Both Prince Michael of Kent and the Duke of Kent, 90, remain dedicated to their public duties despite their advancing years. Last month, the brothers were joined by their cousin, the Duke of Gloucester at the Army & Navy Club on Pall Mall for the Senior Serving and Retired Officers’ Briefing. Both Prince Michael and the Duke of Kent now use a cane and are sometimes seen using a wheelchair, as at Crufts.
Born in Buckinghamshire on 4 July 1942, Prince Michael of Kent was the third child of Prince George, Duke of Kent (son of King George V and Queen Mary) and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark (daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark and Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia).
At the time of his birth, Prince Michael, was seventh in line to the throne. Today he is 53rd. Through his father, Prince Michael was a first cousin of Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II. Through his mother, he was also a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Like many members of the Royal Family, Prince Michael’s list of godparents reads like a who’s who of the world’s most influential figures: King George VI, King Haakon VII of Norway and US President Franklin D. Roosevelt were among those chosen. Just weeks later, the family suffered a devastating blow when Prince Michael’s father, Prince George, Duke of Kent, was killed in a plane crash near Dunbeath in Scotland.
Prince Michael of Kent isn’t a working royal but does attend events including the Together At Christmas carol concert, pictured
Karwai Tang
