The Duke of Kent, the oldest member of the Royal Family, is celebrating his 91st birthday today. Born on October 9, 1935, in Belgrave Square in London, he was a grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary and a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick was thrust into the spotlight at the age of seven when his father died in a plane crash, and he inherited the Duke of Kent title. He is the eldest of three children born to Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. His younger sister, Princess Alexandra of Kent, was born in 1936, and his younger brother, Prince Michael of Kent, completed the family in 1942.
Early life and military career
His father died in a plane crash in Caithness, Scotland, on August 25, 1942, while serving in the RAF, and Edward subsequently inherited his Duke of Kent title. At the time of his death, his youngest son, Prince Michael, was just over a month old.
The prince was educated at Ludgrove Prep School, Eton College, and at the Le Rosey Institute in Switzerland. Upon his return to the UK, Edward was enrolled at Sandhurst Military Academy and later embarked on his army career that lasted over 20 years.
Marriage and family
The Duke of Kent married the late Katharine Worsley on June 8, 1961, at York Minster. The couple had three children: George, Earl of St Andrews (b. 1962), Lady Helen Taylor (b. 1964), and Lord Nicholas Windsor (b. 1970). They also had a stillborn son named Patrick (b. 1977). They have 10 grandchildren, including Lord Downpatrick and Lady Amelia Windsor.
The Duchess of Kent made headlines in 1994 when she converted to Roman Catholicism. While this was a large move for a member of the Royal Family to make, it did not affect Prince Edward and his place in the line of succession.
Royal duties and associations
Prince Edward has dedicated his life to royal duties and has attended official engagements since he was just 16. Some of the most important causes he represents are the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Stroke Association, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
One of the duke's most famous associations is the Freemasons. He was initiated into the organisation in 1963 and has risen through the ranks ever since. In 1967, he was made the Grand Master and marked his 50th anniversary as a Freemason in 2013.
The Royal Family's website explains: "The Duke of Kent 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."
Recent milestones
The Duke of Kent was chosen to stand by Queen Elizabeth II's side for the first appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony to mark her historic Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. Just three months later, he joined his siblings, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael, and his cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, for the late Queen's state funeral in London and her committal service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
The Duke was sadly widowed in 2025 when Katharine, Duchess of Kent, passed away at the age of 94. Her funeral took place at Westminster Cathedral in London, and she was buried in the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore, near Windsor Castle.
The current heir to the Dukedom of Kent is Prince Edward's son, George, Earl of St Andrews. He will then be followed by his son, Lord Downpatrick, one day.
