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The royal family
Original poster

The Kents

196 replies

Belindabelle · 08/05/2023 21:52

Just looking at the official coronation photograph of the modern slimmed down monarchy.

I see the Duke of Kent. I know his wife the Duchess (my favorite) retired from public life some years ago.

What happened to prince and princess Michael of Kent. I know they were at the coronation but how come the Duke outranks them and they are not part of the new firm.

Can anybody explain.

OP posts:
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Leftoverssandwich · 09/05/2023 08:03

Viscount Linley (as was - not the current one) was a big society figure when I was young. Very funny that he’s now so unknown. He was a staple of the society gossip page in the Evening Standard. His sister Sarah too.

I’m pretty sure the lovely Duchess of Kent just quietly separated from the Duke of Kent. She went to work as a music teacher IIRC.

WeWereInParis · 09/05/2023 08:05

MidgeHardcastle · 09/05/2023 07:59

Read up on Councillors of State it's quite interesting and something I didn't know about until Beatrice recently became one. They are the next 4 members of the RF after the spouse to be called upon to carry out royal duties if necessary. Wiki says that after Beatrice it could be Eugenie and Peter Phillips as the main entry requirements are reaching the age of 21.

Surely the order of over age ones are William, Harry, then Andrew, Beatrice & Eugenie (in whatever order, I don't know who is older), then Edward, (then James and Louise will slot in here as they turn 21), then Ann, then Peter Phillips, then Zara.

Original poster
Belindabelle · 09/05/2023 09:28

I really can’t see Peter Phillips wanting to be part of this but I suppose you never know if the money is right. Zara could very well inherit her mothers hard work ethic. Maybe in that case Mike Tindall will be in Williams coronation photograph.

Perhaps if Princess Margaret had lived longer her children would have taken on more of a roll.

Apparently William didn’t become a full time working royal until he was 35. I don’t think George will have that luxury.

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Sugarfree23 · 09/05/2023 09:33

While I don't think George will be quite as old as 35 I don't think the RF, William or Charles will want him to be full-time Royal much before he is 30.

They'll want him to experience Uni, and the RF being a military family will want him to have military experience.

I know Ann has only been a full-time Royal but how old was Charles when he gave up the Navy?

Willmafrockfit · 09/05/2023 09:37

the Duchess of Kent (of the tennis) withdrew from the royal family
i seem to remember catching a glimpse of her at william's wedding, in a strange long dress
but the press do tend to leave her alone.

Leftoverssandwich · 09/05/2023 09:37

There was never any question of Margaret’s children doing the ribbon cutting stuff. They weren’t young when she died. Linley has always made furniture. Clearly it just wasn’t what anyone expected of them.

Willmafrockfit · 09/05/2023 09:39

oh no, duchess of kent looks ok, i have found a picture,
perhaps it was harry's wedding

Riverlee · 09/05/2023 10:03

The present Prince William was named after another Prince William, who also died in an air crash.

upinaballoon · 09/05/2023 10:22

PollyPeptide · 08/05/2023 22:54

The Duke of Gloucester is actually senior to the Duke of Kent. The Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra are 87 and 86 respectively. I think they are fantastic for their age. Both are still active patrons, as in fact is Prince Michael. (I do have a,soft spot fir the Duchess of Kent. I think she's quite frail these, days.)

The Duke of Gloucester is 78. I really like him. He was an architect. I remember pictures of him in the newspapers when I was young, cycling to work. It was a big thing back then that he was working in a profession. He had to give it up when his older brother died and he became the heir.

Exactly

upinaballoon · 09/05/2023 10:34

This thread has made me decide to google later on:- 'Princess Alexandra represents Queen at ...', and 'Marina Ogilvy' - who was once in the headlines. Princess Alexandra was tall and so attractive. Many of us get shorter when we're older but I was a bit sad to see her so bent now. She was next to Harry in the Abbey.

MidgeHardcastle · 09/05/2023 10:47

Did anyone see Marina at the Coronation? There was a photo of James Ogilvy outside the Abbey but I didn't see Marina

MissMarplesNiece · 09/05/2023 11:09

Princess Alexandra was rumoured to have had an affair with Prince Philip. Her husband, Angus Ogilvy, was mixed up in a business scandal in the 1970s - breaking sanctions on Rhodesia, as it was then known.

I read somewhere (can't remember exact source) that the Duchess of Kent has dementia. I hope it's not true. She had a mental breakdown many years ago - caused by a miscarriage, if I remember right. She also converted to Catholicism. By all accounts she is a gifted musician.

