Prince Charles Will Inherit Prince Philip's Title as the Duke of Edinburgh Following His Death

Prince Charles will inherit his late father Prince Philip's title of the Duke of Edinburgh following his death. The official announcement regarding the matter was made by the College of Arms.

The College of Arms wrote a lengthy statement following Prince Philip's death on its official website. It spoke about numerous topics, including his funeral, national mourning, flag arrangements, and last but not least, the transfer of his titles.

The Duke of Edinburgh was given the style and title of Royal Highness on November 19, 1947, a day before his marriage to then-Princess Elizabeth. On the day of their wedding, he became the Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich of Greenwich in the County of London.

Prince Philip was also made a Prince of the United Kingdom by Letters Patent of his wife, Queen Elizabeth, on February 22, 1957. A declaration was made on the same day that Her Majesty was pleased to announce that her husband became a prince.

"A declaration of the same date communicated Her Majesty’s will and pleasure that her husband be known as His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh."

According to the college, the titles and ranks are hereditary, and given his death, it will be passed on to one of his children. When George VI gave Prince Philip the title in 1947, he wrote that Prince Charles would be the next Duke of Edinburgh following his father's death.

The official announcement wrote that his eldest son, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, will now hold these titles. Once the Prince of Wales or subsequent title holders succeed in the Crown, the titles held will merge with the Crown.

In 1999, however, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles agreed that upon the monarch's death and ascension to the throne, her youngest son would become the Duke of Edinburgh. This is to save the title from ceasing to exist.

Prince Edward has already been preparing himself for the title, as he already leads the Duke of Edinburgh award. The award is an initiative created by the late Prince Philip to encourage physical education in the youth.

As the world awaits Prince Philip's funeral scheduled for April 17, Saturday, the Royal Family is currently mourning. Prince Charles issued a public statement recently, sharing a few words about his late father.

While speaking to the British press, he proudly stated his father's devotedness to serving the Queen, their family, and the country for most of his life. He went on to say how touched he was that millions of others share in the family's loss.

Ultimately, he honored his father by saying he was an extraordinary person who would have been delighted by all the tributes made in his memory. He finished by thanking all those who took time to pay respects to the late Duke of Edinburgh.