History of title
The Dukedom was first created on July 26, 1726, in the Peerage of Great Britain. The title was bestowed on the eldest son of The Prince of Wales, Prince Frederick Lewis (or Louis), who would later become Prince of Wales himself. Upon Frederick's death, the title was inherited by his son Prince George. When Prince George became King George III, the Dukedom "merged into the crown," and ceased to exist.
King George III then revived the title on November 19, 1764 for his younger brother, Prince William of Wales, the full form of the title being "Gloucester and Edinburgh". The title passed to the Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh's only son, William Frederick, who died without a male heir, causing the title to become extinct.
The title was next bestowed on Queen Victoria's second son, Alfred, this time in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Upon Prince Alfred's death, the title again became extinct. The title was most recently given to Philip Mountbatten on November 20, 1947. Mountbatten was (and is) the husband of Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II.
Future dukes
Although it was announced at the time of the wedding of Prince Edward that he would eventually receive this title, he will not inherit the title from his father. Like any normal dukedom, the present Dukedom of Edinburgh passes to the heirs-male of the first Duke. That means that when the present Duke dies, the dukedom will be inherited by his eldest son, The Prince of Wales. If The Prince of Wales is not yet king when this occurs, he will be Duke of Edinburgh until he ascends the throne, at which point the title will merge with the crown; if The Prince of Wales is already King when he inherits the title, it will merge immediately. Only at that point would the title be available for regrant to the Earl of Wessex.
Dukes of Edinburgh, first Creation (1726)
Dukes of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1764)
Dukes of Edinburgh, second Creation (1866)
Dukes of Edinburgh, third Creation (1947)
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