Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, is on a five-day visit to the United States and Canada. Edward, 62, is the youngest child of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
Here's everything to know about King Charles III's youngest brother, who is widely known in Britain for his drama-free lifestyle and wide-ranging royal duties.
Who is Prince Edward and where is he in the line of succession?
The queen and Philip had four children: King Charles III, Princess Anne, ex-Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
Prince Edward was born Edward Antony Richard Louis on March 10, 1964. At the time of his birth, he was third in line to Britain's throne. Today, amid an ever-expanding royal family, he is 16th in the line of succession.
When Prince Philip died in 2021, he carried the Duke of Edinburgh title, which briefly
returned to the crown. In 2023, a year after Charles became king, he granted brother Edward the Duke of Edinburgh title. Before receiving the dukedom, Edward was known as the Earl of Wessex.
What is Prince Edward doing in the U.S and Canada?
Prince Edward's trip to the U.S. will run from Sept. 28 until Oct 1. During the trip he will visit New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. before traveling to Toronto for a string of engagements.
The visit will celebrate the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K., with "a particular focus on shared interests around youth empowerment and opportunity, and the arts," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
While in Washington DC, in recognition of the year of America 250 celebrations, the duke will visit Mount Vernon to tour the new education centre and lay a wreath at the tomb of George Washington.
Edward's visit comes months after Charles and Queen Camila traveled to the U.S. in April, the first state visit by a British monarch since 2007.
The four-day state visit was touted as a celebration of America's 250th anniversary and included a formal state dinner at the White House, an address by the kingto a joint session of Congressand a ceremonial stop at the memorial dedicated to the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.
Prince Edward has no scheduled events with President Trump or at the White House.
What did Prince Edward do for a career before serving the king?
Edward realized after just a few months in the royal marines that the traditional military path of royals was not for him, despite passing the physical requirements and receiving positive reports.In 1987,Buckingham Palace said he stepped back from the marines after “much consideration” and that he did not "wish to make the service his long-term career."
The prince then forged a career in theatre and television production until he stepped away from commercial media to become a full-time working royal in 2002.
Edward is among a handful of royals who are considered full-time working members of the royal family.
Youth causes, sports, the military and the arts are among his key focus areas and the duke is dedicated to supporting a number of charities and organizations. Edward is a patron of Britain's National Youth Theatre.
Is Prince Edward married?
Prince Edward proposed to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1998. The couple married in 1999 at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The pair have two children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 22, and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, 18.
In the past, Edward has describedSophie as his "rock," stating in a television interview ahead of their 25th anniversary in 2024 that he was “incredibly lucky that I found Sophie and she found me."
Do Edward and Sophie's children use royal titles?
Edward and Sophie made the decision not to give their children royal titles, stressing that they wanted their son and daughter to have a normal upbringing. Instead, their children use courtesy titles instead of the traditional HRH titles and prince or princess designations.
When Louise was born in 2003, she was styled as Lady Louise. Their son James was born in 2007 and was styled as Viscount Severn until 2023 when he became Earl of Wessex, taking on his father's hereditary title after he became Duke of Edinburgh.
Both children have grown up largely out of the royal spotlight and are considered relatively low-key members of the family. They have of course, attended high profile events over the years. Louise was a bridesmaid at Prince William and Princess Kate's 2011 wedding.
“We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living,” Sophie told the Times of London in 2020. "Hence we made the decision not to use HRH titles. They have them and can decide to use them from 18, but I think it’s highly unlikely.”
Sophie told the newspaper that the children spend the weekend outdoors, attend "regular school," and “go to friends for sleepovers and parties."
Louise graduated from St. Andrews University in July, with a degree in English, while James starts his studies at England's Royal Agricultural University this year, where he will study rural land and property management, according to the palace.
What does Prince Edward do to support the king?
Since Edward and Sophie announced they would become full-time working royals in 2002, representing the crown in Britain and overseas. As a result, both their profiles have grown at home and abroad, with the pair often seen as a steady, uncomplicated force within the turbulent world of Britain's royals.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which was founded by Prince Philip in 1956, is one of Edward's main focus areas. The award helps young people build their confidence and develop key life skills. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is operating in more than 130 countries, according to the royal family's official website.
The pair frequently carry out public engagements, with Sophie's work focusing on a range of topics including gender equality and charities including blindness prevention. As a child who was born prematurely, Louise suffered from exotropia, an eye disorder which causes the eyes to turn outwards. Her condition improved following treatment to correct her vision, though it is still not perfect.
In 2024, the king awarded Edward the Order of the Thistle , Scotland's highest royal honor and the second highest in Britain. The order of recognition recognizes knights, men and women who have held public office or have made a particular contribution to national life. Edward received the honor on his 60th birthday.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, as he visits U.S.
