Q King George V's sons held the titles Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), Duke of York (Later George VI), Duke of Gloucester and Duke of Kent. The Title Duke of Clarence has been held as a Royal title in the past. Our present Queen Elizabeth's eldest sons acceded to the titles of Wales and York. However, when Prince Edward married, the title Earl of Wessex was created for him. Why was he not entitled to any of the existing Royal Dukedoms? - David Sparkes, Hartlepool.

A There is much tradition associatd with the titles Duke of Gloucester, Kent, York and Prince of Wales. Since the titles Prince of Wales and Duke of York had already been given to Edward's elder brothers, it was unlikely that Edward would be entitled to inherit these. The title Duke of Gloucester is already in use and has been inherited through the paternal line. The Queen's cousin, Richard the Duke of Gloucester who was born in 1944, presently holds the Duke of Gloucester title. He inherited the title from his father, Henry Duke of Gloucester who died in June 1974.

The title of Duke of Kent is also already in use and is held by Edward Duke of Kent who was born in 1935. Like the Duke of Gloucester he is also therefore a first cousin of the Queen. The Duke of Kent has a son, George who was born in 1952 and holds the title Earl of St Andrews.

Like the Duke of Gloucester, the present Duke of Kent inherited the title from his father. The Duke's father was George, Duke of Kent who died in 1942. This George was the son of King George V and was of course a younger brother of Edward VIII, George VI and Henry, the Duke of Gloucester.

Prince Charles holds several titles other than Prince of Wales. As heir apparent he automatically became the Duke of Cornwall in 1952 under the rules of a charter dating to 1337.

The Prince's younger brothers both acquired their titles upon marriage. Andrew became the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh after his marriage to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. Prince Edward was given the title Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn following his marriage to Sophie Rhys Jones in 1999. Although he was not given the more senior title of Duke at the time of his marriage it was announced that he would inherit the title Duke of Edinburgh from his father, Prince Phillip, the Present Duke of Edinburgh.

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Published 19/08/2002