The Duke of Kent was among the mourners paying their respects to Field Marshal Lord Guthrie at his funeral in London on Wednesday. The royal, who celebrated his 90th birthday last week, was dressed in a black suit as he was seated among the congregation – with fellow attendees also including Queen Camilla’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.
His appearance comes just weeks after the royal attended the funeral of his late wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent. Charles Ronald Llewelyn Guthrie, who died aged 86 last month, held the most senior positions within the Armed Forces.
He served as Chief of the General Staff from 1994 to 1997, as well as holding the role of Chief of the Defence Staff from 1997 to 2001.
He continued his service as Colonel Commandant of the Special Air Service from 2001 to 2010 and Colonel of The Life Guards between 1998 to 2019.
He also served as Gold Stick in Waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II from 1999 to 2019.
With his milestone birthday taking place on October 9, King Charles publicly sent birthday wishes to the Duke of Kent via Instagram.
Alongside a previously unseen photograph of the King and the Duke at Buckingham Palace after the coronation in 2023, the caption read: “Wishing The Duke of Kent a very happy birthday – 90 today! [red-balloon emoji].”
The caption also revealed a special birthday present that the monarch has got for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin.
It read: “Later this month, The King will host a birthday reception for The Duke, who was Queen Elizabeth II’s first cousin, at Windsor Castle.”
The Duke of Kent’s wife died on September 4, with her funeral taking place in London on September 16.
