Who would inherit the title Duke of Edinburgh in this situation?

Question

Currently when Prince Philip dies the title Duke of Edinburgh that he holds will go to his eldest son, HRH The Prince of Wales. Who would the title go to should Charles pre-decease his father? Would it go to Prince William of Wales since he is the eldest son of the Prince of Wales? Or would it go to HRH The Duke of York since he is the Duke's second eldest son?Thanks.

Answer 1

Normally, if HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh passed away, the dukedom will be inherited by his eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales (or his heir, if he is deceased). If Charles is not yet king when this occurs, he would add "Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich" to his own list of titles. Only after Charles (or his heir) has both inherited the title of Duke of Edinburgh and ascended the throne would the present creation merge in the crown.

However, in recent years, the youngest child and third son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip "HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex" succeeded to many of the roles of his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is reducing some of his roles due to age. The Earl replaced him as President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (since 2006 its Vice-Patron) and opened the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia. He has also taken over the Duke's role in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme (which is very fitting given the understanding that he will become the Duke of Edinburgh upon the death of his parents).

Answer 2

Charles  and Andrew do not inherit the title,Edward does. Charles and Andrew already have titles. Edward will become Duke of Edinburgh upon his father's death.From http://www.royal.gov/uk

"Upon his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. At the same time it was announced that His Royal Highness will be given the title Duke of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown."

Answer 3

Actually, it was decided in 1999 that Prince Edward would eventually receive his father's title.

However, since the laws of inhertiance are as you describe, it's a little more complicated than that.

This is from Wikipedia:

It was announced in 1999, at the time of the wedding of Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, that he would eventually follow his father as Duke of Edinburgh.[1] However, 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 any normal dukedom, the present Dukedom of Edinburgh passes to the heirs-male of the first duke, and Edward is currently only fifth in this line of succession, following his two older brothers and two of his nephews.

Rather, when the present duke dies, the dukedom will be inherited by his eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales (or his heir, if he is deceased). If Charles is not yet king when this occurs, he would add "Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich" to his own list of titles. Only after Charles (or his heir) has both inherited the title of Duke of Edinburgh and ascended the throne would the present creation merge in the crown.

Presuming that there is no intention to call a fourth creation of the Dukedom into being while the third remains active, then, Edward will not be created Duke of Edinburgh until after the death of both his parents. At that point in time the monarch of the day (although in no way legally bound to do so) will presumably carry out the announced scheme.

Answer 4

Titles are always passed from father to son, so the title of Duke of Edinburgh should pass to Charles then William.

Answer 5

Technically it reverts to the crown when the Duke dies because his eldest son will become King (titles can only be passed down to eldest sons). However, it has been announced that the title will go to The Earl of Wessex after his father's death, it may not actually go to him until after both his parents have died. It will not automatically pass to him though, it would have to be recreated (by letters patent) by the monarch.

It is generally believed that because he will be given the title Duke of Edinburgh is why Edward was not created a Duke on his marriage (which is customary).