Charles & Edward Battle to be duke
Long before Prince Philip’s death, the family was embroiled in discussions over who should inherit his illustrious title, the Duke of Edinburgh.
According to royal Letters Patent, once Philip vacated the title, it should be reverted to the crown and handed to his male heir – Prince Charles.
However, while Philip was still alive he made it clear he preferred the designation to be passed instead to his youngest son, 57-year-old Prince Edward, who is a loyal supporter of the world-famous Duke of Edinburgh youth awards for young people of outstanding character and physical fitness.
At the time, Charles reluctantly agreed to give Edward the title himself when he becomes monarch, but Woman’s Day is told he’s not so keen on his little brother getting the glory after all.
“It’s obvious the Duke of Edinburgh title will carry a lot of weight in the future,” says a source. “He’s always had a jealous streak and some courtiers worry it might rear its head here.”
It hasn’t helped Charles’ fragile ego to see Edward’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 56, and the couple’s 17-year-old daughter Lady Louise Windsor make heartfelt comments to the media last week that eclipsed the future king’s own speech about his father’s death.
“The Wessexes are having a bit of a moment, and Charles doesn’t like it one bit,” says a source.
“Especially since his mother, the Queen, counts Sophie as one of her closest confidantes.”