Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick; born 9 October 1935) is a member of the British royal family. The elder son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, he is a grandson of George V, nephew of Edward VIII and George VI, and first cousin of Elizabeth II. Edward's mother was also a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort of Elizabeth II, making him both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to Charles III. He is 41st in the line of succession to the British throne.

Prince Edward has held the title of Duke of Kent for over 82 years, making him the longest-serving duke in British history. He inherited the title at the age of six in 1942, following his father's death in a plane crash. Edward carried out engagements on behalf of Elizabeth II and is involved with over 140 charitable organisations. He was president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presenting the trophies to the Wimbledon champion and runner-up, and served as the United Kingdom's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, retiring in 2001. He is joint president of The Scout Association, and president of the Royal United Services Institute and the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and since 1967 Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. The Duke of Kent has been Chancellor of the University of Surrey since June 1976. Much of his charity work revolves around war remembrance, technology, and the growth of British industry.

Early life and education

Prince Edward was born on 9 October 1935, at No. 3 Belgrave Square, London, to Prince George and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Home Secretary Sir John Simon was present to verify the birth. His father was the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary. His mother was the daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia. He was baptised in the Private Chapel of Buckingham Palace on 20 November 1935 by Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang. His godparents were his grandparents, King George V, Queen Mary and Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark; as well as the Prince of Wales; the Princess Royal, the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (whose son, Prince Arthur of Connaught, stood proxy); and the Duchess of Argyll.

Prince Edward began his education at Ludgrove, a preparatory school in Berkshire, before going on to Eton College and then Le Rosey in Switzerland. After school he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he won the Sir James Moncrieff Grierson prize for foreign languages. Edward speaks fluent French, having been raised in a house where, according to the words of his younger brother, Prince Michael of Kent, his mother and aunts spoke French as a matter of preference.

On 25 August 1942, Prince Edward's father, the Duke of Kent, was killed when his plane crashed in bad weather in Caithness. Prince Edward, at six years old, succeeded his father as Duke of Kent, Earl of St Andrews and Baron Downpatrick. As a member of the royal family, Prince Edward began performing engagements at an early age. In 1952, at the age of 16, he walked behind the coffin of his uncle, George VI, at his state funeral. In 1953, he attended the coronation of his cousin, Elizabeth II, and was the third to pay homage at her throne, following the dukes of Edinburgh and Gloucester.

Military service

On 29 July 1955, the Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a second lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career which lasted over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961.

From 1962 to 1963, the Duke of Kent served in Hong Kong, later serving on the staff in Eastern Command. He was promoted to major on 31 December 1967. In 1970, the Duke commanded a squadron of his regiment in Cyprus as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. During the early 1970s, the Duke also served briefly in Northern Ireland with his regiment. It was revealed in a 2022 book, that the Queen intervened in 1971 to prevent the kidnapping of her cousin, the Duke of Kent. The then 35-year-old Duke, an Army officer with the Royal Scots Greys, was sent to Northern Ireland with his unit but the Queen alerted Edward Heath, the prime minister, during her private audience, and he relayed a warning to his ministers. Commanding officers were told the Duke was not to be sent to Belfast without special orders. A few weeks later, he was posted back to Britain. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 30 June 1973.

The Duke retired from the army on 15 April 1976. He was subsequently accorded the honorary rank of major-general on 11 June 1983, and of field marshal on 11 June 1993.

Marriage and personal life

At York Minster on 8 June 1961 the Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley, the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, 4th Baronet, by his wife Joyce Morgan Brunner. She converted to Catholicism in 1994, but because the conversion occurred after their marriage, it did not cause the Duke to lose his place in the line of succession, as the Act of Settlement 1701 only applied where the spouse was a Catholic at the time of marriage. The disqualification by marrying a Catholic was removed by the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.

