Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (born 10 March 1964) is a member of the British royal family. He is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He is also the youngest brother of King Charles III.

Edward was born at Buckingham Palace in London. He studied at Heatherdown School and Gordonstoun. He then spent a year teaching in New Zealand. After that, he studied history at Jesus College, Cambridge, and graduated in 1986.

After a short time in the Royal Marines, Edward worked in theatre and television production. He later started his own company called Ardent Productions. In 2002, he stopped working for his company to focus on his royal duties. He now supports many charities and organizations. His work often involves the arts, sports, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This award helps young people with fitness, wellbeing, and community service.

Edward became the Earl of Wessex when he married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. They have two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex. In 2019, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, gave him the extra title of Earl of Forfar. On his 59th birthday in 2023, his brother King Charles III gave him the title Duke of Edinburgh. This title was previously held by their father, Prince Philip.

Early Life and Education
Life After University
Marriage and Family
Royal Activities and Work
Titles and Honours
Filmography
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Princes Andrew and Edward with their parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1978.

Prince Edward was born on 10 March 1964 at 8:20 p.m. at Buckingham Palace in London. He is the third son and fourth child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was the last child born to a reigning British monarch. His father was present at his birth. Edward was christened on 2 May 1964 at Windsor Castle.

Like his older siblings, Charles, Anne, and Andrew, Edward had a private teacher (governess) for his early education. He then attended Collingham College in Kensington. In September 1972, he went to Heatherdown School in Berkshire. Later, he followed his father and brothers to Gordonstoun in Scotland. He was chosen as the head boy in his final term there.

After leaving school, Edward spent a year abroad. He worked as a tutor and teacher at the Wanganui Collegiate School in New Zealand. When he returned to the UK, Edward studied history at Jesus College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Life After University

Royal Marines Service

After graduating in 1986, Edward joined the Royal Marines. They had helped pay for his university studies. In January 1987, he decided to leave the commando training course. This was after completing about one-third of the 12-month program. Buckingham Palace stated that Edward's decision came after "much thought." He left with regret but felt it was not his long-term career.

Theatre and Television Work

After leaving the military, Edward decided to work in entertainment. He helped create the musical Cricket in 1986 for his mother's 60th birthday. This led to a job at Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Company. There, he worked as a production assistant on famous musicals like The Phantom of the Opera and Cats.

Edward's first television project was The Grand Knockout Tournament in 1987. This charity event featured royal family members competing. The show raised over £1,500,000 for charities.

Ardent Productions Company

In 1993, Edward started his own television production company, Ardent Productions. The company made several documentaries and dramas. One documentary about his great-uncle Edward VIII (the Duke of Windsor) sold well worldwide.

In March 2002, Edward announced he would step down from Ardent Productions. He wanted to focus on his public duties and support the Queen during her Golden Jubilee year. Ardent Productions closed down in June 2009.

Marriage and Family

Edward and Sophie in Stockholm in 2013.

Edward first met Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1987. They met again in 1993 and began their relationship. Their engagement was announced on 6 January 1999. Edward proposed with a beautiful diamond engagement ring.

Their wedding took place on 19 June 1999 at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. This was a smaller, less formal wedding than those of his older brothers. On his wedding day, Prince Edward was given the title Earl of Wessex. He also received the title Viscount Severn.

Edward and Sophie have two children. Their daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, was born on 8 November 2003. Their son, James Mountbatten-Windsor (now Earl of Wessex), was born on 17 December 2007. Since 2023, Edward's children are known as the children of a duke. The family lives at Bagshot Park. Their official London office is at Buckingham Palace.

Royal Activities and Work

Edward visiting New Delhi as a supporter of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex started their foundation, the Wessex Youth Trust, in 1999. It helps charities that provide opportunities for children and young people. Edward supports many organizations. These include the British Paralympic Association and the Commonwealth Games Federation. He also supports various arts groups like the National Youth Theatre.

Prince Edward has taken on many duties from his father, Prince Philip. Prince Philip retired from royal duties before he passed away. Edward opened the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand and the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia. He became vice-patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2006.

Edward has also taken over his father's role in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) scheme. He attends Gold Award ceremonies around the world. Edward himself received the Award's gold medal in 1986. He has been a trustee of the DofE since 1988. In 2023, he became the patron of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. He has helped raise over £2 million for the scheme.

Edward opening a youth centre in Yate, Gloucestershire, in 2011.

In June 2011, Edward visited Baltimore to meet students. He encouraged them to join the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program. In December 2011, Edward and Sophie visited troops in Afghanistan. They also visited Bahrain.

In 2013, the couple visited South Africa. In 2014, the Queen appointed Edward as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. In 2015, he received the President's Medal for his work with badminton. In May 2016, the Earl visited Ghana. He presented awards to young people for their involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Scheme.

In September 2016, Edward traveled to Chile. He visited projects related to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. In October 2017, the Earl and Countess represented the Queen in Brunei. In February 2018, they toured Sri Lanka for Independence Day celebrations. In April 2018, Edward visited Australia for the XXI Commonwealth Games. He also attended fundraising events for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Edward visiting a youth theatre program in Salisbury, Australia.

The Wessex Youth Trust changed its name to the Earl and Countess of Wessex Charitable Trust. It continues to support charities and has expanded its focus beyond just children and young people.

In July 2019, the Earl and Countess visited Forfar. This was their first official visit since Edward received the title Earl of Forfar. In 2020, he took over the patronage of London Youth from his father.

In February 2022, Edward became president of the Royal Windsor Horse Show. This role was previously held by his father. In March 2022, he visited Kenya to see the progress of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. In April 2022, the Earl and Countess toured the Caribbean for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. After he became Duke of Edinburgh, Edward and Sophie visited Edinburgh. They met with Ukrainian and Eastern European communities there.

Titles and Honours

Royal monogram of Prince Edward.

Before his marriage, Edward was known as "His Royal Highness The Prince Edward." On 19 June 1999, he became "His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex." It was announced that he would eventually become Duke of Edinburgh. This title was held by his father, Prince Philip.

On 10 March 2019, his 55th birthday, Edward was given the extra title of Earl of Forfar for use in Scotland. On his 59th birthday, 10 March 2023, Edward was created Duke of Edinburgh. He is now known as "His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh." This ducal title is not passed down to his children. It will return to the Crown when he passes away.

In 1994, a group in Estonia asked Queen Elizabeth II if Prince Edward could become King of Estonia. Buckingham Palace politely declined the offer.

Edward has received several important honours. He is a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. He is also an Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle. He is a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.

Filmography

Television
Year	Title	Role
1996	Edward on Edward	host, associate producer
1996	Castle Ghosts of Scotland	executive producer
1996	Castle Ghosts of Ireland	executive producer
1997	Network First	producer (1 episode)
1998	Crown and Country	host, executive producer
1999	Stars Over Mississippi	executive producer
2000	When Cameras Cross the Line	executive producer
2000	Once Upon a Christmas	producer
2001	Tales from the Tower	executive producer
2001	Varian's War	executive producer
2001	Twice Upon a Christmas	executive producer
2003	Out of the Ashes	executive producer
2015	Whatever Happened to the Windsors?	narrator