Prince Edward Granted Title of Duke of Edinburgh on His 59th Birthday

In a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Prince Philip, King Charles has granted the title of Duke of Edinburgh to his youngest son, Prince Edward, on his 59th birthday.

This significant gesture was met with joy and a hint of overwhelm as Prince Edward, accompanied by his wife Sophie, the new Duchess of Edinburgh, proudly introduced her with her new title for the first time during their visit to Edinburgh.

During their visit, the couple took the time to greet the crowds on the Royal Mile and pay a visit to the city chambers, commemorating one year since the city's formal response to the invasion of Ukraine.

It was during this visit that they had the pleasure of meeting ten-year-old Mirjana Melnik from Ukraine, who presented Sophie with a beautiful bouquet of yellow and blue flowers, representing her nation's flag.

Sophie looked elegant in a cream coat and matching scarf, with a glimpse of an elegant blue dress peeking out from beneath the hem.

Known for her down-to-earth nature, Sophie, previously known as the Countess of Wessex, was regarded by the late Queen as the most reliable member of the Royal Family.

The promotion to the rank of Duchess not only signifies a lasting connection between the late Queen and her beloved daughter-in-law but also elevates Prince Edward and Sophie's status to just below the monarch.

The Duchess is now referred to as Her Royal Highness.

This move is seen as a way of keeping Prince Philip's memory alive, as experts believe he would have wanted the Countess to be in the spotlight.

The late monarch had reportedly considered Sophie as her favorite family member and closest confidante.

The granting of the Duke and Duchess titles serves as a touching tribute to their contributions to the royal family and their continued service to the nation.

During his address to the audience, Prince Edward expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome they received and acknowledged that it was a special and slightly overwhelming day for himself and his wife.

With a hint of excitement in his voice, he thanked the crowd for welcoming “now, my wife, the Duchess” to Edinburgh.

The innocent and childlike glee in his voice brought laughter from the audience, who applauded as he beamed with pride.

This visit to Edinburgh marks the first public appearance of the couple since the announcement of their promotion to the titles of Duke and Duchess.