwaves through the monarchy, leaving Prince Harry and Meghan to reflect on their waning importance within the royal family. While others enjoy the royal treatment, they might have questions about their own status.
