Why Prince Edward and Sophie's New Royal Titles Were Not Included at Commonwealth Day Service

Chris Jackson/Getty Images Prince Edward and Sophie

Prince Edward and Sophie are stepping out as the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

After King Charles announced on Friday that his younger brother was now the Duke of Edinburgh — the title previously held by their father, Prince Philip — the couple joined members of the royal family at the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

Prince Edward and Sophie, who also retained their titles as the Earl and Countess of Wessex and Forfar, were welcomed in by members of the Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club, who performed at the Great West Door ahead of the event.

The Order of Service for the Commonwealth Day event referred to Prince Edward and Sophie as "the Earl & Countess of Wessex." Since the programs are printed ahead of time, they likely weren't prepared for the title change that was announced just three days ago.

Others members of the royal family in attendance included King Charles and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton and Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

RELATED: Why Prince Edward's New Title Won't Pass Down to Son James — and May Go to Princess Charlotte Someday

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The service honors the 56 countries and nations around the world that make up the Commonwealth.

"Working in collaboration towards shared economic, environmental, social and democratic goals, the Service seeks to highlight a vast community which spans every geographical region, religion and culture, embracing the diversity of it its population of 2.5 billion people, of which over 60 percent are under 30 years old," the palace said in a statement.

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Prince Edward, 59, and Sophie, 58, stepped out for the first time with their new royal titles in Edinburgh on Friday. 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.

In their statement about the titles change, the palace said, "His Majesty The King has been pleased to confer the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, on the occasion of His Royal Highness's 59th birthday," Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Friday. "The title will be held by Prince Edward for His Royal Highness's lifetime."

Tim Rooke/Shutterstock Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh

RELATED: A Guide to the Royal Family's Official Titles (Including a Few New Ones)

"The Dukedom was last created for Prince Philip in 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 continue Prince Philip's legacy of promoting opportunities for young people of all backgrounds to reach their full potential."

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As the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie takes on the title that belonged to her mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth before she acceded to the throne. King George VI later conferred the dukedom on Prince Philip and then-Princess Elizabeth on their wedding day in 1947.