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Prince Edward Facts & Worksheets

Edward, Earl of Wessex, is Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip's youngest child. Edward founded Ardent Productions, a television production firm, in 1993.

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Edward, Earl of Wessex, is Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s youngest child. Edward founded Ardent Productions, a television production firm, in 1993. In 1999, he married Sophie Rhys-Jones. After leaving Arden Productions in 2002, he became even more committed to social causes, notably the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program.

See the fact file below for more information about Prince Edward, or you can download our 30-page Prince Edward worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

  • On March 10, 1964, Edward, Earl of Wessex, was born at Windsor Castle in London, England. On May 2, 1964, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s youngest child, was christened as Edward Antony Richard Louis.
  • Prince Edward has three older siblings: Anne, Princess Royal, King Charles III, and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.
  • Edward was a bookish kid who loved to be alone. He studied in Buckingham Palace with a tutor until the age of seven, when he enrolled at Gibbs School, a pre-preparatory school in Kensington. He transferred to Heatherdown Preparatory School in Berkshire in 1972. 
  • Edward began attending his father’s alma mater, Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland, in 1977, where he excelled in sports. He avidly participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program, earning a Gold Award.
  • Edward left Gordonstoun with multiple A-levels in 1982 and enrolled in the Collegiate School in Wanganui, New Zealand, for two semesters. 
  • He also served as a house tutor and oversaw acting lessons while in school. He graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986.

QUICK FACTS

  • Name: Prince Edward Antony Richard Louis, Earl of Wessex
  • Birth Year: 1964
  • Birth date: March 10, 1964
  • Birth City: London
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Edward, Earl of Wessex, is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. A former theater and television producer, Edward remains active in charity.
  • Industries
    • Television
    • Theater and Dance
  • Astrological Sign: Pisces
  • Schools
    • Gibbs School
    • Jesus College, Cambridge
    • Gordonstoun School
    • Heatherdown Preparatory School

ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS AND DUTIES

  • His Royal Highness pledged his full-time dedication to aiding The Queen during Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee year and beyond in 2002.
  • His tenure as a Trustee of the UK Award since 1988 and the International Award since 2006 has been instrumental in shaping The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award into the impactful program it is today. The Duke also contributes to various organizations and patronages in the arts, sports, and the military. 
  • The Duke of Edinburgh assists The King in his duty as Head of State by representing His Majesty at events in the United Kingdom and abroad and attending state and ceremonial engagements with other members of the Royal Family. 
  • The Duke of Edinburgh attends several significant yearly national events, including Trooping the Colour and Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph in central London. 
  • He also enjoys meeting guests at DofE celebration events and Gold Award holders during summer Garden Parties.
  • His Royal Highness makes numerous excursions and visits abroad, both on behalf of The King and in connection with his philanthropic efforts. 
  • The Duke and Countess of Wessex embarked on a diplomatic mission to St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Gibraltar, and Cyprus in recognition of Her Late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year.
  • During travels to the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands with the Countess of Wessex in 2023, The Duke delivered messages on behalf of His Majesty The King. 
  • In addition to his travels on behalf of the Queen, The Duke has also frequently represented The Monarch at national and international events. For instance, he delivered an address on behalf of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the 2021 General Synod.
  • On March 10, 2023, His Royal Highness’s 59th birthday, The King revealed that he had bestowed the Dukedom of Edinburgh on his

CHARITY, ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Edward has been highly involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program since he received a Gold Award in college. He is notably active in fundraising for the groups, having visited more than 25 participant nations as of May 2012.
  • Following his departure from Ardent Productions in 2002, Edward’s dedication to social causes intensified, with a particular focus on the International Special Projects Group and the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers.
  • Since receiving his Gold Award in 1986, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has been a focal point of his life and activity for four decades. 
  • The Award, founded by Prince Philip in 1956, assists young people in developing confidence and vital life skills to attain their full potential. 
  • Today, approximately 500,000 young people in the UK are actively pursuing their DofE, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available in over 130 countries. 
  • Over many years, the Duke has played a leading role in the Award’s development in the United Kingdom and abroad, taking on numerous responsibilities for its charities from his father. 
  • Since 1988, he has served as a trustee of the UK charity and, since 2006, of the International Award. For 17 years, he also served as chair of the International Council.
  • His Royal Highness founded the International Special Projects Group in 1999 to widen the Award’s reach, notably to society’s most marginalized young people. 
  • The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation continues to serve as Chairman of Trustees, a post he has held since 2015.
  • In these responsibilities, The Duke travels extensively throughout the UK and worldwide to support the Award, meeting young participants, thanking volunteers who help them accomplish their goals, and organizing Gold Awards Celebrations.
  • Young People
  • The Duke is passionate about youth issues, and supporting development possibilities for young people is a recurring subject in much of his activity. 
  • In 2020, the Duke heeded his father’s request and became the Patron of London Youth, a network of youth clubs that was close to Prince Philip’s heart.
  • The Duke is also now acting as the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Quality Youth Leadership Ambassador for their 2023 ‘Year of Youth,’ a twelve-month activity focused on strengthening the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion under-30s. 
  • The Arts
  • The Duke is deeply committed to the arts and devotes much of his time to organizations that help young people develop their talents through theater and music. 
  • The National Youth theater of Great Britain, Creative Youth, Northern Ballet, The Orpheus Centre Trust, and the National Youth Orchestras of Scotland are among his patrons in this field. 
  • The Duke will mark a significant anniversary in 2023, as he will have completed two decades of service as Patron of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute.
  • He was awarded the ‘Earl of Wessex Award’ in January 2023, a new accolade that recognizes achievements to promote diversity in manufacturing and make the business more inclusive. 

