As first cousins they are whisper-close confidants whose lives have shared in the ups and downs of so many royal dramas — and countless family secrets.
At his christening, she was at Buckingham Palace’s private chapel. And eight and a half decades later when Queen Elizabeth faced her first birthday parade since the passing of Prince Philip, he was at her side.
Now he is 86 and while the more prominent activities of young royals like Harry, Kate and Meghan grab headlines, but the Duke of Kent continues calmly with his duties, with a quiet dignity, no fuss, and complete contentment.
Edward Kent was six years old when his father passed away in a flying accident during World War II. It is difficult, however, to find another member of the Royal Family who exhibits more loyalty and duty to Queen and Country than Edward Kent.
So the news that the duke is writing his memoirs in which, we are promised, he will be telling the inside story ‘behind the scenes of the world’s most celebrated family’, is remarkable.
The publication of the book is scheduled for next May. Not only will it appear just ahead of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations, it will also beat the arrival of another royal book — the tell-all autobiography of Prince Harry.
The Duke of Kent (right) is writing his memoirs in which, we are promised, he will be telling the inside story ‘behind the scenes of the world’s most celebrated family’
Both books will likely reflect an entirely different account of events.
The duke’s story will be in the form of recollections and never-before-seen pictures — he is a skilled amateur photographer — of a lifetime working for the Queen without fanfare to support her public role.
It is hard to see the contrast between Harry’s volume and Harry’s, which is filled with anger at the way his departure from the royal institution has been handled.
‘Edward’s book,’ says a figure close to the duke pointedly, ‘will aim to show that the most successful members of the Royal Family are those who support the Queen and don’t compete with her’.
According to the publishers’ blurb, ‘Steady Eddie’ — as the duke is affectionately known within the family — has been ‘involved in all key royal events’ in his lifetime.
He is the grandson of George V and Queen Mary, and the nephew of the Queen’s father King George VI. The duke, through his mother Princess Marina is a cousin to Prince Philip. His father Prince George, exiled Duke, was his younger brother.
At that Palace christening, as well as the nine-year-old Princess Elizabeth, were the duke’s godparents, among them his grandfather and grandmother the King and Queen and the then Prince of Wales. This places the duke (whose granddaughter Lady Amelia Windsor was a Tatler covergirl and model) at the epicenter of royal life.
So what might be in the 304-page book, called A Royal Life — and more pertinently what might be left out?
Surprisingly, his entire life consisted of 21 years service in the Army (as an officer in Royal Scots Greys), followed by 45 years serving royal duties.
But at the same time he has had a ringside seat at some of the great post-war events, from the funeral of his uncle George VI, where he walked behind the King’s coffin, and the Queen’s coronation in 1953, to last June’s socially distanced Trooping the Colour ceremony where the duke accompanied the Queen, the only other member of the Royal Family present.
As the Queen led 1981 Birthday Parade, blank gun shots were fired while he was riding on horseback alongside Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Prince Charles. His sound advice was invaluable in solving domestic problems that threatened to sweep the Queen’s house, such as the deaths of three of her children and the failure of their marriages.
The book will include a full portrait of both the duke’s formidable mother as well as his childhood recollections of his handsome father who was killed in a flying boat accident in 1942. The loss of Prince George was one of the highest profile fatalities of World War II — no royal prince had given his life in defence of his country for 500 years.
Sixty years ago the good-looking duke and his fiancée, Yorkshire landowner’s daughter Katherine Worsley were the pin-up couple of the House of Windsor when they married amid a fanfare of trumpets at York Minster in 1961
He was a hugely popular figure — glamorous, debonair and sexy. Six years before the Abdication, court circles believed that he would succeed to the throne over his older brother, Bertie (George VI).
Princes Marina and Princess Marina were the granddaughters of King George of Greece. They had two sons, one girl, and some people preferred a male line for succession. Bertie with his two daughters could not do this.
