Early Life and Education of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh. A timeline of key moments.
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. As the youngest sibling of King Charles III, he holds a prominent position within the British royal family. Born third in line to the throne, he is currently 15th in the line of succession. His life and activities are closely followed as a member of the royal family.
March 1964: Birth at Buckingham Palace
In March 1964, Edward was born at Buckingham Palace, London, as the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
March 1964: Prince Edward's Birth
In March 1964, Prince Edward was born third in line to the British throne.
1964: Establishment of Edinburgh Trust No. 2
In 1964, the Edinburgh Trust No. 2, was originally set up.
September 1972: Entry to Heatherdown School
In September 1972, Edward entered Heatherdown School near Ascot in Berkshire.
1983: Signed up for Royal Marines
In 1983, Edward originally signed up for Royal Marines.
1986: Commissioned 'Cricket' and Joined Really Useful Theatre Company
In 1986, Edward commissioned the musical 'Cricket' from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice and joined the Really Useful Theatre Company as a production assistant.
1986: Graduation from Cambridge
In 1986, Edward graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
1986: Joined the Royal Marines
In 1986, Edward joined the Royal Marines after graduating from Cambridge, with the understanding of future service.
January 1987: Withdrawal from Royal Marines commando course
In January 1987, Edward withdrew from the Royal Marines commando course after completing one-third of the 12-month training.
June 1987: Broadcast of 'The Grand Knockout Tournament'
On June 15, 1987, 'The Grand Knockout Tournament' (It's a Royal Knockout) was broadcasted, attracting criticism but raising funds for charity.
1987: Met Sophie Rhys-Jones
In 1987, Edward met Sophie Rhys-Jones while he was dating one of her friends.
1990: Opened Commonwealth Games in New Zealand
In 1990, Edward opened the Commonwealth Games in New Zealand.
December 1993: Denial of Wedding Plans
In December 1993, Edward wrote to newspaper editors denying any wedding plans and asking the media to respect their privacy with Sophie Rhys-Jones.
1993: Founded Ardent Productions
In 1993, Edward founded the television production company Ardent Productions.
1994: Estonian Monarchy Proposal
In 1994, the Independent Royalist Party of Estonia requested Queen Elizabeth II crown Edward as King of Estonia, which Buckingham Palace declined.
1996: Documentary about Edward VIII
In 1996, a documentary Edward made about his great-uncle Edward VIII (the Duke of Windsor) sold well internationally.
December 1998: Engagement to Sophie Rhys-Jones
In December 1998, Edward proposed to Sophie Rhys-Jones while on holiday in the Bahamas.
1998: Opened Commonwealth Games in Malaysia
In 1998, Edward opened the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.
1998: Initial lease of Bagshot Park
In 1998, Edward's initial lease of Bagshot Park was for 50 years at £5,000 a year.
January 1999: Engagement Announcement
On January 6, 1999, Edward and Sophie's engagement was officially announced.
June 1999: Wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones
On June 19, 1999, Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was created Earl of Wessex.
June 1999: Became Earl of Wessex
On June 19, 1999, Prince Edward became known as 'His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex'.
1999: Founded International Special Projects Group
In 1999, Edward founded the International Special Projects Group to broaden the reach of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
1999: Marriage and Title of Earl of Wessex
In 1999, Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones and was granted the title Earl of Wessex.
1999: Establishment of the Bagshot Park Charity
In 1999, the Earl and Countess of Wessex established the Bagshot Park Charity, later renamed the Wessex Youth Trust.
September 2001: Ardent Crew Breaches Prince William's Privacy
In September 2001, an Ardent film crew allegedly invaded the privacy of Prince William while he was studying at university.
2001: Ectopic Pregnancy
In 2001, Sophie experienced an ectopic pregnancy.
March 2002: Stepped down from Ardent Productions
In March 2002, Edward stepped down as production director of Ardent to focus on royal duties.
2002: Full-time Royal Duties
In 2002, Edward stepped down from Ardent Productions to begin full-time duties as a working member of the royal family.
November 2003: Birth of Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor
In November 2003, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor was born prematurely to Edward and Sophie.
2006: Vice-Patron of Commonwealth Games Federation
In 2006, Edward became vice-patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation.
2006: Trustee of the International Award
Since 2006, Edward has been a trustee of the International Award.
September 2007: Visit to Israel for Duke of Edinburgh's Award
In September 2007, Edward visited Israel to attend events organized by the Israel Youth Award program.
December 2007: Birth of James Mountbatten-Windsor
In December 2007, James Mountbatten-Windsor (then Viscount Severn) was born to Edward and Sophie.
2007: Extended lease of Bagshot Park
In 2007, Edward extended the lease of Bagshot Park to 150 years.
June 2009: Ardent Productions dissolved
In June 2009, Ardent Productions was voluntarily dissolved.
December 2011: Visit to Afghanistan and Bahrain
In December 2011, Edward and Sophie visited troops in Afghanistan and traveled to Bahrain, receiving controversial gifts of jewels.
March 2012: Caribbean Visit as Part of Queen's Diamond Jubilee
In March 2012, the Earl and Countess of Wessex continued their visit to the Caribbean, as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, visiting various locations, including Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. They also addressed a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Assembly in Barbados during this time.
2013: Visit to South Africa and Honorary Doctorate
In 2013, Edward and his wife visited South Africa. Also, in 2013, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bath.
2013: Received Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bath
In 2013, Edward received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bath.
2015: Chair of Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
In 2015, Edward became chair of trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.
October 2017: Represented the Queen at Brunei Anniversary Celebrations
In October 2017, the Earl and Countess of Wessex represented the Queen at the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah's accession to the throne of Brunei.
February 2018: Tour of Sri Lanka
In February 2018, The Earl and Countess toured Sri Lanka, taking part in the 70th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo.
2018: Played on all 50 real tennis courts for charity
In 2018, Edward played on all 50 real tennis courts around the world and raised over £2 million for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.
March 2019: Granted the Title Earl of Forfar
In March 2019, Queen granted Edward the additional title Earl of Forfar for use in Scotland.
July 2019: First Official Visit to Forfar
In July 2019, the Earl and Countess of Wessex visited Forfar on their first official visit to the royal burgh since the Queen granted Edward the additional title Earl of Forfar in March 2019. The Earl was also presented with 'Earl of Forfar' tartan.
2019: Title of Earl of Forfar conferred
In 2019, Edward was conferred the additional title of Earl of Forfar by his mother.
2020: Took Over Patronage of London Youth
In 2020, Edward took over the patronage of London Youth from his father, who had held the position for 73 years.
2021: Death of Prince Philip
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, father to Prince Edward, passed away in 2021.
March 2023: Created Duke of Edinburgh
On March 10, 2023, Edward's 59th birthday, he was created Duke of Edinburgh, becoming 'His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh'.
July 2023: Transfer of funds to the Edinburgh Trust No. 2
In July 2023, the trust's remaining funds were transferred to the Edinburgh Trust No. 2.
2023: Title Duke of Edinburgh granted
In 2023, Charles III granted Edward the title of Duke of Edinburgh.
2023: Named patron of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award
In 2023, Edward was named patron of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
2023: Children styled as children of a duke
Since 2023, Edward's children have been styled as the children of a duke rather than as Prince or Princess and Royal Highness.
2025: Overseas Trips Representing the King and UK Government
In 2025, Edward represented the King and the UK Government on several overseas trips, including a visit to Papua New Guinea to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence, and a trip to Japan with Sophie.
Mentioned in this timeline
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