When it comes to the British royal family, some members are more visible than others. Prince Edward is more in the background than other royals
Prince Edward is the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and the youngest sibling of King Charles III.
Born Edward Antony Richard Louis on 10 March 1964, he was recently conferred the title of the Duke of Edinburgh, which was previously held by his late father. He is currently 13th in line for the throne, behind his brothers, nephews, and nieces.
Edward was created Earl of Wessex before marrying Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. They have two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex. Edward’s mother conferred him the additional title of Earl of Forfar in 2019.
As with his three older siblings, Charles, Anne, and Andrew, a governess was appointed to look after Edward and was responsible for his early education at Buckingham Palace before he attended Collingham College, Kensington (then known as Gibbs School).
He has a vested interest in television and theatre production, as he worked as an assistant at the Useful Theatre Company. He was involved in amateur productions of musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, and Cats, before forming his own company, Ardent Productions.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex established their foundation, the Wessex Youth Trust, in 1999, with a focus on helping, supporting, and advancing registered charities that provide opportunities specifically for children and young people.
The Earl of Wessex assumed many duties from his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as Prince Philip reduced his commitments before retiring from royal duties.
Prince Edward opened the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand and the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia and became vice-patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2006, picking up his father’s ceremonial duties who had served as president.
On his 59th birthday, 10 March 2023, Edward was created Duke of Edinburgh, thus becoming “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh”.His ducal title is not hereditary, so it will become extinct on his death.
