Viscount Severn

Viscount Severn is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The name of the viscountcy is derived from the River Severn that runs through England and Wales. The title, along with the Earldom of Wessex, was bestowed on Prince Edward by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, upon his marriage to Sophie Rhys-Jones.[2] Between 1999 and 2023, the title was a subsidiary title of the Earldom of Wessex and Earldom of Forfar. Since 2023, the title is a subsidiary title of the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon the granting of the dukedom to Prince Edward.

Viscount Severn
Arms of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
Creation date19 June 1999[1]
CreationFirst
Created byElizabeth II
PeeragePeerage of the United Kingdom
Present holderPrince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
Heir apparentJames, Earl of Wessex
Remainder tothe 1st Viscount's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten.
StatusExtant
Seat(s)Bagshot Park

History

Viscount Severn was used by minor members of the royal family in the 18th century.[2] There is a history of being given a secondary title so the eldest son can have it as a courtesy title.[2]

The title Viscount Severn is derived from the Welsh roots of Sophie Rhys-Jones's family.[2] The significance of this title is that it alludes to her ancestors having ruled the land Between Wye and Severn.[3] This was the first time a royal prince was granted a viscountcy since 1726 when the title was given to two of George II’s sons.[4]

First creation, 1999

Between 17th December 2007 and 10th March 2023, Viscount Severn was used as a courtesy title by Prince Edward's son, James, Earl of Wessex. When his father was conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh, James instead became styled Earl of Wessex. The title will once again be used as a courtesy title should James have a son.

ViscountPortraitBirthMarriage(s)Death
Prince Edward
House of Windsor
1999–present
also: Duke of Edinburgh (2023), Earl of Wessex (1999), Earl of Forfar (2019)		 Prince Edward 10 March 1964
Buckingham Palace, London
son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip		 19 June 1999
Sophie Rhys-Jones
2 children		  –
now 59 years, 229 days old

Line of succession

References
  1. "No. 55536". The London Gazette. 28 June 1999. p. 7011.
  2. "Wessex titles for Edward and Sophie". BBC News. 19 June 1999. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  3. "Welsh Kings in Herefordshire and the origins of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren". Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. "Viscount and Viscountess". Unofficial Royalty. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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