In a fascinating twist of royal history, the now-famous title of Duchess of Cambridge, held by the Princess of Wales, was almost bestowed upon another beloved member of the family: Sophie, now the Duchess of Edinburgh. A last-minute change, inspired by a Hollywood film, dramatically altered the course of royal honorifics.
The Title That Nearly Was
When Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward, the youngest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1999, she became the Countess of Wessex. However, palace plans for the couple's titles were initially quite different. According to a courtier speaking to The Telegraph in 2010, Prince Edward was originally set to be offered the Dukedom of Cambridge.
Had this original plan proceeded, Sophie would have walked down the aisle as the future Duchess of Cambridge. This title, of course, was later famously granted to Prince William's wife, Catherine, on their wedding day in 2011, making her the Princess of Wales we know today.
A Cinematic Change of Heart
So, what caused the sudden switch? The courtier revealed the charming reason: Prince Edward watched the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love. The movie features a character known as the Earl of Wessex. Edward was taken with the sound of the historic title and made a personal request to his mother, the Queen.
This request was granted, leading to Edward being created the Earl of Wessex upon his marriage. Consequently, Sophie began her royal life as the Countess of Wessex, a title she held with distinction for over two decades until a further promotion.
From Wessex to Edinburgh: A Modern Royal Journey
The story of Sophie's titles did not end there. In March 2022, on his 59th birthday, Prince Edward was created Duke of Edinburgh in honour of his late father, Prince Philip. This long-anticipated move meant Sophie's style changed once more, and she became the Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023.
Throughout her tenure, Duchess Sophie has earned a reputation as a dedicated and reliable working royal, often described as the monarchy's 'secret weapon'. She shares a notably close and playful friendship with the Princess of Wales, with the two frequently seen sharing light-hearted moments at engagements.
Royal commentator Hannah Furness has noted Sophie's unwavering work ethic, suggesting she is 'ready to do more' and is poised to take on a more prominent role when her nephew, the fond Prince William, eventually ascends the throne.
This tale of almost-missed titles highlights the sometimes unpredictable and personal nature of royal traditions, proving that even a night at the cinema can reshape royal history.
