Earl of Forfar

Earl of Forfar is a title that has been created twice, once in the Peerage of Scotland and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The name of the earldom refers to Forfar, the county town of Angus, Scotland. The current holder is Prince Edward, son of Elizabeth II and brother of Charles III.

History

The title was first created in 1661 in the Peerage of Scotland as a subsidiary title to the Earldom of Ormond. This first creation of the title became extinct in 1715.

The dignity of Earl of Forfar in the Peerage of the United Kingdom was granted in 2019 to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, on the occasion of his 55th birthday. This earldom was given in addition to the two titles (Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn) that he received on his wedding day and afforded Prince Edward and his wife Sophie a Scottish title to use when in Scotland before Edward was granted the Dukedom of Edinburgh. Unlike his brother (the then Prince Andrew, Earl of Inverness) and nephews (Prince William, Earl of Strathearn and Prince Harry, Earl of Dumbarton), Prince Edward did not receive a Scottish title on the occasion of his marriage.

The County of Forfar, renamed Angus in 1928, contains Glamis Castle, the seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, from whom Prince Edward's grandmother Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was descended.

In July 2019, the Earl and Countess visited Forfar on their first official visit to the town since the Queen granted the title in March 2019. He was presented with 'Earl of Forfar' tartan, to decorate the Earl and Countess, by a town firm – the Strathmore Woollen Company. The weave is based on the existing Forfar tartan, which it designed in 2004 on the colours from the Forfar coat of arms. The geometry remains virtually the same, but the colours have been strengthened, with Azure blue replaced by the St Andrew's blue of the Scottish flag, and white yarns replaced by a brown to reflect the rich agriculture of the surrounds.

The couple visited Forfar again in the summer of 2021.

Earls of Forfar, first creation (1661)

Subsidiary title was Lord Wandell and Hartside (Peerage of Scotland, 1661).

Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Forfar and 2nd Earl of Ormond (1653–1712), younger son of the 1st Earl of Ormond.
Archibald Douglas, 2nd Earl of Forfar and 3rd Earl of Ormond (1692–1715), only son of the above. On his death without issue in 1715, both earldoms became extinct.

