The title "Duke of York" will go extinct, again. What exactly is the number of
the last creation?
Most recent creation: 23 July 1986, upon Andrew's marriage to Sarah Ferguson.
Who was Charles Philip Arthur George from 1948 to 1952?
As per George VI, Charles and Anne were entitled to be styled as HRH Prince
Charles and HRH Princess Anne (of Edinburgh, possibly) from their birth till
1952, when their mother became Queen.
Otherwise, they would have been known as the Earl of Merioneth (Charles) and
Lady Anne Mountbatten (Anne).
Andrew (b. 1960) and Edward (b. 1964) were Princes immediately because
Elizabeth was already Queen when they were born.
From the BritFAQ:
"On 9 November 1948, HM King George VI 'issued Letters Patent under the Great
Seal ordaining that any children born to the Duke & Duchess of Edinburgh would
have the title of Prince or Princess and the style of Royal Highness.' Thus,
Charles (born 1948) and Anne (born 1950) were to enjoy the style of HRH before
they would have been entitled to it upon their mother's accession as Queen."
For Charles:
1948-52--HRH Prince Charles of Edinburgh
1952-61--HRH the Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall
1961-present--HRH the Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and
Rothesay, Earl of Chester, etc.
Charles has had precedence over all other Dukes in the UK since 1952 (at
least), when he became Duke of Cornwall.
If Charles accedes, William would immediately become a Duke (of Cornwall in
England, Wales and presumably Ireland, and of Rothesay in Scotland).
William would automatically become Duke of Cornwall on Charles' accession. The
Wales titles (which are strictly for the heir-apparent) would be granted via a
Letters Patent (they do not descend to the heir, as other peerages do).
How long will Henry remain Prince Henry of Wales, provided he is not created a
peer?
The usual practice in the family has been to create the peerage upon the
person's marriage (as was the case with Andrew and Edward). Thus, Henry will
probably not have a peerage title until his marriage. Charles might grant one
upon accession, if he chose.
And now back to the York Princesses. If Andrew dies, the Duchy will go
extinct.
The title reverts back to the Crown, unless Andrew remarries and has a son.
Whoever is monarch at that point COULD regrant the York title to Beatrice under
a new LP (however, I don't know of any peerage being regranted in that way).
I think Beatrice and Eugenie would be
referred to as "of York" till marriage. Then they would take on their
husband's title (retaining that of Princess).
Should Andrew remarry, any sons born of the new marriage would be ahead of
Beatrice and Eugenie in the succession order. Any daughters would be after
Eugenie (sons and their children in birth order, then daughters and their
children in birth order).