Prince Louis of Wales, the young son of Prince William, is enmeshed in a royal dilemma tied to one of the most storied titles in the United Kingdom: the Duke of York. Currently held by his great-uncle, Prince Andrew, the title is mired in historical misfortune and contemporary scandal.

The Dukedom of York is traditionally granted to the monarch’s second son, a custom followed when Prince Andrew received the title in 1986. However, peerage titles in Britain are bound by Letters Patent, which specify that they can only be passed down the male line. With Prince Andrew having no sons, the title will revert to the Crown upon his death.

Despite Prince Andrew stepping back from public duties and ceasing to use the title, he has not been stripped of it, as this requires an act of Parliament—a step neither the Crown nor the government is eager to take. This leaves the title legally occupied and out of reach for Prince Louis until it reverts post-Andrew’s death.

The title’s history adds further intrigue. Dubbed “The Unlucky Dukedom,” it has never passed smoothly from father to son. Notable Dukes met grim fates, including Edward of Norwich at Agincourt and Richard of Shrewsbury, one of the ill-fated Princes in the Tower. Others, like Henry VIII and George VI, ascended the throne, causing the title to merge with the Crown.

Viewing the Dukedom as a piece of real estate under a specific lease, the Crown acts as the landlord, Prince Andrew as the current tenant, and Prince Louis as a potential future tenant, unable to take over until the current "lease" ends.

Prince Louis's future with the title remains uncertain. Should the title revert to the Crown with Prince Andrew’s death, potentially under King William’s reign, three options present themselves: uphold tradition by granting the title to Prince Louis, select a different title due to the controversies associated with Duke of York, or abstain from granting hereditary dukedoms to non-heir children entirely.

The decision will not only reflect the personal choice of the future monarch but also resonate with how the monarchy wishes to shape its modern identity—whether by confronting the shadows of the past or choosing a path less burdened by historical weight.