The Duke of Kent is marking a poignant anniversary as he becomes the first person in recorded history to hold a dukedom for eighty years.
Prince Edward, 86, became Duke of Kent on August 25th 1942 at the age of six when his father was killed in a plane crash.
He has now held his title for eight decades, easily the longest that anyone has ever been a royal duke.
It is a moment of deep personal sadness as well as reflection for the Duke who earlier this year said he has just a few memories of his father.
Prince George, Duke of Kent was the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary. He was born in 1902 and served with the Royal Navy before working for the Foreign Office and Home Office. After the outbreak of World War Two, he served with the RAF. On August 25th 1942, he was on board a flying boat headed to Iceland from Scotland on non operational duties. It crashed soon after take off, killing George and all but one other person on board. The Duke of Kent was buried at Frogmore.
He had been made Duke of Kent just eight years earlier, just before his marriage to Princess Marina of Greece. His elder son, Edward, succeeded him on his death and has now been Duke of Kent for eight decades.
The current Duke still carries out engagements. He was at The Queen’s side in June when she took a salute from the balcony at Buckingham Palace at Trooping the Colour, the first major event of her Platinum Jubilee.
