Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who turns 90 today, is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and holds the title of being the oldest living member of the Firm
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who turns 90 today, is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II(Image: Getty Images)
A working member of the Royal Family who holds the honour of being the oldest living Royal has maintained the same title for 83 years following a heartbreaking family tragedy when he was just a boy. A lesser-known royal, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who celebrates his 90th birthday today (born October 9, 1935), is the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and son of Prince George, Duke of Kent.
A former member of the British Army, the Duke stepped down in 1976 and has served as a working Royal ever since. Notably, he presented the trophies at Wimbledon for more than 50 years in his capacity as President of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
Beyond his previous positions as Vice Chairman of the Overseas Trade Board and British Trade International, Prince Edward is also linked with more than 140 charities, organisations, and bodies, and, like other royals, carries out yearly engagements.
The Duke of Kent with his wife and son, Prince Edward, in the garden of his country home(Image: Getty Images)
As a youngster, Edward took on the title of his late father after he tragically died, aged 39, in an aviation disaster known as the Dunbeath air crash during the height of the Second World War in 1942.
In the tragedy, Prince George and 13 others sadly lost their lives when their RAF Short Sunderland left Invergordon on August 25, bound for Iceland, but crashed into a hillside, specifically Eagle’s Rock in Caithness, Scotland, near the village of Dunbeath.
However, the Telegraph reported in 2024 that the Duke’s death had “never been satisfactorily explained”.
Despite this, the crash, which occurred in thick fog, was attributed to what the publication described as “poor weather and pilot error”, despite the alleged “suspicion” around this conclusion.
Indeed, since the tragic event, there have reportedly been conspiracy theories surrounding the disaster. One such theory involves Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess.
Hess is infamous for his solo flight from Nazi Germany to Scotland in an alleged peace mission.
Edward inherited the title of his late father after he tragically died, aged 39, in an air disaster(Image: Getty Images)
According to The Times, the conspiracy theory alleges that Hess was on the ill-fated plane as part of efforts to broker peace, while others have reportedly claimed the plane contained a 16th passenger.
Meanwhile, in modern times, Prince Edward, who has served as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, is an advocate for war commemoration.
According to the official Royal Family website, he is keen for younger generations to remember the sacrifices made by individuals during both World Wars.
A quote attributed to the Duke on the website reads: “WWII anniversaries are now an occasion for joint remembrance: an opportunity to pause and reflect on the horrors of war; to mourn and commemorate those who lost or gave their lives; to display our solidarity with those who survived.”