Prince Edward – the Duke of Kent – is the only person to have walked in the funeral procession of two of the last monarchs of England.
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The only man to walk both funerals
The 86-year-old Duke of Kent is allegedly described as a 'whisper-close' confidant of late Queen Elizabeth II in the past. He previously celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June and stood by her side as she took the official salute for Trooping the Colour, confirms People Magazine.
This helped the Queen commemorate her significant event. She had never done it before without her late husband, Prince Philip.
Prince Edward followed the Queen's casket as it travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for her state burial and then on to Windsor for her Committal Service on September 19. The Duke appeared thoughtful as he sat behind his cousin's casket while dressed in his military uniform for the occasion.
The Duke of Kent is the only person who has walked in the funeral processions of both his uncle King George VI and his first cousin Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/JUKOiHAKvX
— 404NOTFOUND 🌟🇺🇸🤫🇹🇭💛 (@404NOTF65767728) September 19, 2022
When Her Majesty's father, George VI, was laid to rest in 1952, he was just 16 years old and participated in the funeral procession.
Duke of Kent
Duke of Kent is the grandson of George V and Queen Mary and the nephew of the Queen's father, King George VI, and is affectionately referred to as ‘steady Eddie’ within the family. MailOnline reports the Duke of Kent has been by the Queen's side for numerous state occasions since the Duke of Edinburgh retired from public service in 2017.
Even during the pandemic, he was the only member of The Firm to accompany her to scaled-back birthday celebrations. Richard Kay, a royal expert, confirmed:
[It would] be hard to find another Royal Family member who embodies the qualities of loyalty and obligation to the Queen and country more than Edward Kent.
Sources Used
Daily Mail: Echoes of saying goodbye to his uncle George VI: The Queen's cousin and close confidant the Duke of Kent walked in the funeral procession for Her Majesty - 70 years after he performed the same duty for the King
People: Duke of Kent Only Person to Walk in Funeral Processions for Both Queen Elizabeth and King George
Read More
⋙ Here’s why Prince George wore a navy-blue suit to the Queen’s funeral
⋙ The Queen’s funeral: Things Royal Family did to make it more personal
⋙ Will Prince Edward still remain the Earl of Wessex after the Queen's death?
