Queen Elizabeth’s Youngest Son Gets History Degree : Prince Surprises Critics, Passes Cambridge Exams

Prince Edward, youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, has passed his final exams at Cambridge University, confounding critics who once said he lacked the necessary qualifications to study there.

The 22-year-old prince learned Saturday that he had been awarded a second-class honors degree in history by the university.

His results were posted with those of other students on the university Senate House and telephoned to him at Windsor Castle by a friend. He will attend a graduation ceremony next Saturday.

The prince, who spent the past three years at Cambridge, had average results in his high school final exams, and before he entered the university, some students signed a petition objecting that others had a greater right than the prince to study there.

Edward, who will join the British marines, threw himself into the life of the university, taking an active part in drama and rugby.

His eldest brother, Prince Charles, heir to the throne, attended the university 16 years ago. He too was awarded a second-class honors degree.

Gavin MacKenzie, senior tutor at Jesus College, where the prince studied, commented: “Every year there are a handful of undergraduates that one knows have derived the absolute maximum from the opportunities that Cambridge offers. This year Edward is one of that handful.”