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But he also made a move that denied his wife a royal title that ultimately went to Kate Middleton. What was his momentous decision all about?
Prince Edward Has Always Been In The Background Compared To Other Royals
When Kate Middleton married Prince William in 2011 she was given the title duchess. However, the title was originally meant to be bestowed upon Andrew’s wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married on April 29, 2011. Because she married a prince Kate was automatically known as Her Royal Highness. But, her duchess title evolved a little bit differently.
The Duchess of Cambridge Title Was Not Meant For Kate
In keeping with royal tradition, Queen Elizabeth has given her sons and grandsons dukedoms on their wedding days. For instance, in 1986 Prince Andrew became the Duke of York when he married Sarah Ferguson.
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But, when Edward married Sophie in 1999 he was made an Earl instead of a Duke. And that was not a royal snub, it happened at Prince Edward’s request.
Why Did Andrew Reject The Queen’s Offer Of A Dukedom?
Apparently Andrew favored another name and one source claims it is because he liked the name Wessex more than Cambridge. Why? According to the source, Andrew requested the name based on a character he liked in Shakespeare in Love.
In 2010 a royal courtier told the Telegraph that Andrew, “liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead.”
And that is how William and Kate were offered the Dukedom of Cambridge on their wedding day—because Andrew had turned it down when presented to him.
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Thus, if Edward had taken his mother’s original offer then today we would be calling him and Sophie the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and who knows what we would be calling Kate and William. Although we do know what we are not calling Harry and Meghan!
Prince Edward turned down a higher royal title
Just to be clear, an Earldom is two ranks lower than a dukedom. But don’t feel sorry for Andrew just yet! According to royal sources, Prince Edward will be given his father’s Duke of Edinburgh title when he dies.