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.