The couple have three living children:

• George, Earl of St Andrews, born 26 June 1962 at Coppins; married Sylvana Tomaselli
• Lady Helen Taylor, born 28 April 1964 at Coppins; married Timothy Taylor
• Lord Nicholas Windsor, born 25 July 1970 at King's College Hospital in London; married, 2006, Paola Doimi de Lupis de Frankopan

Katharine had a miscarriage in 1975 owing to rubella and gave birth to a stillborn son, Patrick, in 1977.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent reside at Wren House, Kensington Palace, in London.

In 2011, close associates of Jonathan Rees, a private investigator connected to the News International phone hacking scandal, stated that he had penetrated Edward and Katharine's bank accounts.

The Duke had a mild stroke on the morning of 18 March 2013. In April 2015, he suffered from a hip injury and was hospitalised at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for further treatments.

Activities

The Duke of Kent performed engagements on behalf of his cousin, the Queen, for over 50 years. The Duke represented the Queen during independence celebrations in the Commonwealth countries of Sierra Leone, Uganda, Guyana, Gambia, and Ghana, to commemorate its 50th independence anniversary celebration. He also acted as Counsellor of State during periods of the Queen's absence abroad.

One of the Duke's major public roles for many years was vice-chairman of British Trade International, formerly known as the British Overseas Trade Board, and later as the United Kingdom's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment. This position saw the Duke travel abroad to represent the British government in fostering trade relations with foreign countries and organisations. Prince Andrew, Duke of York succeeded him in this position, which is today known as UK Trade & Investment (or UKTI), although Prince Andrew resigned from the post in 2011. He was also the vice-chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board. In that capacity, he became the first member of the royal family to visit China in 1979 with his focus being on the British Energy Exhibition in Beijing.

From 1971 to 2000, the Duke of Kent was president of English football's governing body, The Football Association. The Duke has served as the president of The Scout Association since 1975. Along with Prince William of Wales, the Duke visited the Centenary World Scout Jamboree at Hylands Park, Chelmsford in July 2007. He also served as the president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club between 1969 and 2021, a position in which he succeeded his late mother, Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent. He was also president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from 1970 until 2023. His other roles include president of the RAF Benevolent Fund, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Stroke Association, the Royal United Services Institute, the Royal Institution, the British Racing Drivers' Club, and patron of the American Air Museum in Britain, Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, Kent County Cricket Club, Opera North, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He is also on the advisory panel for the Mountbatten Medal and presents the medal once the decision has been made. The Duke of Kent is one of the Royal Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

For almost 29 years, the Duke has been the patron of Endeavour, a national youth organisation. He has also served as Royal Patron of The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn since 2001, a position previously occupied by his father. In 2015, the Duke received the Dresden Peace Prize for "his contribution to British-German reconciliation."

On 2 June 2022, the Duke appeared alongside the Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the 2022 Trooping the Colour as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Kent became the oldest living descendant of King George V, and the last surviving descendant born in George V's lifetime.

The Duke was colonel of the Scots Guards for fifty years from 9 September 1974 to 14 April 2024, being succeeded by the Duke of Edinburgh. At the time of his retirement, he was the regiment's longest serving colonel.

Freemasonry

The Duke was initiated into Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16 on 16 December 1963, and was elected its Worshipful Master for 1965 and 1966.

Having been appointed Senior Grand Warden in 1966, he was elected as Grand Master the following year, and was installed on 14 June 1967 during United Grand Lodge of England's 250th anniversary celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall. He is the 10th, and longest-serving Grand Master of UGLE, the governing body of Freemasonry in England and Wales.

In December 2013, the Duke celebrated 50 years as a freemason. In October 2017 he presided over the tercentenary celebrations of UGLE, marking the 300th anniversary of the founding of the original Grand Lodge, one of two which merged to form UGLE in 1813. The main ceremony was held in the Royal Albert Hall, in the year which also marked the Duke's 50th anniversary of installation as Grand Master.

