Earl of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earldom of Wessex |
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| Creation date | 19 June 1999 |
| Creation | Second |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Godwin of Wessex |
| Present holder | Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh |
| Heir apparent | James, Earl of Wessex |
| Remainder to | the 1st Earl's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten. |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount Severn |
| Status | Extant |
| Seat(s) | Bagshot Park |
The Earl of Wessex is a special title in British history. It has been created two times. The first time was very long ago, before the Normans came to England. The second time was much more recently, in 1999.
The title comes from Wessex, which was an important Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It was located in the south and southwest of what is now England. In the 10th century, the Kingdom of the West Saxons grew powerful. This led to the creation of a united Kingdom of England.
Contents
First Creation (around 1019)
Wessex was one of the four main areas in England during the time of the Anglo-Danes. The Earl of Wessex controlled a large area. This included the old lands of the Kingdom of Wessex. It stretched across southern England, reaching west towards the Welsh border.
Godwin, the Powerful Earl
Around 1020, during the reign of King Cnut, a man named Godwin became the Earl of Wessex. Godwin became very powerful. In the time of King Edward, he was the most influential person in the kingdom.
When Godwin died in 1053, his son, Harold, took over the title. Harold later became King Harold II of England. He famously died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. After Harold's death, the title of Earl of Wessex ended for a long time.
Second Creation (1999)
The title of Earl of Wessex was created again in 1999. This time, it was given to Prince Edward. He is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Edward's Title
When Prince Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, it was traditional for a monarch's son to receive a royal title. Usually, younger sons are given a "dukedoms," which is a higher rank. However, Prince Edward was made an Earl instead of a Duke at that time. This was a unique decision for a British prince in centuries. His wife, Sophie, became the Countess of Wessex.
It was reported that Prince Edward liked the historic title of Earl of Wessex. He had seen a character with this title in the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Palace announced that Prince Edward would eventually become the Duke of Edinburgh. This was a title held by his father, Prince Philip. Prince Edward did not inherit the title directly. This is because he is the youngest of Prince Philip's three sons.
On 10 March 2023, Prince Edward was newly created Duke of Edinburgh. This happened after the title returned to the Crown. This was following the death of the first Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) and Charles III becoming King.
James, Earl of Wessex
When Prince Edward became the Duke of Edinburgh, his son, James, Earl of Wessex, began to use the courtesy title of Earl of Wessex. This is now his father's most senior subsidiary title. Prince Edward also holds the titles of Earl of Forfar and Viscount Severn.
Line of Succession
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (born 1964)
- (1)
James, Earl of Wessex (born 2007)
- (1)
Images for kids
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Godwin, Earl of Wessex, returning to England.
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Harold Godwinson, who became King Harold II.
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Prince Edward, the current Earl of Wessex.
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