Duke of Edinburgh Now vs Then

He’s the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and these photos of Prince Edward young show just how far he’s come. At birth, Edward was third in line for the British throne and is now 14th in the line of succession.

Born on March 10, 1964, Prince Edward was given the title of Earl of Wessex by his mother upon his marriage in 1999. Before that, he was known, simply, as Prince Edward. His childhood was largely spent in the public eye due to his royal status, but there is relatively little known about his early years compared to his older siblings, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Andrew.

He attended Gibbs School, Heatherdown School, and then Gordonstoun School in Scotland, following the tradition of his family. His time at Gordonstoun, like his father and elder brothers, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, was said to be formative, emphasizing outdoor activities and character-building exercises, but he’s reported to be more reserved compared to his siblings.

After completing his education, Prince Edward pursued a career in the Royal Marines but eventually withdrew from the training program. He then decided to pursue a career in entertainment and production, establishing his own television production company, Ardent Productions, in 1993.

Amid his brother King Charles’ cancer battle, Edward has had to step in and take on more responsibility. Recently, he was dubbed Colonel of the Scots Guard—the ceremonial head of the Scots Guards regiment in the British Army.

“It was a huge privilege, but also quite a lot of weight of expectation as well,’ Edward said, as he marked his 60th Birthday. “I mean, there’s an awful lot of legacy that came with that title and everything that my father had done, especially when you’re not inheriting it—this is a choice.” On getting used to his new title, Edward said: ‘It’s just the weirdest and strangest feeling.”

Prince Edward young

In photos of Prince Edward young, you can see a sense of quiet ambition.

• Royal Train Ride, 1964

  

  Prince Edward (left) and Prince Andrew leave Liverpool Street Station in London for Sandringham House in Norfolk, UK, 30th December 1964. 

• Queen Elizabeth II and her two sons, 1964

  

  Queen Elizabeth II with two of her sons, Prince Andrew (left) and the baby Prince Edward, London, 13th June 1964.

• Prince Edward & Prince Andrew, 1966

  

  Prince Edward and Prince Andrew playing with fallen leaves in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

• Go-Karting Royals, 1969

  

  Charles, Prince of Wales and Prince Edward ride together in a go-kart while Princess Anne drives behind them.

• Royals at the Olympics, 1976

  

  Queen Elizabeth ll and her sons, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend an event at the Olympic Games on July 19, 1976, in Montreal, Canada. 

• Prince Charles Sketching at Windsor, 1989

  

  Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales sketching on the bank of the River Thames, at Windsor Castle, with Prince Edward, and accompanied by his dogs, on March 23, 1989 in Windsor, United Kingdom.

• Trooping The Colour, 1964

  

  Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen Mother and their sons Prince Andrew and baby Prince Edward, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London during the Trooping the Colour ceremony, UK, 13th June 1964.

• In New Zealand, 1983

  

  Prince Charles with Diana Princess of Wales and Prince Edward, at a photocall at Wanganui Collegiate in New Zealand, where Prince Edward had been a junior tutor for two terms. April 22, 1983. Charles and Diana were on a Royal Tour of New Zealand. 

• At the Olympics, 1976

  

  Prince Edward smiles at his older brother Prince Charles, Prince of Wales as they disembark from the Royal Yacht Britannia to attend the Olympic Games on July 01, 1976, in Montreal, Canada.

• Driving around Windsor

  

  Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex drives a Rover car in the grounds at Windsor.

• Braemar Highland Games, 1975

  

  Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (right) and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York attend the Braemar Highland Games on September 15, 1975 in Scotland, United Kingdom.

• Family photo, 1975

  

  The Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of York, HM The Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Charles and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex.

• The Prince has braces, 1980

  

  Prince Edward has braces to straighten his teeth at the Badminton Horse Trials on April 01, 1980, in Badminton, England. 

• Badminton Horse Trials, 1977

  

  Prince Edward chats to his cousin Viscount Linley during the Badminton Horse Trials on April 03, 1977, in Badminton, England.

• A royal wedding, 1973

  

  Princess Anne, Princess Royal and Mark Phillips wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their wedding with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (R) on November 14, 1973 in London, England.