The Duke of Kent steps down from longest-serving role

The Duke of Kent has stepped down as Colonel of the Scots Guard, a role he has served for 50 years.

The Duke, 88, released as statement on the royal family's social media accounts describing the role as a "true honour."

"Serving as Colonel of the Scots Guards since 1974, the longest anyone has spent in this role, has been a true honour and one which will forever fill me with great joy," he said.

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"Through those years, I have seen the work of the Scots Guards during peacetime and war."

He announced Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh would step into the role.

"To my fellow Scots Guardsmen, I am immensely proud to have served you all," the Duke stated.

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"I am delighted that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will continue to champion all that you do and work towards preserving your great legacy."

The Duke of Kent, also known as Prince Edward, is the late Queen Elizabeth's first cousin and has played key roles in the role family.

He became a working member of the royal family in 1976 after retiring from the British Army.

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He was patron of 140 charities and president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club which saw him hand out trophies at Wimbledon.

This role was handed to the Princess of Wales in 2017.

In addition to his role as Colonel of the Scots Guard, the Duke of Kent carried out various engagement on behalf of the late Queen. He was also front and centre at King Charles' coronation in May.

The Duke of Kent accompanied Queen Elizabeth to Trooping the Colour in 2022 months before her death.

The Duke and Queen Elizabeth were first cousins through their fathers, Prince George, the Duke of Kent and King George VI. The Duke of Kent's mother was also first cousins with the late Prince Philip.

The Duke of Kent's father died in a plane crash in 1942 when he was just six, leaving him to inherit the title.

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The Duke of Kent married Katharine Worsley in 1961 with Princess Anne serving as bridesmaid.

They have three children - George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews who is 62, Lady Helen Taylor, 60 and Lord Nicolas Windsor, 54.

The couple has 10 grandchildren and live between Wren House Kensington Palace and Oxfordshire.

The Duke of Kent has suffered from ill health over the past decade including a mild stroke in 2013 and a hip injury in 2015 which left him using a walking cane.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have taken on additional duties this year as King Charles and the Princess of Wales undergo cancer treatment.

The couple were last seen at Easter service with their son James alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla as well as Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence, as well as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.

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