Prince George, the current Duke of Kent's father, died on active service in WW2. He was, apparently, part of a secret diplomatic mission to Iceland. There is still some mystery around the crash - there was only one survivor who later said that DoK was at the controls of the plane but he (the survivor) moved the body to make it look like DoK was a passenger. There was also a person on board whose identity has been kept secret. Prince George had a "wild" younger life. He was mixed up with the Happy Valley crowd in Kenya, had an affair with Margaret, Duchess of Argyll (the Duchess later caused scandal when a photo emerged of her in a compromising position with a man whose head was out of the shot & so has never been identified) and George was also rumoured to have fathered an illegitimate son who became the husband of Jackie Kennedy's sister.

BishopRock · 09/05/2023 11:22

If Charles really is working to slim down the Monarchy, they won't be dragging in peripheral royals to plug the gaps made by ageing dukes.

So I think he'll be happy with William, Kate, Anne, Edward, Sophie.

There are plenty of more relevant people that the Duke of Gloucester for instance who can open things.

MidgeHardcastle · 09/05/2023 11:35

It's not the current situation that is of concern, it is if when William takes over and George is still a minor. Anne and Edward will be old. The monarchy are looking ahead.

Willmafrockfit · 09/05/2023 11:43

the queen was effectively working until @ 96

yoga4meinthemorning · 09/05/2023 11:45

Once Andrew is dead Beatrice and Eugenie can emerge in their own right.

Is it the Kent's who aren't in the line of succession because of their catholic faith?

Alexandria's DD marina?? Was the scandalous one who was pregnant out of wedlock and forced to marry?

Unfortunately I think that would still happen now...

mixedrecycling · 09/05/2023 11:57

Is it the Kent's who aren't in the line of succession because of their catholic faith?

The children of Prince & Princess Michael of Kent, not the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Or anyway, Princess Michael is/was Catholic, so there was some kerfuffle. Not sure exactly how it all got resolved!

Sugarfree23 · 09/05/2023 11:59

For the next 5 years they'll be happy with the current working Royals.
But in 5-10 years as the Kents and Gloucesters stop, and Charles, Camilla and Ann start to age and need to cut back.

Charles doesn't seem to have the best of health now, he looked exhausted on Saturday and his fingers were swollen. I cannot see him having the longevity as HMQ was blessed with.

Sugarfree23 · 09/05/2023 12:02

My post is half written.
In 5-10 years as the older Royals really age and Williams kids are still young, they will near more working aged Royals than William, Kate,, Ed and Sophie.
The Sussexs bailing out has left a massive gap.

Likewhatever · 09/05/2023 12:04

the Duchess of Kent (of the tennis) withdrew from the royal family
i seem to remember catching a glimpse of her at william's wedding, in a strange long dress

It was Harry’s wedding, and that dress was Erdem, which she wore with trainers. I thought it was a bit odd too at the time. Shows what I know about style, who knew she was actually a trend setter!

Sugarfree23 · 09/05/2023 12:06

Likewhatever · 09/05/2023 12:04

the Duchess of Kent (of the tennis) withdrew from the royal family
i seem to remember catching a glimpse of her at william's wedding, in a strange long dress

It was Harry’s wedding, and that dress was Erdem, which she wore with trainers. I thought it was a bit odd too at the time. Shows what I know about style, who knew she was actually a trend setter!

I wonder if she has an issue with her feet, arthritis or something. But being a royal I'm sure she could have got cushioned shoes to wear made.

WimpoleHat · 09/05/2023 12:08

Riverlee · 09/05/2023 10:03

The present Prince William was named after another Prince William, who also died in an air crash.

Yes - that was so sad. I saw a picture of him the other day; he was very handsome. He would’ve been the Duke of Gloucester. Apparently the King was really fond of him and looked up to him as a little boy.

MaggieFS · 09/05/2023 12:11

It's an interesting point about Beatrice and Eugenie... they aren't officially working royals, but they still have various patronages (IIRC) and, for example, were included in press reports from the weekend going to Big Lunches and so on.

I think there is scope for them to do more when the current older generations are no longer able, because I agree with pp that their is a gap ahead. I imagine a similar situation for Lady Louise and the (new) Earl of Wessex, although they don't carry the same profile.

Willmafrockfit · 09/05/2023 12:18

She was @Sugarfree23 a trend setter

Willmafrockfit · 09/05/2023 12:20

Sorry @Likewhatever , a trend setter