Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Title Was Initially Reserved for Another Royal Couple
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s former title, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was originally intended for Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, according to royal insiders. However, a surprising decision by Prince Edward reshaped the plans.
When Edward married Sophie in 1999, tradition suggested he would receive a dukedom, like Prince Andrew’s Duke of York title. Experts say the dukedom of Cambridge was earmarked for Edward, but the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II had other ideas.
A Palace insider revealed that Edward, inspired by the film Shakespeare in Love, requested the title of Earl of Wessex instead. “He liked the sound of it after watching the movie and asked the Queen if he could have that title,” the source told The Telegraph.
Edward and Sophie later became the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023, following King Charles's ascension and Edward’s 59th birthday. This title honours the late Prince Philip, who previously held the Edinburgh dukedom.
William and Kate, who took on the Cambridge title after their 2011 wedding, became the Prince and Princess of Wales following Charles’s rise to the throne in 2022.
Interestingly, Edward and Sophie also chose not to use prince and princess titles for their children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, opting for less traditional royal roles for their family.
The evolution of these titles reflects the changing dynamics within the royal family and the personal preferences of its members, adding a fascinating layer to royal history.
