• About Me

European Royal History

~ The History of the Emperors, Kings & Queens of Europe

European Royal History

Tag Archives: HRH Prince Edward

Happy 21st Wedding Anniversary to TRH The Earl and Countess of Wessex.

19 Friday Jun 2020

Posted by liamfoley63 in Featured Royal, Royal Succession, Royal Titles, royal wedding, This Day in Royal History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

HRH Prince Edward, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, royal wedding, Sophie Rhys-Jones, St. George's Chapel, The Countess of Wessex, The Earl of Wessex

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG, GCVO, CD, ADC(P) (Edward Antony Richard Louis; born March 10, 1964) is the youngest of four children and the third son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. At the time of his birth, he was third in line of succession to the British throne; as of May 2020, he is 11th.

FD1EA84A-42AC-41B7-8F42-B15C72C061C6

The Earl is a full-time working member of the British royal family and supports the Queen in her official duties – often alongside his wife, the Countess of Wessex – as well as undertaking public engagements for many of his own charities. In particular he has assumed many duties from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public life in 2017.

AA01A886-C3F4-4D3B-B08D-2577C57B334D

Edward met Sophie Rhys-Jones, then a public relations executive with her own firm, in 1994. Their engagement was announced on January 6, 1999. Edward proposed to Sophie with an Asprey and Garrard engagement ring worth an estimated £105,000: a two-carat oval diamond flanked by two heart-shaped gemstones set in 18-carat white gold.

Their wedding took place on June 19, 1999 in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. This was a departure from the weddings of his elder brothers, which were large, formal events at Westminster Abbey or St Paul’s Cathedral, and had ended in divorce.

On his wedding day, Prince Edward was created Earl of Wessex, with the subsidiary title of Viscount Severn (derived from the Welsh roots of the Countess’s family), breaking from a tradition whereby sons of the sovereign were created royal dukes.

8DF5DD96-F0D4-4AE5-B0B0-21D7144A5855

It was however revealed that the Queen wished that he be elevated from the rank of Earl to Duke of Edinburgh after that dukedom, held by Prince Philip since 1947, reverts to the Crown (after the death of the current Duke and the Queen), and for his children to be styled as the children of an Earl, rather than as prince/ss and royal highness.

He and his wife have two children: Lady Louise Windsor, born November 8, 2003, and James, Viscount Severn, born December 17, 2007, They were born at Frimley Park Hospital in Frimley, They reside at Bagshot Park in Surrey. While their private residence is Bagshot Park, their office and official London residence is based at Buckingham Palace.

The longest duration of holding a dukedom: Royal and Non-Royal, and other Peerage titles

26 Tuesday Mar 2013

Posted by liamfoley63 in From the Emperor's Desk

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

4th Duke of Gordon, 4th Duke of Marlborough, 5th Baron Penrhyn, 7th Marquess Townshend, Alexander Gordon, Buckingham Palace, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Kent, Elizabeth II, Frank Douglas-Pennant, George John Patrick Dominic Townshend, George Spencer, HRH Prince Edward, King George V of United Kingdom of Great Britain, Kings and Queens of England, Prince Albert of Saxe-Cobug-Gotha, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain

Earlier last week HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent suffered a mild stroke. At the time of this writing he is still hospitalized. On one of the message boards I frequent the topic of conversation turned to what Dukedom, either royal or non-royal has been held the longest?

The current Duke of Kent inherited his Dukedom from his father, HRH Prince George, Duke of Kent (1902-1942) 4th son of King George V of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Queen Mary (Princess May of Teck). Prince George was created Duke of Kent in 1934. Prince George died when the R.A.F. Short Sunderland flying boat he was on crashed into a hillside near Dunbeath, Caithness, in Scotland while en route from Evanton, Ross-shire, to Iceland on August 25, 1942.  At that time his 7 years old son, HRH Prince Edward of Kent succeeded to the Dukedom of Kent and has held that title for 70 years.

HRH Prince Arthur, The Duke of Connaught, 3rd son of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha was created as created Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and Earl of Sussex on May 24, 1874 and would hold those titles until his death on January 1942 at the age of 91. He held those titles for 67 years.

Her Majesty the Queen’s husband, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (son of Prince Andreas of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg) was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich on November 20, 1947 and has held these titles for 65 years.

Their son, Prince Charles, the Current Prince of Wales, automatically took the titles Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland, upon his mother succession to the throne on February 6, 1952. Therefore he has held his dukedoms for 61 years. The title of Prince of Wales is not an inherited title it is created for the heir to the throne at the sovereigns discretion. Charles was created Prince of Wales on July 26, 1958 and has held that title for 55 years.

