Royal Family news reveals that Prince Edward is the Queen’s youngest son and has two children of his own. But why are they, as with Prince Harry and Prince William, not referred to as prince and princess? Read on and we’ll fill in the blanks.
Royal Family News: Wessex Kids Know They May Have to Work
Royal Family news reveals that the Earl and Countess of Wessex have two youngsters, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn. According to Hello! Magazine, it is standard protocol for male descendants of the monarch to automatically receive a royal title.
However, Prince Edward and his wife decided to forego such a protocol. Part of the reason for this could be related to the plans for streamlining the monarchy. Such a slimming down would require fewer working royals but, mainly, it would provide more normal childhoods for the children.
PEOPLE Magazine reports that Sophie Wessex once explained to the Sunday Times that she and Ed wanted to bring their children up “with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living. Hence, we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but it’s highly unlikely.”
Prince Edward Rejects Duke Title
Though there is a small chance that Louise or James could one day be Princess Louise and Prince James, Louise is already 18 and still not a princess, so it doesn’t seem likely to happen. When their father Prince Edward married in 1999, he rejected the title of Duke, opting for the less weighty Earl title instead.
Worth noting as well is that Princess Anne’s children also do not hold royal titles, in the Princess’ own bit to give them a normal life.
Prince Edward Enjoys Quieter Life Than Siblings
PEOPLE reports that Louis and Edward, as well as Anne’s children, still have the right to pick up the titles when they turn 18. According to the 1917 Letters Patent, all children of the monarch’s heirs have princely status and can use the designation His or Her Royal Highness.
However, since Louise has turned 18 and has not taken the titles, it doesn’t seem likely that she ever will. Time will tell if Edward does the same when he reaches the age. As the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II, Edward enjoys a much quieter royal life than his siblings, though the Wessex’s have been seen in a royal role more than a few times over the years.
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