IsKing Charles IIIsaving something special forPrincess Charlotte?

Over the weekend,The Mail on Sundayreported that the King, 73, may not bestow the Duke of Edinburgh title on his brotherPrince Edwardas previously speculated. Instead, he may name his 7-year-old granddaughter Charlotte the Duchess of Edinburgh one day.Queen Elizabeth IIwas known as the Duchess of Edinburgh before she became monarch, and the decision to pass the position to Charlotte would align with Charles' rumored vision for a slimmer modern monarchy.

On the eve of his wedding in 1947 to then-Princess Elizabeth,Prince Philipwas made the Duke of Edinburgh, Baron Greenwich and Earl of Merioneth, theRoyal Collection Trustreported. The newlyweds were known as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh until the Queen acceded the throne in 1952, while Prince Philip retained his Duke of Edinburgh styling throughout life.

King Charles, Princess Charlotte

“Discussions are underway, but the favored outcome for the King is that this title ought to go toPrincess Charlotte,” a source toldThe Mail on Sunday. “It would be a fitting way to remember the Queen — who, of course, had the title Duchess of Edinburgh — and a way for His Majesty to honor the line of succession.”

Matt Porteous / The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via Getty

NORFOLK, UNITED KINGDOM: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES) (Not for use after December 31, 2021, ALL uses after this date will require permission from Kensington Palace) (The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published)This handout image provided by Kensington Palace on December 16 2020 of the 2020 Christmas card of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, features an image taken in the autumn by photographer Matt Porteous showing Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their three children Prince George (left), Princess Charlotte (right) and Prince Louis at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. (Photo by Matt Porteous / The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge/Kensington Palace via Getty Images)

“So it is constitutionally significant that Charlotte should be given such a corresponding title, because it is not beyond the realms of possibility that she will accede the throne if, for example,Prince Georgedoes not have children,” the source added.

It was previously believed that the dukedom of Edinburgh would eventually pass to Prince Edward; the title returned to the crown followingPrince Philip’s death in April 2021. The third and youngest son of the Queen andPrince Philip, Prince Edward and his wife Sophie Rhys-Jones became the Earl and Countess of Wessex after they married in 1999. On Edward and Sophie’s wedding day, Buckingham Palace even indicated that the Edinburgh appellation was earmarked for them,The Timesreported.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles on the Buckingham Palace balcony on June 5.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Royal Family

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Samir Hussein/WireImage

Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex ride in a carriage during Trooping The Colour, the Queen’s annual birthday parade, on June 02, 2022 in London, England.Trooping The Colour, also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony performed by regiments of the British Army that has taken place since the mid-17th century. It marks the official birthday of the British Sovereign. This year, from June 2 to June 5, 2022, there is the added celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II in the UK and Commonwealth to mark the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952.

The idea of makingPrincess Charlottethe Duchess of Edinburgh one day would theoretically keep the royal family more streamlined. If Prince Edward inherited the Duke of Edinburgh title, it could eventually pass to his 14-year-old son,James, Viscount Severn.

source: people.com