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Prince Edward, 58, has spent many an important event by his mother’s side. But at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, September 19, the Duke of Kent truly wore his heart on his sleeve. The late Monarch’s youngest child was seen bursting into tears as he dabbed his eyes with a handkerchief. His wife, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also wiped her eyes with a tissue as they honored Queen Elizabeth at the lavish ceremony.
A year after the death of Prince Philip, the dutiful son had poignantly proven that his bereaved mother wasn’t alone when she attended the Trooping The Colours ceremony on June 1. He joined the Queen to take the official salute in what would prove to be one of her final major events. At the time, he also joined the rest of the working British royals to witness the Royal Air Force’s flyby, marking both the Trooping of the Colours and Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee.
It sadly marked the first time the Queen had appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour without Prince Philip. The Duke of Edinburgh died in 2021 at age 99. The late Queen was noted to be in good spirits, thanks to her companion for the celebratory day back in June. Here’s what you need to know about Prince Edward, the youngest of the beloved Sovereign’s children.
Prince Edward Is The Duke Of Kent
Prince Edward is the Duke Of Kent. He’s the son of Prince George — the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary. Prince George is also the younger brother of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth’s father. Prince George married Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark in 1934. Prince Marina’s mother was Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia, a granddaughter of Emperor Alexander II of Russia, according to PEOPLE.
He Inherited His Title At Age 7
Prince Edward was still a child when he became the Duke of Kent. He inherited the title after his father, Prince George, perished in a flying accident. The Duke of Kent was killed when the RAF S.25 Short Sunderland Mark III he was in crashed into a hillside near Dunbeath, Caithness, in the far north of Scotland, per The Rake. Prince George was reportedly headed to Iceland on a morale-boosting trip for the RAP airman. He was buried at the Royal Burial Ground in the Frogmore Estate, directly behind Queen Victoria’s mausoleum.
Prince Edward Is Involved In Charity Work
Prince Edward donned a military uniform for the 2022 Trooping of the Colours, and it wasn’t just for show. He was in the armed forces for over two decades. In his post-military career, Edward has focused on charitable works.
“The Duke of Kent is involved with over 140 different charities, organizations, and professional bodies which cover a wide range of issues, from commemorating the war dead, to fostering the development of British technology and industry,” writes the official British royal website. “His Royal Highness undertakes numerous engagements each year in support of these organizations, both in the UK and across the Commonwealth.”
He Loves Sports
Prince Edward is a regular at Wimbledon, according to People. He also spent half a century as the President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. That role now belongs to Kate Middleton.
He’s Married With Kids
Prince Edward married Katharine Worsley, the only daughter of Sir William Worsley, in 1961. The couple has three living children: George, Earl of St. Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor, and Lord Nichols Windsor. The couple sadly had a stillborn child in 1977.
As of 2022, Katharine, 89, and Edward’s love is still going strong.