Prince EdwardandSophieare in the city of their new titles.

They met with members of the Ukrainian community at Edinburgh’s City Chambers to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine. During the reception, Prince Edward and Sophie met members of the Ukrainian and Eastern European diaspora in Edinburgh, including families who have made the city their home since the beginning of the conflict last year.

Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (R) and Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (centre right) meet members of the public as they attend a ceremony at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine

In a speech, Prince Edward said, “Thank you very much indeed for welcoming us to Edinburgh today on, indeed, a very special and slightly overwhelming day.” He then referred to Sophie as “my wife and Duchess,” prompting laughs from the crowd.

“But I also want to express my thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to make our Ukraine friends feel so very welcome,” he added.

Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (L) and Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (R) attend an event at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine on March 10, 2023. - Britain’s King Charles III on Friday awarded his younger brother Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh, in line with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

The previous holder of the Duke of Edinburgh title was King Charles and Prince Edward’s late father,Prince Philip. When he died in 2021, the title had passed to Charles as his eldest son. On Friday morning, the King’s office said that he had awarded it to Prince Edward.

JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty

The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (L) and Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (R) pose for a photograph with Marianna Melnyk, aged 10, from the Ukrainian community at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine on March 10, 2023. - Britain’s King Charles III on Friday awarded his younger brother Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh, in line with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

The new Duchess of Edinburgh, Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (R) meets Marianna Melnyk, aged 10, from the Ukrainian community at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine on March 10, 2023. - Britain’s King Charles III on Friday awarded his younger brother Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh, in line with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

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“The Dukedom was last created forPrince Philipin 1947, upon his marriage to Princess Elizabeth, who held the title of Duchess of Edinburgh before acceding to the throne in 1952,” the release added. “The new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are proud to continuePrince Philip’s legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”

Britain’s Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (L) and Britain’s Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (R) attend an event at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine on March 10, 2023. - Britain’s King Charles III on Friday awarded his younger brother Edward the title Duke of Edinburgh, in line with the wishes of the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

In a week full of royal title news, the announcement followedMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s children’s titles beingupdated on the royal family’s websiteon Thursday to read “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.” They were previously styled as “Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor” and “Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.”

Prince Edward’s new status had long been a wish of his father.

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh.Jane Barlow - Pool/Getty

Prince Edward, The new Duke of Edinburgh is seen at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city’s formal response to the invasion of Ukraine on March 10, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. King Charles III has handed his late father’s title the Duke of Edinburgh to his brother Prince Edward, honouring the late Queen and Philip’s wishes. Charles conferred the title on the former Earl of Wessex in celebration of his 59th birthday

Towards the end of his life, Prince Edward continued representing Prince Philip at award ceremonies for the Duke of Edinburgh volunteering program for young people, whichQueen Elizabeth’s husband created.

source: people.com