The Duke of Kent sat front row at Westminster Cathedral alongside the likes of Andrew Parker Bowles
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Lord Guthrie also acted as the Colonel Commandant of the Special Air Service and Colonel of The Life Guards. His life of service was recognised in 1999 when he was made Gold Stick in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, a ceremonial role he held until 2019. It means that Lord Guthrie will have taken part in state occasions and processions, including the Coronation and the State Opening of Parliament.
Born in Chelsea on 17 November 1938, Baron Guthrie of Craigiebank was part of a military family, the eldest son of Major Ronald Guthrie. He studied at Harrow and completed his military training at Sandhurst. He was known for his love of opera and tennis, and was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 2019.
On 11 September 1971, he married Catherine Worrall, whose father was Colonel Claude Worrall of the Coldstream Guards. Catherine died in 2022, and the couple are remembered by their two sons.
The Duke of Kent, who is the oldest working royal, has been celebrating his 90th birthday this month. King Charles led the well-wishes, taking to social media to pay tribute to his late mother’s cousin. Later this month, the post declared, the King will host a birthday celebration for the Duke at Windsor Castle. The account went on to share an infographic detailing many of the most important moments in the royal’s life.
The Duke of Kent was last at Westminster Cathedral on 16 September for the funeral of his wife, the Duchess of Kent
Samir Hussein