The Duke of Kent is the holder of an incredible royal record that’s unlikely to be broken and which began with deep sadness. Prince Edward, who turns 90 today, has been a royal duke longer than any other person.
Edward, who is a cousin of King Charles, became Duke of Kent on August 1942 when he was just six years old. It was a title that came through tragedy. For Edward automatically succeeded his father, Prince George, who was killed in a plane crash.
The death of George, Duke of Kent came during the darkest days of World War Two. Edward was his eldest child and was known, from the age of six, as HRH The Duke of Kent. He has now been a royal duke for 83 years, longer than anyone else.
The deep tragedy of his loss was discussed by The Duke of Kent just a few years ago. In an interview in 2022, he said he had just a few memories of his father, George, who was one of the most popular members of the Royal Family.
Prince George, Duke of Kent was the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary. He was born in 1902 and served with the Royal Navy before working for the Foreign Office and Home Office. After the outbreak of World War Two, he served with the RAF. On August 25th 1942, he was on board a flying boat headed to Iceland from Scotland on non operational duties. It crashed soon after take off, killing George and all but one other person on board. The Duke of Kent was buried at Frogmore.
He had been made Duke of Kent just eight years earlier, just before his marriage to Princess Marina of Greece. His elder son, Edward, succeeded him on his death and has now been Duke of Kent for over eight decades.
The current Duke still carries out engagements. His most recent was just days before he turned 90. It was also the first time he had been seen in public since the funeral of his wife. The Duchess of Kent died on September 4 2025 at the age of 92. Her funeral took place at Westminster Cathedral, attended by The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
King Charles showed how important his cousin remains to him on the day of the Duke of Kent’s 90th birthday. Buckingham Palace shared a striking image of The King and the Duke together. It was taken on the day of Charles III’s Coronation and shows The King, wearing his Robe of Estate and the Imperial State Crown. The Duke of Kent, in the mantle of the Order of the Garter, is talking to him while His Majesty reaches out to touch the hand of his cousin.
The Duke of Kent was close to Queen Elizabeth II and was given an important honour at one of the biggest events of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. He was at Elizabeth II’s side when she took a salute at Trooping the Colour from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Just a few months later, the Duke of Kent sat in the drizzle in the courtyard of St. James’ Palace to hear the formal proclamation of King Charles III following his accession on September 8 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
However, in 1936, Prince Edward came close to becoming heir to the throne in place of Elizabeth. When Edward VIII decided to abdicate, there was discussion about whether Prince George, Duke of Kent, should succeed him instead of the older Albert, Duke of York who was actually first in line. In the end, usual tradition was followed and Albert became George VI with his elder daughter, Elizabeth, becoming heir and eventually succeeding to the throne in 1952, the start of her record breaking 70 year reign.
