Princess Charlotte has important title bestowed on her in 'fitting tribute' to her late great-grandmother - despite another royal being lined up for the role

Princess Charlotte's new title, according to reports, is said to be one of the most senior awarded to a member of the Royal Family. The title in question, the Duchess of Edinburgh, would be bestowed on her for a very interesting and valid reason. 

• Princess Charlotte's new title, the Duchess of Edinburgh, would be awarded in light of the Royal Family's U-turn on primogeniture.
• Despite this, it's likely to be a source of some disappointment for the King's younger brother Prince Edward who was expected to take on the Duchy.
• In other royal news, Prince Harry's unusual nickname for Kate Middleton revealed.

It was expected that the role, one of the most senior titles granted in the Royal Family, would be awarded to the youngest of Queen Elizabeth's children, Prince Edward. However, the Daily Mail reports that a royal source told them, "discussions are underway, but the favored outcome for the King is that this title ought to go to Princess Charlotte."

The source added, "it would be a fitting way to remember the Queen – who, of course, had the title Duchess of Edinburgh – and a way for His Majesty to honor the line of succession."

The birth of Princess Charlotte, one of the late Queen's twelve great-grandchildren, heralded a historical moment for the British monarchy. As the Prince of Wales’s second child, Charlotte is third in the royal line of succession, after her father Prince William, and older brother Prince George. Before she or even her elder brother were born, the monarchy chose to abolish the rule of primogeniture. 

Primogeniture is defined as, "the right of succession belonging to the firstborn child, especially the feudal rule by which the whole real estate of an intestate passed to the eldest son." When Princess Catherine was pregnant with Prince George, it was decided that gender wouldn't factor into the first-born's place in line to the throne. In other words, if Prince George abdicates or sires no heirs, the throne would go to the Princess - not her younger brother Prince Louis.

A source told the Daily Mail, "Charlotte’s position is historically significant because she is the first female member of the Royal Family whose place in the line of succession will not be surpassed by her younger brother."

"So it is constitutionally significant that Charlotte should be given such a corresponding title," they continued, "because it is not beyond the realms of possibility that she will accede the throne if, for example, Prince George does not have children."

Despite this move towards gender equality, it's likely to be a source of some disappointment for the King's younger brother Prince Edward who was expected to take on the Duchy. His likeliness to inherit the coveted title was even noted in Prince Edward’s biography on the official Royal Family website. Not only was the Prince incredibly close to his late father Prince Philip, formerly the Duke of Edinburgh - but he's also been heavily involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. 

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a scheme for young people founded by his father back in 1956, which is seen as a right of passage for many British young people. His involvement even went so far as being chairman of its International Council for 17 years and he's has been chairman of the trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation since 2015.

For some, this potential move is another indication of Prince Charles' dedication to the idea of a more 'slimmed down' monarchy. As an insider suggested to the publication, "it shows you what the King is thinking. It’s about promoting those directly in line to the throne rather than those on the edges."