Other British Royals and Relations

[featherhat]

Jul 28, 2022 11:59:40 GMT -4 Mouse said:

Ideally, they wouldn't have had to; the lesser known royals should have been off the hook. I'm hoping that Edward's children will be private citizens.

Edward and Sophie's kids have always been private citizens with no expectation that they would perform royal duties beyond family events. Even Edward and Sophie weren't planning on being working royals originally.

That said, it was a completely different time when the Kents and the Gloucesters started. HM needed them to perform many of the duties now performed by her children. Royal engagements are changing with less emphasis on opening hospitals, libraries, community centres and schools etc but they were a huge part of the role 70-10 years ago and the Kents/Gloucesters STILL do a lot of that. They do a lot of the unglamorous regional visits that are still important to many members of the public.

They could have retired a lot time ago (the Duchess of Kent actually did) but have said that they'll keep going as long as HM keeps going.

[Mouse]

One of those professional royal watchers once pointed out that the lesser-known royals tend to be better behaved than the main branch.

[Auroranorth]

In fairness, the pressure is a lot lower on them. But then there's Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who can't seem to to stay out of hot water.

[Sunnyhorse]

I've always liked this lady. www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a40957741/duchess-of-kent-interview-teaching/?utm_medium=social-media&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=socialflowFBTCO (Don't kill me, other mods; will make a link as soon as I'm on a device that supports it.)

[canuckcutie]

Thomas Kingston, the husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor, the daughter of Prince & Princess of Kent, died on the weekend. He was 45. The couple married 5 years ago.

[americanchai]

Whoa. That's insane. I was wondering if they were ever going to have children. I guess not. Yikes. That's so sad.

ETA: I wonder if this is why both Charles and William didn't attend King Constantine of Greece's memorial service. Apparently, Gabriella's parents attended. Of course, William and Charles have a lot going on otherwise too but ugh. Nobody saw this coming.

[Ladybug]

This is so tragic! They looked so happy, and 45 is incredibly young. My heart breaks for Gabriella.

A couple of royal reporters said this was not the reason William didn't attend the service. My guess is a sick child. As for Charles, if he's taking chemo treatments his immune system is suppressed, and being in large groups of people is risky.

[featherhat]

This is very sad, they looked very happy together. So young.

I don't think this is the reason William didn't attend the service (apparently he was scheduled) but probably either he was sick or one of the kids since he doesn't generally cancel at the last minute.

[Spinderella]

Feb 10, 2006 17:47:02 GMT -4 Ladybug said:

This is so tragic! They looked so happy, and 45 is incredibly young. My heart breaks for Gabriella.

Sadly, he took his own life. Just heartbreaking.

[tiggertoo]

That is so sad. I know, it’s cliche but he seemed to have it all. He served with distinction in Afghanistan, handsome, wealthy, he was religious. I just assumed it was a heart attack. But I guess they don’t have inquests if it’s a natural death? I’m not sure how the system works.

Someone did say yesterday that his wife de activated her Instagram account, which made me wonder what was coming.