Edward, Earl of Wessex Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Early Years and Education

Edward Antony Richard Louis was born 10th March 1964, to Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. He was born into the House of Windsor and similarly to his siblings; he was born in Buckingham Palace, London, in England.

The youngest of four children, Edward is tenth in line to the throne of Britain. His siblings are Charles, Prince of Wales, Anne, Princess Royal, and Andrew, Duke of York.

Edward did his early schooling at home with a governess. After attending primary school and high school, he enrolled at Gordonstoun as his brothers and father had.

After graduating, Edward spent a year in New Zealand. When he returned to England, he studied at Cambridge and graduated in 1986.

Career in Entertainment

Edward joined the Royal Marines after he graduated from college. Four months later he left, deciding the marines weren't for him.

He went to work in the entertainment industry. He managed the production of Cricket, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Edward did it for the Queen's 60th birthday. Due to doing such a good job, Lloyd Webber offered him a job.

Edward accepted the offer and went to work for the Really Useful Theatre Company as a production assistant. He worked on famous productions such as Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Starlight Express.

In 1993, Edward established his own company called, Ardent Productions. It was a television production company that concentrated on documentaries and dramas.

Edward received criticism for having his own company, and allegedly using his royal position to advantage. Due to the unrest, in 2002, he stood down from the company to assist the Queen with her duties. In 2009, the company dissolved.

Royal Duties

Prince Philip has started to step back from public life. As a result, Edward has taken over many of the duties his father used to fulfill. One role is as President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, and another is serving as a patron for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.

In 1999, Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife established their foundation. Called the Wessex Youth Trust, it supports charities for children and youth.

Edward and his wife, Sophie, have toured many countries, carrying out official duties on behalf of both his mother and his father.

In August 2004, Edward became Personal Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen. He is still currently in the position.

In 2013, he became Chancellor of the University of Bath, another position that he still holds.

Awards and Honors

As with most royalty, Edward has many honors and titles. He holds seven honors from the British royal family and six honors from the Commonwealth.

He has two military appointments, nine honorary military appointments, and six public appointments.

Personal

In 1999, Edward married Sophie Rhys-Jones. Edward took with his title of the Earl of Wessex on his wedding day. The Queen has expressed her desire for Edward to receive the title of Duke of Edinburgh once his father dies.

The couple has two children. They have a daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, and a son, James, Viscount Severn.