People have been fighting about Prince Edward and Sophie’s titles for years. Even when QEII was still alive, Prince Charles made it clear that he had no desire to “give” them the Edinburgh ducal titles they were promised by QEII and Prince Philip. There was also a big discussion about whether Sophie and Edward’s two children should have prince/princess titles, as Louise and James would have been entitled to as grandchildren of the monarch. At the end of the day, Charles “gave” Sophie and Edward the Edinburgh titles (for Edward’s birthday this year) and that was supposed to be the end of that. Sophie was finally a duchess and Charles belatedly fulfilled his mother’s wishes. Now the Edinburghs apparently want more? Richard Eden wrote this nonsense in his pre-Christmas newsletter with the Mail:

Edward and Sophie are the unsung heroes of the Royal Family – but it is an insult that their titles as Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are not hereditary. That’s the view of Richard Eden, who believes King Charles should give them an immediate upgrade so they can pass the dukedom down the generations – a move which might also encourage their son James to join ‘The Firm’ when the time is right.

‘It is sometimes easy to forget that the Royal Family is much more than just our monarch. And I would like to highlight two of my unsung royal heroes of the year: Prince Edward and Sophie,’ writes Eden in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.

‘With the Duke and Duchess of Sussex having quit royal duties, or “forced” to quit, as Prince Harry preposterously claimed in the High Court, and Prince Andrew no longer a “working royal”, Edward and Sophie have become even more vital to “The Firm”. They have worked as hard as ever this year, carrying out engagements around the country and overseas with little fanfare.’

‘While Harry and Meghan have used their royal titles for personal gain, helping them make a fortune in the United States of America, Edward and Sophie have continued the tradition of quiet public service embodied by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. They have deliberately chosen often difficult, unfashionable causes to highlight, such as in Sophie’s case, helping women who have been victims of sexual violence. Edward will meet hundreds, if not thousands, of young people who have achieved Gold in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, of which he is patron.’

‘King Charles recognised the couple’s contribution to the success of the Monarchy by announcing on Edward’s 59th birthday in March that he would succeed their father as Duke of Edinburgh. This was something that our late Queen and Prince Philip had publicly made clear should happen at the time of Edward’s wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. It was, however, a shame that the King turned the Dukedom of Edinburgh into a life peerage rather than the hereditary title it had previously been. In my opinion, this was an insult.’

‘What better way to celebrate Edward and Sophie’s importance than by upgrading the title to a hereditary one? Perhaps that would be a good way to encourage their son, James, the Earl of Wessex, to join The Firm when the time comes? He could join his sister, Lady Louise Windsor, in providing vital support to their cousin Prince William.’

[From The Daily Mail]

Is this Sophie’s new thing? I always felt like she was the one behind the push for the Edinburgh titles, and now the non-hereditary titles are not even good enough for her. It could be that this isn’t even Sophie calling up Eden – it’s quite likely that this is Eden realizing how boring the left-behind Windsors are and how the whole thing is about to fall apart in a hurry unless younger royals (like James and Louise) are allowed to “support” King Charles and eventually King William. The thing is, Charles and William don’t want the support. Sophie has buttered up William and Kate, for sure, but neither Charles nor William want a “Prince James” or “Princess Louise” hanging around. Which is also the reason why Charles and William forced the Sussexes out, btw.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.