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Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the younger brother of King Charles III.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the younger brother of King Charles III. Born on 10 March 1964 at Buckingham Palace, he is a working member of the British royal family who supports youth and non-formal education initiatives. He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 and was created Duke of Edinburgh in 2023.

Early life

Edward was born at Buckingham Palace in 1964 as the fourth and youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. He was third in line to the throne at birth and is 15th in the line of succession as of 2026.

Marriage and family

He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. The couple have two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex.

Public role

Edward is a full-time working member of the royal family. According to the Royal Family, he dedicates much of his time to supporting young people and promoting non-formal education.

Titles

He was known as Prince Edward until his marriage, when he was created Earl of Wessex. In 2023, King Charles III granted him the title Duke of Edinburgh.

Key facts

  • Prince Edward is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
  • He was born on 10 March 1964 at Buckingham Palace.
  • He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999.
  • He was created Duke of Edinburgh by King Charles III in 2023.
  • He is a working royal focused on youth and non-formal education.
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Canadian context

Prince Edward is relevant to Canadian readers because he is a senior member of the Canadian monarchy through the Crown, which is shared across Commonwealth realms including Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Prince Edward?
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip and the younger brother of King Charles III.
What does Prince Edward do?
He is a working member of the British royal family and supports youth-focused and non-formal education initiatives.
How old is Prince Edward?
He was born on 10 March 1964, which makes him 62 in 2026.
Who is Prince Edward married to?
He is married to Sophie Rhys-Jones, now Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh.
What is Prince Edward's title?
He is the Duke of Edinburgh.
Is Prince Edward the Queen's son?
Yes. He is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II.

References

  1. The Royal Family — https://www.royal.uk/duke/edinburgh
    Supports: Identity as the King's brother, youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, public role, birth date, marriage, children, and title history.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Prince-Edward-duke-of-Edinburgh
    Supports: Birth date, parentage, marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones, children, and titles.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Edward,_Duke_of_Edinburgh
    Supports: Full name, birth details, succession position, marriage, children, and 2023 creation as Duke of Edinburgh.
  4. Town & Country — https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a12808670/prince-edward-facts/
    Supports: Plain-language background on his family relationship, title, marriage, and royal work.