vte Family tree of the: Earls of Angus, Earls of Avondale, Earls of Douglas, Marquesses of Douglas, Earls of Forfar, Earls of Ormond and Marquesses of Ormond, Earls of Ross and Dukes of Ross
Earl of Angus (Stewart line), 1329 John Stewart d. 1331 1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Bonkyl, Lord of Abernethy jure uxorisWilliam the Hardy 1243–1298 Lord of Douglas Thomas Stewart b. before 1331–1361 2nd Earl of AngusArchibald Douglas d. 1333James Douglas "the Good" c.1286–1330 Lord of Douglas Earl of Douglas, 1358 Robert III of Scotland c.1337–1406Margaret Stewart d. 1417 3rd Countess of Angus, Lady of Abernethy, Lady of BonkyllWilliam Douglas c.1323–1384 1st Earl of DouglasArchibald Douglas "the Grim" c.1330 – c.1400 3rd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell Earl of Angus transferred from the Stewarts to the Douglasses when Margaret resigned her title in deference to her son, 1389Earl of Avondale and Lord Balveny, 1437 James I 1394–1437Princess Mary of ScotlandGeorge Douglas 1380–1430 1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Abernethy, Lord of BonkyllJames Douglas c.1358–1388 2nd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Mar Archibald Douglas "Tyneman" c.1369–1424 Duke of Touraine, 4th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, 13th Lord of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell m. Margaret of Carrick, daughter of Robert IIIJames Douglas 1371–1443 7th Earl of Douglas, 1st Earl of Avondale, 1st Lord Balveny William Douglas 1398–1437 2nd Earl of AngusDouglases of Drumlanrig Archibald Douglas c.1391–1439 Duke of Touraine, 5th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, Liddesdale and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roi Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1445 James II 1430–1460James Douglas 1428–1446 3rd Earl of AngusGeorge Douglas c.1427–1463 4th Earl of AngusWilliam Douglas c.1424–1440 Duke of Touraine, 6th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roiWilliam Douglas 1425–1452 8th Earl of Douglas, 2nd Earl of Avondale, 2nd Lord BalvenyJames Douglas 1426–1491 9th Earl of Douglas, 3rd Earl of Avondale, 3rd Lord BalvenyHugh Douglas d. 1455 Earl of Ormond Earldom of Douglas and Earldom of Avondale forfeit, 1491Eardom of Ormand forfeit, 1455 James III 1451/1452–1448Archibald Douglas c.1449–1513 5th Earl of Angus Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1476 Earl of Ross, 1481 Duke of Ross, 1488 James IV 1473–1513James Stewart 1476–1504 Duke of Ross, Marquess of Ormond, Earl of RossGeorge Douglas 1469–1513 styled Master of AngusWilliam Douglas of Glenbervie 1473–1513 Dukedom of Ross (1488 creation), Marqessate of Ormond (1st creation) and Earldom of Ross (1481 creation) extinct, 1504 Duke of Ross (2nd creation), 1514 James V 1512–1542Alexander Stewart 1514–1515 Duke of RossArchibald Douglas 1490–1557 6th Earl of AngusGeorge Douglas of Pittendreich d. 1552Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie 1513–1570 Dukedom of Ross (2nd creation) extinct, 1515 Earl of Ross (1565 creation) Mary, Queen of Scots 1542–1587Henry Stuart 1546–1567 Duke of Albany, 1st Earl of Ross, Lord Darnley, Lord Ardmannoch David Douglas c.1515–1558 7th Earl of AngusWilliam Douglas 1533–1591 9th Earl of Angus James VI and I 1566–1625 2nd Earl of RossArchibald Douglas 1555–1588 8th Earl of Angus, Earl of Morton William Douglas 1553–1611 10th Earl of Angus Earldom of Ross (1565 creation), merged with the crown Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), Earl of Ross, and Lord Ardmannoch, 1600Marquess of Douglas (1st creation), 1633 Elizabeth Stuart 1596–1662Charles Stuart 1600–1649 Marquess of Ormond, Earl of Ross Later King Charles I of England and ScotlandWilliam Douglas 1589–1660 1st Marquess of Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus Marquessate of Ormand (2nd creation) and Earldom of Ross (1600 creation) merged with the Crown, 1625 Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), 1651 Sophia of Hanover 1630–1714Archibald Douglas 1609–1655 1st Earl of Ormond Earl of Forfar (1st creation), 1661 King George I 1660–1727James Douglas c.1646–1700 2nd Marquess of Douglas, 12th Earl of AngusArchibald Douglas 1653–1712 2nd Earl of Ormond, 1st Earl of Forfar Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun, 1703 King George II 1683–1760Archibald Douglas 1694–1761 1st Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun, 3rd Marquess of Douglas, 13th Earl of AngusArchibald Douglas 1692–1715 3rd Earl of Ormond, 2nd Earl of Forfar Dukedom of Douglas, Marquessate of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscountcy of Jedburgh Forest, Lordship Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun extinct, 1761 Marquessate of Douglas, and earldom of Angus passed to James Hamilton, 7th Duke of HamiltonEarldoms of Ormond and Forfar extinct, 1715 Frederick 1707–1751 Prince of Wales King George III 1683–1760 Edward Augustus 1767–1820 Duke of Kent and Strathearn Queen Victoria 1819–1901 King Edward VII 1841–1910 Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Earl of Athlone, 1890 Prince Albert Victor 1864–1892 Duke of Clarence and Avondale, Earl of AthloneKing George V 1865–1936 Dukedom of Clarence and Avondale and Earldom of Athlone extinct, 1892 King George VI 1895–1952 Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022 Earl of Forfar (2nd creation), 2019 Prince Edward b. 1964 Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Forfar
					Earl of Angus (Stewart line), 1329
					John Stewart d. 1331 1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Bonkyl, Lord of Abernethy jure uxoris		William the Hardy 1243–1298 Lord of Douglas


					Thomas Stewart b. before 1331–1361 2nd Earl of Angus		Archibald Douglas d. 1333		James Douglas "the Good" c.1286–1330 Lord of Douglas

										Earl of Douglas, 1358
Robert III of Scotland c.1337–1406				Margaret Stewart d. 1417 3rd Countess of Angus, Lady of Abernethy, Lady of Bonkyll	William Douglas c.1323–1384 1st Earl of Douglas		Archibald Douglas "the Grim" c.1330 – c.1400 3rd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell



							Earl of Angus transferred from the Stewarts to the Douglasses when Margaret resigned her title in deference to her son, 1389									Earl of Avondale and Lord Balveny, 1437

James I 1394–1437	Princess Mary of Scotland	George Douglas 1380–1430 1st Earl of Angus, Lord of Abernethy, Lord of Bonkyll		James Douglas c.1358–1388 2nd Earl of Douglas, Earl of Mar	Archibald Douglas "Tyneman" c.1369–1424 Duke of Touraine, 4th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, 13th Lord of Douglas, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell m. Margaret of Carrick, daughter of Robert III		James Douglas 1371–1443 7th Earl of Douglas, 1st Earl of Avondale, 1st Lord Balveny



						William Douglas 1398–1437 2nd Earl of Angus		Douglases of Drumlanrig		Archibald Douglas c.1391–1439 Duke of Touraine, 5th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Douglas, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, Liddesdale and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roi

