Queen Elizabethhad just one companion with her when she made herfirst appearance of her Platinum Jubilee weekend: her first cousin Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent.
Queen Elizabeth II and her cousin Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June, 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Duke of Kent, 86, is the son ofPrince George, the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary and the younger brother of King George VI (Queen Elizabeth’s father). His mother, Princess Marina, is royalty in her own right — before her marriage, she was Princess of Greece and Denmark. Princess Marina’s mother was Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, a granddaughter of Emperor Alexander II of Russia.
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Prince Edward became the Duke of Kent at age 7, inheriting the title after his father died in a wartime flying accident in 1942.
Trooping the Colour 2022.DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images
The Duke of Kent served in the armed forces for over two decades.
According to theroyal family’s official website, he “is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies which cover a wide range of issues, from commemorating the war dead, to fostering the development of British technology and industry. His Royal Highness undertakes numerous engagements each year in support of these organisations, both in the UK and across the Commonwealth.”
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Kent.Tim Rooke/Shutterstock
Last year, the Duke of Kent wasQueen Elizabeth’ssole companionat a scaled-down Trooping the Colour event amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was no surprise the Queen looked to family — if only a single member — the event marked the Queen’s first Trooping the Colour following thedeathof her husbandPrince Philip, who retired from royal duties in 2017 and skipped the public birthday festivities in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
“She has an enormous amount of family support for her and will also take comfort from the enormity of the support from all over the world,” Charles Anson, former press secretary to the Queen, told PEOPLE.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent.
The Duke of Kent is also aregular at Wimbledon, appearing alongsideKate Middletonin recent years. Last year, he announced that he would be stepping down as President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club after over 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 ofPrince Williamand Kate with their three children as well as other royals.
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Although Trooping the Colour takes place each year in June to publicly celebrate the Queen’s birthday, this year it serves an extra special purpose: as the kickoff event to the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee festivities, marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.
source: people.com
