Sophie, Countess of Wessex: Why don't her children with Prince Edward have HRH status?

SOPHIE, COUNTESS OF WESSEX, 54, is a member of the Royal Family. While most royals take on names different to the general public, her children have missed out HRH titles. Why?


Sophie, Countess of Wessex, has been a full-time working royal for over 20 years. She married the Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward, 55, on 19 June 1999 and is often seen out performing her royal duties. The couple have two children together, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, and James, Viscount Severn, 11. Although the children share some very high profile royal cousins, they have missed out on getting the same title.

Sophie Countess of Wessex: Children missed out on HRH title for this reason

READ MORE: This is why Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew would not need Queen's approval to remarry

Sophie married Prince Edward just months after announcing they were engaged.

Despite being the daughter-in-law of the Queen, she was not given the title of Princess.

Although many might assume she would become a Princess or Duchess, this did not happen due to the title Prince Edward took on.

When he was married, Edward became the Earl of Wessex which was a title he reportedly requested.

Sophie was made a Countess as she was given the title as the wife of an Earl and not daughter-in-law of the monarch.

Sophie Countess of Wessex: James Viscount Louise

Sophie Countess of Wessex: Sophie and Edward’s titles have also meant their children have missed out (Image: GETTY)

Sophie Countess of Wessex: Prince Edward family

Sophie Countess of Wessex: The children have many royal cousins, but they don't have the same title (Image: GETTY)

Sophie and Edward’s titles have also meant their children have missed out on princely status like others in the family.

Louise and James are the cousins of Prince William, 37, Prince Harry, 34, Princess Beatrice, 30, and Princess Eugenie, 29.

Letters patent issued in 1917 assigned a princely status to any child of the Monarch’s son’s, which would be Prince Edward, but Louise and James missed out.

At the time of Sophie’s wedding, a statement was released to say any children the couple had would be titled as the children of an Earl and not the grandchildren of the Queen.

This means Louise was given the title of Lady and James was given the title of Viscount Severn.

Sophie Countess of Wessex: Prince Edward children

Sophie Countess of Wessex: For their titles to be changed, the Queen would need to request it (Image: GETTY)

Sophie Countess of Wessex: Royal family tree

Sophie Countess of Wessex: She has been part of the Royal Family for over 20 years (Image: EXPRESS)

For their titles to be changed, this would require the Queen to issue a letter patents allowing it.

However, Sophie could be set to get a new title soon if Prince Edward becomes the Duke of Edinburgh

It is believed she could get a new title in the future, which would make Sophie the Duchess of Edinburgh, a title once held by the Queen. 

The royal has used her fashion to give an insight into her growing importance within the Royal Family.

She has recently been spotted making bolder fashion choices and attracting attention, an expert revealed.