The Duke of Kent returns to royal duties with first engagement since the death of his wife, the Duchess of Kent

The Duke of Kent, the oldest working member of the royal family, was last seen at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral in September.

Returning to duty The Duke of Kent pictured here in April 2024 has stepped out for his first royal engagement following...

Returning to duty: The Duke of Kent, pictured here in April 2024, has stepped out for his first royal engagement following the death of his wife

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Family support Prince Edward was supported by his daughter Lady Helen Taylor at a Vigil for the Deceased for the Duchess...

Family support: Prince Edward was supported by his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, at a Vigil for the Deceased for the Duchess of Kent in September

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The engagement on Tuesday was especially emotional, marking the Duke of Kent’s first official public duties since the Duchess of Kent passed away on 4 September. On 15 September, her coffin was taken by hearse from Kensington Palace to Westminster Cathedral, where the Rite of Reception and Vespers took place, on the eve of the Requiem Mass. In a sign of the respect the Duchess of Kent earned from the Royal Family, her coffin was transported in the Royal Hearse, designed by Queen Elizabeth II, and draped in the Royal Standard.
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Prince Michael of Kent the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Lord Nicholas Windsor gathered outside Kensington Palace on 9...

Prince Michael of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Lord Nicholas Windsor gathered outside Kensington Palace on 9 October 2024 to mark the Duke’s 89th birthday

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The Duke of Kent would often join the late Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour including...

The Duke of Kent would often join the late Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, including for her final attendance in 2022

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Despite his dedication to his royal role, the Duke of Kent has been withdrawing from a number of his official positions over the past few years, handing over the Presidency of the All England Tennis Club to the Princess of Wales, and attending a ceremony this April to commemorate the Duke of Edinburgh taking over his role as the Colonel of the Scots Guards after 50 years of service.

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Earlier this year, the Duke’s daughter, Lady Helen Taylor, revealed that he is ‘slowing down’ as his health begins to fail. ‘I don’t want him to. I mean, he sort of is naturally, because his body won’t let him go at the speed that he would like to,’ she told True Royalty TV, ‘but I don’t want him to retire because what will he do?’ Lady Helen then added that the Duke of Kent likes to be constantly busy and is always seeking new sources of inspiration. His dedication to the Scouts has been a constant for the Duke throughout the past 50 years, however. He serves as the Joint President of the organisation alongside Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and earlier this year followed in Kate’s footsteps by meeting with Chief Scout Dwayne Fields to congratulate some highly accomplished scouts.

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