Earl of Wessex rather than a duke. His wife Sophie became "The Countess of Wessex". "The Sunday Telegraph" newspaper reported that he was drawn to the historic title of Earl of Wessex after watching the 1998 film "Shakespeare in Love", in which a character with the title 'Lord Wessex' is played by Colin Firth. The current Earl of Wessex is also Viscount Severn. This subsidiary title is used as a courtesy title by the Earl's son and heir to his title, who was born on 17 December 2007. Earl of Wessex Earl of Wessex is a title that has been created three times
Earl of Stamford eighth Earl. He was the son of the Reverend Harry Grey, son of the Hon. John Grey, third son of the fourth Earl. He was succeeded by his nephew, the ninth Earl. However, it was not until 1892 that the Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords confirmed the latter in the title, as the Committee wished to be assured that a marriage contracted by the 8th Earl while he lived abroad had not produced a legitimate heir. (The 8th Earl, who lived in South Africa, had married his housekeeper after she had already given birth to two of