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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Sophie Wessex almost got Kate Middleton's title - but instead got 'unexpected' choice

She's often described as the royals' secret weapon thanks to her down-to-earth and honest approach to duty.

But despite her popularity, eyebrows were raised with the title Sophie Wessex was awarded ahead of marrying the late Queen's youngest son Prince Edward.

Unlike his older brother Prince Andrew, Edward was not awarded a dukedom and at the time of their wedding in 1999, it was confirmed he would become the Earl of Wessex.

This meant Sophie, who celebrates her 58th birthday today, became the Countess of Wessex - and not a duchess.

However, it is thought that she did almost end up with a duchess title - and it was the same one the now Princess of Wales was awarded on her wedding day.

Sophie Wessex with Kate on a visit to Wimbledon (Phil Harris)

According to one palace courtier, Edward was originally going to be offered the title Duke of Cambridge, which was eventually given to Prince William.

If this original plan had gone ahead, Sophie would have been the Duchess of Cambridge - the title that eventually went to Kate.

However, the courtier explained to The Telegraph in 2010: "Prince Edward was going to be the Duke of Cambridge, but he watched the film Shakespeare in Love, which had a character called the Earl of Wessex.

"He liked the sound of it and asked the Queen if he could have that instead."

Sophie and Kate chat at a carol service last month (Yui Mok/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

However, there still could be time yet for Edward and Sophie to become a duke and a duchess.

It was previously revealed that it was intended that Edward to be created Duke of Edinburgh, in honour of his late father Prince Philip.

This would mean Sophie would become Duchess of Edinburgh - a courtesy title which was held by the Queen from her wedding in 1947 until her accession in 1952.

Sophie and Prince Edward at last year's Royal Variety Performance (Getty Images)

The Countess once recalled the moment she and Edward were told the late Philip would like them to take on the title in an interview with the Telegraph.

She said: “We sat there slightly stunned. He literally came straight in and said, ‘Right. I’d like it very much if you would consider that’.”

The title of Duke of Edinburgh was inherited by King Charles upon the death of Prince Philip as he was his eldest son.

Edward and Sophie on their wedding day in 1999 (PA)

Now that the King has succeeded his mother, the Dukedom of Edinburgh has merged with the Crown, meaning it is free to be granted again to another royal couple.

While it is thought that both the late Queen and Philip wished for Edward and Sophie to take on the dukedom, it will be up to Charles to decide who will inherit it.

Following suggestions that Charles may go against the original plans, a source previously told the Sunday Times: "The prince is the Duke of Edinburgh as it stands, and it is up to him what happens to the title. It will not go to Edward.”

But in a previous interview with the BBC, Edward noted how the final decision on the title remains with Charles. He said: "It was fine in theory, ages ago when it was sort of a pipe dream of my father’s .... and of course, it will depend on whether or not the Prince of Wales, when he becomes king, whether he’ll do that, so we’ll wait and see."

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