King Charles III is said to have "torn up the Queen's pledge to make Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh", as he continues on his mission to create a more "slimmed down monarchy".
Following the death of his mother the Queen on 8 September, Charles automatically became King Charles III, and fans have been eagerly waiting to see if he follows through with his plan to reduce the amount of working royals.
It's said that the Queen had planned to award her youngest son – Charles' brother – Prince Edward, the title of the Duke of Edinburgh, which belonged to the late Prince Phillip, the Queen's husband, who died in April 2021.
The Queen is said to have made the promise to Edward via a written pledge that was given to Edward and his wife Sophie Countess of Wessex on their wedding day.
However, Charles is said to be planning to not follow through with his mother's wishes.
A source 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."
A courtier then explained that instead of Edward having the title, Charles will instead keep the title for himself, however it is expected that he won't be using it.
The source said: "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 princess."
Charles' decision may come as a shock to some, as it was revealed by royal officials twenty-three years ago that he – then the Prince of Wales – had agreed to the transferring of the title when the time came.
The statement said: "The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have also agreed that the Prince Edward should be given the Dukedom of Edinburgh in due course when the present title held now by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown."
Despite Prince Edward not being made the Duke of Edinburgh, he and Sophie still support the King and the royal family at certain events or when representing.
Just days ago, the King asked Parliament to name Prince Edward and Princess Anne as Counsellors of State to stand in on key occasions.
He and Camilla, Queen Consort, also rely heavily on Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton to act as key faces in the monarchy, as it looks toward a more slimmed-down future.
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