Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh is a dukedom, the highest rank in the British Peerage, one of the British systems of nobility. The current holder of the dukedom is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The title was first created in the 18th Century, but merged back into the crown when its holder became king. It was revived several times, but became extinct on each occasion, as the holder died without heirs.

Since the present Duke of Edinburgh has many heirs male, including three sons, the title will almost certainly continue to exist for the foreseable future.

In 1999, it was announced that the title will pass to the Earl of Wessex in due course. The exact mechanism by which this will happen is uncertain, as the title would normally pass to the present Duke's eldest son, Charles, Prince of Wales.