Britain's King Charles hands Duke of Edinburgh title to Prince Edward

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, looks on as he walks through the Royal Botanic Gardens with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during his state visit in London, Britain, November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles named his younger brother Prince Edward as the new Duke of Edinburgh on Friday, handing him the title last held by their father Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

Edward, 59 on Friday, becomes the latest member of the royal family to be granted a new title since Charles became king in September after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth.

William, Charles's eldest son and heir to the throne, was named Prince of Wales, while the children of his second son Harry, no longer a working royal, were officially named as prince and princess earlier this week.

Edward's new title comes after he took on a number of his father's roles, including at The Duke of Edinburgh Award charity which encourages young people to undertake challenges.

"The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continue Prince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential," Buckingham Palace said, referring to Edward's wife Sophie.

Philip had held the title of the Duke of Edinburgh since his marriage to the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947 until his death in 2021.

(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Kate Holton)