The Duke of Kent has been pictured for the first time since his cousin once removed, King Charles III’s, cancer diagnosis, receiving a “very special” gift from an organisation he has given a lifetime of support to.
His Royal Highness stepped down from his role as President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) last November after more than 50 years of service.
The CWGC cares for the war graves of Commonwealth men and women who died in the First and Second World Wars.
The organisation ensures that more than 1.7 million war dead are honoured at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories.
When HRH the Duke of Kent stepped down from his role as our President towards the end of last year, we wanted to give him a very special gift to thank him for more than 50 years of service to the Commission.
At our workshop in Beaurains, France the team have worked extremely… pic.twitter.com/G0q2wrRGKO
— CommonwealthWarGraves (@CWGC) February 12, 2024
The Commission has given the 88-year-old Duke a “very special gift”.
Created at the CWGC’s workshop in Beaurains, France, the team have created a Cross of Sacrifice, together with a hand-made wooden presentation box.
Inscribed on the Cross’ wooden stand are the words “Presented to: His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission 1970-2023. With gratitude for your exemplary service.”
This afternoon, the CWGC tweeted: “We’d like to extend our thanks to our colleagues, it was a true team effort involving blacksmiths, carpenters and stone masons.”
The Duke of Kent with his cousin, King Charles, and Camilla
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The gift was presented to the Duke of Kent by the CWGC’s Vice Chairman, Peter Hudson CB CBE, and the Director General, Claire Horton.
The Duke stood down from his role as President last year, handing over the reins to the King’s sister, the Princess Royal.
Prince Edward was the first cousin to both Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh – making him both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to King Charles III – but remains a working member of the Royal Family carrying out royal duties on behalf of the King.
Charles with Prince Philip And the Duke Of Kent at Buckingham Palace for Trooping The Colour
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The Duke of Kent is 88 years old
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He was forced to pull out of the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph and the annual Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall last year due to “episodic mobility issues”.
In recent years, ageing Duke of Kent has scaled back his public duties.