Titles, styles, honours and arms

Titles and styles

• 9 October 1935 – 25 August 1942: His Royal Highness Prince Edward of Kent
• 25 August 1942 – present: His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent

Military ranks

• 29 July 1955: Second Lieutenant, Royal Scots Greys
• 29 July 1957: Lieutenant, Royal Scots Greys
• 29 July 1961: Captain, Royal Scots Greys
• 31 December 1967: Major, Royal Scots Greys
• 30 June 1973: Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Retired on 15 April 1976
• 11 June 1983: Major General
• 11 June 1993: Field Marshal

Honours

• 12 May 1937: King George VI Coronation Medal
• 2 June 1953: Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
• 1960: Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)

• 

  1961: Sierra Leone Independence Medal

• 

  1966: Guyana Independence Medal
• Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
  • 1967: Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
• 6 February 1977: Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
• 1985: Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG)
• 6 February 2002: Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
• 6 February 2012: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal

• 

  Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with 3 Bars

• 

  Canadian Forces' Decoration with 3 Clasps (CD)
• 6 February 2022: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal

• 

  6 May 2023: King Charles III Coronation Medal

Foreign

• 1970: United Nations Medal for the UNFICYP mission
• 1992: Golden Pheasant Award of the Scout Association of Japan
• 6 November 2000: Knight of the Order of Charles XIII
• : Order of Saints George and Constantine First class (civil division)
• : Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (special class)

• 

  : Grand Cordon of the Order of the Star of Jordan

• 

  : Knight Grand Band of the Order of the Star of Africa
• : Order of the Three Divine Powers First Class (Jyotirmaya-Subikhyat-Tri-Shakti-Patta)
• 1988: Grand Cross of the Order of St Olav
• : Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
•  Saxony

  

  21 May 2015: Order of Merit of the Free State of Saxony

Civilian appointments

• 1 August 1966: Personal Aide-de-Camp to the Sovereign (ADC)
• June 1976: Chancellor of the University of Surrey
• 1990: Royal Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)

Wear of orders, decorations, and medals

The ribbons worn regularly by Edward in undress uniform are as follows:

Grand Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George		Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
United Nations Medal for the UNFICYP mission	King George VI Coronation Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal	Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal	King Charles III Coronation Medal
Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with three bars	Canadian Forces' Decoration with three clasps	Sierra Leone Independence Medal	Guyana Independence Medal

With medals, Edward normally wears the breast stars of the Garter, St Michael and St George, and Royal Victorian Order. When only one should be worn, he wears the Order of the Garter star. Foreign honours are worn in accordance with British customs and traditions when applicable.

Military appointments

Canada

• 11 June 1977: Colonel-in-Chief, of The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)

United Kingdom

• 22 October 1974 – 14 April 2024: Colonel, of the Scots Guards
• Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
• Royal Colonel, 1st Battalion, of The Rifles
• 25 January 1994: Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
• 1993 – 31 March 2015: Honorary Air Commodore, of the RAF Leuchars
• 15 June 1985 – 30 June 1996: Honorary Air Vice Marshal RAF
• 1 July 1996: Honorary Air Chief Marshal RAF

Arms

Coat of arms of the Duke of Kent

Notes As a descendant of George V, the Duke of Kent's arms are based on the Royal Arms. Coronet Coronet of a Grandchild of the Sovereign Crest On the coronet of children of other sons of the Sovereign, composed of four crosses-patées alternated with four strawberry leaves a lion statant guardant or, crowned with the like coronet and differenced with a label as in the Arms. Escutcheon The Royal Arms differenced by a label of five points argent the points charged alternately with three anchors azure and two crosses gules. Supporters The Royal Supporters differenced with the like coronet and label. Orders The Order of the Garter ribbon. HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE (Shame be to him who thinks evil of it) Banner The Royal Standard of the United Kingdom labelled for difference as in his arms. (in Scotland) Symbolism As with the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. The first and fourth quarters are the arms of England, the second of Scotland, the third of Ireland.

Issue

Ancestry

Bibliography

• HRH The Duke of Kent; Vickers, Hugo (2022). A Royal Life. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-1529389708.

• HRH The Duke of Kent (21 September 2020). "His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month". Blood Cancer UK.