This takes care of the Royal dukedoms. Who have been the longest holders of non-Royal dukedoms?

Alexander Gordon, 4th Duke of Gordon, (in the Peerage of Scotland) held this Dukedom for 75 years 1752-1827.

George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (in the Peerage of England) held his dukedoms for 59 years. 1758-1817.

The longest held Peerage title was not a Dukedom however. It was an marquesses. George John Patrick Dominic Townshend, 7th Marquess Townshend, succeeded to his peerage on 17 Nov 1921. He died on 23 April 2010,having held the peerage for 88 years, 157 days.

The Peer to have lived the longest was Frank Douglas-Pennant, 5th Baron Penrhyn. born 21 Nov 1865, died 3 Feb 1967 Age 101.

June 20, 1837, Princess Alexandrina Victoria becomes Queen

20 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by liamfoley63 in This Day in Royal History

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

2nd Viscount Melbourne., Buckingham Palace, Duke of Kent, George III, George IV, HRH Prince Edward, Kings and Queens of England, kings and queens of the United Kingdom, Lord Melbourne, Prime Minister, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld., Queen Victoria, William IV, William Lamb

With the death of King William IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King of Hanover, on June 20, 1837, his 18 year old niece ascends the throne as Queen Victoria.

11269087-53BE-4CD0-A3E9-590B3BDAFF2B

Queen Victoria was christened as Alexandrina Victoria and for a while was known as “Drina” in her youth. The first official documents prepared for her on her first day as queen named her Queen Alexandrina Victoria. However the queen requested it to be changed and stated she wanted to be known as Victoria.

Queen Victoria was the only daughter of HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and   Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Her father was the fourth son of King George III and he died in 1820. With both George IV and William IV leaving no legitimate offspring Victoria was heir to the throne. Her accession to the throne also witnessed the separation of the personal union between the United Kingdom and Hanover. Since women were not allowed to rule in Hanover in their own right the Kingdom of Hanover went to her her uncle, HRH the Duke of Cumberland, who became King Ernst August of Hanover. To this day his descendants still call themselves Princes/Princesses of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (retaining this outdated title) which is not recognized in Britain. 

Early in her reign she was able to remove herself from the influence of her mother HRH The Duchess of Kent and her friend and comptroller Sir John Conroy whom she detested. During her first years of her reign she was greatly influenced by her Prime Minister, William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne. 

Here is an excerpt from her journal expressing her thoughts upon her accession. 

“I was awoke at 6 o’clock by Mamma, who told me the Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that I am Queen.” 

Recent Posts

  • June 10, 1713: Birth of Princess Caroline Elizabeth of Great Britain and Hanover
  • June 9, 1640: Birth of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Hungary, Bohemia, Croatia and Archduke of Austria
  • Origins of the Appellation The Black Prince
  • June 8, 1376: Death of Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince & Prince of Wales
  • June 8, 1042: Edward the Confessor becomes King of the English

Archives

  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012

From the E

  • Abdication
  • Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Art Work
  • Assassination
  • Bishop of Rome and the Catholic Church
  • Charlotte of Great Britain
  • Constitution
  • coronation
  • Count/Countess of Europe
  • Crowns and Regalia
  • Deposed
  • Duchy/Dukedom of Europe
  • Elected Monarch
  • Empire of Europe
  • Execution
  • Exile
  • Famous Battles
  • Featured Monarch
  • Featured Noble
  • Featured Royal
  • Featured War
  • From the Emperor's Desk
  • Grand Duke/Grand Duchy of Europe
  • Happy Birthday
  • Imperial Elector
  • In the News today…
  • King/Emperor Consort
  • Kingdom of Europe
  • Monarchy Abolished
  • Morganatic Marriage
  • Principality of Europe
  • Queen/Empress Consort
  • Regent
  • Restoration
  • Royal Annulment
  • Royal Bastards
  • Royal Birth
  • Royal Castles & Palaces
  • Royal Death
  • Royal Divorce
  • Royal Genealogy
  • Royal House
  • Royal Mistress
  • Royal Palace
  • Royal Succession
  • Royal Titles
  • royal wedding
  • This Day in Royal History
  • Treaty
  • Treaty of Europe
  • Uncategorized
  • Usurping the Throne

Like

Like

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 433 other subscribers

Blog Stats

  • 1,106,998 hits

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • European Royal History
    • Join 433 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • European Royal History
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...