																			Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1445

James II 1430–1460				James Douglas 1428–1446 3rd Earl of Angus	George Douglas c.1427–1463 4th Earl of Angus		William Douglas c.1424–1440 Duke of Touraine, 6th Earl of Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, Lord of Galloway, Lord of Bothwell, Lord of Selkirk and Ettrick Forest, Eskdale, Lauderdale, and Annandale, Count of Longueville, Seigneur de Dun-le-roi		William Douglas 1425–1452 8th Earl of Douglas, 2nd Earl of Avondale, 2nd Lord Balveny		James Douglas 1426–1491 9th Earl of Douglas, 3rd Earl of Avondale, 3rd Lord Balveny		Hugh Douglas d. 1455 Earl of Ormond
																	Earldom of Douglas and Earldom of Avondale forfeit, 1491	Eardom of Ormand forfeit, 1455
James III 1451/1452–1448							Archibald Douglas c.1449–1513 5th Earl of Angus


						Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (1st creation), 1476 Earl of Ross, 1481 Duke of Ross, 1488
James IV 1473–1513				James Stewart 1476–1504 Duke of Ross, Marquess of Ormond, Earl of Ross	George Douglas 1469–1513 styled Master of Angus		William Douglas of Glenbervie 1473–1513
							Dukedom of Ross (1488 creation), Marqessate of Ormond (1st creation) and Earldom of Ross (1481 creation) extinct, 1504

			Duke of Ross (2nd creation), 1514

James V 1512–1542	Alexander Stewart 1514–1515 Duke of Ross	Archibald Douglas 1490–1557 6th Earl of Angus		George Douglas of Pittendreich d. 1552	Archibald Douglas of Glenbervie 1513–1570
			Dukedom of Ross (2nd creation) extinct, 1515
			Earl of Ross (1565 creation)
Mary, Queen of Scots 1542–1587	Henry Stuart 1546–1567 Duke of Albany, 1st Earl of Ross, Lord Darnley, Lord Ardmannoch				David Douglas c.1515–1558 7th Earl of Angus		William Douglas 1533–1591 9th Earl of Angus



		James VI and I 1566–1625 2nd Earl of Ross					Archibald Douglas 1555–1588 8th Earl of Angus, Earl of Morton		William Douglas 1553–1611 10th Earl of Angus
		Earldom of Ross (1565 creation), merged with the crown


						Marquess of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), Earl of Ross, and Lord Ardmannoch, 1600						Marquess of Douglas (1st creation), 1633
		Elizabeth Stuart 1596–1662		Charles Stuart 1600–1649 Marquess of Ormond, Earl of Ross Later King Charles I of England and Scotland					William Douglas 1589–1660 1st Marquess of Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus
						Marquessate of Ormand (2nd creation) and Earldom of Ross (1600 creation) merged with the Crown, 1625
														Earl of Ormond (Scotland) (2nd creation), 1651
		Sophia of Hanover 1630–1714									Archibald Douglas 1609–1655 1st Earl of Ormond


																Earl of Forfar (1st creation), 1661
		King George I 1660–1727									James Douglas c.1646–1700 2nd Marquess of Douglas, 12th Earl of Angus		Archibald Douglas 1653–1712 2nd Earl of Ormond, 1st Earl of Forfar

														Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun, 1703
		King George II 1683–1760									Archibald Douglas 1694–1761 1st Duke of Douglas, Marquess of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun, 3rd Marquess of Douglas, 13th Earl of Angus		Archibald Douglas 1692–1715 3rd Earl of Ormond, 2nd Earl of Forfar
														Dukedom of Douglas, Marquessate of Angus and Abernethy, and Viscountcy of Jedburgh Forest, Lordship Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun, and Robertoun extinct, 1761 Marquessate of Douglas, and earldom of Angus passed to James Hamilton, 7th Duke of Hamilton	Earldoms of Ormond and Forfar extinct, 1715
		Frederick 1707–1751 Prince of Wales

		King George III 1683–1760

		Edward Augustus 1767–1820 Duke of Kent and Strathearn

		Queen Victoria 1819–1901

		King Edward VII 1841–1910


		Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Earl of Athlone, 1890
		Prince Albert Victor 1864–1892 Duke of Clarence and Avondale, Earl of Athlone		King George V 1865–1936
		Dukedom of Clarence and Avondale and Earldom of Athlone extinct, 1892
					King George VI 1895–1952

					Queen Elizabeth II 1926–2022

					Earl of Forfar (2nd creation), 2019
					Prince Edward b. 1964 Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Forfar

Earls of Forfar, second creation (2019)

Earl	Portrait	Birth	Marriage(s)	Death
Prince Edward House of Windsor 2019–present also: Duke of Edinburgh (2023), Earl of Wessex (1999), Viscount Severn (1999)		10 March 1964 Buckingham Palace, London son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip	19 June 1999 Sophie Rhys-Jones 2 children	– now 62 years, 61 days old

Line of succession

Prince Edward, Earl of Forfar (b. 1964) (1) James, Earl of Wessex (b. 2007)