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Despite their advancing age, the royal cousins continue to be stalwarts for The Royal Family

When we think of the British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth II immediately springs to mind. She was the leader for an incredible 70 years. But as remarkable as she was, even she could not do everything alone. For the entirety of her reign, four, supportive, hard-working and, often unsung, individuals were alongside her every step of the way.

It is no surprise that in 2023 and during the reign of King Charles, these four individuals, who are now elderly, continue to work hard on behalf of the Crown.

The Duke of Kent

Still going strong at the age of 87, the Duke of Kent is the last living royal to have swore homage to Queen Elizabeth at her Coronation in 1953.

The Duke works with over 140 organisations whose interests include business, music and engineering. An Army veteran, the Duke of Kent is devoted to honouring those in the armed services, especially those involved in the world wars. 

An avid tennis fan, he was President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for over 50 years until 202 when the Princess of Wales succeeded him to the position. His Royal Highness is still a regular face at Wimbledon, although no longer in an official capacity.

The Duke was born Prince Edward and became the Duke of Kent at just the age of seven when his father died in 1942 during a wartime aircraft accident. He has familial ties to the royal families of England, Greece, Denmark and Russia. He is the first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the late Prince Philip.

Besides Prince Philip, the Duke of Kent was the only adult royal to have been alongside Queen Elizabeth for the entirety of her reign. He was rewarded for his decades of devotion, when during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, he was the only person to accompany The Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour.

Married in 1961 to Katharine Worsley, the Duchess of Kent, they have three children and 10 grandchildren. He is the last living descendant of King George V that was born during his lifetime. He was the only individual to walk behind the coffins of both King George VI’s and Queen Elizabeth II.

The Duke of Gloucester

First cousin to Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Gloucester and the Queen share a unique distinction: neither of them were planning on a royal life. 

Born Prince Richard in 1944, he was the second son Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester. He went to Cambridge, studied architecture and was a partner in a firm when his life changed. His older brother and heir the Dukedom of Gloucester, Prince William, died in a plane crash in 1972. Knowing he was now heir to a royal Dukedom, Prince Richard left his career as an architect and started preparing for public life. He became the Duke of Gloucester in 1974 when his father died.

At Cambridge, he met Birgitte van Deurs. They married in 1972 and have three children and six grandchildren. 

The Duke has ties with over 150 charities. Many of his patronages involve the environment and architecture, two of his passions. He also takes many overseas tripe to represent the Crown. 

The Duchess of Gloucester

Born in Denmark, Birgitte van Deurs met Prince Richard of Gloucester at Cambridge, married in 1972, she planned on being the wife of an architect. That all changed six weeks later when Prince William of Gloucester died in a plane crash. Prince Richard became heir apparent of the Dukedom, and in 1974, they became the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Educated in Denmark, Switzerland and England, the Duchess was working as a secretary at the Royal Danish Embassy when she met her husband. Today she is representing the royal family throughout the United Kingdom and around the world. 

She is the patron or involved with over 60 charities and is the sponsor of two Royal Navy ships, the HMS Gloucester and HMS Sandown. 

Bring a full time working royal has given her insight to many aspects of British life and “makes her proud to be British.”

On the Royal Family’s official website she explains with pride: “As members of the Royal Family and in our public life, The Duke and I have the huge privilege of continuously meeting people greatly committed to their work with charitable causes – many individuals being volunteers, doing all kinds of good works, giving of their time, talents and expertise. Some are high-powered and greatly skilled, others willing to do the most mundane but essential tasks – all of them enjoying being part of a team supporting a noble cause.

“It is inspiring and immensely rewarding meeting these volunteers on my varying engagements in London and throughout the country. I meet volunteers in schools, often for children with special needs, medical research projects, hospices, homes for older and frail people, and also in community initiatives for sport, music and the conservation of the Arts. I see so many wonderful places, and it is the people involved who make them so.”

Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra is the younger sister to the Duke of Kent and is first cousin to the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Born on Christmas Day in 1936, Princess Alexandra was the first British princess to attend school. At the age of 11, she was a bridesmaid to cousin Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen.

In 1963 she married Sir Angus James Bruce Ogilvy, a 13-year-old Princess Anne was the chief bridesmaid. Sir Angus turned down the offer of an Earldom from The Queen on their wedding day, and as such, Alexandra remained Princess of Kent, and later Lady Ogilvy.

Alexandra and Angus have two children and four grandchildren. Her husband died in 2004 from throat cancer.

Over 100 organisations call Princess Alexandra their patron. Healthcare is one of her main passions and she works with charities and groups that range from those that help the blind, conduct cancer research or Cystic Fibrosis to hospice, mental health and nursing. 

Princess Alexandra also travels overseas to represent the monarch. During Queen Elizabeth’s reign she also supported the Queen at Trooping the Colour, dinners for international guests and remembrance events.

In 1960, Princess Alexandra became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and a Knight of the Order of the Garter in 2003. To celebrate Princess Alexandra’s 80th birthday, Queen Elizabeth threw her a party that honoured the Princess and her charities.