King Charles III to ignore Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex’s wedding present

King Charles III is reportedly taking away Prince Edward’s chance to become the Duke of Edinburgh as the new monarch plans for a ‘slimmed-down’ monarchy.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ensured Prince Edward and Sophie that they would receive the title of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh after Philip’s death.

However, a palace insider told The Daily Mail: “The King wants to slim down the monarchy [so] it wouldn't make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh.”

“The King wants to slim down the monarchy, as is well known. That means it wouldn't make sense to make the Earl the Duke of Edinburgh. It's a hereditary title which would then be passed on to the Earl and Countess of Wessex's son, James, Viscount Severn.

“Essentially, this was accepted by the Earl when he agreed that his children would not be a prince or princesses.

The insider added: “There was a policy change.”