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Meet the Queen's extended family: A guide to the royal cousins

The Queen with her extended family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the 75th Anniversary Of The Battle Of Britain in 2015 [Photo: Getty]
The Queen with her extended family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to mark the 75th Anniversary Of The Battle Of Britain in 2015 [Photo: Getty]

The focus might often be on the younger royals but the Queen has a whole host of cousins, who support her and carry out public engagements.

Her father George VI was one of six children so Her Majesty has a large extended family.

They often get together at ceremonial events and personal celebrations, such as weddings.

The Queen recently attended the nuptials of Lady Gabriella Windsor, who is the daughter of her paternal first cousin Prince Michael of Kent.

Here’s what you need to know about her royal cousins.

Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester

Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester attend the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston [Photo: Getty]
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester attend the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston [Photo: Getty]

The Duke of Gloucester, born on August 26, 1944, is the second son of the late Duke of Gloucester and the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. He is currently 27th in line to the throne.

He practised as an architect, but on the death of his elder brother Prince William of Gloucester in August 1972, he inherited his father’s dukedom and took on royal duties.

He married Birgitte van Deurs (now the Duchess of Gloucester) on July 8, 1972 and the couple live at Kensington Palace. They have three children; Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, Lady Davina Windsor and Lady Rose Gilman.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

The Duke and Duchess of Kent leave Westminster Abbey after Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011 [Photo: PA]
The Duke and Duchess of Kent leave Westminster Abbey after Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 2011 [Photo: PA]

Prince Edward, born on 9 October 1935, is the oldest child and son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. He is currently 37th in line to the throne.

He became the Duke of Kent at the age of six when his father was killed in a plane crash in Caithness, in Scotland.

Edward served in the Armed Forces in the UK and overseas for 21 years and now he still carries out royal duties.

The Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley at York Minster on June 8, 1961 and the couple have three children together - George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor.

Princess Alexandra

Princess Alexandra arrives at the Chelsea Flower Show [Photo: PA]
Princess Alexandra arrives at the Chelsea Flower Show [Photo: PA]

Princess Alexandra, born on December 25, 1936, is the only daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. She is currently 53rd in line to the throne.

Her brothers are the Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent and she was the first British princess to go to an ordinary school - Heathfield School near Ascot. She was also one of the Queen’s bridesmaids when she married Prince Philip in 1947.

She married the Hon. Angus James Bruce Ogilvy on April 24, 1963 at Westminster Abbey and the couple went on to have two children James Ogilvy and Marina Ogilvy.

Alexandra is still a working member of the Royal Family and is patron or president of over 100 organisations, from the arts to health care.

Her husband Sir Angus died in 2004.

Prince Michael of Kent

Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding last May [Photo: PA]
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding last May [Photo: PA]

Prince Michael of Kent, born on July 4, 1942, is the youngest child of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.

After leaving school, Prince Michael attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and has since had a long military career, including service in Germany, Hong Kong and Cyprus. He now runs his own private consultancy business.

On June 30, 1978, he married Baroness Marie Christine von Reibnitz in a civil ceremony in Vienna, Austria.

At the time of their marriage, Marie was a Roman Catholic and a divorcee. Under the terms of the Act of Settlement 1701, Prince Michael forfeited his place in the line of succession to the throne because he wed a Roman Catholic.

However, his position was reinstated in 2015 due to the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 and he is currently 48th in line to the throne.

While the prince and princess are not publicly funded, they do undertake a range of public duties, including representing The Queen at certain engagements.

The couple have two children Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Windsor. Lord Frederick is married to actress Sophie Winkleman (sister of TV presenter Claudia) while Lady Gabriella recently tied the knot with Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.

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