The Duke Of Kent’s Quiet Balcony Moment Leaves Royal Fans Emotional Less Than A Year After Personal Heartbreak
Duke of Kent, 90, cuts a lonely figure as he looks at phone alone during Trooping less than a year after wife’s death
THE Duke of Kent looked to be rather lonely when he joined other senior members of the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony and was seen looking at his phone for Trooping the Colour.
Prince Edward, 90, was taking part in King Charles’ official birthday celebrations for the first time since the death of his wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, last year.
Prince Edward, 90, appeared to be using his phone to film the spectacular display for the King’s official birthdayCredit: ©Karwai Tang
The Duke of Kent cut a lonely figure when he appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the Red Arrows fly pastCredit: Getty
The Duke stood on the far right of the balcony and looked somewhat isolated as the Red Arrows flew overhead.
He captured all the colourful pomp and circumstance, filming the parade on his phone.
In the past the palace balcony has at times been packed with at least 44 royals as distant relatives were invited but in line with Charles’ slimmed down model of the Royal Family this has been cut back recently to only include working royals and the Waleses’ children.
Six years ago, there were around 42 royals who gathered around the late Queen Elizabeth.
The Red Arrows’ and four Typhoon Jets take part in the flypast over Buckingham Palace after attending the King’s Birthday ParadeCredit: AFP
The Mall was packed out with well-wishersCredit: PA
In 2019, even Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie were barely visible as the balcony was so full, as they were stood behind the late Queen and the Princess Royal.
While in 2017, there were some 47 royals on the balcony.
But in 2022 there were 18 royals present for the annual Trooping the Colour.
The Firm watched in awe from a balcony of Buckingham Palace as the Red Arrows performed their flypast – with thousands of royal fans having lined The Mall for the procession.
Future King George – weeks away from his 13th birthday – looked all grown up as he joined his family on the balcony, towering over the current monarch Charles.
Meanwhile, younger brother Louis, eight, playfully pulled faces after he was seen peeking through a window at the Palace as the family prepared to make their official appearance.
The royal procession itself involved over 1,350 soldiers, mounted and on foot, and 300 musicians.
Members of The Firm took part, with Kate, 44, and her three kids, also including Charlotte, 10, seen in a horse drawn carriage to Horse Guards Parade.
They reached Buckingham Palace at 1pm, with the flypast itself lasting for around six minutes.
The Duke is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and is the oldest working royal, having turned 90 on October 9, just more than a month after he beloved wife died.
They were married for 64 years.
It’s believed he had a close relationship with the late Queen, which Charles is said to have continued.
The King held a private party at Windsor Castle in October to celebrate the Duke’s birthday.
Katharine got engaged to Prince Edward before tying the knot at York Minster on June 8, 1961 – in what was the first royal wedding there in over 600 years.
Katharine quickly became a popular figure with the public after her marriage – with her regularly named the best-dressed woman in the world.
From 1969, Katharine became synonymous with Wimbledon, presenting trophies with her husband – the President of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – on Centre Court.
SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/39399750/duke-kent-lonely-phone-trooping-colour-wifes-death/