The Sports

  • Sport is another of The Duke’s passions, and much of his time is spent supporting various formal sporting organizations. 
  • He is a patron of the British Paralympic Association, Badminton Scotland, The Tennis & Rackets Association, GB Snowsport, the Sport & Recreation Alliance, and the President of the Sport & Recreation Alliance.
  • His Royal Highness is also a Vice-Patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation, having visited every Commonwealth Games since the tournament was held in Edinburgh in 1986. 
  • In the run-up to the Games in Birmingham 2022, the Duke visited the West Midlands and spoke at the Closing Ceremony.

Heritage and Conservation

  • The Duke is passionate about preserving historic areas that bring communities together. He has contributed to several cathedral campaigns to ensure that music can be enjoyed in these houses of worship for future generations. 
  • Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, has demonstrated his commitment to preserving historical landmarks through his patronage of several notable restoration projects. 
  • His contributions have been instrumental in revitalizing Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight, refurbishing the organs at Wells and Norwich Cathedrals, and undertaking the reconstruction of the iconic Sir Christopher Wren church of St James’s in London. These endeavors showcase Prince Edward’s dedication to safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.
  • In 2023, the Duke of York will celebrate two decades of commitment as a patron of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI), a research center dedicated to protecting coral reefs and marine biodiversity.

The Armed Forces

  • The Duke of Edinburgh is happy to support the Armed Forces’ work at home and abroad. He has eight military appointments and interacts with service members and their families whenever feasible. 
  • His Royal Highness holds the honorary position of Colonel of the two prestigious regiments, the Royal Wessex Yeomanry and The London Guards.
  • Following the reorganization of the Infantry, the Duke of Edinburgh was appointed Royal Colonel of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles in 2007. 
  • The Duke of Wessex has regularly visited the Battalion at their Northern Ireland base and has joined them on active deployments, including a trip to Afghanistan with The Countess of Wessex in 2009 and, most recently, to Estonia.
  • The Duke was named Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2006 and Honorary Air Commodore of Royal Air Force Waddington in 2008.
  • The Duke has been bestowed with the honorary title of Colonel-in-Chief for three esteemed Canadian regiments: the Prince Edward Island Regiment, the Saskatchewan Dragoons, the Hastings, and the Prince Edward Regiment.

PERSONAL LIFE AND LEGACY

  • At a Real Tennis event in 1993, Prince Edward met his future wife, Sophie Rhys-Jones. The couple’s engagement was announced in January 1999, and they were married at St George’s Chapel in Windsor six months later.
  • On the wedding day, it was revealed that The Queen had bestowed the title of Earl of Wessex upon Prince Edward. Miss Rhys-Jones was given the title Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex. 
  • The Queen bestowed the extra title of Earl of Forfar to the then Earl of Wessex in March 2019. 
  • In Scotland, Their Royal Highnesses used the titles Earl and Countess of Forfar.
  • Despite life-threatening problems, the Earl and Countess of Wessex had their first child, Lady Louise Windsor, in 2003. 
  • Edward and Sophie made headlines in 2006 when their daughter underwent surgery to correct a congenital eye condition. 
  • The public celebrated the birth of the couple’s son, James, Viscount Severn, the following year. The family has recently resided in Bagshot Park in Surrey, England.

Theater and Television

  • After earning a bachelor’s degree, Edward joined the Royal Marines as a University Cadet. He determined three months into his cadet training that he would be better suited to work in theatrical production. 
  • Edward had a successful career in both theatrical and television production for nearly a decade. He worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful theater Company and another theatrical production company.
  • Edward Windsor founded his independent television production firm, Ardent Productions, in 1993. 
  • Ardent Productions mainly produced documentaries, several of which included members of the British Royal Family. As a result, some accused Edward of exploiting his royal connections for personal gain. 
  • He resigned from his position as managing director of Ardent Productions in 2002 to focus on his royal obligations.

Prince Edward Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Prince Edward across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Prince Edward. Edward founded Ardent Productions, a television production firm, in 1993. In 1999, he married Sophie Rhys-Jones. After leaving Arden Productions in 2002, he became even more committed to social causes, notably the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Prince Edward Facts
  2. Two Lies, One Truth
  3. Royal Profile
  4. The Earl of Wessex
  5. Life Events
  6. Family Tree
  7. International Award
  8. Awe-Inspiring Charity
  9. Film Reenactment
  10. Movie Poster
  11. Film Production

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Prince Edward?

Prince Edward is the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His full name is Edward Antony Richard Louis, and he was born on March 10, 1964.

Who are Prince Edward’s siblings?

Prince Edward has three siblings: King Charles III; Anne, Princess Royal; and Prince Andrew, Duke of York.

What is Prince Edward’s title?

Prince Edward holds the title of Earl of Wessex. He was granted this title by Queen Elizabeth II upon his marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999. In addition to being the Earl of Wessex, he is also known as Viscount Severn.

What role does Prince Edward play in the royal family?

Prince Edward is a working member of the royal family and has been involved in various charitable activities. He and his wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, carry out official engagements on behalf of the Queen. Prince Edward is also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, which was established by his father, Prince Philip.

How does Prince Edward fit into the line of succession?

Prince Edward is currently 14th in line to the British throne. His position in the line of succession has changed with the birth of other royals, such as Prince William’s children, but as the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, he is not in immediate contention for the throne.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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