Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh was previously going to be given the Duchess of Cambridge title until Prince Edward stepped in and blocked it.
According to one Palace courtier, Sophie and Edward were both set to be granted the Cambridge titles when they wed in 1999.
Upon their wedding day, the now-Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were instead made the Earl and Countess of Wessex – a title that Edward reportedly had his heart set on due to a film he had watched.
Younger sons of the monarch have customarily been given dukedoms at the time of their marriage – so many experts believed that Edward would be granted the Duke of Cambridge title.
A Buckingham Palace source told The Telegraph in 2010: “Prince Edward was going to be the Duke of Cambridge, but he watched the film Shakespeare in Love, which had a character called the Earl of Wessex.
“He liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead.”
Sophie is known as one of the hardest working members of the Firm, and has particularly stepped up this year during a difficult time for the monarchy, which saw both Charles and Kate out of action after they were diagnosed with cancer.
On his 59th birthday, back in March 2023, Edward and Sophie were granted the Edinburgh titles. The couple have two children, including 16-year-old James – who has now, from March 2023, been known as the Earl of Wessex.
Speaking of their decision to not bestow their children – including Lady Louise Windsor, 21, – titles from birth, Sophie previously told The Times: “We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living.
“Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Upon the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and King Charles ascending the throne, Princess Kate and Prince William became the Prince and Princess of Wales. These titles were previously held by King Charles and William’s late mother, Princess Diana.