Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent, is amongst Queen Elizabeth’s ultimate 4 surviving cousins, all of whom have been in attendance at her state funeral on Monday (19 September).
The funeral began at 11am, after King Charles III led a procession from close by Westminster Hall, the place the Queen’s physique had been mendacity in state since Wednesday afternoon.
The new monarch was accompanied by his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, and by different senior members of his household.
The Duke of Kent arrived at Westminster Abbey together with his youthful brother Prince Michael of Kent, each wanting sombre and wearing army uniform.
Who is the Duke of Kent?
Born on 9 October 1935, Prince Edward is the son of Prince George, King George V and Queen Mary’s fourth son and the youthful brother of King George VI (who was Elizabeth’s father), and Princess Marina of Denmark and Greece. The duke’s maternal grandmother was Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, granddaughter of Russia’s Emperor Alexander II.
He has two siblings, Prince Michael, 80, and Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady of Ogilvy, 85.
Edward grew to become the Duke of Kent on the age of seven, after his father was killed in a army air crash on 25 August 1942.
He enrolled on the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, when he turned 18. Edward served within the army for over 20 years till he retired in 1976. To the day, he nonetheless holds various senior appointments, and usually visits his regiments, as per Town & Country Magazine.
How usually does he seem in public?
Prince Edward has remained in service of the crown for 80 years, having inherited the title of Duke of Kent from his father at a younger age.
At 16, the duke walked behind the coffin of King George VI in the course of the monarch’s funeral procession. Photographed alongside Edward was Prince Philip,the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Henry,the Duke of Gloucester, and former King Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor.
When Elizabeth grew to become queen in 1953, Prince Edward was third in line to pay homage at her throne in the course of the coronation.
According to the royal household’s web site, Prince Edward has undertaken over 60 abroad journeys to advertise British commerce and exports, in his function of vice chairman of the Overseas Trade Board – later of British Trade International – from 1976 till 2001.
In addition to travelling to nations akin to Europe, Japan, Australia and the Middle East, Prince Edward grew to become the primary member of the royal household to make an official go to to China in 1979.
Today, he stays concerned with over 140 completely different charities, organisations {and professional} our bodies which cowl a variety of points, from commemorating the battle useless, to supporting British expertise and trade. He continues to look at engagements to advertise the work of those enagegements, each throughout the nation and throughout the Commonwealth.
As president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club since 1969, the duke attends the Wimbeldon grand slam yearly and presents winners’ trophies to the champions. He is noticed on the match with different members of the royal household within the Royal Box to look at the matches.
Personal life
The duke married Katharine Worsley on 8 June 1961 at York Minister. Upon their marriage, she inherited the title of Duchess of Kent.
The couple met throughout Edward’s time dwelling at an English army base. They share three youngsters, George, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nicholas Windsor. They have 10 grandchildren.
A music lover, the duke helps the work of many organisations together with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera North, and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Greenwich, in addition to regional festivals throughout the UK.
The duke and duchess reside on the Kensington Palace’s Wren House in London.
Follow together with all of the dwell updates from the Queen’s funeral right here.
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk