Edward and Sophie, Earl and Countess of Wessex

[Taren]

Yes,  Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich were the titles given to him at the same time as his marriage. As far as I can tell, they were created especially for him and have no historical connection. When Prince Alfred was created Duke of Edinburgh he was given the subsidiary titles of Earl of Kent & Earl of Ulster but they are now associated with the Kent dukedom. Has it ever been said for sure that the Dukedom will pass to Edward or has it just been speculation?

From the royal family's website:

Upon his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. At the same time it was announced that His Royal Highness will be given the title Duke of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.

[Mary R.]

That certainly makes sense. Thanks! 

Mary R.

[grandduchessella]

Thanks for the clarification, Taren. It's been discussed on other boards with some people saying that nothing was set yet but this seems to make the matter very clear. 

[dmitri]

Well let's not write off the old and current Duke of Edinburgh yet. I doubt Edward is in a hurry to see his father die. Nobody would be.

[dancingbarefoot]

Yes,  Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich were the titles given to him at the same time as his marriage. As far as I can tell, they were created especially for him and have no historical connection. When Prince Alfred was created Duke of Edinburgh he was given the subsidiary titles of Earl of Kent & Earl of Ulster but they are now associated with the Kent dukedom. Has it ever been said for sure that the Dukedom will pass to Edward or has it just been speculation?

From the royal family's website:

Upon his marriage to Miss Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. At the same time it was announced that His Royal Highness will be given the title Duke of Edinburgh in due course, when the present title now held by Prince Philip eventually reverts to the Crown.

Actually the Earl of Ulster is associated with the Gloucester dukedom

[dmitri]

yes in its present creation .. Grand Duchess was referring to when it was attached to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburg .. the son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

[Lucien]

Edward and Sophie last night at the birthday bash of CP Alexander:
http://www.ppe-agency.com/preview.php?start=30&id=16341&zoektype=2&search=01-09-2007%20Apeldoorn

[Leuchtenberg]

Edward and Sophie last night at the birthday bash of CP Alexander:
http://www.ppe-agency.com/preview.php?start=30&id=16341&zoektype=2&search=01-09-2007%20Apeldoorn

Edward's clothes don't seem to fit him properly.  Sophie's dress, well I suppose it's a step up from something her two York nieces would wear.

[Alicky1872]

Thank you for the picture, Lucien. I tried to get a peek of Sophie's 'bump' at the Diana memorial, but she always seemed to be holding her handbag protectively over her tummy. I'm so pleased they're expecting again. She looks beautiful and blooming.

Ok, now it's time for the catty comments about Sophie's dress choice, weight and hairstyle from the middle aged women of the forum who never have the guts to post their own pictures on here for us to criticise.

[TampaBay]

Mrs.  Eddy,

There is nothing wrong with Sophie's dress in the above picture.  Ths blue shaw wrap appears to be a little off color from the blue in the dress but that is probably due to the lighting of the photograph.  I think Sophie looks very nice and age appropriate. 

In the past,  Sophie has dressed too old IMO.

TampaBay
(aka Middle Aged Woman #1) LOL!  LOL!

[Alicky1872]

Phew. That went better than I thought! It just seems that every time a picture of Sophie is posted, the same 3 or 4 culprits have to have a go. They simply CAN'T RESIST! I've seen some personal pictures of some of these repeat offenders and believe me, they're nothing to write home about, and they dress like they're off to a church picnic. Let she who is without sin cast the first stone!

P.S. Please blame the pregnancy hormones for my cattiness!

[TampaBay]

Phew. That went better than I thought! It just seems that every time a picture of Sophie is posted, the same 3 or 4 culprits have to have a go. They simply CAN'T RESIST! I've seen some personal pictures of some of these repeat offenders and believe me, they're nothing to write home about, and they dress like they're off to a church picnic. Let she who is without sin cast the first stone!

P.S. Please blame the pregnancy hormones for my cattiness!

Mrs.  Eddy,

Let me assure you that I have never dressed as if I was going to a Church Picnic even when I was actually going to a Church Picnic!  LOL!  LOL!

My main bone of contention with Sohpie is that she could dress much more fashionalble with the resources at her disposable and that many times her clothes look ill-fitting as if she borrowed something from a friends closet which therefore could not be altered for a custom fit.

TampaBay

[NAAOTMA]

Dear Tampa,

I think you make an excellent point. The ladies who are discussed in terms of fashion have resources at their disposal most of us could never dream of...and also have access, like the rest of the real world, to seamstresses who can make alterations to make any "off the rack" outfit fit the person wearing it as well as proper undergarments. Clothes are part of any job, and for the women under discussion they are "part of the job"---unlike mere mortals showing up "off duty" at a Church Picnic.

What any of these women would choose to wear at a private barbeque at Balmoral has never been under discussion---it is how they choose to present themselves in their public roles. Biblical injunctions against casting the first stone seem rather heavy duty in terms of the inherent nature of the topic of Fashion where it concerns women who have access to all the things it takes to make them look their best and for whatever reason choose not to utilize that access. You can sit next to me anytime at the Middle Aged Ladies Table At The Church Picnic! I suspect our table will also be jollier than the Superior Serious Table across the lawn---as well as better dressed! 

[TampaBay]

When it comes to being Royal, clothes are more than part of the job, clothes are "75% of the job".

What I do not understand (and I am sure Martyn can enlighten me as he is somewhat in the fashion industry and deals with famous Divas every day) is why a person cannot look their best when every styling tool is at their disposal for free or almost free. 

Aside from Mrs. Timothy Laurence, who simply does not care, any female Windsor be she Royal or just a member of the family has people knocking down her door to be the "official" hairstylist, fashion stylists, life coach, foundation garment supplier, cobbler or make-up artists.  The free publicity is worth more to the fashion craftsman than any invoice presented to the Windsor client.

I can accept Mrs. Timothy Laurence's "I do not give a damn" attitude becuse I am a work horse not a clothes horse, but I cannot accept the "I tried but cannot get it right" attitude.

If any Windsor woman needs help she should just go to QEII and ask for help or names becuase Elizabeth has been getting it right for the last 10 years after mucking it up from 1970 thru 1997 or to Princess Michael who knows all there is to know abour freebies.  QEII and Princess Michael have found the right people to help them.  The other Windsor women should get busy and find the right fashion help too.  Sarah York included!

TampaBay

[Alicky1872]

Maybe Sophie is secure in herself and doesn't feel the need to be a clothes horse. She's very gracious, she smiles and gets the job done. Some people are never happy. If the royals are too extravagant or too dull, people complain. It's very hard to please everyone all the time.

P.S. When you ladies are finished with your picnic, maybe you would be so kind as to show the rest of us fashion challenged people some pictures from your wardrobe and share your beauty hints with us! ;-)