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- Prince Philip died at the age of 99 on 9 April 2021.
- Upon his death, Philip's titles, including Duke of Edinburgh, was passed on to his son, Prince Charles.
- Royal expert Nick Bullen says, however, he believes Prince Edward will take on the title - and sooner than anticipated.
Queen Elizabeth buried her husband, Prince Philip on Saturday.
The Duke of Edinburgh was lowered into the Royal Vault at a beautiful funeral service attended by just 30 guests amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, leaving Prince Charles as the patriarch of the family.
The heir apparent, as tradition would have it, will inherit the title of Duke of Edinburgh, along with his other titles, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, of Greenwich in the County of London. However, royal experts, including True Royalty TV co-founder Nick Bullen, tells Fox News Prince Edward is to take on the title once Charles becomes king, which was actually both Philip and the queen's wish.
He explains: "In truth Prince Charles, as the eldest son, inherits his father's titles. So in truth, the title Duke of Edinburgh should really go to the Prince [of] Wales. When Prince Charles becomes king, the title of duke would revert to the crown and become crown property."
The college of arms, which controls and grants coats of arms in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, as well as some Commonwealth countries, confirmed that the title, which was given to Prince Philip by King George VI after he relinquished his European royal status before marrying the queen, will indeed first go to Charles.
"These peerages are hereditary and on the death of His Royal Highness have passed to his eldest son, HRH The Prince of Wales," they said. "In the event of the Prince of Wales or any subsequent holder of these titles succeeding to the Crown, these titles and all others held will merge with the Crown."
Nick Bullen says he doubts the wait will be that long for Prince Edward, though. "I wouldn't be surprised if, within the palace, certain things move slightly faster than that and Edward becomes the Duke of Edinburgh during the queen's reign," he says. "I wouldn't be surprised if that happened instead."
PHOTOS | The queen, Charles, William, Harry and more at the funeral of Prince Philip
