The Queen Elizabeth the first time she looked out from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, during the last Trooping The Color, she had only one companion next to her: her first cousin, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent, wearing his military uniform, he then joined the rest of the royal family to witness the passage of Royal Air Force planes. For the queen it was her first Trooping the Color without her beloved husband, Prince Philip, at her side. The Duke of Edinburgh died last year at the age of 99.
The Duke of Kent, 86, is the son of Prince George, the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary and the younger brother of King George VI (father of Queen Elizabeth). Prince Edward became Duke of Kent at the age of 7, inheriting the title after his father died in a wartime plane crash in 1942. The Duke of Kent served in the military for over two decades.
According to the official website of the royal family, “Is involved with over 140 different charities, organizations and professional bodies covering a wide range of issues, from commemorating the war dead, to promoting the development of British technology and industry. His Royal Highness engages in numerous commitments each year in support of these organizations, both in the UK and throughout the Commonwealth. ‘
The queen after the death of her beloved Philip focuses more on family harmony: “He has a tremendous amount of family support for her and will also take comfort from the enormity of the support from around the world,” he explained to People Charles Anson, former Queen’s press officer. The Duke of Kent is also a regular at Wimbledon, we’ve seen him alongside Kate Middleton in recent years. Last year he announced that he would step down as president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club after more than 50 years in the position, a role that now belongs to Kate.
The Duke of Kent and his wife Katharine, Duchess of Kent, live at Wren House in Kensington Palace, which is also the London home of William and Kate with their three children and other royalty.
Source: Vanity Fair
