Prince Philip and Prince Edward joke in 2011

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Prince Philip, the longest-serving consort in British history, died aged 99 peacefully in his sleep on April 9. Tributes to the departed Duke of Edinburgh are being made around the world with Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying Philip “inspired the lives of countless young people”, while the Archbishop of Canterbury said Prince Philip was an “outstanding example of Christian service”.

Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband of more than 70 years, died aged 99 on the morning of April 9.

Buckingham Palace issued a statement on Friday which reads: “It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

“His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle.

“Further announcements will be made in due course.”

The Duke of Edinburgh was the longest-serving consort in British history.

He recently returned to Windsor Castle after spending a month in hospital from February 16.

Prince Philip was initially treated for an infection but then underwent a heart procedure for a pre-existing condition.

No official details have been released yet about the Duke’s funeral, but it is understood he will be given a royal ceremonial funeral rather than a state funeral, in line with his wishes.

Prince Edward is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

In 1999, it was announced the Earl of Wessex would become the next Duke of Edinburgh after his father.

Upon his marriage to Sophie, Countess of Wessex, the Queen granted an earldom to the couple.

Edward and Sophie agreed their children would not use the titles of Prince and Princess and instead are named Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.

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Edward is the only male child of the Queen and Prince Philip to lack the Duke title.

This is believed to be because he always intended to one day take on the dukedom held by his father Prince Philip – the Duke of Edinburgh title.

According to The Sunday Times, Edward will be handed Philip’s title after the latter’s death.

Now Prince Philip has died, the title will be returned to the crown, but is due to be given to Edward.

A royal source told the Sunday Times: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is very much Prince Edward’s thing.

“That is a big part of what he does now because he will be the next Duke of Edinburgh.”

In keeping with the Letters Patent issued when George VI gave Philip the title in 1947.

Traditionally titles are inherited by a royal’s eldest son meaning Prince Charles, as the Duke’s eldest son, would naturally inherit the title of the Duke of Edinburgh.

But on Prince Charles’s eventual accession to the throne, the title will merge with the crown and can be regranted to Edward.

A title held by someone who becomes monarch is said to merge with the Crown and ceases to exist, so can be recreated for someone else.

Dukedoms are traditionally granted to senior royals on their wedding days.

But Prince Edward accepted the lesser earldom on his wedding day, with the intention of one day taking on the more prestigious title.

When Prince Edward takes on the title, his wife Sophie will become the Duchess of Edinburgh.

At the time of Edward taking over the Duke of Edinburgh award, royal biographer Hugo Vickers told the Sunday Times: “Prince Edward has never been personally ambitious.”

He added: “Edward has taken on the role with the [Duke of Edinburgh’s] award to support his father, so it’s a wonderful thing that he could take on his title when the time comes.”

Prince Edward’s Duke of Edinburgh title would then likely also pass to his son, James Viscount Severn, when he dies.

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