Sophie in line for new title in tribute to her friendship with the Queen | The Sun
SOPHIE, The Countess of Wessex is in line for a new title – reflecting the close bond she had with The Queen.
The wife of Prince Edward could become the Duchess of Edinburgh.
It comes as youngest son Edward may drop his Earl of Wessex title to take his late dad Prince Philip's old moniker- The Duke of Edinburgh.
Granting the title to the Wessexes was a request made by Prince Philip to King Charles III before he died last year.
The Duke of Edinburgh title has been held by The King since his dad's death – it made Queen Consort, Camilla, the then Duchess of Edinburgh.
But the dukedom is now vacant after King Charles III's ascension to the throne.
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Sophie's new title would be a touching tribute as it was held by The Queen from her and Philip's wedding day in 1947 to when she ascended to the throne 1952.
Back then, Her Majesty's full title was Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh.
Sophie, 57, who is The Queen's daughter-in-law, lovingly called Her Majesty "mama" – and the honour reflects this close bond.
She became close to The Queen after her mum died in 2005 and they bonded over a shared love of military history.
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The pair were said to spend hours poring over dusty documents in the Royal Archives at Windsor.
Sophie and The Queen were also said to go on frequent dog walks around Windsor together.
Their relationship was boosted by the proximity of the Earl and Countess of Wessex's Surrey pile, Bagshot Park, to Windsor – allowing the family to visit Her Majesty regularly.
The Countess of Wessex was pictured in tears as she read floral tributes to her late mum-in-law at Crathie Kirk church near Balmoral on Saturday.
The title would give the Countess of Wessex a front-and-centre role as a working royal in King Charles' new-look streamlined monarchy, The Telegraph reports.
But the final say on whether Sophie is given the title rests with the King and whether he wishes to fulfil his dad's wishes and give it to his brother Prince Edward.
King Charles allegedly agreed with Prince Philip on the transfer of the title when he ascended to the throne.
But rumours exploded after the Duke of Edinburgh's death that the King had changed his mind.
More recently, experts believe Prince Edward will became the next Duke of Edinburgh.
For the title to change hands The King would need to write letters patent – an order from the monarch granting a title – to create a new dukedom of Edinburgh.
There have been four Duchesses of Edinburgh since the title's creation.
Sophie married Prince Edward in 1999.
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The Wessexes have a daughter, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, and a son, James, Viscount Severn, 14.
Lady Louise shared a love of carriage driving with her great-grandad Prince Philip – often pictured enjoying the pursuit together.
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