Following the Queen's death at the impressive age of 96, her cousin The Duke of Kent has become the oldest member of the Royal Family. Born on October 9, 1935 in Belgrave Square, London, Prince Edward was the son of Prince George and Princess Marina, The Duke and Duchess of Kent, and a grandson of King George V and Queen Mary. He has led an interesting life which has included decades of royal service, heading up one of the most secretive organisations and experiencing religious scandal within his own family.
As he marks his 87th birthday today, we look at his remarkable life and how he supported the Queen throughout her reign.
Prince Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick is the eldest of three children, with younger sister Princess Alexandra born on Christmas Day in 1936 and his younger brother, Prince Michael of Kent, making the trio in 1942.
His father died in an RAF plane crash in Caithness, Scotland, during World War Two on August 25, 1942. Edward subsequently inherited his father's titles of Duke of Kent, Earl of St Andrews and Baron Downpatrick.
At the time of his death, his youngest son Prince Michael was just over a month old.
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The prince was educated at Ludgrove Prep School, Eton College and at the Le Rosey Institute in Switzerland.
Upon his return to the UK, Edward was enrolled at Sandhurst Military Academy and later embarked on his army career that lasted over 20 years.
The Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley on June 8, 1961 at York Minster. The couple share three children: George, Earl of St Andrews (b. 1962), Lady Helen Taylor (b. 1964), Lord Nicholas Windsor (b. 1970) and a stillborn son named Patrick (b. 1977).
They now have 10 grandchildren, including the likes of Lord Downpatrick and fashion model Lady Amelia Windsor.
The Duchess of Kent made headlines in 1994 when she converted to Roman Catholicism. While this was a significant move for a member of the Royal Family to make, it did not affect Prince Edward and his place in the line of succession.
It has, however, impacted members of his immediate family as many of them have lost their place in the Line of Succession owing to the constraints of the Succession to the Crown Act 2013.
Prince Edward has dedicated his life to royal duties and started attending official engagements when he was just 16. Some of the most important causes he represents are the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the Stroke Association and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Royal Family's website explains: "The Duke of Kent is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies which cover a wide range of issues, from commemorating the war dead, to fostering the development of British technology and industry.
"His Royal Highness undertakes numerous engagements each year in support of these organisations, both in the UK and across the Commonwealth."
Interestingly, one of the duke's most famous associations is the Freemasons. He was initiated into the organisation in 1963 and has risen through the ranks ever since. In 1967, he was made the Grand Master and marked his 50th anniversary as a Freemason in 2013.
Just three months after he joined The Queen for two of her final appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony to commemorate her historic Platinum Jubilee, he was pictured attending her funeral.
The Queen's four remaining first cousins, The Duke of Kent, Princess Alexandra, Prince Michael and The Duke of Gloucester joined the rest of the Royal Family at the monarch's state funeral at Westminster Abbey and her committal service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Looking ahead to the future, the current heir to the Dukedom of Kent is Prince Edward's son, George, Earl of St Andrews. He will then be followed one day by his son, Lord Downpatrick. Owing to their change in religion, once The Earl of St Andrews inherits the title, it will no longer be a Royal Dukedom and he will be styled as His Grace The Duke of Kent, rather than His Royal Highness.
