Here’s why James, Earl of Wessex, will never follow his father’s footsteps in becoming the Duke of Edinburgh

On 17 December 2025, James, Earl of Wessex, marked a milestone: his 18th birthday. The occasion brings renewed attention to his position within the Royal Family and clarifies why he will never inherit the Dukedom of Edinburgh.

In a notable act of familial continuity and royal tradition, King Charles III conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon his younger brother, Prince Edward, in 2023. The elevation marked a significant moment, as the title – so closely associated with the late Prince Philip – found new life in the hands of the Monarch’s loyal sibling. In turn, Edward’s wife, Sophie, assumed the title of Duchess of Edinburgh. Their son, James, formerly Viscount Severn, accordingly became the Earl of Wessex at the age of 15. Now 18, he continues in that courtesy title, yet the Dukedom of Edinburgh is not destined for him.

Under the King’s vision for a modern, streamlined monarchy, the Dukedom is to become extinct upon the death of the current holder – a decision in keeping with His Majesty’s broader approach to reducing the number of working royals. James is unlikely ever to take on full-time royal duties, and the King appears to have judged that such a prestigious title ought not to pass to a member outside the working core of the Royal Family.

A similar trajectory applies to other hereditary dukedoms. Prince Richard, the current Duke of Gloucester, continues to carry out duties with quiet dedication, yet the title will pass to his son, Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, and then to his grandson, Xan Windsor, Lord Culloden. While they remain noble in lineage, they will not occupy senior royal roles.

The Dukedom of Kent follows the same pattern. The present Duke’s heir, the Earl of St Andrews, and his son, Lord Downpatrick, remain in the line of succession but are no longer central figures in the public life of the monarchy.

Viewed in this context, it becomes clear why the Dukedom of Edinburgh will not pass to James. King Charles appears intent on preserving certain historic titles for working royals, ensuring that the most prestigious honours remain connected to active public service. Within a generation, the Kent and Gloucester dukedoms will likely exist largely in ceremonial form, highlighting the King’s careful balancing of tradition with practicality.

James’s coming of age underscores this generational shift. While he is now officially an adult within the peerage, his role will be defined more by private life and personal pursuits than by high-profile royal duty. These developments reflect a broader strategy: a Royal Family that honours history while evolving to meet the expectations of a modern constitutional monarchy.

Click here for 18 facts about the Earl of Wessex as he celebrates his milestone birthday.