Trooping the Colour celebrated the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, with many royals in attendance.

The monarch was joined by 18 members of her close family, all of whom are working royals.

One member spent longer on the balcony than the others, as the Duke of Kent accompanied her before the official fly past.

Here’s everything you need to know about who the Duke of Kent is and why he had such a privileged position.

Who is the Duke of Kent?

The Duke of Kent, or Prince Edward, is the Queen’s cousin and close friend.

The 85-year-old is the son of Prince George, who was King George VI’s brother. The king’s real name was Albert, or Bertie to those who knew him well.

He was born on 9 October 1935 and as the eldest child of the late Prince George and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, he inherited the title of the Duke of Kent from his father when he was just six years old.

He married Katherine Worsley on 8 June 1961 at York Minster, and Princess Anne was a bridesmaid.

They have three children, George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Windsor, and 10 grandchildren.

They live between Kensington Palace and Oxfordshire.

The Duke of Kent continues to carry out engagements for the Queen, and was given the prestigious honour of accompanying her while she watched the troops return to Buckingham Palace.

The BBC’s Huw Edwards said: “Certainly since the late Duke of Edinburgh stopped attending public events some years before his death, the Duke of Kent is a very prominent participator in these great state events.”

The Royal Family’s website: “The Duke of Kent is involved with over 140 different charities, organisations and professional bodies which cover a wide range of issues, from commemorating the war dead, to fostering the development of British technology and industry.

“His Royal Highness undertakes numerous engagements each year in support of these organisations, both in the UK and across the Commonwealth.”

he was one of the first to address her at her Coronation, and one of the few people permitted to attend Prince Philip’s lockdown funeral.

The Duke’s younger sister Princess Alexandria is said to be like a sister to the Queen.

Who was on the balcony for Trooping the Colour?

In 2022, scandals and family dramas have ensured a vastly altered balcony ensemble for the traditional RAF flypast which follows the Trooping the Colour parade.

The Queen “after careful consideration” limited the Platinum Jubilee Trooping the Colour balcony appearance to working members of her family who carry out official public duties.

Harry will not be on the balcony, after he and the Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working royals.

They are returning to the UK for what will be the former Suits actress’s first experience of a Jubilee since she married into the Windsors.

There is also no place for Andrew, who was cast out of the institution over his civil sexual assault case.

Eighteen royals appeared, including the Queen, Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and their children.

They were joined by Edward and Sophie, and Anne and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Queen’s cousins the Duke of Gloucester and his wife the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, who have devoted their lives to royal service.

Reference: Microsoft News: Jaymi McCann