Rumours about the air crash and the prince’s death have continued to this day. Another theory is that George was with a woman onboard at the time. An equally popular story is the one that Prince George was a father to another child.
It may not be the type of thing the Duke can ignore. He may still need to discuss sensitive matters if the Duke wishes to honor his parents.
Edward Kent is often seen enjoying the fresh air and window shopping in Kensington Gardens near his house on fine days.
Although his head may be covered in tweed, the lopsided gait with sharp smile and wide eyes, which are familiar from many royal occasions, can still easily be recognized. He is often alone.
Sixty years ago the good-looking duke and his fiancée, Yorkshire landowner’s daughter Katherine Worsley were the pin-up couple of the House of Windsor when they married amid a fanfare of trumpets at York Minster.
Their wedding day was in 1961. Thousands lined the route of 23 miles between Minster and reception.
The duke’s most prominent appearance is at Wimbledon Tennis Finals, but he also helped the queen in many important areas.
An aircraft of the Queen’s flight bore them away on honeymoon and the following year they celebrated the birth of a son George, the Earl of St Andrews. They had two more children, Lady Helen and Lord Nicholas in 1964.
He might have revealed some light about his royal wedding.
I am told the duke’s book will be ‘informative without being sensational.’ Even so it will be fascinating to learn how much of it he chooses to write about.
It was reported widely that the duchess, who was then 42 years old, had an abortion in 1975 after she contracted German measles during pregnancy. However, two years later she became pregnant once again. Tragically, her child was stillborn. It triggered depression.
Although she returned to royal duties in 1979, the shadow of Patrick’s passing had not left her. She was then admitted to hospital and given seven weeks of rest and treatment.
The marriage was going through difficult times. Later, it was reported that the Duke had spoken to the Queen about possible divorce. The Queen was reported to have advised her cousin against any such actions and they continued their struggle.
The duchess later explained that she was depressed because she didn’t have enough time to grieve.
Since childhood, she was deeply religious. She converted to Roman Catholicism. She was accepted to the Catholic Church in 1994. Her conversion was what enabled her to be herself, she believed.
Despite his own unwavering Anglican faith, the duke supported his wife’s religious journey and has, over the years, attended mass with her at Westminster Cathedral. Nicholas, their youngest son, converted to Catholicism. George, the elder son, was divorced to a Catholic and is an active worshipper at Westminster Cathedral.
The Duchess Of Kent managed to get through the Epstein Barr virus diagnosis later. This is a condition that causes fatigue syndrome-like symptoms.
The duchess began teaching piano lessons twenty years ago and asked Queen Elizabeth if it was possible to drop her HRH fashion. If it lifted a load from her shoulders — she felt being Her Royal Highness was no longer relevant — her easy-going husband took it all in his stride.
The duke’s book is co-written by Hugo Vickers, the distinguished royal biographer and is based on conversations between the two.
‘His involvement began as an aide during the first national Covid lockdown,’ a source close to the project says. ‘Unable to carry out his official engagements or military and charity duties, the duke had the idea to set down some thoughts about what working for the Royal Family involves.
‘In that respect it is not a tell-all memoir. But he has talked about his father and mother and some of the recollections are very moving.’
This book was the product of fifteen hours of recorded conversations between Vickers, the Duke and Vickers. Many of these were via Zoom meetings.
Publishers Hodder and Stoughton say the conversations focus on the most important moments and themes of the Queen’s 70-year reign and will offer a ‘unique set of insights into life as a working royal’.
The duke’s most prominent appearance is at Wimbledon Tennis Finals, but he also helped her in many important areas.
For 25 years until 2001 he was overseas trade ambassador — a role then disastrously handed to Prince Andrew — and as president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since 1970, he has visited cemeteries to the fallen all over the world.
The Queen knows about the book, which could only signify that she gave her consent.
Sources claim that the money given to the duke in exchange for his contribution will be donated by charity. It could be a windfall — the duke’s book may just turn out to be a bestseller.