The youngest son of Elizabeth II is also the least known. But that could change soon if he actually becomes Counselor of State.
LONDON – The Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, has turned 58. “We wish the Earl of Wessex a happy birthday,” said the official Twitter account of the British royal family on a photo of the royal on Thursday.
Edward and his wife Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, will travel to Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and several other smaller Commonwealth countries in April to represent the monarchy on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th jubilee. The couple is considered down-to-earth and should be in close contact with the Queen.
🎂 Wishing The Earl of Wessex a very Happy Birthday! pic.twitter.com/3aMiK3iamG
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 10, 2022
Since Prince Andrew (62), Edward’s older brother, was barred from public duties, Edward has played a slightly larger role in public life. Observers even expect that he could be appointed the so-called “Counselor of State” – i.e. as a member of the family who can officially represent the Queen as head of state. So far, both Andrew and Prince Harry still hold this rank, although both are no longer actively involved in the British royal family.
Prince Edward is the only child of the Queen who has not divorced. There are also no known major scandals surrounding Edward. dpa
