Royal Dukes in England: Titles and Successions

When someone mentions royal dukes in England, the first reaction might be to think of fictional characters named John Wayne, Duke Ellington, or any other fictional tale. However, the reality is quite different and much more formalized. Currently, there are six royal dukes within the British royal family, each holding a unique place within the line of succession and the hierarchy of noble titles.

Current Royal Dukes and Their Titles

The current royal dukes and their respective titles are as follows:

Prince William, son of King Charles, holds the titles of Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, and Duke of Cambridge. He also holds the Earl of Strathearn as a secondary title. Prince Harry, also son of King Charles, is the Duke of Sussex and Earl of Dumbarton. Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth, is the Duke of York and Earl of Inverness. Prince Edward, son of Queen Elizabeth, is the Duke of Edinburgh and Earl of Wessex. Prince Richard of Gloucester, grandson of King George VI and cousin of Queen Elizabeth, is the Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Ulster. Prince Edward of Kent, another grandson of King George VI, is the Duke of Kent and Earl of St. Andrews.

It is important to note that prior to becoming dukes, some of these figures held earldoms and that they still hold these titles as secondary titles. For example, Prince Edward was originally the Earl of Wessex before King Charles gave him the Dukedom of Edinburgh.

Succession and Legislation

The titles of the royal dukes are tied directly to their line of succession. The detailed structure of these titles is closely monitored by the Parliament, and any changes can significantly impact the nobility structure. For instance, there is currently a bill before Parliament that would allow the King to strip his brother Prince Andrew of the Dukedom of York and his other subsidiary titles. If this were to happen, the Dukedom of York would be reabsorbed by the crown, reducing Andrew to the non-royal title of Prince Andrew. This would be a significant humiliation as "Prince" is a child’s title, often seen as less prestigious.

Future Successions

Presumably, Princes George, Louis, and Archie, upon their marriages, will be created dukes. The next Prince of Wales, after Prince William, will hold the dukedoms of Cornwall and Rothesay as inherent titles. Currently, there are no royal earls who are not also dukes. However, if Princess Charlotte should achieve titles on her own, it might be fascinating to see if she is granted one, potentially leading to her becoming a Princess Royal at some point in the future.

Conclusion

The royal dukes of England represent a unique and complex system of nobility and succession. Each title and its holder play a significant role in the British royal family structure, and changes to these titles can have far-reaching impacts on the royal hierarchy.

The continuation of these titles and the potential creation of new dukedoms under the future monarchs will undoubtedly continue to capture the public's interest and shape the future of the British royal family.