Kingly Cruelty: Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie 'Snubbed' by Charles III in Favor of Prestigious Honors for Camilla, William and Kate
King Charles III overlooked Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh in his recent royal honors list in favor of Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales.
"It was disappointing, the snub, but they are still as loyal as ever," a royal source told an outlet when discussing the Edinburgh's point of view over the slight.
The long-working royals, who celebrated 25 years of marriage in June, were passed over on April 23's royal honors list from the King, who gave his equally sick daughter-in-law, Kate, Princess of Wales, the Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour designation. Prince William also received the Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath honor, which one royal analyst said was mostly protocol due to their roles as Prince and Princess of Wales.
"[They] knew Charles was getting ready to announce the new honors and he also told William and Kate in advance," the insider added. "[William and Kate] were really thankful, and it gave them a boost to be acknowledged, especially with such amazing accolades."
Her Majesty The Queen was created the Grand Master and First or Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
The insider continued: "They have really stepped things up with their commitment to service over the past few years. Edward’s household was hoping he would get an honor. He’s dedicated to the arts, and that’s often overlooked with his theater work."
"Sophie has been supportive of him during this transitional period and they are really hoping it leads to something bigger and shows they are up to the task," the source concluded.
Although the Duke of Edinburgh spent years in the 1980s and 90s under "near constant ridicule from the press" due to his "whacked-out ideas and bizarre theatrics," the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II has "come into his own" lately.
"That King Charles has chosen his youngest brother to step up and lead the royals today in celebrating Anzac Day is a sign of how much Edward has grown comfortably into royal life and how much his brother admires and trusts him," royal expert Sarah Louise Robertson dished. "A couple of decades ago few would have ever thought the now Duke of Edinburgh capable of such an undertaking."
She added: "Until fatherhood came along he seemed to be floundering for a role, heaping humiliation on the royals when he made the disastrous TV show It’s a Royal Knockout... But he has thrived in recent years."
The King created his youngest sibling Duke of Edinburgh in early 2023, having held the title himself since their father, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's death in April 2021, and up until he acceded to the throne on September 8, 2022.
Daily Express reported on the insider revelations.