Royal fans watching Trooping the Colour were left emotional
after spotting the Duke of Kent standing apart from other members
of the Royal Family during the Buckingham Palace balcony
appearance.
The 90-year-old royal joined King Charles, Queen Camilla, the
Prince and Princess of Wales and other working royals for the
traditional RAF flypast following the King’s official birthday
parade on Saturday.
However, some viewers watching the BBC’s coverage became
concerned when they noticed the Duke of Kent positioned at one end
of the balcony, separated from the main group.
Social media quickly filled with comments from viewers who said
they felt saddened by the sight of the elderly royal appearing to
stand on his own during the historic occasion.
One viewer wrote: “Aww, sad to see the Duke of Kent all by
himself on the side.”
Another commented: “Why was the wonderful Duke of Kent right
down one end of the balcony by himself? Couldn’t someone go and
stand with him? I was in tears. He looked so alone.”
A third added: “The Duke of Kent is located at a considerable
distance from the others on this balcony. Poor man, he is really
kept apart.”
Others questioned why the veteran royal appeared separated from
the rest of the family, while some suggested protocol should not
outweigh family support.
Despite viewers’ concerns, photographs from the balcony show the
Duke spending part of the flypast standing alongside Sir Tim
Laurence, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of
Gloucester.
The Duke of Kent remains one of the most respected members of
the Royal Family and is the oldest living working royal. A first
cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he has spent decades
carrying out public duties on behalf of the Crown.
Although he no longer undertakes the demanding schedule he once
maintained, he continues to represent the Royal Family at selected
engagements and public events.
The Duke did not take part in the King’s Birthday Parade itself
but joined fellow members of the Royal Family for the balcony
appearance, which remains one of the most anticipated moments of
Trooping the Colour.
This year’s balcony line-up included King Charles and Queen
Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess
Charlotte and Prince Louis, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh,
Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke of Kent and the
Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The appearance concluded with the traditional Red Arrows
flypast, drawing loud cheers from the crowds gathered outside
Buckingham Palace.
While attention largely focused on the King and the Wales
family, many royal watchers found themselves talking about the Duke
of Kent, whose long years of service to the monarchy have earned
him widespread affection among royal supporters.